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Reviews of Rare Beach Penthouse — blocks to the Beach, downtown Santa Barbara & Funk Zone

Rare Beach Penthouse — blocks to the Beach, downtown Santa Barbara & Funk Zone
Santa Barbara, CA

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 103 out of 120 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 120 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 120 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 120 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 120 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karin H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyable Stay
We had a relaxing 3 night stay at this penthouse. Everything was just as described. The location can't be beat. Everything we needed was in walkable distance. It's a big plus to have a dedicated off street parking space. Most of our time was spent enjoying the penthouse and the private deck. We stayed in the penthouse across the hall last year which was also wonderful. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chip M., El Dorado Hills, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great in almost every way
Great location, wonderful space. Only negative was the noise from the refrigerator, runs almost non-stop and we’re sensitive to noise, especially at night. Excellent communication with property manager!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Santa Barbara without a car
This property is 2 short blocks from the beach and all the beach & marina restaurants. Walk a block behind & the street offers locals bars, restaurants & a market. Our walking & dining experiences were great!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erik D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Location for everything Santa Barbara!
This penthouse was perfect in every way. It had all the amenities for eating in either cooking or grilling. The outside terrace was awesome and perfect for eating dinner with a cool ocean breeze. It was in a quiet neighborhood and best of all was a 3 block walk to the beach and pier and same to get to State street. We parked and never use our car and never ran out of things to do. A perfect relaxing stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location
The location is perfectly situated with the beach, State Street and the Funk Zone just a few blocks away. At the same time, it is just far enough to be really quiet at night. The Penthouse has everything needed for a comfortably stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christina S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Great location, we could walk to restaurants and shopping. The Condo is clean and very comfortable. The double shower heads were very nice. We loved sitting out on the deck grilling and chillin'. Ally was very responsive when we needed beach towels :). Great stay We will be back !
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom B., Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Romantic Get-a-way
My girlfriend and I have been going to this property for three years. The property is clean and safe and has plenty of room—a great kitchen with all of your kitchen amenities at home. The property has a beautiful patio with two recliners, a bar bq, and a dining area. The bath has a great shower too! The air conditioner also works well, though you don't need it except for a few minutes late in the afternoon if you close up the unit when you return from the beach. The property is less than a 10-minute walk to the beach and 15 minutes walk to the pier. As I mentioned in my previous reviews, you must be prepared to walk up two flights of stairs. the last flight of stairs is kind of steep and narrow but adds to the adventure and ambiance of the property. Lastly, great wifi and a Tv that allows you access to all of your favorite apps. We did not hook up the firestick, because the TV worked great with our favorite apps. We will be booking again for October.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bethany B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect spot!
This rental was incredible. It is tucked back in a beautiful neighborhood and easily walkable to the beach and restaurants. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wish we could stay longer
Great, cozy and clean place, close to the beaches and to the downtown area! Will definitely stay again! We’re here for a long wedding weekend, and wish we had more time!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelby B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birthday Getaway
This was perfect! Comfortable, private
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Brett R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent property and location
It was an overall excellent stay
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great apartment in great location
Lovely and accessible area to holiday in. Apartment has everything one needs and is comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Kathleen D.

Liked: Cleanliness
A bit of a maze!
Nice location. Great terrace with table and chairs. Clean. Nice bright unit. Very comfortable bed! The trick about this place is finding the parking spot and finding the actual unit. There are many entrance ways to this building but only one will take you to the unit. Instructions were provided and definitely helped but still took us a while to figure things out. Once you figure it out, it’s easy. If you have an issue lugging everything up 3 flights of steps, this isn’t the place for you. The positives outweigh the negatives for sure!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming beachy apartment
It’s so darn cute! Very comfortable stay, loved the building, its bright and cheerful yellow vibe, meandering staircases with delightful tile. Great private parking, sweet neighborhood, most things close enough to walk to.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Penthouse
Always a very nice place and location to stay. Bauder was very responsive to any issues that occurred.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Holiday Getaway
Clean and cozy. Had what we needed for a short winter getaway. It was very quiet despite being in a highly populated area. I felt safe walking around the neighborhood at night. Walking distance to groceries, restaurants, shops, and the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A perfect getaway
Excellent in every way.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Catherine B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Très bon property
Perfect property for a couple that wants to be close to everything. Beach, restaurants, walking to State street. The deck with amenities was a tremendous bonus. Very relaxing. Appreciate the chilled crémant in the sub zero refrigerator. Will definitely be coming back to this property in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent location!!!!!!!
Beautiful property in a great location. Charming indoors with amazing ambience outside.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Karen L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location/good amenities/awesome roof-top patio!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Bath Street location which is a multi-unit facility in a quiet Santa Barbara neighborhood. With many units in a tight space, you have total privacy. Our stay in the “penthouse” during beautiful Fall weather allowed us to enjoy the patio in the mornings and afternoons. The unit has a living room, full bath (good size), a small but very adequate and well-stocked kitchen and the patio. Super comfortable bed with nice linens. Private off-street parking was an added bonus. My only recommendation, perhaps some newer living room furniture especially the couch. The centralized location made an easy commute to downtown, the many beaches, great restaurants, and all the sites SB has to offer. The owners are great, really responsive and very helpful. Highly recommend a stay at this property.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Howard G., Chapel Hill NC

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable
All went well with our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edwin P., Inverness, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient and excellent
This small condo unit is in a quiet, residential part of Santa Barbara but wonderfully convenient to the beach, Funk Zone and an easy walk to downtown and State Street. The condo itself is small, but has a surprisingly well stocked kitchen and a great terrace with a table and lounge chairs, great for an al fresco drink or relaxing. There is a reserved, off street parking space in the back with relatively easy access to the unit. The apartment itself is part of a larger building all converted to condos. Finding the actual unit is a bit of puzzle when you first arrive, but the check in instructions are meticulous and clear, making it all pretty easy. Overall, this is a great condo, well run and we would recommend it highly for any couple looking for a convenient and upscale stay in Santa Barbara.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Melinda C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pleasant vacation stay
Everything described in the listing is accurate. It was a good home base for our daily excursions.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
This apartment was clean, comfortable and was perfectly located. I will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Macee Y.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Travel
The view is beatutiful and garden looks great but the bed cover and pillow balance smell not clean and the towels as well.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the patio!
Great location and a nice property! Pluses: Great patio, nicely furnished (loved the Nespresso) and the heat pump. Our stay was during a heat wave so the heat pump air conditioner was key! You're going to have to climb a few flights of stairs, but I think its worth the climb.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ken S., Chicago area

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay in Santa Barbara
Property was perfect for our stay, and just as advertised. Wonderful 3rd floor walk up, with great balcony for morning coffee and evening aperitif! Would definitely return for sure!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Diane D B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet luxury
The property was nicely appointed and so quiet. The bed and sofa sleeper were comfortable. We loved the private parking. The manager was kind enough to bring us a patio umbrella, going above and beyond.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place!
We've stayed at this property before and in both instances we were not disappointed. Best location ever! Great living situation and we look forward to staying here again :)
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aimee W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great!
Great unit. Cozy, clean, comfortable. Nice deck. Would definitely return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect!!
The owners were very communicative. Kitchen well equipped. Description is spot on. Perfect location. Very friendly people all the way around.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy L., Tucson, AZ

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
An easy walk to West Beach and to State Street. The apartment is comfortable and we loved the above average kitchen! The host promptly answered our questions and was extremely helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom B., Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness
A great romantic get-away
This is a fantastic place to stay if you want to experience the best of Santa Barbara. Last week was our third stay at this unit over the past two years, and each time has been truly outstanding. The appliances work wonderfully, and so does the wifi. The onsite parking is a big plus too. The unit is centrally located and only a 5-minute walk to the beach and an easy and pleasant 15-minute walk to downtown/State Street. The private patio outside the kitchen door is also charming and private. Being on the third floor is nice; know that the stairs from the second-floor landing to the unit are a bit narrow but worth the steps. We will be staying at the unit again sometime in the next 6 months.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patty R., Boulder USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place!
We loved staying at this beautiful penthouse! Perfect for running along the ocean, walking to coffee in the Funk Zone, checking out some great restaurants and watching the lunar eclipse from the penthouse patio! Can’t wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marlis G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Close to the beach and entertainment
This penthouse was a great spot for us to have walking access to the beach, the wharf, as well as the restaurants and fun on State Street and the Funk Zone. The patio was wonderful for grilling. Very comfortable bed and living space.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H., Albuquerque, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Choice
We really liked this place! All was as described. We were very comfortable and enjoyed the area immensely!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future

10/10 Excellent

Janice B., Bucks County, PA (suburban Phila)

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Santa Barbara Neighborhood Apartment & Terrace
Enjoyed staying here with its access to the beach, wharf and State Street restaurants. Knew about the stairs (we were in top) and they didn't bother us much after getting luggage up but could be an issue for some. Loved the roofdeck but cool in the mornings so only used in the afternoons. Nice having a washer/dryer. Kitchen is compact but nice. Adored the two-headed shower feature. Expensive as Santa Barbara places are but did enjoy the location. Communications were superb, nice restaurant recommendations. Santa Barbara is my dream place to live and I still feel that way - mountains, beach, culture (great Van Gogh exhibit at Art Museum), wineries, gardens (don't miss getting a ressie at Lotusland for guided tour); SB has it all and more. Enjoy your trip!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

8/10 Good

LaTonya P., San Francisco, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Overall good, but not great
I have mixed feelings overall about my stay in the penthouse. The penthouse itself was gorgeous! There were a ton of windows, lots of natural sunlight and incredible views! Everything was spotless upon my arrival and the location simply couldn't be beat! A car would have been helpful, but not necessary. Everything was walking distance or no more than 10 minutes away by Lyft. The couch/bed/pillows were comfortable. The shower was especially nice due to the pressure and water temp! Be careful, it gets incredibly hot! There were also a few things that came up that definitely hindered my overall experience. To start, I found communicating with the property manager/owner to be a bit challenging. At first, I was told that I had entered the wrong email address. When the manager reached out to me, I was caught off guard because not only was the tone of the message was short and slightly curt, but my contact info was indeed correct. There was no apology for the error, but overall, it was not a big deal. The next issue was when I contacted the same manager to ask about early check in, due to having an early arrival. He eventually responded saying I could not check in early, but I could contact someone named Bauder and they could store my luggage. I immediately texted Bauder, who confirmed that I could leave my bags, but did not answer/respond with any details. I found out after my arrival that Bauder was the housekeeping manager. Upon arrival, she was very kind and helped take my bags up to the penthouse for storage. It would have been nice to know about the potential for luggage storage in the property description, as well as some type of confirmation about who I was actually leaving my bags with beforehand. Again, not a big deal, but better communication overall would have been helpful here. The property listing also mentioned complimentary champagne, which was not included for some reason in my stay. The biggest issue I had during my stay was the amount of spiders in and around the penthouse! There were several on the patio, but I as annoyed as I was, I understood and tried to accept it because what else could I do? However, the amount of spiders INSIDE quickly went from being annoying to a nuisance. I lost track of how many I had to kill throughout the week, in all areas of the penthouse, making it difficult to relax or feel comfortable in the space. In addition to all of the other issues mentioned, I'm not sure if I would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rick P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect SB getaway
Central location walking distance to just about everything Santa Barbara has to offer. Small but cozy condo offering all needed amenities. Perfect for our 4 night getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Dana M.

Liked: Cleanliness
PERFECT!!
Excellent all the way around. Safe, clean, comfortable, quiet. The host seems to pay attention to detail. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Joan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Santa Barbara
Great spot. Love the rooftop patio and the nespresso machine.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Mari K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location for our group!
The location was great for our group, and the layout allowed for us to congregate with local family. We loved coffee out on the deck, and even enjoyed grilling for dinner one night. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means the world to us. You are welcome anytime.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy D., Seattle

Liked: Cleanliness
We’ve already booked our next stay!
The penthouse was perfect for us for our week in Santa Barbara. We especially enjoyed the sunny deck, the well-stocked kitchen, and the proximity to both a fine dining restaurant (Toma) and an inexpensive Mexican place (Rudy’s). We were able to get everything we needed for cook-at-home meals at the Santa Cruz market, which was only two blocks away. The penthouse is the perfect launching pad for walks in either direction along the beach, and the marina with sailboats to rent is also a walk away. The assigned parking was nice, too. Next year, same place, longer stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means the world to us. You are welcome anytime.

10/10 Excellent

Pat F.

Liked: Cleanliness
SB
Cute place. Great location. Very clean
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means the world to us. You are welcome anytime.

10/10 Excellent

Tim and Karla M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and clean little cottage great access to everything
Great access to the beach, the harbor and downtown.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means the world to us. You are welcome anytime.

8/10 Good

Kevin S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Feedback - enjoyed the visit
The locking mechanism on the back door to the patio isn’t working. It was a little challenging to find. It would help to mention it’s on the 3rd floor.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia W., OAKLAND

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Santa Barbara experience!
The location for this apartment is just a short walk from beautiful Santa Barbara beaches & many restaurants & shops on State Street. Once we arrived, we didn’t use our car again. We hope to return again next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. It means the world to us. You are welcome anytime.

10/10 Excellent

Phil H., Montrose, CO USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute place
The apartment was great. Nice location, assigned parking, very clean. The only thing that needs to be looked at is the garbage disposer, which locked up a few times. We were always able to free it up eventually, but may be starting to fail. It was a minor inconvenience. We would definitely consider staying here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and unit!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The unit was well stocked with kitchen supplies and the outdoor balcony was amazing! We also loved the location, just a few blocks from the pier. It was ideal all around!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful accommodation!
We were very happy with our weekend stay in the penthouse of this exceptional property. Clean and comfortable with a well-appointed kitchen in a terrific location. Easy walk to the beach and downtown. Roof deck/terrace was delightful for morning coffee and evening cocktails.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We really appreciate you taking out time to post it online. Hope to see you again in the near future.