When you’re traveling with young kids, where you stay is just as important as what you do on your trip. You want to look for a place with a spacious room, spots on-property where kids can be kids, available food and drink, and a friendly staff. Hotel Milo checked off all those boxes for our family on a recent visit to Santa Barbara.

We loved using Hotel Milo as our home base during our brief stay in Santa Barbara thanks to the beachfront location and proximity to kid-friendly activities. Not only was the entire property beautiful, but thanks to the welcoming staff and great accommodations we felt right at home.

Thanks to Hotel Milo for hosting us during our stay in Santa Barbara. As always, all opinions are my own.

Here is our experience at Hotel Milo.

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA WITH KIDS

HOTEL MILO

Hotel Milo is located in the West Beach area of Santa Barbara, and is just across the street from the beach and Santa Barbara Harbor. From the well-manicured gardens to the Spanish architecture and painted tile, this seaside retreat feels like a slice of heaven.

There is a $25 per day amenity fee, but I’m confident you’ll find it well worth it. Guests of the hotel can enjoy borrowing the signature Hotel Milo bikes for a spin around town, daily wine tasting in the garden, 2 pools, a fitness center, continental breakfast, and use of the Bocce court.

THE ROOMS

For this trip I was traveling with my parents and my three kids, so there were 6 of us in total. We opted to stay in the Family Suite with Bunk Bed and it was more than enough space to accommodate all of us.

Our room opened up to the courtyard, and beyond that we had a lovely view of the beach. We pulled into the hotel for the first time at about 10:30 p.m., having just made our way from Sequoia National Park. When we arose in the morning, we peeked out the curtains to find the most spectacular sunrise. Palm trees silhouetted against the orange sky over calming ocean waves - it was perfection.

In the main area was a King Bed and there was plenty of room for a pack & play for our youngest. There was also a TV and desk area, which I always look for in a hotel since I’m often working on the road, uploading photos and videos and typing articles. Past the main area is an alcove with bunk beds. It was the perfect size room for my kids to spread out and claim as their own without cluttering up the rest of the space.

We loved the L’Occitane toiletries, especially because they were already in dispensers in the shower. I always find L’Occitane so luxurious, which fit the vibe of Hotel Milo: beachside casual with a touch of elegance.

THE LOCATION

As I mentioned, Hotel Milo is located in the West Beach area. It’s almost directly across the street from Santa Barbara Harbor where our favorite breakfast spot, On The Alley, is located. For the perfect way to start your day you can cross the street for a morning stroll with your coffee along the beach.

Hotel Milo is also just a few blocks from Stearns Wharf, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Santa Barbara. We were also able to walk to the Santa Barbara Visitor’s Center where the trolley tour starts, then used the trolley as our means of transportation to top attractions in the area.

State Street is where all the action is, and even that was walkable with three little kids. We didn’t take our car out at all once while we in town! There was no need with the perfect weather, walkability and prime location.

I should mention that while Hotel Milo is near enough to walk to everything, it’s incredibly quiet and serene (when my three children are not there).

AMENITIES

I always like to look for ways that hotels go above and beyond, or small touches that make them unique. I noticed so many things about Hotel Milo that stood out to me, which is part of the charm of staying at a boutique hotel.

I already mentioned the amenities covered in the daily fee. I wish we could have used the Dutch-style bikes, but alas, my children were too young for that. I truly want to go back someday when the kids are older (or without the kids) to make use of them.

We made sure to head to the lobby and garden in time for the wine tasting on our only full day there, and it did not disappoint. You can choose from a red or white, then head out to the courtyard where there is plenty of seating and a grassy area where my kids could play while I relaxed (kind of) and chatted with my parents.

The continental breakfast had plenty of options including a make-your-own pancake station that the kids loved. There was coffee, tea, fresh fruit, pastries, croissants, and more. I loved that you could take your food to the little sidewalk cafe tables to enjoy the beautiful weather and do some people watching as you ate.

There are 2 swimming pools on property and the beach is directly across the street, so make sure you bring your swimsuits! We only made use of one pool that was in the courtyard closest to our room, and it was lovely. If you have a longer stay in Santa Barbara, it might be nice to schedule in a day for relaxation to switch from the beach to the pool for a few hours of fun in the sun.

If you’re heading to Santa Barbara with kids (or without!) I would highly recommend checking out Hotel Milo for a unique beachside experience. The personal touch, warm and friendly staff, and idyllic views will have you considering missing your flight home.