Santa Barbara
Playful and compact. Lots of bold color, eclectic coastal art, retro telephones in rooms. Feels more like a cool youth hostel with private rooms than a traditional hotel. The bar is the social hub. Rooms are tiny but smartly designed.
Ask for a pool-view room — you get a private outdoor patio and it's just steps from the water.
Why It Matters
The only Moxy-brand hotel in Santa Barbara. Designed by Cadiz Collaboration, co-developed by Andrew Firestone (of Bachelor fame) and StonePark Capital, and managed by Azul Hospitality Group. The Funk Zone location puts you walking distance from 20+ wine tasting rooms, microbreweries, and restaurants like The Lark and Loquita. It's also on the Michelin Guide hotel selection.
Moxy Santa Barbara sits in the heart of the Funk Zone, the city's artsy warehouse district-turned-wine-bar corridor, one block from State Street and a 10-minute walk to Stearns Wharf. Originally opened as The Waterman — a hostel-meets-boutique-hotel hybrid — it was relaunched under the Moxy flag and renovated in 2024. The building carries that same social, communal DNA: check-in happens at Bar Moxy over a complimentary cocktail, and the lobby doubles as a games lounge.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
ADA Double Queen Room
Accessible two-queen configuration with roll-in shower and full ADA compliance. At 185–250 sq ft, these are among the most spacious rooms in the hotel.
2 Queens · 22 sqmADA King Room
Accessible room with a roll-in shower, lever door handles, lowered outlets and deadbolts. Larger footprint than standard rooms at 185–250 sq ft.
1 King · 20 sqmDouble Queen Guest Room
Two queen beds in a compact footprint — a good pick for families or friends traveling together. The layout is tight but functional, with the same Moxy design ethos throughout.
2 Queens · 15 sqmKing Guest Room
Compact but well-designed room with a king bed, walk-in shower, flat-screen TV, and smart wall features for hanging and storage. Motion-activated LED guidelights are a nice touch at night. A twin Murphy bed is available on request in most rooms, bumping capacity to 3.
1 King · 15 sqmPool View Room
The best rooms in the house. Step outside directly onto your private patio with lounge furniture, steps from the heated pool. If you're coming to Santa Barbara to relax outdoors, this is the upgrade worth paying for.
King or Queen · 17 sqmQueen Guest Room
The entry-level room with a queen bed. Same smart design principles — maximized storage, walk-in shower, bright decor. Good for solo travelers or couples who prioritize location over space.
1 Queen · 13 sqmRoomy King Guest Room
A slightly larger version of the standard King, same funky design with bold decor and all the expected Moxy touches. Still compact by most standards, but the extra square footage makes a real difference.
1 King · 17 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Beach cruiser bikes available for rent. Good for riding the 4-mile beachfront path to Stearns Wharf, East Beach, and beyond.
Board games and bar games available in the lobby/Bar Moxy area. Part of the hotel's social-hub philosophy — guests are encouraged to linger, play, and meet each other.
Table tennis, cornhole, and Connect 4 on the outdoor patio. Free for guests. Great for afternoons by the pool.
Year-round heated outdoor pool with sun loungers and pool toys. Open daily 9am–9pm. Pool-view rooms have direct patio access. Towels provided.
The hotel sits directly on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, home to over 20 wine tasting rooms within walking distance. Municipal Winemakers is 500 metres away; Santa Barbara Wine Collective is a 5-minute walk.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Intimate indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces available. Can accommodate up to 100 guests for cocktail receptions or private events. Used for weddings, corporate gatherings, and social events.
Free in-room and property-wide Wi-Fi. Marriott Bonvoy members get complimentary access when booking direct.
No on-site fitness center. Guests can use the Courtyard Santa Barbara Downtown's gym, located 3 miles away.
Up to 2 pets allowed. Non-refundable pet fee of $50/night, or $150 flat for stays of 3+ nights.
A curated on-site library — part of the hotel's lounge area.
Contactless mobile key available through the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Self-parking available on-site. $35 per night. No reservation needed.
No electric vehicle charging stations on property.
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