Secret Garden Inn and Cottages

The Secret Garden is a wonderful hidden retreat in the heart of Santa Barbara. It has a "French Country" feel with small pocket gardens filled with colorful flowers and fruit tree and bistro tables. The rustic cottages are quaint and charming; the private hot tubs are a treat. Dominique provides delicious homemade breakfasts of quiche, fresh fruit, croissants and jams. McConnell's Ice Cream is a half block walk away and well worth the visit. We have enjoyed our stays at the Secret Garden very much and always look forward to coming back.

The Secret Garden Inn and Cottages is one of my favorite places to stay anywhere, not just in Santa Barbara. The garden, which is the center of the property and provides opportunity for outdoor dining, is lush, diverse, and secluded (as the name suggests). The breakfasts are divine - authentically French croissants and quiche along with fresh fruit and fresh-squeezed orange juice, The cottages are loaded with character - antique furnishings and homey decor. And the location, close to downtown Santa Barbara, in walking distance to local eateries, but also in a quite residential neighborhood, is ideal.

The Secret Garden Inn is a welcoming, beautiful oasis within walking distance of downtown Santa Barbara. The owner and host, Dominique, is welcoming, friendly and full of helpful suggestions. She shared her knowledge of Santa Barbara and provided an extremely helpful list of restaurants and bakeries! I truly enjoyed my breakfast out on the porch amidst the roses and birds. My cottage contained everything I needed for my three-day visit. I will definitely stay here again when I am in Santa Barbara. It's a gem!!

We spent three nights at this lovely property and truly enjoyed the hospitality. The breakfasts were a highlight—delicious and unique each morning. The innkeeper was exceptionally friendly, providing a warm welcome and a helpful tour of our room upon arrival. While the property has 'solid bones' and a beautiful atmosphere, it would benefit from some maintenance attention. We noticed a few small issues, such as toppled pots and broken lights in the garden, and a noisy hot tub that required unplugging. In our room, loose faucets and missing electrical faceplates were minor distractions. With just a bit of upkeep, this wonderful inn could easily reach the next level.

Our 3-night stay at Secret Garden Inn & Cottages was very pleasant. There is an "Old World" charm to this place that immediately puts one at ease and in relaxation mode. The big surprise was that we had not verified that breakfast was included. It was, and that was the highlight of our stay, with Dominique preparing a home-made breakfast each morning. Omlette, Claffoutis, Sausages, Croissant, Preserves, Coffee, Tea, etc. So abundant and delicious that we could skip lunch! The rooms have ample space and beds are comfortable. Bathroom had plenty of hot water, linens, towels, etc. I will say that the bathroom could use upgrading, or at least a rejuvenation of grout and caulking. One other thing was that several rooms have hot tubs, which also need upgrading and noise reduction. The location is walking distance from downtown and some restaurants and close enough to get on to the 101 quickly. For a young couple, a small family on a budget, or people seeking a European feel and personal connection to the owner/operator, this place is ideal!