Unfortunately Marriott does not have a hotel in Santa Barbara. The two closest ones would be the Marriotts in Buellton and Ventura. The one in Buellton is a pretty average Marriott (nothing exceptional but nothing wrong with it either) with a good location if interested in the wine country and the Danish village of Solvang. I have not tried the Ventura Marriott. Santa Barbara is one of those places that lacks adequate hotel represenation from all chains but Hilton. So if possible, I would suggest you try and stay at the Fess Parker Doubletree resort, which has quite a spectacular beach-front location. I am not sure is AMEX points can be converted to Hilton or not, but if so that would be my suggestion to you. If interested in the wine country, then the Marriott Buellton is the way to go. When I stayed there, they gave me a rather large 2-room suite.

[This message has been edited by zakami (edited 11-26-2002).]