itsaboutthejourney

It was like someone from SPG was working at the property this weekend: received an upgrade to a suite, note from the front desk + amenity of a bottle of wine and some nuts/candy. They also took a look at my profile and placed a few extra toiletries items in the bathroom AND even removed 'religious literature' as requested in my Ambassador profile.

Kudos to this property!

SkiAdcock

What was the breakfast situation? Please post & I'll update the exec lounge sticky.

Cheers.

Kacee

There's no reason to believe it's changed from what's previously been reported (as recently as last October), since the rules have stayed the same for Marriott branded properties and this property has no lounge.

SkiAdcock

In maintaining the exec lounge sticky I've discovered things can change. So it doesn't hurt to ask. Also I'm not sure that 'what you get at a HIE + omelette" means it's cont'l w/ omelette station or full but lousy w/ an omelette station So any update/clarification is appreciated.

Cheers.

itsaboutthejourney

Process change since October: basically you still get a full type breakfast with the certificate that the front desk gives elites, however you no longer go to an omelette bar - the servers give you a paper slip to select your egg type or check-off omelette ingredients. They take the slip and deliver the egg dish to your table. Meanwhile, there is still a buffet that has cut fresh fruit, pastries/breads, bacon & sausage, breakfast potatoes, and a self-serve waffle maker. Overall, I think this is an improvement.

SkiAdcock

Thanks. I'll update the exec lounge sticky.

Cheers.

DJ_Iceman

Why, were there a series of unfulfilled promises and an excess of unjustified pretentiousness?

Because all the good things you listed about the customer service at this property are just the kind of treatment most of us came to expect from Marriott over the years. This property in particular was always good about suite upgrades, too.

beachfan

Any Covid-19 era stays that people can comment on cleanliness standards and food offerings?

pinniped

I haven't done a stay here yet but have one booked for early '21. But your comment makes me nervous: has this hotel had cleanliness issues in the past?

From reading this thread, I'm not expecting a truly amazing stay. We have expiring free night certs and will be in this area, so I figure this place is "good enough" as long as they do the basic stuff right.

SanDiego1K

We own an essential business and my husband has been in and out of the Santa Barbara area the past few months. He has tried a number of hotels. He's not at all picky, especially on his own. He wants clean, easy parking, and ideally breakfast. He has tried three of the Marriott family and has settled on this property. He feels they offer more in the time of Covid.

Goleta Courtyard - didn't prefer
Goleta Residence Inn - acceptable
Santa Ynez Buellton Marriott - well content

His reasons are really the service they offer during Covid. The Courtyard and Residence Inn have a grab and go breakfast with food that is unappealing to him. The Marriott prepares a cooked breakfast and delivers it to the room. He said the employee is masked and the food is delivered in a bag. He got a tasty omelet this past week. A very big factor is that the Marriott has a restaurant and the other two do not. It's very convenient to come in from a day of hard work and be able to order food that will be brought to the room. He doesn't know the area and really doesn't have time to figure out where to get takeout. The hotel has also been gracious about upgrading to a suite. This was perfect for meeting with his partner. They ordered food that was delivered and they had space in which to meet and work. Also, he wrapped up work early this week and the hotel let him leave early with no charge, despite only letting them know on the morning. Prices are currently competitive or lower than the Courtyard and Residence Inn. He returns this coming week.

itsaboutthejourney

Agreed. Paid a few visits here in 2020 and while there are things that could be improved, this specific property is at least trying with F&B. Add in the easy & no-charge parking, recent renovations and of course the location, and you have a very decent hotel for wine country visits, business in the area, etc.

thebluejean

We stayed here for 2 nights to visit some local wineries last month.

• Paid rate was pretty good to book the base room ($120 during the 25% sales) over the weekend and used 2 SNA to further upgrade to a full suite.
• We were offered a ground suite that faced the freeway. It's much smaller than the one we received later but it did have a very large patio. We declined due to the noise from the freeway.
• The suite we received was the only one on the property that had a patio with a dining table. It's really a nice treat to eat breakfast sitting outside on our private patio and enjoyed a nice view of the mountain in the distance.
• The breakfast was good with multiple choices of hot food. You can pick tea/coffee/juice.
• The room has been updated with fairly new installed furniture. The pool was open and there was no signup sheet required. The pool was semi-heated and a decent size to do laps.

SanDiego1K

My husband is here every two to three weeks as he has business in the area. They continue to treat him very well. The past two visits, the hotel has been completely sold out so no upgrade was possible. They are getting a lot of folks coming in for college visits. It's great to see recovery after a very difficult year.

DELee

So no table inside to do work on?

David

thebluejean

Yes, there is a working desk inside the bedroom. I believe it's the standard desk in every room.