The Simpson House Inn B&B
This bed and breakfast in Santa Barbara, is the only B&B that is a member of the 5-star Alliance.
The best bed and breakfast in North America is Santa Barbara's Simpson House Inn. It's best for a romantic, grown-up vacation in luxury and English rose gardens.
I've stayed in a lot of B&Bs, in a lot of different countries, and I can say without hesitation that the best bed and breakfast I know of is the Simpson House Inn, in Santa Barbara, California. It's the only bed and breakfast in the US, that's a member of the 5-star Alliance. The reasons for this are immediately clear; of the 15 "rooms" in the Simpson House Inn B&B, several are actually small, fully functional cottages. The Simpson House Inn bills itself as a luxury bed and breakfast, and I wholeheartedly agree with this designation.
When we pulled into the driveway of the Simpson House Inn bed and breakfast, an employee approached us to take our bags and tell us that the late afternoon hors d'oeuvres were being served in the main hall. The food theme was Mediterranean, and a variety of fantastic, yummy appetizers were tastefully arranged, buffet-style. Guests of the Simpson House Inn can choose to have some wine, relax, and mingle with other guests - or not. That first day, we were too tired from our day of sightseeing in Santa Barbara to be social. Instead, we grabbed a few treats and headed to our cottage.
What with the Simpson House Inn being the only North American AAA five diamond bed and breakfast, you'd expect luxury and a lovely setting. I'm telling you, the Simpson House Inn goes above and beyond what I've come to expect from luxury inns. It's simply the best B&B, not just in Santa Barbara, not just in California, but in the US. The Victorian English Cottage style is impeccable, yet so comfortable that it feels like home. That is, if home is a perfect little one-bedroom cottage with fine china, luxury bedding, soft pillows, and the scent of roses drifting in through the open window. Oh, and if home has in-room European spa services, such as couples massages, facials, and aromatherapy. MY house doesn't come with luxury spa services, is all I'm saying.
What I liked the most:
- The breakfast was amazing, and so plentiful that we couldn't finish it all (despite a valiant effort).
- The bathroom is stocked with Kiehl's shampoos and soaps, making the Simpson House Inn my favorite non-chain hotel shampoo and soap purveyor.
- The quiet, romance, and sense of privacy, even while strolling among the Simpson House Inn's acre of Victorian rose gardens.
- It's a very short walk to State Street, Santa Barbara's main thoroughfare. The Simpson House supplies complimentary trolley passes as well.
What I liked the least:
- While the library has children's DVDs, there is nothing else for kids to do besides watch videos. There are several luxury hotels and resorts in Santa Barbara that have more - meaning any - childrens' programs and activities, but the Simpson House Inn is not a child-friendly bed and breakfast.
- We stayed in a cottage, but during hors d'oeuvores the second day, a guest staying in the main house commented that he could hear other Simpson House Inn guests walking around, opening and closing doors, etc.
- It's the most expensive bed and breakfast we've ever stayed in.
If you're planning a trip to Santa Barbara, and you want a romantic, grown-up stay in a luxury setting, you can't do better than the Simpson House Inn bed and breakfast. However, if you're planning a trip with children, your kids would be happier elsewhere. The Simpson House Inn is furnished with Victorian antiques, so the rooms would probably appreciate it, too! For adult planning a romantic vacation, I can't say enough about the Simpson House Inn. It's the best bed and breakfast in North America.
Related, on Suite 101:
Best Luxury Hotels in Santa Barbara
European Luxury Day Spas in Santa Barbara
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