There was this elevator, you know kind; type where you have to pull open door and slide back a retractable metal guard. It was old, and I hoped that this ride wouldn't make my recurrent dream of falling in an elevator a reality. It only had three walls, so as you went up you could see wall moving downward in front of you. I always imagined it was everything else that was moving and not me.

I found my room, caught a quick glance of display of wine and See's candy on coffee table, exceptionally clean oak furniture giving room that musky scent, hopped on bed and fell asleep.

One of main reasons Hotel Santa Barbara attracts so many visitors is its location. It's right in heart of downtown. You can take a twenty-five cent shuttle down to Sterns Wharf to enjoy ocean breeze, wine tasting, and all sorts of specialty shops. Walk only a few minutes from hotel and you might find yourself intimately sharing a glance at Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Walk a few blocks more and you'll be at city's zoo, right across from historic mission.

There are approximately 75 reconditioned rooms that offer Queen, King, Deluxe Queen, Double Queen and Junior Suite rooms. Each room has individually controlled heat and air conditioning - not that you would use it considering weather outside is usually beautiful. But if for some reason you are feeling like a couch potato and just can't seem to get yourself up and out into beckoning town, you could sit back, flip on tube and watch some HBO compliments of house.

Other amenities offered complimentary are hair dryers, signature toiletries, iron and ironing board, in-room coffee makers and coffee, bottled water and telephones with data ports for personal voice mail. Handicapped rooms are available as well.

Many of guests that stay at Hotel Santa Barbara are on business. Appropriately, Hotel Santa Barbara provides valet parking and a complimentary continental breakfast in Mediterranean-style lobby. (There is no restaurant on premises.) And for those guests that are secret agents, they also have safety deposit boxes and same day laundry / dry cleaning services. The 480 square foot conference rooms boast a corporate feel. Rentals for overhead projectors, flipcharts, white boards and TV/VCRs are available as well as excellent catering recommendations - some of which include Woody's BBQ, Savoir Faire and Pierre Lafond.

The Hotel Santa Barbara has many services

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Josh Edelson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Josh Edelson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Guests receive roomy accommodations, complimentary beach tags, local gym passes, video rental, gourmet breakfasts and evening cordials and chocolates. Even health club passes, beach chairs, beach towels and bikes are available for guests. One refrigerator is filled with complimentary beverages, while another provides common storage for guests. Just steps away from peaceful rocking chairs on verandah lay a picturesque fish pond and gazebo.

Additional amenities include 24/7 concierge service from innkeepers, a courtesy phone for local calls, video library, and gift shop with Victoria House bags, shirts, and mugs. The hosts have many local area restaurant menus available in foyer, and can make reservations for you as a preferred guest.

The inn provides eight guest rooms ranging from smaller Arbor View room to large Manor Suite. In summer, rates range from $199-$379 with a two night minimum stay. For more information, visit thm at: www.victoriahouse.net

We checked in elegant Eastlake suite on second floor. This richly colored room has a queen size brass feather bed, sitting area with fireplace, TV/VCR/CD player, private bath and claw foot tub with shower. Like all other suites, bed, bedding, furniture, windows, and tapestries had been recently updated last winter.

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Ivy Lui , Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com