“We are currently closed for renovations, and something new is coming March 2021,” announced the Spanish Garden Inn (on Garden Street, below Carrillo) late last month. “We can’t wait to share with you our exciting news in coming months….”
Sorry to ruin the big reveal, but the 23-room hotel—a favorite of travelers since it opened 20 years ago—appears to be getting absorbed into Palisociety, a hotel group with eight properties (and counting), most of which are on the West Coast. While trying to visit the Spanish Garden Inn’s website, N. noticed that it redirected to Palisociety—it no longer does anything at all—and Palisociety lists Santa Barbara among its “coming soon” locations. When I asked about the new name and/or a timeline, Palisociety’s Kirsten Leigh Pratt replied, “No information as of yet, but by mid next month we will be in touch with all of the details.”
The main question is whether the Spanish Garden Inn will be rebranded as Palihouse (the company’s relatively luxurious line) or Palihotel (aimed at a younger crowd). Both are known for their high style, and judging from what I see online these days, they’ve come a long way since 2015, when I stayed in an orange-carpeted room at the Palihouse Santa Monica. The rest of the property was charming, though.
N.B. These photos are of the Spanish Garden Inn; we’ll have to wait to see how Palisociety changes it.
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Being a fan of the Palihouse concept, this space is perfect for this hotel. This is exciting.
Sad that they purchased it without notifying the staff that they would not be retained. 17 people were left without a job and notified hotel would be shutting down, after purchase of Hotel. Very arrogant designers and owners. Wish them the best
I have stayed at the Spanish Garden Inn many times over the years. It was a beautiful small quaint hotel beautifully decorated to fit the areas spanish heritage. Iam saddened to see what has happened in the take over of the hotel and its “renovation”. When viewing it on line it looked like any other inexpensive hotel. I am sorry to say i will not be staying there again. Wishing the new owners and staff the best of luck.