Santa Barbara, CA

Drift gives you a prime State Street location and stylish design, but rooms are small and tight with quirky layouts (beds against windows, bathrooms sometimes without doors). Staff are warm and responsive via text, though housekeeping needs 24 hours notice and amenities are sparse for the $600 nightly rate.

The rooftop pool and views are excellent, and staff are genuinely kind and helpful. Rooms vary wildly in quality. Some guests sleep great in comfortable beds, while others deal with serious noise problems, leaks, worn-out fixtures, and poor soundproofing from neighbors and outside. Location near restaurants and beach is strong.