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Summary of reviewsSideways Inn garners largely positive reviews from guests, particularly for its prime location and the comfort it offers. Positioned conveniently off Highway 101, the hotel is close to popular destinations like Solvang, Santa Ynez and various wineries, making it an ideal base for exploration. Guests appreciate the quiet, accessible setting and the scenic surroundings that add to its charm.
The on-site dining options are favored by visitors, especially the unique sausage truck and the lively bar. Guests highlight the delicious sausages, garlic parmesan fries and the cozy atmosphere of the Sideways Lounge. Although service can occasionally be slow, the quality of food and local wine selection make for a delightful dining experience. Nearby restaurants, such as Industrial Eats, also come highly recommended.
The rooms at Sideways Inn receive frequent praise for their spaciousness, modern decor and cleanliness. Visitors find the contemporary furnishings stylish and the beds comfortable, contributing to a pleasant stay. While some rooms facing the freeway may encounter noise and less desirable views, the overall room quality is well-regarded, as is the maintenance of the hotel grounds.
Guests consistently commend the hotel staff for their friendliness, attentiveness and excellent customer service, often going above and beyond to accommodate special requests. The high standard of cleanliness extends to both rooms and common areas, although occasional lapses in housekeeping have been noted.
The pool and surrounding area stand out as a key feature, frequently praised for its size, cleanliness and family-friendly environment. Additional amenities like hot tubs, jacuzzis and fire pits enhance the overall guest experience, even if the pool can sometimes get crowded or temporarily closed.
While the breakfast menu leaves room for improvement with some guests finding it too basic and repetitive, the convenience of having it delivered to the room during the pandemic has been appreciated. The Wi-Fi service is generally reliable, but issues with strength and TV connectivity are noted.
In summary, Sideways Inn is highly rated for its excellent location, comfortable and modern rooms and friendly staff, making it a popular and solid choice for travelers looking to explore the area or simply enjoy a relaxing stay. Despite a few areas for improvement, the overall guest experience remains positive, contributing to its reputation as a welcoming and convenient three-star accommodation. Show more
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Hotel near Golf Courses
Located in Buellton, this inn is close to Zaca Creek Golf Course and offers easy access to the Alisal Ranch golf courses, making it a suitable choice for golfers focusing on the Santa Ynez Valley's offerings.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Cheap Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
3-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Two Queen Standard The quadruple room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The quadruple room features a seating area, a wardrobe, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard King RoomThe spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room provides a seating area, a wardrobe, heating and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 1 bed.
Single Queen Bed Balcony This room includes free WiFi and cable TV.
Double Queen Room with Balcony/PatioThis air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with pool views. The unit offers 2 beds.
King PremiumThe spacious twin/double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Two Queen Courtyard The quadruple room features a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The air-conditioned quadruple room provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.
King Room with Balcony/PatioThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with pool views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Disability Access - 1 King Bed The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with pool views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Disability Access- Two Queen Beds This air-conditioned quadruple room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with pool views. The unit offers 2 beds.
King CourtyardThe double room features a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The spacious air-conditioned double room provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe as well as garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
Sideways Inn enjoys a prime location with numerous positive reviews from guests highlighting its strategic positioning. Visitors appreciate the hotel's proximity to popular attractions like Solvang, Santa Ynez and Los Olivos, making it an ideal spot for exploring the area. The hotel is also conveniently close to wineries, providing excellent opportunities for wine tasting tours. Guests find the location accessible, being right off the freeway, making it easy to reach from Highway 101. Despite this convenience, the hotel maintains a quiet atmosphere, ensuring a relaxing stay.
The presence of good restaurants and essential amenities within walking distance adds to the appeal, making it a practical choice for short stays or stopovers along the west coast. Many guests noted that the location was perfect not just for visiting nearby towns and attractions but also for embarking on scenic drives. The hotel’s proximity to Solvang is repeatedly praised with guests mentioning quick drives of just a few minutes to this charming Danish-themed town.
Additionally, Sideways Inn's scenic surroundings and well-maintained facilities, including a spacious patio, add to its charm. Overall, the location of the Sideways Inn receives high marks for accessibility, convenience and proximity to numerous local attractions, making it a popular choice among travelers.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Sideways Inn presents a mix of opinions but largely skews towards underwhelming. Guests appreciate the convenience of breakfast being delivered to their doors, an amenity that fits well with pandemic precautions. The continental breakfast includes items such as bagels, fruit, juice and yogurt, which some found sufficient and even enjoyable, particularly the fresh-made donuts. For others, though, the limited variety and basic nature of the offerings left much to be desired.
Many guests expressed disappointment with the minimal selection, labeling the meals as too light and repetitive with complaints about the lack of protein options and hot dishes. The ordering system via QR code was found to be cumbersome by some, resulting in missed breakfasts or wrong deliveries, adding frustration to their stay.
Despite these shortcomings, a few guests mentioned that the breakfast met their expectations and valued the complimentary nature of the service. However, it's clear that the Sideways Inn could benefit from expanding its breakfast menu and simplifying its delivery process to enhance the overall guest experience.
Dinner
Located conveniently within the Sideways Inn, the on-site dining experience revolves around a lively bar and a unique sausage truck, both of which have garnered much praise. Visitors frequently highlight the delicious sausages and garlic parmesan fries, which can be enjoyed alongside a selection of local wines. The relaxed pub environment, where guests can play cards and socialize, is frequently mentioned for its friendliness and warm atmosphere.
The Sideways Lounge adds to the charm, offering a cozy spot for drinks and bites without the need to venture far. Those looking for dinner recommendations will find excellent options nearby, such as the renowned Industrial Eats. Despite some comments about the limited options and slow service at the sausage truck, the quality of the food often compensates for any shortcomings.
Overall, the dining experience at Sideways Inn offers a delightful and convenient culinary option for guests, allowing them to unwind and enjoy good food and drink on-site.
Rooms
Sideways Inn offers a unique and varied experience with its room accommodations. Guests frequently highlight that the rooms are spacious, comfortable and well-maintained, making for a relaxing stay. The decor is often described as modern, stylish and tastefully done with particular praise for the renovations and contemporary furnishings. Many rooms come equipped with conveniences such as fridges, coffee makers and microwaves and some even boast lovely balconies or terraces.
The cleanliness of the rooms receives consistent praise with many guests noting that the rooms appear to be newly renovated and very clean. Comfortable beds and well-functioning amenities like air conditioning contribute to a pleasant stay. Accessibility features are also mentioned, particularly for those requiring handicap accessible rooms.
However, some recurring issues are noted among the reviews. These include rooms being too dark even with lights on, rooms being noisy and limited vanity or counter space in the bathrooms. The cleanliness of balconies and outdoor furniture also appears to be inconsistent. Moreover, some rooms face less desirable views and can be near noisy roads, which detracts from the overall experience.
Despite these drawbacks, the overall impression is that Sideways Inn offers good value with its spacious, modern and comfortable rooms, making it a solid choice for travelers seeking both style and functionality.
Beds
The overall sentiment about the beds at Sideways Inn leans towards positive, as many guests appreciated the comfortable beds and bedding. Many reviews highlight that the beds were very comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep. In particular, phrases like "comfortable beds," "comfy beds," and "beautiful and comfortable beds" appear frequently, suggesting a generally satisfying sleep experience. A few guests also noted the beds were firm yet cozy with excellent mattresses and good bedding quality.
However, not all experiences were ideal. Some guests mentioned the beds could be a bit too hard with terms like "bed too hard" and "mattress too hard" recurring. There were a few comments about beds being softer than expected or needing upgrades. In isolated instances, visitors found the mattresses either "not comfortable" or "completely worn out," and some encountered issues like creaking noises.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, the majority found the beds to be a highlight of their stay, contributing positively to the overall ambiance and comfort of the rooms at Sideways Inn. The consistent praise for comfort and quality bedding suggests that the establishment generally meets, if not exceeds, guest expectations in this regard.
Cleanliness
Sideways Inn consistently impresses guests with its high standards of cleanliness. The rooms and common areas are described as always clean, very clean and super clean, indicative of a well-maintained property. Guests often found the rooms spacious, comfortable and featuring modern decor. The hotel grounds also receive praise for being clean and well-kept, contributing to a pleasant environment.
The modernity and tasteful decoration of the rooms are frequently highlighted, along with the fact that they are spotless and organized. Numerous reviews note the excellent upkeep and cleanliness of the facilities with descriptions such as very clean room and clean, comfortable and nice decor being common.
However, a few areas for improvement were also mentioned. Some guests reported issues with incomplete cleaning, such as dirty balcony furniture, overlooked spots like coffee machines, remote controls, light switches and unclean corners and floors. Housekeeping services, particularly for stays of two nights or less, were noted as insufficient by some visitors.
Despite these occasional shortcomings, the overall sentiment reflects a high level of satisfaction with the cleanliness and upkeep of Sideways Inn. The hotel's blend of cleanliness, comfort and modern amenities seems to make it a standout choice for many travelers.
Staff
At Sideways Inn, guests consistently commend the hotel staff, highlighting their friendliness, attentiveness and helpfulness. Visitors have frequently noted the staff's warm welcome upon both arrival and checkout, often emphasizing how accommodating and responsive the team is. Many guests appreciated the willingness of the front desk and other members to go the extra mile, such as providing extra amenities like towels and pillows and accommodating special requests like late checkout or specific room placements for guests with disabilities.
Several reviewers appreciated the positive demeanor and good humor of the personnel with individual staff members such as Mario and Alejandra receiving specific praise for their excellent customer service. The staff's great communication skills and courteous service were repeatedly acknowledged as standout qualities that enhanced the overall experience.
However, there were a few isolated negative remarks regarding certain interactions with the staff, particularly at the bar and, less frequently, the front desk. Issues like incorrect bookings and occasional lapses in attentiveness were noted but appeared to be exceptions rather than the rule. Overall, the positive feedback vastly outweighs the critical comments, painting a picture of a hotel staffed by friendly and professional individuals dedicated to making guests' stays pleasant and enjoyable.
Wi-Fi
Sideways Inn offers complimentary Wi-Fi and some pleasant perks like treats for dogs, which can make stays more enjoyable. For the most part, guests have found the Wi-Fi reliable, though there are mentions of occasional issues with the connection strength. Unfortunately, several reviews highlight problems with the television service, including poor satellite reception and frequent glitches. These interruptions sometimes extended to the Wi-Fi on the TV, impacting the overall experience. While the positive note is that basic internet needs are generally met, there's room for improvement in both TV connectivity and Wi-Fi strength.
Pool
The pool at Sideways Inn is frequently highlighted as a prized amenity of the hotel with many guests mentioning its heated feature, nice size and well-maintained condition. Visitors appreciate the welcoming and lovely pool area, which includes additional amenities like hot tubs, jacuzzis and fire pits. The pool’s kid-friendly nature and cleanliness stand out, making it a popular spot for families to relax. The pool area is described as beautiful, clean and accessible with guests enjoying the spacious and well-kept surroundings.
During weekends, there's pool service, enhancing the experience further. Some reviews did mention that the pool can get crowded, especially with children and there's an advisory on its occasional cold temperature and moments when it's closed. Despite these minor drawbacks, the pool's overall positive aspects, such as its family-friendly environment, outdoor setting and additional amenities, make it a notable feature of the hotel.
For guests looking for leisure, the combination of the pool, hot tub and nearby fire pits creates an ambient and relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Sideways Inn's pool area is a hit among visitors, often cited as a key feature contributing significantly to their enjoyable stay.
Family
The Sideways Inn offers a welcoming environment for families, making it an excellent choice for those traveling with children. The hotel is family-oriented with a variety of amenities that cater to both kids and adults alike. Many reviews highlight the cozy ambiance and the accommodating facilities, which include a fitness center that the grandchildren particularly enjoyed, as well as spacious rooms that provide a comfortable stay.
Guests have noted that the area is well-suited for families, making it convenient for those on road trips or in need of a stopover. The presence of features like small fire pits and a nearby gas station adds to the ease and comfort of travel. For family reunions or trips, the Sideways Inn seems to be a suitable and pleasant option.
Though there are some challenges such as the unavailability of cribs upon request and limited pool hours, the overall impression is positive. Children have enjoyed their stay with mention of the environment being particularly suitable for them. The hotel’s pet-friendly policy is also welcomed by those traveling with dogs.
In summary, Sideways Inn appears to be a great destination for family trips, providing a range of amenities that enhance the comfort and enjoyment of both children and adults.
3 Star
Sideways Inn, a three-star rated hotel, offers exceptional value with its modernized facilities and welcoming atmosphere. Despite being an older property, it has undergone significant updates, giving it a fresh feel while maintaining its charm. Guests have praised its clean and functional amenities, particularly the central pool which fosters a great social environment. However, some aspects, such as the rooms facing a wall and basic breakfast options, have drawn mixed reviews. While it may not boast the luxury of higher-starred venues, Sideways Inn delivers a comfortable stay and remains a solid choice for travelers seeking moderate accommodations.
Accessible
Sideways Inn provides an accessible experience for guests with disabilities, featuring spacious rooms and easy access throughout the hotel. Close to various attractions and public transportation, guests find the location convenient for exploring the area. Handicap accessible accommodations are available, ensuring comfort and ease of movement. However, construction activities and busy periods may affect parking availability and access from main highways. Despite these minor inconveniences, Sideways Inn stands out for its thoughtful accommodations and prime location.
Outdoor Pool
Sideways Inn boasts an inviting outdoor pool area that's a hit among guests, especially on warm summer days. The pool and hot tub are open late, allowing for ample relaxation time under the stars. Many reviewers appreciated the well-maintained and clean pool, describing the environment as both beautiful and relaxing. The pool area also features fire pits, which add to the ambiance and provide a cozy gathering spot. Guests also enjoyed the courtyard that offers a small patio facing the pool and fire pits, creating a serene setting. Though the pool isn't very large, it is warm and paired with a convenient hot tub (or "jacuzzi"), making it perfect for unwinding. Overall, the pool area at Sideways Inn promises a pleasant and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Honeymoon
Sideways Inn, according to guest reviews, emerges as an idyllic choice for couples, particularly those celebrating significant milestones like anniversaries and honeymoons. Visitors have highlighted the hotel as the perfect place to stay during these special occasions. The ambiance and services provided contribute significantly to creating memorable experiences. While the reviews predominantly emphasize the positive aspects of accommodations, specific mentions about honeymoon packages and services are not explicitly detailed. Despite this, the general sentiment indicates that the hotel successfully delivers a romantic and enjoyable environment for couples.
Dog Friendly
Sideways Inn is highly praised for its dog-friendly accommodations and services. Guests frequently mention the hotel's welcoming attitude towards pets, noting that dogs are greeted with treats at the check-in area, making their arrival pleasant. The provided dog beds add an extra touch of comfort for both pets and their owners. The hotel scores well on its pet-friendly amenities with particular emphasis on the access to a great dog park, making it convenient for pet owners.
A standout feature is that the hotel does not charge extra for pets, which guests appreciate, though a few noted issues with dog hair left in rooms and found small-dog charges to be unreasonable. The pet-friendly lounge and overall family-friendly environment make the Sideways Inn an excellent choice for travelers with pets. Their staff's super friendly demeanor and accommodating nature further enhance the experience for those visiting with their furry friends.
Yes, Sideways Inn has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Sideways Inn.
Yes, Sideways Inn welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Sideways Inn.