We have discovered that Holiday Inn Express is a good deal. When we planned a few days in the Santa Barbara area we compared prices and found that the 10 mile drive from Carpinteria saved quite a bit on the room rates, as compared to staying right in Santa Barbara.

The HIE in Carpinteria was very nice. We had plenty of room, the place was very clean, the front desk was helpful, and the drive to Santa Barbara was not a problem at all. This was well worth the difference (almost $50 per night).

Spent three nights here this past weekend. Friendly staff. Clean comfortable room. Comfortable beds. Free wi-fi access that worked perfectly. Hot breakfast was so-so, but there was plenty of cereal, muffins, yogurt etc. Location was close to the freeway and though our room was "away from" the freeway it was a little louder than I would have liked. That being said, once I fell asleep the traffic did not bother me.
Overall, very happy with our stay here and would definitely return.

This hotel looks nice from the outside but inside...
The room it's big but really ugly. The furniture is really outdated. The paint is coming off. The bathroom is even worse.
The channels selection is awesome! That kept me from looking to the bedroom.
It's really sad HIE let this hotel come to this point of degradation because Carpinteria is such a lovely town. Loved spending my afternoon here.

While this looks like a new, fresh Holiday Inn Express, it's tired and not too clean inside. So close to Santa Barbara, but so far.