Santa Barbara: Rooms start at $229 for a spring getaway at the Canary Hotel

With airline fares and gas prices on the rise, a quick escape that’s close to home may be in order. The Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara has lowered room rates for the rest of March that could be an incentive. The drawing card here is the rooftop pool with sweeping views of the ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains.

The deal: Spring Getaway rates start at $229 a night at this hotel, which has less than 100 rooms. The hotel, whose vibe is meant to mimic the laid-back Canary Islands, is a sister hotel to Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica.

When: The offer is good through the end of March, subject to availability.

Tested: I checked this deal at the Canary Hotel website and found a room March 15-17 for $229 plus tax a night. The usual rate for the same room on the same night is $280 plus tax.

Party op: So here’s one thing to do with the money you save: Buy a ticket to the hotel’s St. Patrick’s Day/March Madness party on the rooftop from 6-10 p.m. March 17. Watch the first round of March Madness while tasting whiskey and scotch and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres. Tickets cost $25 plus tax in advance, $32 at the door.

Contact: Canary Hotel, (805) 884-0300