
Chumash Casino Resort
Best for gaming, on-site entertainment, and wine-country day trips with a resort-style spa and adult-oriented rooftop pool.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Chumash Casino Resort is a 4-star casino resort in Santa Ynez focused on gaming, live entertainment, a 21+ rooftop pool and a full-service spa. The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a branded 4-star, garden-style hotel near UCSB and Goleta serving travelers who want suburban Santa Barbara access and a poolside restaurant; read this if you’re choosing between Santa Ynez wine-country activity and a Santa Barbara base.
Updated · about 35 miles (≈56 km) apart

Best for gaming, on-site entertainment, and wine-country day trips with a resort-style spa and adult-oriented rooftop pool.

Best for easy access to Santa Barbara/UC-Santa-Barbara, garden/poolside lodging, and a compact, Marriott-affiliated stay.
When Chumash Casino Resort wins: choose Chumash if you want casino action, nightly entertainment, an on-site full-service spa and a 21+ rooftop pool; it’s the fuller resort experience in Santa Ynez Valley for people who prioritize gaming and shows.
When The Steward wins: choose The Steward if you want a Marriott-brand experience near UCSB and Goleta with garden views, an outdoor pool and straightforward access to Santa Barbara beaches and city attractions.
Bottom line: pick Chumash for resort amenities, nightlife and wine-country access; pick The Steward for a branded, suburban Santa Barbara base with garden/pool comforts and proximity to UCSB and local beaches.
| Category | Chumash Casino Resort | The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort and entertainment complex built around a casino and live shows | Branded 4-star garden-style suburban Santa Barbara hotel |
| Location | Santa Ynez wine-country, close to Solvang and valley wineries | Suburbs of Santa Barbara / Goleta, near UCSB and local beaches |
| Star rating | 4-star | |
| Size (rooms) | About 320–378 rooms (sources vary) | 87 guestrooms |
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in from 4:00 PM; check-out by 11:00 AM | Check-in begins 4:00 PM; check-out 11:00 AM |
| Pools & hot tubs | Rooftop pool and hot tubs (pool reserved for guests 21+; rooftop hours listed) | Outdoor pool and at least one hot tub; wheelchair-accessible pool |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues incl. Willows (AAA Four Diamond steakhouse), Cafe Amri, coffee bar and casino bars | One main restaurant (Terra) with poolside dining, snack bar/deli and bar/lounge |
| Spa & fitness | Full-service spa (The Spa at Chumash) plus 24-hour fitness center and med-spa services | 24-hour fitness center and hot tub; on-site spa not published |
| Family / age policy | All-ages property for lodging; many amenities and rooftop pool restricted to guests 21+ | All-ages property (not adults-only) |
| Known for | Casino gaming, live entertainment (Samala Showroom), wine-country access | Branded Marriott comfort near UCSB, garden/poolside restaurant and local access |
Chumash sits in Santa Ynez wine country, minutes from Solvang and nearby wineries.
Best if you want wine-country access and a resort centered on gaming and shows.
The Steward is in the suburbs near Goleta and UC Santa Barbara, convenient for city beaches and campus.
Best if you prefer a suburban Santa Barbara base near the university and beaches.
Chumash offers several room types and suites across a large hotel tower.
Choose Chumash for larger suite options and traditional resort room sizes.
The Steward has 87 guestrooms in a garden/hotel layout with suites available.
Choose The Steward for compact, accessible garden-style rooms and Marriott-style consistency.
Chumash runs several on-site dining outlets from casual to AAA Four Diamond fine dining.
Choose Chumash for variety and a formal steakhouse experience tied to the resort scene.
The Steward centers dining around Terra, a poolside restaurant offering Californian cuisine.
Choose The Steward for simpler, poolside California-focused dining and local sourcing.
Chumash’s signature amenity is a large rooftop pool deck reserved for guests 21 and older.
If a resort-style rooftop pool and adult pool scene matter, Chumash is the stronger pick.
The Steward offers an outdoor pool and at least one hot tub in a garden setting.
If you want a wheelchair-accessible garden pool and poolside dining near Santa Barbara, The Steward fits that need.
Chumash pairs a full-service spa and med-spa with a busy entertainment calendar.
Choose Chumash for spa treatments plus late-night entertainment and a busier evening scene.
The Steward emphasizes fitness and accessible poolside relaxation with fewer on-site evening spectacles.
Pick The Steward for fitness classes and quieter, garden-focused evenings rather than late-night shows.

Chumash — on-site casino floor and Samala Showroom for concerts and events.

The Steward — Tribute Portfolio branding, near UCSB and Goleta conveniences.

Chumash — full-service spa plus a 21+ rooftop pool deck and hot tubs.

The Steward — wheelchair-accessible pool and meeting spaces, locally-sourced food program.
Chumash — it has a casino, bars and the Samala Showroom for concerts and shows; The Steward is quieter in the evenings.
Chumash’s rooftop pool is reserved for guests 21 and older; The Steward is an all-ages property and its pool accessibility is published, but age restrictions are not listed.
The Steward — it’s in the Goleta/Santa Barbara suburbs, a short drive to UCSB and local beaches; Chumash is in wine-country ~30–40 minutes away.
Chumash has a full-service spa (The Spa at Chumash) and med-spa services; The Steward’s supplier listing mentions hot tubs and fitness but does not publish an on-site full-service spa.
Explore how Chumash Casino Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·