CONTACT: Millie Matz
Santa Barbara Hotel Group
805/687-5511; fax: 805/682-2410
mmatz@sbhotels.com
www.sbhotels.com

SANTA BARBARA HOTEL GROUP SETS THE STANDARD FOR AFFORDABLE LODGING FIVE FAMILY-OWNED PROPERTIES GRACE THE AMERICAN RIVIERA™
- Newly Renovated Brisas del Mar Inn at the Beach - 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – True to the tropical flavors of Santa Barbara, the family-owned Santa Barbara Hotel Group continues to set the standard along the American Riviera™ with the complete $1.5 million  renovation and debut of the Brisas del Mar Inn at the Beach (formerly Tropicana Inn & Suites).   The 31-room renovation which topped off September, 2003 marks the Webber family’s fourth decade in the hospitality business with five area gems:  The Inn by the Harbor, Colonial Beach Inn, Best Western Encina Lodge & Suites, Best Western Pepper Tree Inn and Brisas del Mar Inn at the Beach.
                Originally from England, Pamela and husband David Webber arrived in the United States in 1956 via the Queen Elizabeth II.  A veteran of World War II, Webber visited Santa Barbara while in the military and was taken by the region’s balmy year-round climate, stunning architecture and gracious living.  His eventual return, with Jeanette (age 2)  in tow, marked the beginning of a hospitality empire on California's prime Pacific coastline.
                In the 1950s Santa Barbara’s bustling main artery -- State Street -- was a sleepy thoroughfare linking the rugged back country of Santa Ynez  to the beach.  On upper State Street, Pamela began her hospitality career at the 12-room Hacienda Motel where she managed both the motel and managing-partner-in-progress, Jeanette (age 4).  Six years and multiple properties behind them, Pamela and David built the Pepper Tree Inn in 1962.  Situated on five lush acres at the gateway of undiscovered Santa Barbara wine country, the 110-room inn was one of the largest full-service hotels in the region.  Today, it remains the same with 150 guest accommodations.  Shortly thereafter, the family acquired with partners the Encina Lodge and Suites, which has evolved into a Best Western property in mid-town with 121 guest accommodations set on three and one-half acres of prime real estate. 
                Keeping pace, Jeanette switched from her pre-medicine studies at St. Mary’s College in San Francisco to join the family operation in 1974.  Backed with a degree in Hotel Management and psychology, she quickly advanced to General Manager of the Best Western Pepper Tree Inn.   She later became a vested partner in both family properties.
                As real estate values began to boom in the 1980s, Jeanette and brother Phillip added a creative mix to the family’s holdings with the acquisition of two beach properties, the 42-unit Inn by the Harbor and 31-room Tropicana Inn and Suites.  They expanded operations in 1996 with the purchase of the 23-room Colonial Beach Inn, adjacent to the Tropicana.  To date, the Webber family owns and operates five hotels with 367 guestrooms throughout Santa Barbara.
                Jeanette Webber, CHA, Managing Partner of the Santa Barbara Hotel Group, currently manages all properties in addition to participating on numerous tourism and environmental boards (past and present) including the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee, Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission, Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, Looking Good Santa Barbara and the California Offshore Oil, Gas, Energy Resources Study Steering Committee.  The Webber family resides in Santa Barbara.