In the American parlance, "Motel 6" is synonymous with "Oh my goodness, honey, we have to get off the road and get these kids out of the car or I am going to get out and shred the tires of our Ford Aerostar and run off into the woods."

In Santa Barbara, however, it means something a little different:

Room rates at other Motel 6s soar during peak season and special events — a location in Scottsdale, Ariz., is asking $699 a night during next year's Super Bowl. And rates are sky high everywhere this summer as travel surges. But the Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach regularly commands the highest rates in the chain of 1,225 Motel 6s in the U.S. and Canada. ...

I checked in (without identifying myself as a reporter) for two weekend nights in late July, booking two weeks in advance. Other guests I met paid between $225 and $450 a night before taxes. Those lower rates come thanks to AARP and early booking discounts. My first night's stay was $407 before taxes.

Yes, you read that right:

Now, is it worth it? Well, if what you want is "budget hotel one block from East Beach," then yeah, I guess so. I mean it's not bad:

They got those fancy electric blinds that you hear about:

Sounds like the amenities are fine and dandy:

There's a blue retro minifridge and a rain showerhead in the decent-size bathroom. The toiletries aren't name-brand, but also aren't standard budget-hotel issue with shampoo and conditioner in a single bottle.

The beds, too, they sound comfy, though there's reportedly some disagreement about that:

The Serta pillowtop mattress is comfy enough, too. The hotel's new owner disagrees and says he wants new mattresses.

Well at $400 a night he should be able to afford those new beds in no time!

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