hotel with waterpark in Soquel, CA

1. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

Nestled in a redwood forest, this mountain retreat hotel off Highway 17 is 3 miles’ drive from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and a 6-mile drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.All rooms (some with forest views) offer modern decor and custom-designed beds, plus microwaves, minifridges, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Some rooms feature private balconies. Suites add separate living areas, pull-out sofas and whirlpool tubs.Amenities include a bar and grill, a fitness center and a heated outdoor pool, plus a business center and over 7,000 sq ft of meeting space.

Things You Need to Know

  • 9 min drive to the Mission Santa Cruz
  • Some guests complained about the air conditioning but others praised the beds
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests mentioned “dogs” 19 times
  • Guests liked the forest views
  • Guests liked the fitness center, which has free weights

Feedback From Real Customers

C. B.

It is a great location, well maintained hotel Room was clean Check-in was ready early

Front desk and workers around the hotel were very friendly and nice I’m not sure why some of the negative reviews from others This is not a 5 star resort but it is one of the nicer low key, family friendly hotels Way better to stay there than in Santa Cruz itself The price point seems fair given that inflation is so high right now so I disagree with other reviews that say it is too high Hotel has to pay for workers, water, etc and all rising costs so all in all, we would stay there again definitely in the future

Jason Hauk

I’ve been a Hilton Honors member for many years and this was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at The level of service and guest experience we received were top-notch The room spacious and clean, the pool was warm, the hot tub was hot and the food was excellent! Joy and Maria went out of their way to enhance our experience

Only a 10 minute drive to the beach, 15 minute drive to the Mystery Spot and 10 minute drive to look at some Redwood trees We will definitely be staying here again on our next trip to Santa Cruz!!

Monica Gamboa

The room was extremely clean as well as the rest of the Hotel It was also in a great location The front desk staff was so friendly and even went out of her way to let my husband in by the rear parking lot and gave him an extra key

Our room was a little warm and the ac was not cooling off the room We called the front desk and maintenance was at our door within 5 min and fixed the problem I will definitely stay again!

2. Capitola Venetian Hotel (2-star hotel)

  • Address: 1500 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA 95010
  • Phone: (831) 476-6471
  • Ratings: 4.3 (307 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Capitola Venetian Hotel
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Mediterranean-style 1920s hotel offering suites with kitchens, plus many with ocean views.

About this hotel

Overlooking the beach and its historic wooden wharf, this 1920s Mediterranean-style hotel is a 5-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of the Esplanade, and 5 miles from Santa Cruz Boardwalk.The 1- to 3-bedroom suites feature private entrances and Mission-style furniture, plus kitchens and sitting/dining areas. They also have flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Some rooms add fireplaces, balconies and ocean views.Parking is free. Minimum-stay rules may apply.

Things You Need to Know

  • 2 min walk to Capitola Beach
  • Guests praised the service
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Guests mentioned “an ocean” 16 times

Feedback From Real Customers

ed martinez

I wanted to give this hotel a try based on the hype and location The hotel has a great location for shopping, dining and beach access A room with ocean view does not provide you unobstructed view of the ocean

The rooms are outdated and furniture and bedding need an upgrade The room we got came with a kitchenette @$380 night, it was a good trial but wouldn’t stay here again

Rachel Meredith

Ceiling was extremely lowThankfully I’m only 5’4″If taller than 5’8″ wouldn’t recommend this room Door lacked weather stripping which made it cold I turned on heater and had the worst burning fist smell

It definitely wasn’t worth the money I paid ( Almost $600) a night Water showers to rinse off from the beach were next to my room and it became a hangout of all the teenagers Only good thing is location and next to all the restaurants I was under the impression that I had an ocean front room one of the color ones in the pictures from the website The colorful ones are not even part of the hotel and our privately owned

Eileen Binning

Spoiler Alert: DumpYou can stay next door at the Capitola Suites for less money and a better view!!!The Venetian Hotel was on my friend’s bucket listWe booked a balcony and paid extra for a view We had a beautiful view of a building

the ocean was barely visible, considered “partially obstructed” The dissapointment continued for the length of our stay The kitchen does not come with utensils or cooking pots, but many signs state you can pay extra to rent them When we went to check out we were told, “Oh, you should have just asked” We did ask for conditioner/shampoo and extra blankets Which for $43000 shows lack of respect for the customer We also had some preventable negative experiences, such as locating the black out blinds and thermostat On check out, the desk clerk showed us where they were Parking is available, and you won’t need to move your car, but the lot is small I had to be super careful manuevering my Ford Edge (A Prius would be fine) When we took our complaints to the desk clerk, he asked what he could do to make us happy My friend stated take $100 off a night He said he needed to talk to management and would get back to me (That was a month ago) I did call several times and left my name and number No return call I understand that businesses need to make money, and I am willing to pay for quality However, I feel I have been robbedof money and time This stay tainted my entire tripI hope you read all the reviews and make a better choice than we did

3. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

Overlooking Monterey Bay, this informal modern hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Natural Bridges State Beach, and 3 miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.Unfussy rooms feature free high-speed Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers. Suites add living areas with pull-out sofas; some have balconies with bay views.Parking is complimentary, as is a breakfast buffet served in a casual breakfast room or on a patio with a fire pit. There’s a convenience store and a coin-operated laundry. Other amenities include a gym, an outdoor heated pool and a hot tub.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the clean rooms, which have microwaves
  • The unfussy rooms have coffee makers
  • 5 min drive to Natural Bridges State Beach
  • Guests praised the service
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant
  • Guests mentioned “Boardwalk” 10 times
  • Guests mentioned “an ocean” 13 times
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a fitness center

Feedback From Real Customers

Mike K

Great stay at this hotel Love the location and away from the busy area of Santa Cruz Hotel was close to Seymour Marine Discovery Museum which was a delight to visit

The service was excellent even during the pandemic shortage I give credit to the staff of working hard and keeping things going The morning breakfast was good I highly recommend staying here The only negative thing I can say is the size of the pool; I would not call it a pool, but more an oversized jacuzzi Pic below is the view from our balcony

Alexa Kiel David

This was our second time staying here in a month The first time, the elevator was broken We received an email that it was broken the day before our stay, and we asked for a lower level room if possible

We arrived and were put on the highest floor and our friends who arrived after us (and did not send in the ask) were placed on lower level floorsThis was frustrating but stuff happens, and we decided to keep our reservation for two weeks laterFast forward to this trip, the hallways smell horrible and our room smells like body odor We told the front desk but there wasn’t a resolution They said they think someone on the first floor is cooking something that is making the hotel smell? UnsureNeedless to say, we won’t be coming back

KK Q

The room was clean and staff are friendly, but I DO NOT RECOMMEND STAYING HERE for one reason, the machine noise!!! OMG!!! At 10pm, 7:45am, and 10 am there was a room shaking noise that persisted for 20-30 minutes When I called the front desk they said also the people on the floor below mine also complained Lets just say it was so loud that my wife had to google if there was an earthquake

WE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY OF THE 50+ HOTELS WE HAVE STAYED INWhat made this even worse was that the next morning the front desk manager said he is aware of this issue Then why dont you fix it???!!!! We even asked for a quite room This really ruined our stay and vacation

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz – Capitola (2-star hotel)

About this hotel

Set a mile from Capitola Beach on the Pacific Ocean, this understated all-suite hotel is also a mile from the Capitola Museum and 5 miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.Casual, colorful 1-bedroom suites offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and living areas with sofabeds, plus microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers. Upgraded suites add fireplaces, balconies and/or whirlpool tubs.Freebies include a breakfast buffet and parking. There’s also a bar, a bocce court and a patio with a fireplace, as well as an outdoor pool, a hot tub and an exercise room. Other amenities include a business center and a coin-operated laundry.

Things You Need to Know

  • The rooms have microwaves and refrigerators
  • 5 min drive to Capitola Beach
  • Guests liked the friendly service
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant
  • Guests mentioned beaches 16 times
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a fitness center
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a hot tub
  • Guests praised the bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Lindsay Rucker

I loved the whole experience at this hotel it was really hard to find a hotel with a hot tub in it but this one was amazing The tub was in the bathroom but there was a window you could open with shutters so you could see the living room and the TV and there was a TV in the living room and in the bedroom so me and my man got to watch separate shows The staff was great the room was clean and we only paid like $150 or something

The bed was comfortable, there was a fridge microwave coffee oh yeah and the free breakfast was the most stocked I’ve ever seen and I’ve been to a lot of hotels Had to write this review so I can remember where we stayed if we go down there again Five stars for sure!

Cathleen Copeland Fink

My three ladies and I had been in our room for about 45 minutes when two men entered our room via card key Thank goodness one of the ladies had just dressed – otherwise it could have been much worse We were completely startled and the two men were completely embarrassed and apologetic, when it clearly was not their fault

Shortly after that, we received a phone call from someone down at the front desk – a man who wanted to verify we were in the right room?? I thought that was incredibly unprofessional – how were we (the guests) in the wrong room?? Your front desk issued the same set of keys obviously to different reservations! Why would this be the guests fault? I was not rude in the least but was somehow hung up on Well, of course after dinner, we went back to our room only to find both of our keys no longer working We were wondering if someone was in our room? Were our belongings safe? Paying almost $35000 for one night and I can’t access my room and it could have been compromised again without us there? We went down to the front desk where they were unable to issue us new keys to get in to our room due to some problem with the system So, now we have no keys to access in/out of my room She apologized profusely and had to let us in our room and bring the keys later We asked to speak to a manager and told no, he was not in but would be in in the morning The next morning after breakfast around 9 AM once again, we were told the manager was not in and could not help usI have never in all my travels ever had some stranger walk into my hotel room with my card key Also, to have absolutely no one in charge to remedy the situation is completely unacceptable I emailed both Marriott and the GM with zero response I would never stay here again

Dana Bashi

For it’s kind, it is a good choice We had a junior suite with 2 double beds and a sofa bed Somewhat convenient for a family with teenagers

Breakfast is the usual complementary bagel,omelet ,cereal ,fruit and bad American coffee They put only 4 towels in our room even though I booked a room for 5 When I called to ask for extra towels,no body responded We went downstairs and there was no one to be found Night shift but still

5. Seascape Beach Resort (4-star hotel)

  • Address: 1 Seascape Resort Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
  • Phone: (831) 688-6800
  • Ratings: 4.5 (1828 reviews) Excellent
  • Website : Seascape Beach Resort
  • Check-in time: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Suites & 2-bedroom villas in an upscale resort with a private beach, golf course & 3 outdoor pools.

About this hotel

Overlooking Monterey Bay, this all-suite hotel with a private beach is 12 miles from the Santa Cruz Wharf.Relaxed studios with kitchenettes offer flat-screen TVs, fireplaces and balconies (many with ocean views). Suites add separate living spaces or whirlpool tubs, and 2-bedroom villas are also available. In-suite spa treatments are offered (fee). A daily resort fee includes Wi-Fi.A casual restaurant offers California cuisine and ocean views. There are 3 outdoor pools, hot tubs and tennis courts. Amenities also include a golf course and a fitness center, access to which is covered by a resort fee. Loaner bikes and boogie boards are available.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the large, clean rooms and the kitchenettes
  • 7 min drive to Manresa State Beach
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Guests praised the restaurant service
  • Guests liked “Fire pit”, mentioned 14 times in reviews
  • Guests praised the nightlife
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a spa
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Dennis Cardoso

The location is spectacular with many trails and beach access It’s simply a beautiful spot and the facilities are nestled in the middle of it all During our visit, there was a lot of maintenance going on with a lot of exterior structural and siding repairs

The maintenance didn’t bother us but it was very present with dozens of ladders and workers across the units The staff are friendly but we did have an issue with them forgetting to pick us up for a reservation we had set with them for an on-site service They simply forgot about us until we called them fifteen minutes after the pick up time they provided They corrected it promptly I definitely recommend the resort but perhaps at a time when they don’t have so much construction going on

Junior2k4

My friend’s and I visited here on vacation We brought our kids and they LOVED it The rooms were lovely, it overlooks the beach, and there are a few pools

Small washer and dryer in the unit, as well as a small but functional kitchen Beach towels and board games were providedThe resort restaurant seemed expensive for both the quality and quantity of the portions but the cocktails were good

Akhilesh Prasad

The rooms are large with 2 storey 2 bedroom, pull out couch in the living room and balconies in both the living and bedrooms with 2 and a half baths Room service is not daily, coffee and tea are in the kitchen top cupboards Older property with most balconies overlooking the ocean

Small swimming pool and a restaurant and bar Our organized lunches and bf seemed like catered in and very mediocre quality Ask for Dan by the bar There is a south point coffee shop close by in the village but closes at 1 pm

6. The Inn at Pasatiempo (3-star hotel)

  • Address: 555 CA-17, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Phone: (831) 423-5000
  • Ratings: 4.2 (389 reviews) Very good
  • Website : The Inn at Pasatiempo
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Relaxed rooms in an informal hotel offering a pool & a restaurant, plus breakfast & Wi-Fi.

About this hotel

Set 6 miles from Santa Cruz’s waterfront attractions, this informal hotel is 6.5 miles from the University of California Santa Cruz campus, and 7 miles from the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.Relaxed rooms come with minifridges, coffeemakers and ceiling fans, plus TVs and Wi-Fi. Most rooms open onto the parking lot, while suites add garden views and fireplaces.There’s a casual grill restaurant. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and garden. Parking and breakfast are available.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the clean, large rooms and the beds
  • 6 min drive to the Mission Santa Cruz
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant
  • Guests mentioned bars 27 times
  • Guests praised the grounds
  • Guests liked the outdoor pool

Feedback From Real Customers

Bruno Lacoste

We stayed a weekend visiting the surrounding Santa Cruz area and doing some hikes The location is convenient and soundproofing was good, as we did not hear traffic from Hwy 17 The restaurant food was good as we had lunch there, and service was attentive

On our checkout day, front desk person Christine gave me tips of places to visit and offered us to borrow her personal parking permit so we could visit a nearby Wilder Ranch park She really went above and beyond We had such a great time hiking in Wilder Ranch because of her thoughtfulnessA little drawback was the indoor heater/AC was loud, that bothered our sleep when keeping it on the first night as it was pretty chilly in January still

Kealaleonani D

We had our wedding and reception here!It was very hard finding somewhere we agreed represented US in every wayThis place shocked us all with how amazing the team at Pasatiempo worked with us and how they put a team effort into everything!!I was able to stay mindfully present due to the “no worries” vibes Elyse & her team were able to share with usThe venue was absolutely beautiful!!The reception was nonetheless amazing!!The setup was just as we imagined our wedding day!!I cannot say “Thank You” enough!!Mahalo nui Loa!!!Durkee Ohana❤️🙏🏽

7. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

A mile from Seacliff State Beach, this laid-back hotel is also a mile from the S.S. Palo Alto and 3 miles from New Brighton State Beach.The relaxed rooms offer flat-screen TVs, desks and minifridges, plus coffeemakers. Suites add separate living areas. Wi-Fi is available.Amenities include an outdoor pool, gardens and a fitness center, as well as a casual bar/restaurant. Parking is available.

Things You Need to Know

  • 15 min walk to Seacliff State Beach
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Some guests complained about the kitchenettes
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant
  • Guests liked “Landscape”, mentioned 12 times in reviews
  • Guests praised the grounds
  • The hotel has a fitness center
  • Guests praised the nightlife

Feedback From Real Customers

Autumn Leaf

One of the better hotels I’ve been in! Would be nicer if there wasn’t constant renovation, but they’re expanding and staying on top of their clean game!!Pretty views, lovely fountain and even a tasty restaurant!! The bartender Benjamin is easily one of the coolest and nicest guys I’ve seen in the bartending industry!! Very encouraging and sweet~The pool is nice, hot tub is a little small, but it works and spacey enough!! They have gender neutral restrooms which is important to meLove this hotel and would most certainly go back!!

Joshua Rothschild

Super clean rooms and a nice safe area close to Santa Cruz without the parking and homeless headaches Great staff, Safeway across the street Restaurants and shops nearby

There will be a $10 per night parking charge, heads up but worth the safety and cleanliness Will definitely return Great restaurant and bar with live music on premises

Karen VanHooser

The place is clean and renewThe front desk person was not very communicative or helpful They also charge you 10 extra dollars if you have a car which of course you need a card to get to that hotel

Our room was clean and renew but the AC didn’t work They offer us switch rooms but it was really late at night so we ended up staying in that roomPrice $145 night

8. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

This hip hotel is a mile from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 5 miles from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.Contemporary rooms offer free Wi-Fi, iPod docks and flat-screen TVs, plus minifridges, coffeemakers and desks. Suites add separate living spaces.There’s a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sundeck with a fire pit. Poolside cabanas can be rented for a fee. There’s also an exercise room, a farm-to-table restaurant and a poolside bar.

Things You Need to Know

  • 9 min walk to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
  • Guests praised the clean rooms but some thought they were small
  • Guests praised the friendly service, which has a concierge
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant
  • Guests mentioned “Boardwalk” 10 times
  • Guests praised the architecture
  • Guests praised the breakfast

Feedback From Real Customers

Steve Jones

I had not been to Santa Cruz since the start of the pandemic and was really looking forward to it I booked this location through Marriott Trouble started from the moment I tried to check in and they confirmed the wrong room

After a delay we straightened it out and I got a room that was almost up to the same level of the one I had booked But that one came with an additional fee which we later had removed Trying to get a satisfactory room and trying to determine why there’s an extra charge and then having to deal with getting it fixed isn’t exactly what I want to spend my time on for vacation I had planned to charge my car at the hotel and then spent 20 minutes trying to figure out why it wasn’t working I inquired at the hotel front desk they had no idea So I was the one who spent 20 minutes on the phone talking with the charger company only to be told that the charger was out of orderThe property was cool The location was great The people were nice But the organizational aspects of running a hotel and how to make sure your guest needs are satisfied even before they think of them is lacking with this property It almost felt like there’s new ownership and they are still kind of getting their feet wet with what they’re supposed to do I would stay there again primarily based on its location and niceness of the propery

Morgan Smelker

As a preface we have stayed in a few autograph collection hotels in the last few years This is not an autograph hotel And you feel a little nickel and dined when they tell you parking is $10/ night and you can’t even really walk to the beach…First major flag is that in order to go anywhere interesting in Santa Cruz on foot you must cross the river

Rivers a great but this riverbed is full of a cali sized homeless camp Great people watching but there are definitely better parts of the city to stay in Security is great though and we felt very safe while thereThe main areas of the hotel are nice, it’s well done But it’s very much appears to have the bones of a roadside hotel that got a decent facelift The rooms are not up to par for the name Peeling wall paper, no closet doors, tiny bathroom The craftsman ship and attention to detail in the rooms is lacking What we expect for the autograph name If you think of it like a nice roadside hotel with no complimentary breakfast you’ll see it as a 5 star place

Cherisse Du Preez -DFO

The police suggested I write reviews on this hotel to warn people who stay here I wish I didn’t stay at Hotel Paradox Santa Cruz We made the mistake of leaving expensive jackets in the hotel room closet & checked out

Although we realized our mistake immediately the hotel staff had already taken our stuff The manager refused to get it back His exact words were “we have a no responsibility policy… I stand by my staff” Thanks Christian (front of house manager that day)🤦🏼 It was over a thousand dollars in clothes The police got involved and there’s a formal incident report but they can’t force the staff to give us our things back Terrible policy, terrible hotel, absolute thieves I have tried for 3 days to speak directly with the General Manager but he won’t take or return my calls I’m shocked at how criminal their policies are and how abusive and angry their management staff was when I asked if I can come pick up our things I really hope everyone who they steal from reports it to the police so the staff can be held accountable by the law

9. Chaminade Resort & Spa (4-star hotel)

  • Address: 1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Phone: (831) 475-5600
  • Ratings: 4.2 (1430 reviews) Very good
  • Website : Chaminade Resort & Spa
  • Check-in time: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Mission-style resort on 300 acres, offering upscale rooms & suites, plus a spa, a pool & 2 eateries.

About this hotel

Set on 300 mountaintop acres, this polished, mission-style resort is 3 miles from the hip shops in downtown Santa Cruz, and 4.1 miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.Breezy rooms in 11 villas feature Spanish-inspired decor, Wi-Fi, flat-screens and coffeemakers. Some have patios, while suites add living areas. Room service is available.Amenities include an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, 4 tennis courts and 3 miles of hiking trails. A Zen-like spa offers indoor and outdoor treatments. There’s also a laid-back eatery serving breakfast and lunch, and a restaurant/bar offering eclectic dishes and al fresco dining.

Things You Need to Know

  • 11 min drive to Mystery Spot
  • One of the few hotels in the area with room service
  • Some guests complained about the beds
  • Some guests complained about the bathrooms
  • Guests mentioned “Trail” 59 times
  • Guests praised the fitness center, which has weight machines
  • Guests praised the nightlife
  • Guests liked the outdoor pool

Feedback From Real Customers

Brandon Cohrs

We loved this resort Came with my family and enjoyed the pool and spa The property is good sized with 3 different hiking trails

The 2 queen room is really 2 double beds Not sure why they mixed that up The room is a big rectangle with nice space, but it needs a couch or other sitting area The view is gorgeous, sitting on top of a hillside The restaurant is pretty solid for a hotel, too

Jonathan Williams

We came here for a wedding and was given a “discount” resulting in the rooms being $495 for their base double queen room Not to mention we booked this out a couple months before but a friend of ours walked up the same day, got the exact same room for $200

So we paid $300 more for what?!There was NOTHING special about this, not to mention the fan in the bathroom was broken along with the AC that was not working and blowing out hot air instead There was nothing upgraded or modern about the entire venue We were very disappointed by the quality of the rooms, the mutual areas and the staff The staff at the view was extremely slow moving and more of an inconvenience for them to serve you After checking out, brought up the issues with the room and they thought it was accommodating to take off resort fees, big whoop Then dealt with Hannah and she was trying to be helpful and was going to take more off our bill and mentioned she would email the difference in charges, still have not received that email, and instead of having a difference, I have more charges on my credit card NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED The customer service is strongly lacking and not accommodating and feel very cheated out of a lot of money Unhappy, do not recommend and would like this place to reach out to have my issue resolved as I not have 5 different charges from them

Sal Sandoval

I visited the resort for a work conference The location is beautiful and peaceful Hidden in the trees and with a far view of the ocean

The staff were very friendly and accommodating My room was a good size with a pleasant decor Not modern but not quite rustic And antique refrigerator shell hid the real refrigerator inside The dinner was good I cannot comment on lunch because we had a buffet style service for work so the buffet food was okay The atmosphere of the bar and patio area at night was relaxing I was here during the week so it was not a late night place with a nightlife as the bar and restaurant shut down about 9 or 10 Didn’t get a chance to visit the hiking trails but was able to see the morning deer and occasional fox or coyote I wasn’t sure which so keep your small pets on a leash The resort is dog friendly Only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the pool area was not available It is being renovated so I will reserve the last star to see how that turns out The location is centered between Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola beach

10. Fern River Resort (2-star hotel)

  • Address: 5250 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
  • Phone: (831) 335-4412
  • Ratings: 4.5 (266 reviews) Excellent
  • Website : Fern River Resort
  • Check-in time: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time: 11:00 AM
  • Quick Summary: Laid-back resort offering modest cabins with kitchenettes & river access.

About this hotel

Set in a wooded area a mile from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this down-to-earth riverside resort is also 7 miles from Santa Cruz Beach.The rustic cabins, some with wood-paneled walls, come with free Wi-Fi, TVs and kitchenettes, as well as porches and BBQs. Upgraded cabins have river views and living rooms.Amenities include free parking. There’s river access, and minimum-stay rules may apply.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests praised the rooms and the kitchenettes
  • Walking distance to Bigfoot Discovery Museum and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
  • Guests praised the service
  • Guests mentioned “streams” 11 times
  • Guests mentioned “Redwoods” 10 times

Feedback From Real Customers

Lucia Diaz

We LOVED this place! Staff was helpful, location is near stores and a movie theater and right next to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! It offers comfortable and quiet cabins with a kitchen to prepare your favorite meals It’s walking distance from San Lorenzo river, and in the middle of the redwoods wild forest We just loved that place! Perfect for recharging your batteries!

John Allison

The location of FNR is amazing but the price is steep (wish I could give 35 stars) The cabins are spacious but it was a bit annoying that there was no paper towels or even soap in the rooms

I get that we need to be great stewards of the environment but that can be remedied with refillable soap and shampoo dispensers I like to travel light and fast and having to carry basic items like the above is annoying

Teja Rachakonda

resort location is awesome standing just beside the river you can hear water flowing throughout the day you can also go down near the river and play with tubes if you bring one

beds are little noisy parking is very convenient, we can park our cars just beside your cabin badminton and ping pong nets are not well maintained contactless check-in and checkout is nice

11. Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley (3-star hotel)

About this hotel

Set in a commercial area, this informal hotel off State Highway 17 is 5 miles from Roaring Camp Railroads amusement park and 7 miles from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.The streamlined rooms, some with balconies and/or sofabeds, provide flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and tea and coffeemakers, in addition to marble bathrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi.Parking is free. Breakfast (surcharge) is served in a casual restaurant/bar. Other amenities include a terrace, a gym and a meeting room, plus guest laundry facilities.

Things You Need to Know

  • Guests liked the large, clean rooms and praised the beds
  • 10 min drive to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
  • Some guests complained about the casual restaurant
  • Guests mentioned lobbies 13 times
  • The fitness center has weight machines and elliptical machines
  • One of the few hotels in the area with a bar

Feedback From Real Customers

Ami A

WORST hotel stay I’ve ever had I stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton in Scott’s Valley last weekend As someone who travels frequently and who holds status with all of the major hotel chains, I am still in shock over my experience here

I do want to note that I previously stayed at this hotel one year ago and had a pleasant experience at that time (I can’t believe this is the same hotel) After checking in last week, I walked to the King Suite I had reserved and found the door unlocked and wide open (MAJOR safety risk) As I pushed the door further, I walked into a room that was completely unkempt There were consumed water bottles on the table The bathroom did not have a single towel There was no soap The bathroom trashcan was placed in the bedroom The countertops in the suite were stained It was quite clear that the suite had not been cleaned The tea and coffee had not been replenished In addition, the bathroom door was not attached and nearly fell on top of me and my travel companions Upon returning to the check-in desk, I was informed by the staff person that he was “pretty much the manager” When I shared the details regarding the room, there was not a single apology and instead he nonchalantly offered only one “solution” which was to cancel my reservation at the last-minute leaving me with nowhere to stay on a July 4 weekend Ultimately, I decided to go back to the suite and to clean it myself I wiped down counters and put the bathroom trashcan in the right place I had to request towels and soap since the room had come with NONE From start to end, this was one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had The attitude of the person at the front desk is something I have never seen before and it will stay with me for years to come This was truly a disappointing, unacceptable experience for a room that cost nearly $400 for a nightI do want to share that the hotel has been completely unresponsive to my concerns over what happened during my stay, which speaks volumes I will update if I ever hear back from them

Chris McQuillan

Nice, clean and moderately new hotel Stayed in a suite, which was spacious, but a lot of wasted space And the dining table was placed in the bedroom area

just oddly laid out They also have a huge back patio and live music on the weekends, but only serve minimal food and for a brief time There’s are no dining tables on that huge patio either Seems like they could do a pretty nice lunch/dinner run with more tables and a kitchen that is open And that dining table in the bedroom? Better bring your own food, because there isn’t any room service!?

Tim Caposio

I’ve stayed here on 2 separate occasions ( one for approx 8 days while quarantining, the other for 2 days because I found a good rate ) and I have nothing but good things to address Every staff member I’ve encountered have been incredibly nice and accommodating During my latter stay, I was offered a room upgrade and the room was ostensibly immaculate ( minus a couple minor cosmetic blemishes )

The location is beautiful; peaceful, and convienent A lot of these negative reviews seem to be rooted in misunderstandings on behalf of the reviewer, irrational standards and perhaps even fragile egos If you find a room for sub 150 you will receive a solid stay relative to the competition as far as I’m concerned

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