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    Dream Inn

    3.8 (946 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Open • Open 24 hours

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    From the Wharf
    Luke C.

    Coastal Charm with a Retro Twist If you're looking for the ultimate Oceanside escape, this hotel delivers the kind of dreamy coastal vibes you can't stop thinking about. Perched right above the Pacific, the views are absolutely stunning--whether you're sipping coffee in the morning or watching the sunset light up the Monterey Bay in the evening. The hotel's retro-inspired interior design is a refreshing nod to mid-century charm, blending beachy nostalgia with modern comfort. There's a Verve coffee shop on-site that makes a perfect brew for your coastal morning. In room you find a laptop sized safe, mini refrigerator, Keurig coffeemaker and premium coffee, walk in shower, Bathrobes, private balcony or patio with sweeping views of Monterey Bay, a 42" flat-screen TV, Iron and ironing board, and complimentary WiFi. One of the highlights? The pool and hot tub area--it overlooks the beach and feels like your own private paradise. A private staircase leads straight to the sand, making beach days effortless. There's also a treat and drink bar, a festive taco cart station, and cozy fire pits that light up the night, creating the perfect setting for listening to ocean sounds or swapping stories with friends. You're also just steps from the lively Santa Cruz Boardwalk and wharf, and tons of great restaurants and coffee shops are within easy walking distance, which makes exploring a breeze. Wildlife lovers, keep your eyes open! We spotted seagulls, pelicans, and even heard the bark of sea lions nearby. Locals say sharks, dolphins, and whale sightings aren't uncommon--just another reminder of the magic of the Pacific coast. In short, this hotel nails that balance between laid-back comfort and unforgettable experience. Can't wait to come back.

    Double room

    Great location with ocean views from every room. However, was disappointed that they play pop-style music over the pool area until well into the night and have back hotel lights glaring. I had to close my patio window and curtains and try to drown out the sound and light until they turned it off (was maybe on until 10pm or later? - not sure) and then I could finally listen to the beach waves crashing. Really wasn't the vibe I wanted. I also couldn't figure out how to run my shower without getting the entire bathroom soaked- including the clothes I brought inside that I had planned to change into. Aside from that they allowed me to check-in early (no extra fee) which was appreciated and they have convenient outside hotel parking (extra fee) that is easily accessible across the street.

    Birthday surprise!
    Ellie A.

    We spent a few days here during our much needed getaway and it totally exceeded our expectations!! It is in the absolute perfect location, walking distance to the beach as well as the Santa Cruz board walk! It honestly should be rated a 4 star at least. It had a beautiful pool overlooking the beach and it is heated!!! It also had a spacious hot tub too that's really luxurious. I love that both the pool and the hot tub fit a good amount of people in it. We got the ocean view room with a small balcony and it was one of the best! We ordered room service and got to enjoy the view. The room was pretty decent too, clean and spacious. There was a tv with a lot of dish channels too. We went for a birthday celebration and the hotel was really sweet. When we walked into the room they had a beautiful cupcake and a lovely card waiting for us there! It was such a thoughtful touch. The in room dining restaurant which was next door was really good food! They had a great selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Also the kids options were spot on!! And the coffee was really good too. Oh and they also have pool service where you can order a drink or food at the pool and enjoy while you swim or sun tan! Highly recommend for any families with young kids - your kids will NOT want to leave the pool that's for sure like mine!!! Not to mention the hot tub, delicious food, view and fun perks that they have (like happy hour and kids ice cream hour) it is a must stay if you want a local getaway !!!

    Alyssa G.

    If I could leave 1,000 stars I would. I just got married here last weekend and the entire staff just absolutely blew us away. From the valet, to the room service, to the front desk, and pool staff, everyone was so welcoming and accommodating. But I'm really here to talk about the event staff. Shelby and her team truly went above and beyond to make me, my husband and our families feel at ease. My family owns a florist and has been in the event planning scene for over 30 years and they said Shelby is by far the best coordinator they have ever worked with. She even spent the time to help safety pin my dress when it ripped mid event! The space was stunning, the food was superb, and the entire day ran smoothly. I cannot recommend it here more. Thank you Dream inn team for helping to plan the wedding of my dreams!

    Helen N.

    Everything! This was an amazing experience. The service was friendly and efficient. Our dinner was good and priced moderately! We loved it! The views and location supreme. Beds very comfy! Updated older hotel with character and charm!

    Perfect views !
    Shannon L.

    We absolutely love THE DREAM INN This makes our forth visit and it was all so amazing celebrating my daughters white coat ceremony they added, extra touches, making everything so perfect! If you are celebrating an event call ahead and see what they can arrange for you too A beautiful room view again ! beautiful sunset, beautiful ocean views! every room we've stayed at has been in a different location of the hotel and I can tell you there is not one room that doesn't have this amazing view whether you're at the top tower, the pool level, you will be very happy no matter where you stay in this beautiful hotel, as soon as you open your door you will gasp at the ocean view ! Definitely Dreamy !!! The customer service is top notch. It is a pricey hotel, but worth every single penny! The views , ocean sounds at your door, private access to the beach private showers , hot tub, fire pits , tacos at the pool and cheesecake on a stick at the cabana and William will create a special memory in the Sand for you for your loved one to wake up and see in the sand this has now become a tradition to have him write a message in the sand ! If you want amazing breakfast order breakfast to the room to get your day started the pancakes are amazing from Jack O'Neill's. Parking is so easy if you have a lot of things, then just valet but if you can easily carry your items park in Self parking, it's directly across from the front desk. And it will save you a few dollars. Pro tip- No microwave in your room but one in the vending area ... Pro- tip - recommendation is to ask the Bell valet team if they have bikes available ( FREE) included in your stay ) and grab a pair of bikes and enjoy bike rides around Santa Cruz this was the first for us to do this and we had so much fun! Stopping and grabbing ice cream, and just enjoying the beautiful nature ocean views watching all the pro surfers! Pro Tip- I will say one day is not enough! **Thank you Dream Inn team for every special touch made for our special weekend, celebrating my daughters big accomplishment! The valet team for checking us in early, allowing us to grab a bike and start enjoying our time in Santa Cruz for the check-in desk team, making things so easy and alerting us when my room is ready and helping with the special surprises for my daughter she LOVED it ! To the chef and team at Jack O'Neill's for making amazing breakfast delivered directly to our room! From A-to-Z top notch Customer Service! From every step of our trip we were treated with kindness and like family ... you don't get that everywhere ! So thank you thank you thank you !!!!!! and of course we will be back again and hopefully we can stay a few more days

    View from our balcony at night
    Lala N.

    The staff here deserve 5 stars! They were amazing, from the front desk to the wait staff at the restaurant they were all great. But the hotel itself has some pros and cons. We stayed for 2 nights at the Dream Inn. The pros: The staff: Again, the staff was great. They went above and beyond to make our stay as accommodating as possible. The location of the hotel: Every room has an ocean view and it's gorgeous experience the entire trip. The beach is literally right outside your window, you walk right down to it and the warf is about a 10 min walk, while the boardwalk is about 15-20 min walk. The room: The bed is very comfortable compared to other hotels we've stayed at in Monterey, Carmel, Samara Cruz so far the Dream Inn has the best hotel beds. And loved the retro design. The restaurant: Having a restaurant in the hotel is always a bonus but the fact that the food was also good was even better. Sometimes hotel food can be disappointing but Jack Oneils was decent and loved their Mochas. The Cons: Security: The hotel is half in door and half out door so there is one door connecting the two that is always open meaning anyone from off the street at anytime can walk in to the hotel. I didn't realize this till the next morning when I walked from the restaurant back to my hotel room. The walls are not Thick enough. You can hear everything and they put us right next to the elevator and below the lobby floor. So it really only quiet between midnight-7am. The AC unit: They need to update their units to one that stay on. It's old and loud which is great but then it stops. So if you have it on to drown out all the other sounds in the hotel it will then stop after 20mins so it's just dead silent for 20mins and then will loudly start up again. The Mini fridge: It doesn't keep anything cold and is also makes a loud clicking sound. We ended up keeping our water bottles in buckets of ice. The price: you're paying a lot for the location and the view. But keep in mind it's and average room. Sooo this hotel evened out to 3 stars for us, I think if you're not a light sleeper it will be great for you. But both my husband and I are so we won't be back unfortunately.

    Dream Inn pool
    Dawn T.

    Everything was amazing from start to finish! Katie set us up on a last minute request for a poolside room. It was perfect and we lucked out with great weather! Thank you Katie!! Makayla at the front desk was kind and helpful. She allowed us to hang by the pool while we waited for our room to be ready. (We arrived early). And then there was Eric, the poolside bartender full of style & riz for days! He's always good for a great cocktail and a laugh!! Room service arrived quick and was delicious. We definitely will be back, it's the perfect staycation spot for us!!

    Tracy S.

    Not a bad way to blow off some steam on a Friday night...... We shot up there (last minute) from the South Bay. Arrived around 7pm and were greeted with smiles and the most polite, friendliest valet attendants. Room was average, the view was what you pay for. After a few rides at the Boardwalk, we ventured back to the hotel hoping to relax by the firepit (pretty much why we came there) I mean what else do you do to blow off some steam other than enjoy something cold by the firepit. NOT AT THIS PLACE....Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed that pretty much everything closed at 10:00 pm. I would have hoped for the amount of money we paid per night there that the firepit area poolside would at least be open till midnight. We enjoyed the pool area Saturday and thought it had way more potential than how they constructed it. Sad that the drink bar blocks 1/2 the view and firepits were stuck in a corner that felt (dead). When they decide to open the pool till at least midnight for us high end paying customers we will be back, but until then.........

    Enjoy the Jacuzzi after an ocean swim on New Year's Day!
    Mark A.

    Staycation, can't beat the location and Santa Cruz lifestyle boutique Hotel we enjoyed the sunrise & Jacuzzi immensely after our annual New Year's Day swim at Cowell's Beach.

    Qinnan L.

    We hosted a corporate retreat here for ~90 people, and it was great! Would recommend this location and hotel for anyone planning a corporate event with a budget. Corporate: The event planners at Dream Inn that we worked with were helpful - providing guidance on how to plan a good corporate event. I do wish they had been more responsive though and had more suggestions of activities around Santa Cruz. Rooms: Rooms are clean and spacious, if a bit outdated in terms of décor. Every room faces the ocean, so everyone gets to wake up to a beautiful sunrise. However, you do hear waves crashing at night, which can be loud for light sleepers. Food: We had buffets from the hotel's kitchen for most meals, and they were surprisingly good for mass-produced meals. The food options are a bit expensive though. Service: The staff were all super friendly and helpful. Nothing but smiles during our stay :)

    Little dining table for coffee and ice bucket
    Nalleli P.

    Valet parking $27 and self parking ( same price). Might as well go with Valet parking. Beauty room ! I feel as though there wasn't enough space to put my clothing away. Patio with two chairs and glass table. NO SMOKING ALLOWED . " Patio is for enjoying the view , not smoking" read the coaster. Bed was comfortable, but the pillows were to soft for my liking. The view and sounds of waves was amazing. Go down to the pier and you will hear and see so many seals! Literally about 30 of them!! I love that there pool and jacuzzi was heated ! And a bar also , wow! The bartender was funny. Great guy and worker! Somehow someone ordered breakfast and it was sent to our room. I made sure we weren't charged since we didn't even make not one single phone call. The front receptionist handled it and made sure I wasn't charged. Thank you all so much for your accommodations and professionalism. 10/10 hotel

    Kids Burrito. Added Bacon. Simple yet effective.

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    Dream Inn Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dream Inn

    What time is check in?

    4pm

    What floor on the hotel is the pool on?

    First floor.

    Are they pet friendly?

    Definitely not.

    What's the difference from the ocean view cloud level and ocean view tower? Is a tower a separate thing from the hotel? any help is great!

    the Cloud rooms are floors 7 and up.

    Is the hot tub open? It's actually closed

    Yes

    What are the best room with views to stay in? The towers? The cloud rooms? Or suites?

    It depends on what you like. If a high view is your speed then go cloud. If you want a huge soaking tub, fireplace and a super large suite - penthouse. Only one of its kind and it has a killer view with lots of privacy. I can still hear the waves… 

    How do you get to the door that leads to the sand? We have stayed here a few times and never been out that way just curious.

    Hi Heather Good question, Depending on where your room is, head to the 1st floor and down to the… 

    Has anyone stayed in the executive king room? If so what did you think?

    i've stayed in the cathedral executive king and it was worth every penny. the views are spectacular and the little nook space is perfect to cozy up on. i highly recommend it -- but you truly can't go wrong in any room!

    View All 10 Questions

    Review Highlights - Dream Inn

    “The dinner at the Jack O'neill restaurant was delicious, and we enjoyed the lovely views of the beach.”

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Sea & Sand Inn - Cottage Suite

    Sea & Sand Inn

    (290 reviews)

    $$

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!! It is an older building, but you would not know. It is gated…read moreand protected. Right on the water. The views, amazing!!! I highly recommend the second floor rooms. You can still see the view from the first, but they have plants growing up over the fence so it is harder to have the full view. They serve fresh cookies, breakfast in the morning, and always have tea, water, and coffee in the office. It's nice and cozy in there with a couple tables to enjoy your food or drink. There are also tables outside. Unfortunately they do not have a spa or pool. They do have some rooms with a spa tub. Our room was on the smaller size. There are no air conditioners in the room. In the closet was a fan and a space heater. We had our window open at night for the fresh ocean breeze and that kept Us cool enough for an August evening. We had a mini fridge, microwave, and safe in another closet. No coffee maker or complimentary water in the room. That is all located in the office. The bathroom was a great size for two of us. It was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and soap. I don't recall seeing a blow dryer. The bed was ok. Not uncomfortable, but not comfortable. Location is great. The pier and boardwalk are all walking distance. Lots of restaurants and shops. The hotel is on a cliff so there is not direct access to the beach. You do need to walk a little bit down the street to gain access, but it is a very short walk. I highly recommend staying here. I can not wait to go back.

    I'm surprised at the great reviews for this place. It is a motel but with a fantastic view. We paid…read more$500 for a tiny room with a great view. I felt ripped off. Yes, you get breakfast, a cookie and wine if you want it but I think it's to distract you from how much money you are paying for a tiny little room. And oddly, there no glasses in the room to even have a glass of water. Bathroom door was a strange sliding door that didn't close properly. A certain lack of privacy.No air conditioning. Definitely a lovely view - no question - but is it worth $500? Not to me.

    Beach Street Inn and Suites - View from "shared" patio

    Beach Street Inn and Suites

    (333 reviews)

    $$$

    We had a really nice stay at this hotel! The views were amazing, and the check-in staff were super…read morefriendly and welcoming. There was also a really cool guy working the night shift--I didn't catch his name, but I remember he had tattoos done in Washington and California. I wish I had gotten his name because he was super friendly, funny, and we had a great conversation! We stayed on the 3rd tier, which had a big balcony with a beautiful view. The kitchenette was really nice, and I loved the shower, Murphy bed, and pull-out couch. The beds were comfortable, and the shower was spacious with both a small and large showerhead. The hotel also has a pool and hot tub. They offer complimentary coffee, hot cocoa, ice, cones, and popcorn until around 9 PM, which was a really nice touch. The hotel was also very quiet and relaxing. The only downside was that the air conditioner didn't work very well. Around midnight, we ended up opening the windows and balcony door to help cool the room down. Overall, we had a great stay and I would definitely come back again!

    We absolutely love Beach Street Inn & Suites! The location is incredible--right across from the…read morebeach and within easy walking distance of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, restaurants, and shops. It is the perfect place for families who want to enjoy everything the area has to offer. The hospitality is exceptional. The staff members are always warm, welcoming, and helpful, and they truly make guests feel at home. The heated pool is wonderfully warm and comfortable, which makes swimming enjoyable even when the coastal weather is cool. Our children could happily stay in it for hours! The complimentary snow cones are another amazing touch and are always a huge hit with the kids. It is thoughtful details like these that make every stay feel extra special. We are always excited to return and highly recommend Beach Street Inn & Suites to families looking for a beautiful location, outstanding hospitality, and a fun, relaxing getaway!

    Hyatt Place Santa Cruz - Guest Room

    Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

    (197 reviews)

    $$

    We spent a Sunday evening at Hyatt place Santa Cruz. First off, we arrived early and were met by a…read morestellar valet. I truly have never met a valet who was more friendly and helpful. He parked our car, and since we had brought our bikes with us, the valet told us where the car was parked, and how to enter the garage to put our bikes back on the rack and lock them up. He told us that if they were locked on our car, they would not be stolen and it was a safe garage. That was so helpful! Since we had struck up conversation, we asked him where to have dinner. He had several recommendations, and we asked about a local place nearby, which said was one of his favorites. After we had taken our bikes and gone for a long long bike ride, we returned and saw the valet outside the hotel. He questioned us on our ride and wondered how our afternoon had been. Super thoughtful person. Our room was clean and large and very much in line with an expectation from a Hyatt place. Considering this Hyatt place isn't very old, some of the furnishings and fixtures were quite worn. Also, considering that this was a Sunday, the hotel was full. I imagine that this is an often used hotel and many families stay here. The breakfast was as expected, but there was only one hostess, and she really could not keep up the amount of people eating the food. Often, the food was low and the coffee was out three times while we were eating breakfast. When informed, she did replace and replenish things. She was very overworked, and they really needed two people doing this job. I would recommend staying at this Hyatt place. If you are looking to go to the boardwalk or downtown or any place walking or biking in Santa Cruz, this is a good location.

    We stayed here in room 103 for a staycation. It was lovely! I was worried about the proximity of…read morethe room to the pool (with a window facing the pool) but with a sound machine and the hours being 10-10, we had no issue. The bed was comfortable and everything seemed clean. The only minor problem was maybe a cleaner smells it smelled like grapefruit and not a great smell. But you got used to it after a bit. The pool was warm and the hot tub was hot! One bummer was that four dumbbells were missing from the dumbbell set. In the case that someone stole them...so dumb. They were two 25s, a 30, and a 35. The breakfast buffet had a large assortment of foods- eggs, sausage, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, bagels etc. Only valet parking available!

    West Cliff Inn, A Four Sisters Inn - 2F balcony

    West Cliff Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

    (145 reviews)

    $$$

    I can't say enough about this place!…read more Mary our hostess was so nice welcoming and helpful. She made us feel like we were staying at a friend's house. Our room had an incredible view. I can't believe the description was a partial view. It definitely was more than a partial view. We had a soaking tub with whirlpool jets. A king size bed and a fireplace. A miniature refrigerator, and bathrobes to use while we were there. They have a wine and cheese hour from 4:30-5:30 every evening and it also had chocolate chip cookies and veggie tray. The breakfast in the morning was so delicious with an assortment of breads, homemade granola and muesli, fresh fruit, quiche and fresh baked cake (lemon, banana, and blueberry were the flavors the days we stayed). The location is walking distance to the pier, boardwalk, and downtown. Depending on how far you like walking we walked to Natural Bridge State Park and it was 2.7 miles. The view along the way is spectacular

    Five stars. No question... Five stars. After years of being disappointed with accommodations in…read moreSanta Cruz, I stumbled on West Cliff Inn when planning a roadtrip getaway for a night. When I scanned their website I immediately thought I was mistakenly looking at an inn in Mendocino. But nope... right on the edge of West Cliff Drive and just above the boardwalk, this restored Victorian is an oasis of peace, grace, and refined luxury in Lost Boys-land. You can't miss this restored white Italian Revival beauty with a commanding view of the Giant Dipper and the neon glitz of the Beach Boardwalk. Once inside you'll be struck by the high ceilings and windows, clean lines, tasteful color palettes, and spotless housekeeping. We stayed in the ADA room on the ground floor, but I still walked to the top of the stairs just to see the stained glass dome over the ceiling over the stairway. Stunning! The room was not enormous but it was efficient and comfortable and met my mobility needs. Loved the walk in shower with a shower chair. Body wash and shampoo/conditioner are all provided and smelled great. The gas fireplace in the room was welcome as it was still chilly in April. As for hospitality, checking in was quick and friendly. The front desk clerk at check-in was courteous and all smiles. Check-out front desk attendant wasn't the warmest, but nothing that would put me off a return. We enjoyed the complimentary wine and cheese/cracker hour at 430pm and the hot breakfast buffet in the morning was delicious and filling. We had it arranged in advance for in room dining and it was great! If I were to drum up a single critique of this visit it would be that the parking area is tight and requires some care to navigate. There are enough spaces for the number of rooms but... we noticed some guests were not very mindful of the parking space lines. Will I be back? Abso-effing-lutely?

    Carousel Beach Inn - King at "Queen" Price

    Carousel Beach Inn

    (243 reviews)

    $$

    I've stayed at this hotel on two separate occasions…read more Customer service is good not amazing. Has room for improvement. The stars on my rating are so high because of the location and cleanliness of the rooms. It is right across the street from the boardwalk. My main reason satisfaction staying here is the rooms are always clean and smell clean. That is huge for me. The housekeeping does an amazing job of cleaning. They have a free self serve popcorn area in the lobby, which I love. Both times I wasn't able have the breakfast so I don't have anything to say. They do have coffee and tea in the lobby as well. My only complaint is the elevator needs new carpet. This is my go to place when I visit Santa Cruz. Worth the price. I would highly recommend this hotel.

    We always stay here when visiting Santa Cruz. The location couldn't be more perfect. It has a free…read morebreakfast. The rooms are clean. The staff is always helpful and friendly. We have stayed here for at least 8 years or more. They have revamped the breakfast area again. They have remodeled the vanity area of the bathrooms again. Very nice improvements. The showers look newer, too! My only real issue is the shower water pressure. It's nonexistent. I guess they are trying to save water, but seriously, you're in the shower so long trying to get everything wet and then rinsed, you're using just as much water as you would if it had normal pressure for a shorter amount of time. We stayed in Las Vegas, you know, the DESERT, and had killer water pressure. Why is a place near the ocean skimping out? Fix it. No one should be in the shower 20 minutes trying to rinse shampoo from their hair.

    Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

    Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

    (766 reviews)

    $$

    Heading to Santa Cruz, CA anytime soon? Can't decide where to stay? Check out Hotel Paradox, an…read moreAutograph Collection by Marriott. Where you can enjoy the amenities and a beautiful sunset view. This hotel has a gorgeous lobby and restaurant. It's kids and pet friendly. A family oriented hotel. I loved that they offered s'mores at the front desk. Blossom the front desk lady was really friendly. The rooms are really cute. But If you're outside looking at the rooms you would think you're in an apartment building because the walkway/hallway is open to the outside. On the other hand you can walk out your room enjoy to e view of the sunrise or sunset. The location is perfect if you plan to go to Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, it's less than 6-7 minute drive. And if you are an early bird you can find plenty of open public metered parking spots. Note: the restaurant staff. I found one server didn't treat us well. For one we were told to come and pick a table. And we found one but it hadn't been cleaned so she told us to wait at the front (when clearly nobody's even waiting at the front) everyone's just walking around. Then a couple of people came after us and they were seated right away. Was not even told go to the front. Like what? I find that rude. I give this entire experience 4 stars. It was nice but not the best. But I'd come back again.

    When I checked into the Paradox Hotel Santa Cruz the girl at the desk said I had to put $100 hold…read moreon my card for "potential room damage". This was a business trip so the hotel was paid for by my client. I asked them to put the charge on the card that was paying for the room but they refused. "the charge will be released when you check out". I checked out on July 9, 2026 and have yet to see this $100 come back to my card. I called several times asking for the manager but only got the front desk girls. Then a guy comes on and starts yelling at me to stop annoying the girls. he sounded like one of their boyfriends. I also reached out to the card that the charge was placed on. They "voided" the charge but again, the $100 never reappeared. As of now I have yet to get the $100 back in my account. If these people can scam me for $100. I wonder who else they've scammed and for how much? I'll never go back!

    Dream Inn - hotels - Updated September 2026

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