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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.
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.
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 !!!
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!
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!
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
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.
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!!
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.........
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.
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 :)
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
25 days ago
We had an amazing time here. Resting on the deck watching the waves crash. Very peaceful. Foos served hot on the deck was fun and easy and Jason, our bartender was friendly and knees us by name!! read more
I've been wanting to give the Dream Inn a go for a long while. Recently, all of the parts fell into place to host our program retreat here ~ and I'm so glad we did! It was just perfect for our small staff gathering, with their Cove Meeting Room right off their on-site restaurant, Jack O'Neill, and the package with breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks along with the meeting room all included. The rooms are comfortable and every one of them has a wonderful view of the beach and Santa Cruz Wharf (and the Boardwalk a bit farther away down the beach). Love that they offer a complimentary selection of e-books, audio books, meditations and podcasts (QR code to scan right on the bedside table) and that they've eliminated all single-use plastic water bottles on their property. The weather was perfect during our visit in early February. Staff were all friendly and helpful ~ special shout outs to Elaine and Shannon for all of their help leading up to our stay. Would return in a heartbeat! read more
1 year ago
I have been raving about this hotel for weeks. I haven't been here in years and came back with the kiddos and it was literally perfect. It is not a spanking new hotel and a has some wear and tear but you're paying for the location and everything is clean. The service is great. Everyone is nice and helpful so I'm not checking the corners of the bathroom for rust lol it's not that serious. It's CLEAN and the perfect place to stay with kids on the beach. Walking distance to the boardwalk and who doesn't love valet! They had fun activities for the kids at the pool and the poolside service was great. The drinks were good and nachos while tanning and the kids swimming is kinda perfect! read more
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. read more
4 months ago
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. read more
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 !!! read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
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! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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! read more
1 year ago
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 read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
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. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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!! read more
2 years ago
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......... read more
2 years ago
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. read more
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 :) read more
4 years ago
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 read more
Great Location! You can walk to restaurants, beach, and pier no problem. They offer vallet if you dont want to self-park. Either way both parking is across the street. The employees are all nice and very helpful! I would advise self-parking only because the line to get your car back can be hectic and a wait (especially if you have kids). Stayed on 2nd floor (Below the lobby) GREAT view of the beach, private balcony with sliding door over-looking the pool and hot tub with a bar close by; 10p and guest were still chillin in the pool and hot tub. The room itself had a small coffee bar and table that sits 2 comfortably. Queen beds and very spacious. Slept with the balcony door cracked open, hearing the waves put me to sleep. Coffee bar in the lobby is 2 stars try somewhere else. Also, room service was okay, but again try somewhere else. The only negative is you can hear when other people open/close their balcony door and when they flush/shower you can hear the water go down the pipes. We also had a bit of sand come up our bathroom sink. Mixture of guests. Saw plenty of families with toddlers and also people just there to party. Felt safe and comfortable overall and would stay again. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
The dream team at the Dream Inn is nothing short of spectacular. We enjoyed a three-night-stay over the July 4th weekend, to celebrate our two-month-wedding anniversary and wow, it was wonderful. We had Colin as a valet/bellhop on arrival and departure. Helpful and accommodating. Our room cannot truly be described. We had a king bed with a private balcony and ocean/wharf/beach view. Breathtaking. Our room was on the 10th floor, top of the building, so we were sure to leave the slider open all night and enjoy those waves crashing. Furnishings were modern and crisp but with a 'beachy' feel. Daily room attention which is nice - since so many places are cutting back on that. When in a hotel, daily service is a necessity not a luxury, so much appreciated. Finally - the food!! Room service for breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes and a classic egg/bacon/sausage/toast meal. Simple, yet arrived to our room hot, and tasty. Dinner at Jack o'Neills - first night: we enjoyed the beef rib and whippy potatoes, and the pork ribs in a raspberry vinaigrette with on the cob corn and whole baby roasted potatoes. Beyond delish! Last night of our stay: Once again the beef rib for both of us, so nice I ordered it twice. Overall, an enthusiastic thumbs-up and yes, you absolutely must book your stay there. A sidenote - this hotel is easily within walking distance of the Boardwalk, and there are tons of souvenir shops and food vendors to choose from. Beautiful at night with all the carnival ride lighting. read more
ONLY BEACHFRONT hotel in Santa Cruz. The Dream Inn has been a Central California Coast destination since its establishment in 1963. Originally a 4 story low-rise, The Santa Cruz Dream Inn now has an additional 10-story tower and boasts 165 ocean-view guestrooms. The hotel was rebranded and designed by the Arcsine interior design consultancy in Oakland to give it a retro and fun midcentury model theme. It's done well and puts you immediately into vacation-mode. The prices were great and if you choose not to valet you can park in the parking lot across the street. Many rooms have a great view of Cowell Beach with its own balcony and with a wall made of glass to not obscure the view. You can walk right onto the beach through a back entrance near the pool, you will need a keycard to get back in. It's also a short 10 minute walk away from the Boardwalk and we felt the convenient location and fast access to so many beaches and restaurants made it a perfect place for our first visit and somewhere we would repeat in the future. Room service was also quick and the food pretty good. I could immediately tell they use kennebec potatoes for their french fries which are far superior to normal potato fries, worth ordering if you've never had them. read more
2 years ago
This is not our first stay here, but it will be our last. It's clear the hotel is relying on their location to justify the price. The rooms certainly haven't been touched since they last renovated many years ago. To begin with, when you reserve your room you're charged the first night plus taxes and fees, you even get a confirmation email stating that. So imagine my surprise when I check in and I'm told I was never charged the deposit and now I have to pay the entire cost for the stay. At no point in the last 7 months since I booked the room was I informed the deposit wasn't paid. I requested a higher floor for our room, we were put on the 3rd floor which is the lobby floor so incredibly busy. Don't bother with room service, which we only ordered because the 3 other places we tried to get food from were already closed at 6 pm. The air conditioner/heater doesn't work. The wall controller literally says Err on it. Last night an employee of the hotel tried to enter our room around 10:30 pm to deliver towels we didn't request. Luckily we had the safety latch on the door which prevented him from getting in. We have had prior negative experiences at this hotel and gave it a second chance. The location can't be beat, but for the off season price of $400/night the quality of the rooms should reflect what is being paid. We have a reservation for spring break, $600/night for a regular room, that I will be canceling. read more
It's been years since our last stay but we still love it! Perfect for a quick weekend mental health break. Cannot beat the view and location. Everything was clean and well designed, love the cheerful colors and mid century + surf vibe. Bath products smell awesome. Yummy hash browns for room service breakfast. Agree the beds are a little hard, but overall a wonderful stay. read more
10 months ago
We came here last year and have now made it a tradition to come every year for New Years. The staff is always helpful and friendly. From the person answering the phones to the front desk to the valet! Everyone is fast, they make it super easy to check in and check out. Offer free valet and have a dedicated parking lot across the street. Parking is $25/day so be aware. Pricing and view of this hotel I think is PERFECT! It might seem higher than most but every room faces the ocean and they have their own entrance to the beach which is a little more private and secluded from the crowds. It's steps away from the pier and literally only a ten minute walk to the boardwalk! There's so much to do around this town, just takes a little research. We decided to do the railroad camp ride through the redwoods and went to the Santa Cruz kids discovery center! This place can be both romantic and family friendly. Highly recommend this hotel! read more
Wow, this place is simply amazing! Talk about California dreamin'. Visiting Santa Cruz for a day and a night has made me rethink our decision to not stay here longer as this hotel, truly, is magnificent. I mean, who doesn't want to relax or wake up to the sounds of crashing waves, of a fantastic wharf view, sea creatures calling to one another, sailboats sailing, the sun rising! Even a little bit of a sunset view! A very (and I mean, very) unassuming place. There is an onsite restaurant called Jack O'Neill which also doubles as a lounge/hangout place if you don't feel like going anywhere else for the night. We valet parked our car, otherwise, I'm not really sure where one would park as there seems to be limited space for parking. The lobby is located on the third floor and we were on first so we went down from the lobby to our room. Our room (and every single room here) has a magnificent beach view and a view of the wharf. I love the color schemes of teal, and whites, and light and dark blue! The room is pretty simplistic but does have a small L-shaped couch for lounging and a patio with outdoor furnitures to sit and enjoy the view of the beach with. The room was clean, great water pressure in the shower and the sinks. The towels were quite soft but did leave a lot of lint. Not a deal breaker though. They have complimentary bottles of water, a Keurig and some coffee pods in the room if you're not feeling like going out for some coffee in the morning. I can't say enough great things about this hotel. The staff were lovely and friendly and our entire stay was fantastic! read more
So fun! We arrived at 5:30 on a Friday. I wish we had gotten an earlier start but was not meant to be. I got an email the day before to check in. I had to log in and upload my cc number and a photo of my Id which made me nervous but it worked fine. Day of as we were en route, I received a text message that our room was ready. We arrived, valet took our bags and parked the car. Very nice guys and careful with the car. It's the same cost as self park, so why not? They won't let you use the bag cart without service, something I usually prefer not to pay for but it was part of the experience. Hotel is right on the beach. View was magnificent. Our room was nice not anything too special but 2 queens and a nice balcony with hooks to hang your bathing suits. The pool was warm, friendly, with tacos and drinks poolside. And cabana like bed things which were nice for mommy reading time. Hot tub is extra big and was full but not too full. They have happy hour morning and evening at the pool bar. It's a 5 min walk to the boardwalk. We didn't check out the restaurant, it looked super pricey with not great reviews. I did have a delicious maple latte with good conversation with the staff this morning. Minus one star just for how overall expensive it was but I did expect that in advance. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
We have made it a place we must visit every summer. Location, the staff, food, ocean front rooms , decor, and close by is the pier and the boardwalk :) read more
Finally after seeing this place for decades we finally spent the night. This place is extremely expensive during the on season but during the week in the off-season it's still expensive but at least it wasn't too bad. The room was clean and good size and of course with a wonderful view of the ocean. We slept with the sliding glass door open listening to the waves crash all night. It was wonderful. The bathroom is good size and the shower is huge. The furniture is 60s retro which was actually cool. The staff was very good as well. I think the only thing that knocked this down a star was the price. I've seen rooms go for $800 a night during the on-season. We paid much less than that on a Thursday night during the off-season. It would be nice if this is more affordable but as long as people are willing to pay it I guess they're going to charge it. I guess I would do the same if I owned the joint. Due to the price I can't even imagine spending more than one night there and that's too bad. But if you have a special occasion you want to celebrate and money is no object go for it! It is in a wonderful location. read more
We had a lovely time at the Dream Inn. I spent a lot of time in Santa Cruz and have never stayed at this hotel before. It's a wonderful hotel to bring children and is ideally located right next to the boardwalk. The lobby is beautiful although a bit small. We stayed in an Ocean View Deluxe on the first floor and we had more of a pool view, right in front of the walkway ramp. So, there were people walking by our window quite often. But still great ocean views nonetheless. There are some areas that do need a little renovating like the hallway outside of our room, which is a bit more open-air. At night, the noise level is pretty high on the first floor from other hotel guests. We would love to return, and maybe try a different room! read more
2 years ago
Had a room on the 2nd floor for two nights. Room was perfect, no complaints. Great view. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Ordered room service one morning , had the basic breakfast. Was perfect, bacon cooked just right, even my scrambled eggs which I ordered hard were perfect ( many places fail to cook the hard enough), hash browns and toast tasty. Recommend the hotel and restaurant. I came with a large group of 30 travelers, all were happy with the stay. read more
3 years ago
The Employees Were Very Personable and Knowledgeable ! Our Room Had A View Showing The Whole Monterey Bay With The Wharf/Pier Right In Front Of Us ; Close Enough We Could Just Walk It , Enjoy The Shops , Sit And Relax With A Cup Of Coffee ! Only One Issue That Gave Me Pain Was The NEW BEDS They Installed Were Like Laying On A Rock & Made My Lower Back and Hips Hurt Like Hell - I got some extra Comforters and Made A Makeshift Cushion, but my Hips & Lower Back From The First Nights Sleep Did Not Get Any Relief ! We Enjoyed Our Stay Besides This, Went To Dinner At Shadowbrook Restaurant To End Out our Beautiful Stay - Even The Rain Didn't Detour Our Stay read more
This is a difficult review to write because I wanted to love Dream Inn so hard and I didn't fully. Pros: The view, pool and employees. Cons: Horrible check-in traffic, hallway noise and no bathroom vents. Also, when you open the door to your room, you immediately walk into a powder room which is super weird. It's also expensive AF. I would maybe stay here again if I had a rich boyfriend and was deaf. read more
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Ask the Community - Dream Inn
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.
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!
Review Highlights - Dream Inn
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