Motel Santa Cruz

United States , California Coast - CA
SANTA CRUZ , 370 Ocean St
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100 reviews shown

2/10

Poor

23 Feb 2026

Armando

Hair in the shower, blood on bed sheets,no room service we didn't get clean sheets or towels all weekend

Partner

2/10

Poor

21 Feb 2026

Gary

The LED lights were horrible. Room was not clean. Hair all over. Place not kept up. Nothing looks professional or well kept. I would not chose this place again.

Self

4/10

Poor

17 Feb 2026

Maresa

Dingy,

4/10

Poor

15 Feb 2026

Kevin

This place is pretty from the outside and staff is nice but that’s about it. Rooms are tiny, floors are a little dirty, pillows and bed sheets had small stains and walls are very thin. You can hear the traffic and everything going on outside and next door.

2/10

Poor

26 Jan 2026

Kimberly

Room did not have any extra amenities, no extra toilet paper no extra towels, smelled like smoke even though it was no smoking room. Floors were dirty, made socks black just from walking around the room. Called early around 8am for extra toilet paper and they said that they don’t open until 930.

Partner

4/10

Poor

14 Dec 2025

Fatima

It was OK, but the person that was at the front desk was walking around in the evening. I was in my car and I observed him just at the front of my door where my room was at and then walked away, which was super weird because it was already like 9 o’clock at night to get the friend which made me feel safe

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Dec 2025

Frances

Was an okay stay. Everything worked however they only had one towel and one hand towel in the room.

4/10

Poor

28 Nov 2025

Amy

No lamp on the night stand, 2 towels even though we had 3 people. No extra pillows No hangers

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2025

Octavio

The room smell cigarett,

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

07 Nov 2025

Andrea

It was very clean. The only thing is I kept hitting my leg every time I got out of the bed the frame was too big for the actual mattress and it was a metal frame so every time I got off the bed, I I hit my leg and ended up cutting myself twice. The mattress itself was very comfortable. Other than that. Everything was OK. The room did it job

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

MICHAEL

Good location, main road has restaurants across street and straight path to wharf or boardwalk. Very clean rooms. TV channels work.
Shampoo provided in shower.
Desk lady is highly friendly and nice, quite reasonable too. AC works. Minifridge available with microwave.
Down sides: shower head is fixed not a hose, large shower is spacious sliding door though.
Metal box under beds is annoyin at times if you accidently kick it getting in out of bed.
Outside the railing walk ways are packed around the ceiling with huge spider webs with large spiders. If tall watch your head while getting to your room. They need to clear the webs. Other than that tho its a fantastic motel.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

17 Oct 2025

Byron

One idea is keeping your room clean because when we got to the hotel it was dirty and the sheets of the bed were dirty and torn with visible holes and the room smelled very bad.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

12 Oct 2025

Karina

There was lots of screaming all night! I was scared of bed bugs! There was blood on the mattress! I got out of there asap

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

10 Oct 2025

Daniel

Poor

Business Partner

6/10

Pleasant

28 Sep 2025

Mayaflor

I requested the first floor as I have problem going up stairs . He gave us right beside a busy street and you can hear all the noises. Internet was poor. The good thing is 7eleven is right across the street and other stores and restaurants. Place is clean and will stay in this motel again

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

28 Sep 2025

Chris

Moth eaten curtains, smashed in front door that had been repaired, and it was dirty

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2025

Yesenia

The parking spaces are super small and compacted. the parking lot was always full I had to ask for permission to park in front of the lobby that was in between the entrance and other parked cars.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

21 Sep 2025

Gabriel

Very dirty in general dirty towels a lot of cigarette smell the sink was blocked and the room was very old

Business Family

4/10

Poor

21 Sep 2025

Geoffrey

Avoid

I usually don’t expect much from lower cost hotels but at $230 this place felt like a $60 per night hotel. The room stunk of cigarette smoke , was not in good shape, just didn’t feel clean, noisy. I had low expectations, but this place came in well below them.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Sep 2025

Regina

Clean room staff was really nice close to all venues

Business Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Sep 2025

Anna

Adequate if outdated

The motel is basic and located on a noisy street--the evening we spent the night was rife with motorcyclists rev bombing. The blackout curtains weren't enough to block streetlights and nightlife revelers. Rooms could use a lot more updating. The pillows could use replacing but the mattress was pretty comfortable.

2/10

Poor

28 Aug 2025

Barbara

There were no amenities - no little breakfast in the morning, no Keurig coffee machines, no toiletries, no desk or chair to sit on, an odd steel sheet surrounding the bed which made a very loud drum sound when you sat on the bed, I would never stay there again and would not recommend it to anyone. I was not able to get a return of fee on the second night due to all this and I left anyway.

6/10

Pleasant

27 Aug 2025

Richard

Decent place to stay

The room was small but it was pretty clean with a really hard bed and one wet towel. The only problem we had was the people in and around the hotel. It's about a 3 minute drive to the boardwalk or a 20 minute walk.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2025

Betsabe

It was clean and respect area.

6/10

Pleasant

19 Aug 2025

Millicent

Horrible Stay

The location to the boardwalk was fine. The room its self could've been better. The mattresses were bigger than the headboard which was weird, pillows were so thin that they were uncomfortable. Booked room for 2 queen beds for 4 people and had only 2 bath towels that were bare thin. The noise was loud till late as it was right off the road (so no insulation in the room). The bathroom door handle was hanging loosely off the door and there were a couple of dirty napkins and hair on the floor when you shut the room door after going in. The dresser was missing a knob and had scratches all over it. The highlight was that the bathroom appeared to have been remodeled. No amenities were available in the room. For the cost of the room at $332, I would've at least have thought it would've been a nicer room. I have stayed in a lot nicer places for a lot less with amenities and breakfast included, but I guess its because of the location it is in to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk/Beach.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2025

Isaak

Property is ok. For the price it should be nicer inside.

6/10

Pleasant

13 Aug 2025

Sumit

Dirty bathroom and sink clogs

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

12 Aug 2025

Kitt

Besides the pimps, prostitutes, people smoking weed on the balcony, and the 1990’s computer desk chair positioned at the vanity, everything was fine.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

10 Aug 2025

Peter

Bedding was dirty so was the bathroom. Staff was friendly

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

09 Aug 2025

Harold

Never again

It was just a small tiny room. No amenities, coffee pot, tables, ice machine, nothing. Property was noisy because of being on the main strip.
I get what I paid for, I guess!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

01 Aug 2025

Anastasia

The front office staff was friendly and efficient. The rooms were small, but clean. The bathrooms were recently remodeled.

Business_and_leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

31 Jul 2025

Josh

Minimal care is put into this place, and it shows. See photo for a comical example. the clincher was coming back from the boardwalk at 10pm and the bathroom smelled like somebody had been hot-boxing cigarettes in there while we were gone. After some argument in the office, management finally agreed to come up. She agreed that it smelled like something burning, but refused to concede it smelled like cigarette smoke, opting to claim it smelled more like a smouldering electrical fire! Those are two unhealthy and unsafe options. I asked to be refunded and we would stay somewhere else. I even offered to pay for the half day (1pm - 10pm) that we had been there. She continually refused. After a half hour of her on the phone with Expedia, while I was on a chat with a separate Expedia agent, I was let out of my second night only! I was charged 216.33 for a room that was unsafe, and we didn't use, unbelievable. That's not how you treat people. My son and I had to leave this unhealthy environment after 11pm and find another place to stay. Highly recommend you look at Mission Inn if you've read this far.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2025

Francisco

Great for a short stay and price point.

Business Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

28 Jul 2025

Ally

Would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

2/10

Poor

27 Jul 2025

Mark

Don’t get a hotel there it’s gross .

The hotel was grossly disgusting rooms are nasty smoke alarms where torn off the wall. Dirt bathroom walls looked dirty . I want my money back this hotel shoukd be shut down .

Business

4/10

Poor

27 Jul 2025

Suzette

Very noisy! Difficult to sleep!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

25 Jul 2025

Juan

Great room, plenty of parking, quiet.

Business

4/10

Poor

24 Jul 2025

Matt

Staff wasn’t the best

8/10

Excellent

21 Jul 2025

Martin

Good location.
Acceptable cleanliness
Hard floors, not smelly carpet.
Staff is ok. Busy, but polite.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

20 Jul 2025

Sandra

Alright

The barroom looked like it was briefly cleaned with boogers still on the wall. Shower didn’t looked scrubbed. Only gave one towel. the bed was very uncomfortable along with pillows. Walls are really thin so could hear upstairs and neighbors. Parking was limited so I suggest you don’t leave once you have parking. Location was good 10-15 walk to boardwalk. 711 across street. Overall it was okay. It was just one night and we just needed sleep.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2025

Manuel

Rooms were outdated

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

19 Jul 2025

James

Bed bug nightmare

Had to deal with bed bugs in the room. Not a very good stay nor a comfortable place because of the lack of cleanliness.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jul 2025

andrea

people

we stayed in room 107 the room we booked was not available and the lady that checked us in stayed it was the websites fault. Also on the second night the people in 108 was smoking marijuana outside of their door and they were fighting all night and drinking we complained but nothing was done

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 Jul 2025

Michelle

Not bad for a one night stay. But cold showers didn’t help either. And the location of our room we could hear the cars driving by.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

15 Jul 2025

Debbie

Motel

The motel looked decent from the pictures but beware .The room is like a motel 6 or less customer service horrible .No head board on the bed which was hard as a rock .No dresser or luggage rack a place to hang your clothes was in bath room with 3 plastic hangers . No tissue ,coffee ,iron it was a horrible experience booked 2 days left next morning husband wasn’t well after all the dis comforts .I wouldn’t recommend this motel at all. I have filed a complaint with hotels.com I’ve used hotels services befor with no problems but this place just isn’t worthy . Think twice before staying.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jul 2025

Michael

Motel Santa Cruz is an average motel with its own set of pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences.

The staff is friendly, and it feels like a family-owned business. The room was clean but very small. We booked a room for 4 adults, and it felt quite tight—it was hard to move around without bumping into each other.

What I liked about the room is that it included a mini fridge and a microwave, which are convenient. However, the parking lot can be tricky if you arrive late, especially when the motel is fully booked.

On the plus side, there are plenty of dining options and fast-food restaurants within walking distance. The motel is also very close to the boardwalk—it’s walkable if you don’t mind the distance and want to save on parking fees.

I would consider booking here again if traveling with 2 people or fewer, but for larger groups, the space may feel too cramped.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jul 2025

Fernando

Ok for 1 night

Leisure Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

12 Jul 2025

Vanessa

The rooms were very poorly maintained also quality of bedding and furniture, the stairs were rusty and staff were fighting screaming at each other, barely slept due to been itchy and next door been drinking and outside our door yelling and having a burp contest apparently very unpleasant

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

11 Jul 2025

William

Very rundown condition,
Room was not serviced
Loud

Leisure

2/10

Poor

08 Jul 2025

mohammed

horrible hotel

Horrible service and they did not even provide tooth brush and paste, while booking they said breakfast included, but in reality nothing included, not even coffee

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2025

Connor

Great spot for a quick trip, clean room, did smell like cigarettes, but we got used to it quickly. My only quarrel was the door wouldn't open first try, it would take about 10+ tries to get the door open with the key. Other than that it was great, had A/C and was clean inside. Dog friendly too which was a bonus!

2/10

Poor

06 Jul 2025

Allison

Although this property has had a makeover, they need to replace all of the bedding, the mattresses and half of the windows. Our window was nailed shut. There was food items left in our refrigerator. There was cigarette butts outside our door. No coffee, the sheets did not fit and continually came off the bed and there were not enough towels so we had to ask for more towels, but didn't have enough to accommodate us that evening. It really needs some help.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jul 2025

michele

No coffee maker in the room. No clothes hangers or a place to set your suitcase. Tiny room for $200 a night. Old furniture and terrible pillows and old looking bedding. Won’t stay here again

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2025

Carrie

wonderful owners & great location

i was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the hotel room - especially the bathroom!! additionally the owners were dealing with a really difficult customer for a long time and they always held their composure and were kind even when the customer wasn’t granting them any understanding of the situation. also super helpful that 7-11 was right across the street!!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jul 2025

Ethan

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2025

Griselda

Property needs a bit up upgrade.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

25 Jun 2025

Debbie

filthy dirty, smell so bad of incense made me sick, checked out after an hour. Manager refused to refund my money, Expedia would not refund money either. will never use either one again.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jun 2025

Adrianna

Good for a quick stay!!

Business_and_leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jun 2025

Sandra

Mon thru Friday prices are good after that pricy room was good only thing one of the bath towels was kind of dirty it was really close to the boardwalk

Leisure Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

22 Jun 2025

Cheyenne

Very noisy neighhors. Walls were very thin so you can hear outside and the people above you.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

22 Jun 2025

Angelina

They didn’t even have a proper comfort it was just two sheets and a queen size thin knit blanket in between the two. The room had a fridge in there which did not work so all the cold foods we brought spoiled.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

21 Jun 2025

Lissett

Horrible don’t stay here.

8/10

Excellent

20 Jun 2025

catalina

Ghhfdwrhij

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2025

Guadalupe

Exelent

4/10

Poor

15 Jun 2025

Gregory

The staff were nice but the hotel on a Saturday night was very noisy! There was noise coming from street traffic, occupants, and the most annoying was the room I shared a wall with was playing loud music late into the night.
At 12:30 pm, without being able to fall asleep, I packed up and left.
It's one of the cheapest hotels in Santa Cruz, ~$200. Although, I didnt think at this price this would happen...it never fails, cheap hotels often seem to be noisy, especially on a weekends...

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2025

Cynthia

Property was ok and clean

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2025

Willie

fast - easy check in
Friendly services !

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2025

Athena

It was very nice. Staff was wonderful. Even when we asked for more pillows they were accommodating.

Leisure Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

08 Jun 2025

Claribel

Awful last night staying at this place. Someone’s car alarm went off LITERALLY ALL NIGHT. Staff did nothing to resolve issue, so I stepped in and called the police! Sucks there was no blow dryer in the room and the space was too compact for a two queen beds room. There was four of us staying in the room and there were like five towels, it could’ve been stocked with extra towels at least like every other hotel I’ve stayed at in Santa Cruz. Only two pillows per bed so bring extra. I will not be returning to this hotel for future vacations!

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

06 Jun 2025

Manuel

GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

05 Jun 2025

Williamson

The place was very low quality but good price for a cheap short stay.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2025

Kara

Office staff was friendly and very accommodating!

6/10

Pleasant

19 May 2025

Tom

Equal parts good, and needs improvement

My wife and I spent the night at the motel Santa Cruz on a Saturday in May, on what turned out to be the first really nice weekend of the season.

The motel cost $150 for a single king room, for one night, that was a 15 minute walk from the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The staff was very friendly and were happy to let us check our bag, and park our car in their lot, when we arrived at noon, several hours before check-in. All of that was very good.

The room itself was definitely in need of improvement. The furnishings were all very worn and the mattress didn’t provide a particularly comfortable night’s sleep. The shower/tub was in need of cleaning so we didn’t use it. All of that was not so good.

Our plans were to spend the day at the boardwalk and then go out to dinner, and spend very little time in our room, so the fact that it wasn’t a particularly nice room wasn’t that big a deal, although it would’ve been nice if it had been better maintained and more recently refurbished.

Even though the staff was very nice and the location was pretty good, I think next time I would spend an extra $50 just stay somewhere a little nicer/newer.

If it’s the only place left to stay in town, and you don’t have any plans to spend time in room room, other than sleeping, I’d say go for it, but know going in that it has a lot of areas that could use some improvement.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2025

julia

Comfortable beds and great location

We had a great stay at Motel Santa Cruz, the bed was so comfortable and the staff was very friendly and helpful.The room had refrigerator and microwave and it was walking distance to Beach

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2025

Gabriel Andres

It’s low cost but you did the job

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

18 May 2025

Ronald

Staff was friendly enough. Within an hour our TV quit working. They sent a repairman, but it only lasted for about another 30 minutes. Room condition was a little rough. Other people‘s hair in the shower. No bedbugs or any other type of insects. Room didn’t smell. No coffee available on site. They did promptly return my deposit after we departed. I was happy about that.

Partner

4/10

Poor

18 May 2025

Alfredo

Mediocre at best

I had to purchase some bed sheets in order to sleep on the bed. It seemed dirty. They supposedly had cleaned the room before we arrived. They left such a puddle leading into the sink area by the bathroom that we almost fell. Also the room smelled of pee so bad. We had to go buy lysol spray and that didnt help at all. Our room door didnt even close right that you can hear every sound. You must park right or youll get hit by the person parking next to you. I wouldnt recommend staying here.

Business

4/10

Poor

18 May 2025

Peter

Stay away.

It was awful. No coffee in the room or in the lobby. No continental breakfast. Just an old dilapilated dump.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2025

Leela

Newly updated rooms and great location

The room was newly updated, and very clean. The location
was great.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2025

See

Amazing staff and clean rooms

The staff at Motel Santa Cruz was amazing, and our rooms was clean and comfortable. The room had refrigerator and microwave and it was walking distance to beach

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2025

Marcus

Amazing service and comfortable beds

The the service was amazing, the manager was so helpful,
I needed downstairs room, and Sabrina the manger upgraded our room, so we can have downstairs room, at no extra charge. The rooms was newly renovated and the bed was so comfortable. The rooms was very clean.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2025

sabirna

Comfortable beds, clean rooms at great price

The room we got was newly renovated, the bed was comfortable, and very clean, room rate was good too,

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2025

Mona

the motel is a great place to stay, and is very near to the boardwalk

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

05 May 2025

DaLynn

The motel was clean, the people were so kind and helpful

The noise and pot smoking right outside our door was not appreciated,

The worst part was…. There were no chairs, anywhere… on the. Grassy area, or in the rooms… there was no place to put your luggage except the floor
Other than that our stay was pleasant… what I would expect in our price range.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2025

Savi

Clean, comfortable beds at great price

The room we stayed in was newly renovated, with comfortable beds and very clean rooms, the front desk staff was very friendly and helpful

Business

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2025

lucas

Motel Santa Cruz is a nice, clean , family owned motel, it had cheapest rooms in town, newly renovated rooms, nice front desk, the manager, Sabrina was so helpful

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2025

tiffany

The staff at Motel Santa Cruz was very helpful and rooms were newly renovated and beds were so comfortable

Business_and_leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

26 Apr 2025

Lorin

Do not recommend staying here.

2/10

Poor

15 Apr 2025

Miriam

Property is very ran down.

4/10

Poor

14 Apr 2025

Maritza

Requested non-smoking room. Room had a strong smell of weed. Couldn't stay the night.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

10 Apr 2025

Calvin

Bad

No chairs no wash clothes didnot clean room.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2025

Alex

The rooms themselves were on the smaller side, it is very close to the boardwalk and a busy road so it is very noisy throughout the night, updated bathroom and vanity/sink area that is very nice! Overall a pretty good stay for us!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2025

Rick Armstrong

a okay

4/10

Poor

02 Mar 2025

Neomi

The beds are terrible, very uncomfortable. Light fixtures were damage, to say not safe, outlets didn't work.
Not safe, had someone knock on my door at 1:30 am...
Thank you

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

02 Mar 2025

heidi

Good enough

Great for the price. Front desk staff are really nice and friendly. We stayed 3 nights this is more of a one night place. No coffee maker or hair dryer. Weird noise in the walls at night. Good location for the beaches and walking distance to restaurants and coffee shops. Gate for the parking lot got closed on one side at night which was comforting. Although the neighborhood is ok. Some loud street noise on Saturday night but not bad the rest of our stay. Building needs maintenance.

Partner

2/10

Poor

19 Feb 2025

Chris

Run down and generally unkept

Leisure

4/10

Poor

18 Feb 2025

timothy

No desk, no chair, no facecloths; shower head at chest ht (5' from tub).
Place looks wonderful outside, but inside is disappointing.

Business_and_leisure

4/10

Poor

31 Dec 2024

Natasha

The pictures are not what you get. The bathroom was dirty, sheets were stained, only gave us one towel that was also dirty, the tv was broken, and we practically had to break the door down to get it to open with the keycard. Will never stay here again nor recommend it to anyone.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

13 Dec 2024

Roscoe

It was sub par. Just bland

2/10

Poor

05 Nov 2024

Damon

The motel and the surroundings were terrible filthy disgusting