This cute, stylish boutique hotel fuses modern services and retro- and surfing-inspired decor. The colorful lobby features a bright, geometric carpet and a curved pull-apart couch, flanked by a yellow-framed photograph of surfers on the beach. The rooms are contemporary (if a bit bland), and all feature private balconies with views of the bay, wharf, and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, as well as iHome docks, flat-screen TVs, and Keurig coffeemakers. Small but modern bathrooms feature bright orange and yellow tiles, and either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The restaurant, Aquarius, serves seafood in a casual space with ocean views, and amenities include a small pool and Jacuzzi (but no spa or fitness center).
This cute, stylish boutique hotel fuses modern services and retro- and surfing-inspired decor. The colorful lobby features a bright, geometric carpet and a curved pull-apart couch, flanked by a yellow-framed photograph of surfers on the beach. The rooms are contemporary (if a bit bland), and all feature private balconies with views of the bay, wharf, and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, as well as iHome docks, flat-screen TVs, and Keurig coffeemakers. Small but modern bathrooms feature bright orange and yellow tiles, and either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The restaurant, Aquarius, serves seafood in a casual space with ocean views, and amenities include a small pool and Jacuzzi (but no spa or fitness center).
Located in the Santa Cruz highlands, the upscale Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos offers travelers a different perspective of the Galapagos islands. Typically cooler and raininer than the coastal towns, the highlands feel worlds away from the beaches of Puerto Ayora. With polished decor, top-notch amenities, excellent on-site dining, and an estate-like atmosphere, the Royal Palm is an ideal pick for travelers seeking upscale lodging in the Galapagos. However, rooms lacks wow factor and high-end amenities, the fitness center is dated, and the sauna and adjacent massage room don’t really pass as a spa. Still, the Royal Palm has more amenities than most Galapagos hotels, and has established itself as one of the islands’ preeminent properties. Travelers looking for something equally upscale but closer to all the action in Puerto Ayora might prefer Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Located in the Santa Cruz highlands, the upscale Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos offers travelers a different perspective of the Galapagos islands. Typically cooler and raininer than the coastal towns, the highlands feel worlds away from the beaches of Puerto Ayora. With polished decor, top-notch amenities, excellent on-site dining, and an estate-like atmosphere, the Royal Palm is an ideal pick for travelers seeking upscale lodging in the Galapagos. However, rooms lacks wow factor and high-end amenities, the fitness center is dated, and the sauna and adjacent massage room don’t really pass as a spa. Still, the Royal Palm has more amenities than most Galapagos hotels, and has established itself as one of the islands’ preeminent properties. Travelers looking for something equally upscale but closer to all the action in Puerto Ayora might prefer Finch Bay Eco Hotel.
Situated in a convenient location that's a five-minute walk to the beach and Santa Cruz boardwalk, this value Comfort Inn property makes a good base for budget-conscious travelers. A handful of features are offered, including freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking, as well as a small, seasonal outdoor pool -- though it's situated in an unattractive setting within the parking lot. Parking can be a problem here, as the lot is tight and fills up. Guest rooms are clean and come with a good selection of mod cons, including flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, plus some have extras like fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. For more money, Hotel Paradox has a gorgeous pool, Solaire restaurant, and outdoor fire pits.
Situated in a convenient location that's a five-minute walk to the beach and Santa Cruz boardwalk, this value Comfort Inn property makes a good base for budget-conscious travelers. A handful of features are offered, including freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking, as well as a small, seasonal outdoor pool -- though it's situated in an unattractive setting within the parking lot. Parking can be a problem here, as the lot is tight and fills up. Guest rooms are clean and come with a good selection of mod cons, including flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, plus some have extras like fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. For more money, Hotel Paradox has a gorgeous pool, Solaire restaurant, and outdoor fire pits.
The Best Western Plus All Suites Inn is a clean and modern budget property for Santa Cruz tourists who don't mind that the boardwalk and beach are within 10 minutes by car or bicycle. There are a handful of restaurants within walking distance. The 77 spacious suites feature contemporary decor and living room areas, as well as mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Free breakfast with hot and cold items is served daily. Amenities include a small fitness room and a pleasant outdoor patio with a hot tub, but no swimming pool. Parking and Wi-Fi are free. Those looking for slightly lower rates could also consider the Quality Inn Santa Cruz, which lacks a gym and business center.
The Best Western Plus All Suites Inn is a clean and modern budget property for Santa Cruz tourists who don't mind that the boardwalk and beach are within 10 minutes by car or bicycle. There are a handful of restaurants within walking distance. The 77 spacious suites feature contemporary decor and living room areas, as well as mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Free breakfast with hot and cold items is served daily. Amenities include a small fitness room and a pleasant outdoor patio with a hot tub, but no swimming pool. Parking and Wi-Fi are free. Those looking for slightly lower rates could also consider the Quality Inn Santa Cruz, which lacks a gym and business center.
Chaminade Resort & Spa is an upscale property specializing in weddings and business retreats. Its 156 rooms are in need of a refresh, with orange bathrooms and dated carpeting. The secluded mountainside resort has plenty of outdoor amenities, including wooded nature trails, lighted tennis courts, a volleyball court, and an outdoor pool and hot tub with weekend bar service. There’s also a restaurant on-site with a large outdoor patio offering beautiful views of the Santa Cruz mountains and 12 meeting rooms. For prettier rooms closer to the beach, compare rates at the West Cliff Inn, a mid-range hotel in a Victorian mansion across the street from the ocean.
Chaminade Resort & Spa is an upscale property specializing in weddings and business retreats. Its 156 rooms are in need of a refresh, with orange bathrooms and dated carpeting. The secluded mountainside resort has plenty of outdoor amenities, including wooded nature trails, lighted tennis courts, a volleyball court, and an outdoor pool and hot tub with weekend bar service. There’s also a restaurant on-site with a large outdoor patio offering beautiful views of the Santa Cruz mountains and 12 meeting rooms. For prettier rooms closer to the beach, compare rates at the West Cliff Inn, a mid-range hotel in a Victorian mansion across the street from the ocean.
Hotel Paradox is a modern, upper-middle-range hotel a five-minute drive from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Natural elements such as tree trunks and potted succulents mesh with sleek furnishings to create a modern-meets-rustic vibe. The fashion-forward hotel has 170 rooms with unfinished-wood headboards and glass walk-in showers with pebble floors -- request a room away from the pool to avoid the noise from the bar at night. Features include a farm-to-table restaurant, a small fitness center, and an outdoor pool with a bar. For a more affordable option, travelers could try the charming, mid-range Bella Notte - The Inn at East Cliff, though rooms are less hip.
Hotel Paradox is a modern, upper-middle-range hotel a five-minute drive from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Natural elements such as tree trunks and potted succulents mesh with sleek furnishings to create a modern-meets-rustic vibe. The fashion-forward hotel has 170 rooms with unfinished-wood headboards and glass walk-in showers with pebble floors -- request a room away from the pool to avoid the noise from the bar at night. Features include a farm-to-table restaurant, a small fitness center, and an outdoor pool with a bar. For a more affordable option, travelers could try the charming, mid-range Bella Notte - The Inn at East Cliff, though rooms are less hip.
West Cliff Inn is an historic mansion perched on a hill across from a Santa Cruz beach. A bed-and-breakfast operated by the California-based Four Sisters Inns, it features smallish rooms, but most have a fireplace and modern marble bathrooms. The neighborhood has changed around the Victorian building as of late, and it now borders a mobile home park and has seen a growing homeless population. For more affordable rates, there’s the neighboring Santa Cruz Dream Inn as well as Sea and Sand Inn. They lack the historical personality of West Cliff, but both are set on the beach.****
West Cliff Inn is an historic mansion perched on a hill across from a Santa Cruz beach. A bed-and-breakfast operated by the California-based Four Sisters Inns, it features smallish rooms, but most have a fireplace and modern marble bathrooms. The neighborhood has changed around the Victorian building as of late, and it now borders a mobile home park and has seen a growing homeless population. For more affordable rates, there’s the neighboring Santa Cruz Dream Inn as well as Sea and Sand Inn. They lack the historical personality of West Cliff, but both are set on the beach.****
The Bella Note - The Inn at East Cliff, is a small, mid-range hotel on the east side of Santa Cruz, two blocks from the beach. The 10 rooms are spacious and have pretty furnishings such as headboards with vine details and white wooden nightstands. There aren’t a lot of amenities at the hotel, but there is a free breakfast, complete with homemade almond cake that guests rave about. Travelers willing to spend a little more might want to check out the nearby Hotel Paradox, a trendy hotel with an outdoor pool and modern restaurant on-site.
The Bella Note - The Inn at East Cliff, is a small, mid-range hotel on the east side of Santa Cruz, two blocks from the beach. The 10 rooms are spacious and have pretty furnishings such as headboards with vine details and white wooden nightstands. There aren’t a lot of amenities at the hotel, but there is a free breakfast, complete with homemade almond cake that guests rave about. Travelers willing to spend a little more might want to check out the nearby Hotel Paradox, a trendy hotel with an outdoor pool and modern restaurant on-site.
The 22 rooms at this cliff-side motel are homey, spacious, and all have beautiful views of the Pacific. The inn is conveniently located near the boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz, and offers a continental breakfast every morning as well as free wine and cheese in the afternoon. An outdoor patio and terrace allow for proper relaxation in the California sun.
The 22 rooms at this cliff-side motel are homey, spacious, and all have beautiful views of the Pacific. The inn is conveniently located near the boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz, and offers a continental breakfast every morning as well as free wine and cheese in the afternoon. An outdoor patio and terrace allow for proper relaxation in the California sun.
