1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz, California, United States | (618) 248-8274
Mountaintop resort with
beautiful, lush grounds
Some rooms have rustic, wooden
balconies facing the forest
Outdoor pool and whirlpool
with weekend bar service
Dinner restaurant and bar
with gorgeous views of the Santa Cruz mountains
Restaurant serving
breakfast and Sunday brunch
Spa offering massages and
body treatments
Large fitness center with
a variety of cardio and weight machines
Two nature trails and
courts for volleyball, tennis, and basketball
Free Wi-Fi throughout and on-site parking
Pet-friendly, with dog menu available at the patio
Rooms are dark and dated
Breakfast not included in room rates
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.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Secluded, mountaintop resort on huge forested grounds
Towering eucalyptus trees
line the road leading up to Chaminade Resort & Spa, while outside the
entrance, over-the-top landscaping brims with colorful flowers. Inside, the
lobby has a lodge-like feel, with wooden beam ceilings and a fireplace. There
are plenty of spots at the resort to benefit from the bird's-eye view the
mountaintop affords: Guests can take in the views during breakfast at the Sunset
Restaurant's wooden deck or at dinnertime at Linwood’s, which has
some cool fire pit tables on its patio. The wooded nature trails also offer
views of Monterey Bay. Grassy lawns and pine trees make for a scenic
backdrop. The property attracts business conventions and is a popular wedding spot in summer months.
Location
Mountain location, a 15-minute drive inland
Chaminade
Resort & Spa is located on a wooded mountainside, a 15-minute drive to both the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and UC Santa Cruz. There are three
golf courses within a 15-minute drive, and the area has plenty of wineries. The
city of San Jose -- where the closest major airport is located -- is around a 45-minute drive north.
Rooms
Dark and dated rooms in need of a refresh
Rooms at the resort are a bit of a letdown and don't align with the hotel's pearl status. Blue-and-gold patterned carpeting and
red accent walls make for an overall dark feel, while lodge-inspired decor such as leather chairs and heavy headboards feel a bit dated. Bathrooms are worse, with
orange walls, granite floors, and shower/tub combos. All rooms have
37-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, bathrobes, and
BeeKind toiletries. Some also have rustic, wooden balconies with forest views that add a charming note.
Features
Outdoor pool and whirlpool, two dining spaces and bar, and a spa
Chaminade Resort & Spa
has lots of outdoor amenities, including an outdoor pool and whirlpool, four lighted tennis courts, and courts for volleyball and basketball. Two nature trails offer views of Monterey Bay. The hotel
has a breakfast restaurant as well as a lunch and dinner restaurant with a bar
and outdoor dining with gorgeous views. A dog-friendly menu is available at the “Yappy
Hour” on the patio. There's also a large fitness center with a variety of equipment,
and the spa on-site has an outdoor whirlpool and offers massages and body
treatments. There are 12 meeting rooms as well as outdoor space, which are available for private
events; team-building exercises, such as chili cook-offs and a ropes course, can be arranged. The hotel also has a business center with two computers and a
printer, and Wi-Fi and parking are free.
