Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Hotels
•
Howard Johnson
7.7 (1352 reviews)
130 West Cliff Drive , Santa Cruz , us

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Business center
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Location
Friendly Staff
Variety of Amenities
Cons:
Cleanliness Issues
Poor Customer Service
Food Quality

Categories

Cleanliness
6.58
Multiple reviews mentioned cleanliness issues, including dirty rooms and mold.
Service
9.07
Some positive feedback on staff friendliness, but also mentions of rude management.
Location
9.57
Frequent mentions of great location close to the wharf and boardwalk.
Room Quality
7.08
Referenced small rooms, hard beds, and noisy conditions.
Amenities
8.07
Some amenities mentioned positively, like breakfast variety; however, issues with jacuzzi and breakfast quality noted.
Value for Money
7.08
Several complaints about high prices relative to the quality.
Food and Beverage
6.08
Negative comments about breakfast quality, including specific complaints about food.
Overall Experience
8.07
Sentiment varies greatly, with some positive aspects but many complaints.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 08:00

Property Description

Ocean Views and Hot Tub
Experience stunning ocean views and relax in the hot tub at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and unwind in style.

Comfortable Rooms with Modern Amenities
Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, fridge, and microwave for your convenience. The bright and cozy rooms ensure a comfortable stay for all guests.

Convenient Facilities and Nearby Attractions
Take advantage of the laundry facilities and grab snacks from the on-site vending machines. With the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Wharf in close proximity, your stay promises to be filled with fun and adventure.

Book now for a memorable stay at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Important information:

If arriving after 22:30, please contact the hotel for instructions on late check-in.

Parking at the hotel is available for hotel guests ONLY.

Please note that there is US$ 20.00 parking fee if you will bring a second car.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SJC

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed) and charges may be applicable.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Groups

    No special conditions apply for groups.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 10 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 11 years old to 17 years old stay for US$5 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.7
Based on 1352 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.58
Service: 9.07
Location: 9.57
Room Quality: 7.08
Amenities: 8.07
Value for Money: 7.08
Food and Beverage: 6.08
Overall Experience: 8.07
S
Susan • solo_traveller • us
3
I paid too much money for the type of hotel it was. Run down, dirty, no elevator.
Pros:

Close to the beach and activities.

Cons:

When I got there to check in, there was no one at the front desk. When she did appear, I asked if I could use a restroom. Since I had just driven 3 hours to get there. She told me I would have to go down to the beach and use one. I had 45 minutes for the 3 O'clock check in. So, I ran down to the Pier. Back to check in and once again no person was in the office. It's3 O'clock, the lobby is small and cramped with other people wanting to check in.

2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
M
Michelle • family_with_children • us
8
Great location, nice office staff, and maids.
Pros:

Proximity to the pier, and warf, it is a very short walk, less than 2min. Close to bus lines, and good location to downtown. Maids were awesome, cleaned the room nicely. Nice to have breakfast on site, but it is very small continental style, do not expect eggs and bacon, only hot waffles that you can make. Location is everything!

Cons:

It was a little old, found mold around the bathtub. Parking is hard, lot is small. Not enough variety at breakfast, and even with that, it can get crowded. It was hot and the beginning of summer season, and the spa was not open!

2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
Z
ZYGADLO • extended_group • us
8
Pros:

Amazing location!

Cons:

Location, clean rooms!

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
J
jean-jacques • couple • fr
5
Décevant
Pros:

Proximité de la plage

Cons:

Chambres petites.
Vieillot et un peu tristounet....
Salle du petit déjeuner sombre et pas accueillante, petit déjeuner très moyen, pas de plats chauds, pain industriel.....
Spa ne fonctionnait pas, effort de propreté à faire !

2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
M
Mitzi Rose • family_with_children • us
10
I like staying here the staffs are really nice
Pros:

It is always clean, its our second time here in a different room but still its very clean. Breakfast is good too with choices for the kids.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • family_with_children • us
10
2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
H
Hunter • family_with_children • us
8
Ty for your friendliness
Pros:

Location, staff, clean.

Cons:

Price

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
E
Evelyn • solo_traveller • us
8
Great location,.
Pros:

The location, the staff, the waffle option for breakfast

Cons:

No elevator, no hot eggs or protein for breakfast

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
B
Berenice • extended_group • us
8
Pros:

Excellent location. Walking distance to the beach and other restaurants

Cons:

Limited parking

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
H
Huiru • solo_traveller • us
6
2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
A
Antonio • couple • us
5
Pleasant stay, overpriced
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Too expensive for this type of hotel, even with its closeness to the beach and the wharf.

2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
S
Star Sem • solo_traveller • us
9
Pros:

Facilities were clean. Employees friendly. Lots of useful amenities and items for sale.

Cons:

Walls are thin. The lights were too bright so if someone turned on a lamp in the middle of the night out woke everyone up.

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
E
Elke • couple • at
8
Einfache nicht modern aber bequemes Zimmer
Pros:

Herzlicher Empfang und ohne Aufpreis Zimmer mit Balkon und Meerblick bekommen.
Nicht die modernste Einrichtung aber sauber und Bett sehr bequem.

Cons:

Beim Frühstück alles mit Plastik Geschirr essen und trinken zu müssen.

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
S
Sebastian • family_with_children • fr
9
great place
Pros:

great place, close to the wharf, beach and boarwalk. secured parking, good breakfast and hot tub

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
N
nichole • couple • us
7
Such a sweet hotel
Pros:

I had a partial ocean view.. the room was very nice. The staff was amazing.

Cons:

Breakfast was not good. The parking is very tight when you have a big car

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
L
Louie • solo_traveller • us
4
Pillows were the worst I ever had and the bath tub was backing up when showering
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Hot tub hours to short

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
H
Heather • family_with_children • us
7
Excellent Location!
Pros:

Excellent location very close to the boardwalk. For this reason alone makes it worth staying here.

The room our companions stayed at had a downstairs balcony view toward fisherman's wharf and our companions greatly appreciated this view.

Cons:

The included breakfast wasn't as good as other Wyndham locations we've stayed at. The room itself was just decent, not fancy.

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
S
Sanchez • extended_group • us
10
2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
L
Laura • solo_traveller • it
9
Celeste
Pros:

Gentilezza del personale. Atmosfera positiva
Camera ampia ed accogliente, con zanzariere. Bella anche la stanza per la colazione.

2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
D
desiree • family_with_children • us
9
Pros:

Location and cleanliness

Cons:

Breakfast could offer a little more but was still good.

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee