Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Hotels
9 (1193 reviews)
175 West Cliff Drive , Santa Cruz , us

Children allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Safety deposit box
Fax/photocopying
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Excellent service
Cons:
Inconsistent room quality
Disappointing food service

Categories

Cleanliness
8.5
Overall cleanliness was generally mentioned as good, but older hotel might show some wear.
Service
10
Outstanding service highlighted, especially by staff member Dolores and overall positive staff interactions.
Location
9.5
Excellent location with beach views and nearby attractions.
Room Quality
8.5
Rooms were described as spacious and comfortable, but some outdated features noted.
Amenities
9.5
Amenities praised, including beautiful views and swimming pool.
Value for Money
8.5
Standard quality for this hotel tier; mentioned as run down in some reviews.
Food and Beverage
8
Mixed reviews on food quality, with room service being notably disappointing.
Overall Experience
9.5
Overall positive experience with highlights on service and location.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 01:17

Property Description

Ocean-Inspired Atmosphere
Experience a natural, laid-back ambiance at The Dream Inn, where every room offers a private balcony or patio overlooking the stunning Monterey Bay. Let the soothing ocean views inspire your stay.

Relaxation on the Deck
Unwind on the hotel's spacious deck, complete with a refreshing pool and inviting hot tub. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun or stargaze in the evening, our deck provides the perfect setting for relaxation.

Ideal Location for Business or Pleasure
Located next to Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk and close to the city center, The Dream Inn offers a prime location for both corporate events and leisure getaways. With luxurious amenities and a picturesque setting, make your reservation today for an unforgettable stay.

Important information:

When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and supplements may apply.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.

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.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs USD 30 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 1 year old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for US$30 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 1193 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.5
Service: 10
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 8.5
Amenities: 9.5
Value for Money: 8.5
Food and Beverage: 8
Overall Experience: 9.5
A
Andrew family_with_children us
10
great location!
Pros:

great

2026-04-09 via Nuitee
E
Eduardo solo_traveller mx
2
2026-04-08 via Nuitee
M
Marlene couple us
10
2026-04-07 via Nuitee
A
Aihwa couple us
7
2026-04-07 via Nuitee
J
Jennifer family_with_children us
10
Amazing spring break fun for the whole family!
Pros:

Great ocean view rooms overlooking pool and hot tub!

Cons:

Everything was great

2026-04-04 via Nuitee
P
patrickeZ888MQ Family
10
Amazing pool area
Pros:

Jason the bartender at the pool is amazing. Always remembers your name and what you like to drink. Takes care of our kids and has amazing customer relations. Make sure you go down and see him when your here!

2026-04-03 via Tripadvisor
6
624maciee Friends getaway
10
Pool experience
Pros:

I was at the pool during spring break, and Jason made my experience very enjoyable and fun. Each time I come back, I hope Jason is working because he livens the pool experience. He has great customer service!!

2026-04-03 via Tripadvisor
C
CaliforniaHarmony NONE
10
"Surfin' USA"!
Pros:

Love the Dream Inn as I have been going there since 1969. The atmosphere is "Surfin' USA" all the way, but the view is what keeps us coming back. Love listening to the ocean and watching the waves, the boats, the pier, the beach goers and the Boardwalk. Rooms are nice but could probably use a "refresh", however very clean and functional. No noise, but we travel with a mini Dohm - white noise machine- so we block out most hotel sounds. Service was amazing - all requests taken care of with speed. Coffee shop in lobby was excellent - Verve. Breakfast at Jack's was delicious but slow service. We will be back next year!

2026-04-02 via Tripadvisor
J
johnkimdvm NONE Stockton, California
10
Spring Break with the Family.
Pros:

Enjoyed the stay with young family. We liked the location next to the beach and close enough to walk to the boardwalk. We'll be next time.

2026-04-02 via Tripadvisor
N
N9018ABjeffs Couples
8
A dream stay at the Dream Inn
Pros:

The hotel has amazing views of the Monterray bay. All of the rooms have balconies directly facing the ocean.
The staff are very helpful and friendly. Maz behind the front desk and Henry as valet and Bell hop were great. Friendy, kind, helpfull, and knowledgeable, they made our stay extra enjoyable.
Room service prices are the same as the restaurant, with a small delivery fee. Thank you for making it so. Our room had a banquette and table which made eating in the room a pleasure. Housekeeping was hard to find and they skipped our room 3 times.

2026-04-02 via Tripadvisor
A
awJ8633YE NONE
8
A Nice and Relaxing Spring Break Getaway
Pros:

The Dream Inn is a very nice location to stay when visiting Santa Cruz. We found the Inn to be very family friendly. The staff are so friendly from the Valet to the Pool staff and all the members in-between. The food was pretty good, although I wish there were more basic Gluten Free options. The room was very nice and comfortable. Sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves was a great experience. The view from our balcony was amazing. I actually watched the sun rise once :)

2026-04-02 via Tripadvisor
H
hayleyhY6634AX Business
10
Dream Inn Corporate Event
Pros:

I can not say enough great things about our corporate offsite at the Dream Inn. Katie is so easy to work with and was very responsive. Shannon was an incredible partner when brainstorming all of the fun ways we could elevate our event. She went above and beyond and the event was one of the smoothest I've ever worked. The property is gorgeous and the food exceeded everyone's expectations. We will be back!

2026-04-01 via Tripadvisor
D
douglashK6107PO NONE
10
The Dreamy Inn
Pros:

Wonderful hotel on the water with great food and great service on the beach. Friendly staff always willing to help with any plans.

2026-03-31 via Tripadvisor
B
bellysol NONE
10
Staycation Happiness
Pros:

Such a fun staycation - love this spot! Friendly staff, room ready before standard check in, walk to everything, unbeatable sunset and sunrise from my balcony.

2026-03-31 via Tripadvisor
M
marlene379 NONE Atwater, Merced County, California
10
Love this place!
Pros:

Hello, I really love this hotel. We just went this past weekend March 27th to the 29th to celebrate birthdays and beautiful weather. I have been coming with friends and family for over 20 years to celebrate birthdays, anniversary, just because trips, gathering and even passings of my dad. This was one of his favorite places to come with our family and mom. I always tell our friends, family and our clients about this place. The staff are always so nice and helpful. The tacos and Mai Tai are the best at poolside. The bar tender at the pool has been here for year too so it's always so nice to see a familiar face and he remembers the Danel's lol great guy. I don't have one complaint about the Dream Inn. Once you get the hotel no reason to leave. I 100% give this a 5 stars from me!! Poolside room best room 111 or 101 see you in May

2026-03-31 via Tripadvisor
J
jeweiss NONE Ben Lomond, California
10
A night at the Dream Inn
Pros:

We loved the Dream Inn and our balcony on the water. The staff is excellent and location cannot be beat. Not many still park cars and carry bags to your rooms as requested. Sometimes that's a nice treat. It was great for us.

2026-03-30 via Tripadvisor
M
Matthew couple gb
9
2026-03-30 via Nuitee
J
Jason couple us
10
Pros:

The room was really great and location was perfect

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-29 via Nuitee
K
kristenlc2023 Business
10
Best hotel in Santa Cruz
Pros:

This is the place to stay in the heart of Santa Cruz. It is the only hotel with beach access right through the pool area of the hotel. Every room has an ocean view. It has such a cute retro surf vibe and some fun activities. This price is pretty good for what you get at this place. We came with a school group and the staff was so amazing and accommodating. We will be back!

2026-03-27 via Tripadvisor
J
Jennifer family_with_children us
10
2026-03-27 via Nuitee