Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz

I liked the sofa bed

The location is excellent near Natural Bridges in a quiet area not far from the center of town. The staff were friendly and helpful. The breakfast has a nice variety of tasty and healthful snack items. The parking is free.

Staff was wonderful, room spacious & clean. Location was perfect visiting family nearby. Appreciated oat milk at the breakfast as well!

We enjoyed staying for one night at the Fairfield in Santa Cruz. Miles helped us check-in and was very accommodating and helpful. Miles recommended Special Noodle for dinner and it did NOT disappoint, it was delicious but we ordered one too many dishes as the portions are huge. We didn't get to use the pool or spa because they limit access so that nearby guests are not disturbed by the pool equipment noise. The packaged food may fill you up but it is NOT yummy and we just waited to eat after our next destination. I would stay here again.

Location

As a Marriott Titanium Elite / Lifetime Platinum Elite Guest, I made a reservation for my five (5) night stay in early August 2025 at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Cruz as my base of operations in Santa Cruz before picking up our youngest daughter at the conclusion of her 7-week summer STEM internship program at the University of California Santa Cruz. I made this reservation using my Marriott Bonvoy points approximately four (4) months prior to my arrival date.

Within hours after making the reservation, I emailed Mr. Brendan Shelton, the General Manager, and advised him of my future stay as well as my special requests. Shortly thereafter, I received a thoughtful reply from Mr. Shelton and he readily granted all of my special requests. The prompt response Mr. Shelton did not come as a surprise given how active the management of this property is in reading and promptly replying to past guests on Trip Advisor as well as the Marriott Bonvoy website, which is a clear sign of management’s commitment to exemplary customer service.

Not only is the hotel conveniently located in walking distance of the Natural Bridges State Beach, West Cliff Drive, the Wilder Ranch State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as well as the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail but it is a short drive to UC Santa Cruz as well as Downtown Santa Cruz. I actually left my car parked at the hotel (FREE parking) and walked to ALL of the places listed above throughout the duration of my stay!

My initial visit to the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Cruz did not disappoint. Upon my late arrival, I was greeted in the lobby John and the check-in process was a breeze, although there was a little wrinkle that occurred with my previously "blocked-in" suite, which Mr. Shelton handled promptly and professionally with assistance by John.

Further, upon entering my King Suite with a balcony a few minutes after checking-in with John, I was very pleased because the King Suite with a balcony was HUGE and very comfortable in terms of bedding and ample desks, tables and chairs for relaxing. My King Suite with a balcony had two separate sleeping areas, one full bathroom and a closet and dresser as well as a view of the Pacific Ocean! The housekeeping staff provided me with sufficient towels, replenished bath products as necessary and provided several bottles of water daily. Further, the cleanliness of our King Suite with a balcony was exemplary and for this I want to recognize the entire housekeeping staff. The complimentary Wi-Fi provided to me as Marriott Bonvoy elite guest was excellent throughout the entire hotel.

Now, onto a description of the food and drink offered during the breakfast buffet, which I attended all five mornings during my stay. The highlights of the breakfast buffet include piping hot coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea (excellent variety herbal and caffeinated teas), delicious orange, cranberry or apple juice, various milks and nut milks. There was a nice variety of hot items each morning, including waffles that you make yourself, as well as eggs, bacon or sausage, oatmeal, bread, muffins, cereals, assorted yogurts and fresh fruit (oranges / apples / bananas / fresh cubed watermelon ). In short, the food and drink in the breakfast buffet was incredible and limitless!

I also really enjoyed the fully-equipped fitness center (which had an ample amount of free weights, cable machines as well as cardio machines) as well as sitting by the fire pit every night. See my twelve (12) pictures of the hotel attached to this review since a picture is worth one-thousand words.

The generosity and hospitality shown by Mr. Shelton and John as well as the rest of Mr. Shelton's team throughout my stay was extraordinary. Every team member with whom we came in contact during our stay, including the individuals listed above, the helpful staff members at the reception desk and the other food & beverage staff as well as the house-keeping staff really went out of their way to make me feel welcomed. Not surprisingly, the notable customer service that we received before and during our stay as well as the incredible accommodations in my King Suite with a balcony, made this hotel a twelve out of ten in my book!

If your travels take you to Santa Cruz, please don't hesitate to make this hotel your base of operations ... you won't be disappointed!

Front desk staff were so friendly and helpful!

I booked for a King a received 2 Queen. I advised at my check in and they advised I was incorrect. Asked at checkout what the price difference was and was advised the hotel manager was going to give me a call regarding the issue and I have not received a response.

Yes there was a price difference between the two room types.

Nice Hotel, Bed Is a Violent Enigma

The hotel smelled great, had high ceilings, and updated tech.

I have a love/hate relationship with the bed.
Love, because I experienced an important milestone within its sheets (a full night of sleep -- get your minds out of the gutter, perverts).
Hate, because the bed frame was cursed and out to get me.

Within 15 seconds of entering the room, I stubbed my toe. Okay -- not my first encounter with clumsiness.
But within 30 minutes, both shins had been rammed. Not once, but twice.

By the time I checked out, my legs looked like I'd seen frontline combat... and lost.

This wasn't clumsiness-- this was premeditated. The corners waited. They calculated. Then they struck: out of nowhere.

Would I return? Yes. I'm a sucker for character development and light emotional abuse.

Very clean, newer hotel in a bit away from downtown SC.
Room is large, bathroom is also roomy, a refrigerator and a microwave. Comfy bed. Quiet area.

We stayed only one night and no problems but some
notes; thin walls. I could hear every word next room guest said. They were very quiet by 10pm the night we stayed, so no issues.
Amenities such as tiny hand soap and moisturizer was a bit looked cheap, despite of everything else was good.
Would be nice to have complimentary bottles of water in a room but you can buy them easy at snack kiosk by the front desk.

We didn’t have breakfast at the hotel, went to a cup of cappuccino and breakfast plates at near by bakery cafe, Companion. 5mins drive and great place.

Overall, great stay. We will definitely stay here next time we will be in Santa Cruz.

Such a great hotel. Perfect for what we needed.