An overnight at the Dream Inn rocketed this ocean-front Santa Cruz hotel to the top of my favorite places to stay in this legendary beach/college/80s-vampire-movie town. The Dream Inn is the only hotel in Santa Cruz directly on the famous Cowell Beach, and alongside the Boardwalk, is a Santa Cruz institution. The inn captures the romanticism and whimsy of California surf culture, from the retro-chic pastel colored lobby and rooms to the bellboys who epitomize “surfer dudes,” while also providing a sophisticated, comfortable experience for the whole family, complete with a pool and hot tub, fantastic views, and delicious food.
Things to know about the Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Rooms
The Dream Inn is not so much an inn as it is a large, modern, and extremely comfortable hotel. All rooms come with private balcony or patio overlooking the beach, the boardwalk (at a distance so you can’t hear it!), and Monterey Bay, as well as beach and pool access. In addition they come with all the modern amenities you could want: a coffeemaker with premium coffee, a rain water shower, 42” flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and bathrobes.
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The rooms vary in size and can accommodate three to four people (during my stay, we comfortably fit two adults and two kids in our room), and are all charming, comfortable, and have incredible ocean views. From the standard double to the suites, the rooms are large, the beds are downy, and one wall is entirely windows so you can always see the view, though the rooms on floors seven through 10 offer the most sweeping views. One of my favorite memories of the trip is falling asleep listening to the waves, fresh sea air coming in, as I lay warm under a heavy duvet on a luxury mattress.
Location
The Dream Inn is the most well-located hotel in Santa Cruz, and arguably one of the most well-position hotels on the coast. It has oceanfront views, a private beach, and a beachfront pool.
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In addition the Inn is a stone’s throw away from the Boardwalk, and comes with its own parking (not something that is always easy in a city!). This hotel is therefore ideally situated for whatever family activities you may have planned, whether it be to lounging at the beach or surfing, or exploring museums, going to the boardwalk, or even taking a drive up the coast.
Restaurant
Do not get me started on how delicious breakfast was at this restaurant. Have you ever had one of those experiences where a meal just hits different? I had just that experience coming down for breakfast after a wonderful night’s sleep, to the beachy-yet-chic and sophisticated restaurant, and literally wanted to eat everything on the menu. They offered all the classics but with a delicious twist, we nearly ordered one of everything while watching the birds swoop over the bay. Next time I go back I plan to have dinner there too, overlooking the bay at sunset! I definitely recommend at least one meal here during your stay, although Santa Cruz does have lots of food on offer, so make sure to vary it up.
Service
The service at the Dream Inn was impeccable, from the bellboys to the pool boys to the waitstaff at the restaurant, everyone was kind, generous, and very helpful. It was clear everyone enjoyed working there and were genuinely happy to be engaging with us as guests.
Reviews of the Dream Inn Santa Cruz
The Dream Inn Santa Cruz has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor and 8.7 out of 10 on Kayak. Reviewers particularly rave about the ideal location, the sweeping views, the cleanliness, and the fantastic service.
