Need a place to stay in Santa Cruz? Here are our picks for the best Santa Cruz hotels for luxury.
Featured photo courtesy of Dream Inn
Inn at Depot Hill
A one-time working train depot in the 1950s, the adults-only, 13-room Inn at Depot bed-and-breakfast in charming Capitola evokes the golden era of international travel. Opulent, individually decorated rooms at transport guests from Paris to Kyoto, with elevated details including feather beds, Italian linens, luxurious bathrobes and fireplaces. Capitola Beach, restaurants, bars, galleries and shops are all and easy walk away, and the full breakfast can be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or garden patio — or indulge in breakfast in bed.
HIGHLIGHT: For an extra dose of luxury, book one of several rooms that include private garden patios with outdoor jetted tubs.
Hotel Paradox
From the moment you check in at the front “desk”— crafted from a giant tree trunk —Hotel Paradox, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection of hotels, feels apropos for a hotel set right in the heart of Santa Cruz, surrounded by coastal mountains and towering redwoods. At the same time, the modern, urban yet woodsy décor feels elevated, which extends to the well-appointed rooms with thoughtful design touches like reclaimed wood headboards, river rock flooring and rain shower heads. Spacious one-bedroom suites with sofa beds offer even more space to spread out. The expansive outdoor pool deck with a large hot tub, outdoor firepit and plenty of daybeds is a popular gathering place, and the onsite restaurant and bar, Solitaire, offers both indoor dining and outdoor seating by the pool.
HIGHLIGHT: Hotel Paradox offers a number of upscale amenities: It’s pet friendly, offers bike rentals and features a new fitness center.
Chaminade Resort
A 300-acre campus with just 156 guest rooms and 3 miles of hiking trails through the redwood forest already gives Santa Cruz’s Chaminade Resort & Spa an advantage when it comes to offering room to roam—as do its luxuriously appointed, spacious suites. But the historic hilltop compound, built in Spanish Revival style in 1930 as a Catholic boys’ high school, recently completed renovation of all its public spaces that not only enhanced its architectural heritage but also gives guests even more choices for outdoor R&R. The resort redesigned Linwood’s Bar & Grill and aptly renamed it the View, greatly expanding its patio seating with vistas of Monterey Bay and, at night, twinkling market lights. Keep fit during your stay at the onsite fitness center and tennis and pickleball courts and enjoy a relaxing massage or facial at the spa.
HIGHLIGHT: The luxurious vibe at Chaminade extends to its expansive pool decks, featuring two heated outdoor swimming pools and three hot tubs with nine private cabanas. Don’t miss the seasonal Friday movie nights at the pool — even better with popcorn and a cocktail from the pool bar.
West Cliff Inn
Restful retreats have always been part of the appeal of Santa Cruz’s glamorous West Cliff Inn, built in 1877 on a bluff above Cowell Beach that became known as “Millionaires’ Row.” Extensively remodeled in 2007, it’s now a 10-room Victorian-style bed and breakfast that is part of the Four Sisters Collection boutique hotel group, which means there are plenty of special touches that elevate the experience here, like a delectable complimentary breakfast, freshly baked cookies, and bikes and beach gear to borrow during your stay. The elegantly appointed rooms feature a variety of upscale amenities, too, with some including ocean views, fireplaces and jetted tubs.
HIGHLIGHT: Enjoy a glass of wine and savory bites during wine hour, included with your stay at this intimate gem.
Dream Inn
Looking for a little play in your getaway? The 165-room, retro-chic Dream Inn Santa Cruz is primed for fun in the sun, while offering a full suite of amenities often reserved for larger resorts. For one thing, there’s its beachfront location — the only one in town — just steps away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. That means the retro-chic rooms and suites have the benefit of sweeping views of Monterey Bay from private balconies or patios. The onsite Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge, helmed by executive chef Gus Trejo, serves up California-inspired fare and creative cocktails featuring locally sourced ingredients — and live music nights are a hit with locals and visitors alike. And then there’s the pool deck, a hub of activity that overlooks the beach and bay. The cocktail bar, street taco cart, firepit, ice cream happy hour and direct access to Cowell Beach make it easy to spend all day there.
HIGHLIGHT: Go big by booking a luxurious suite, offering a range of features that may include a separate living room area, fireplace, deep soaking tub and/or sleeper sofa.
Did we miss your favorite hotel?
Let us know — email us at stay@localgetaways.com or tag us @localgetaways.
