An overnight stay at the Dream Inn catapulted this oceanfront 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 the Santa Cruz establishment is right next to the boardwalk. The inn captures the romance and whimsy of California surf culture, from its retro-chic lobby and pastel-hued rooms to its ‘dude surfer’ butlers, while providing a sophisticated and comfortable experience for the whole family, complete with a pool and hot tub, fantastic views and delicious food.
What you need to know about Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Numbers
Dream Inn is not so much an inn as a large, modern and extremely comfortable hotel. All rooms have a balcony or patio with views of the beach, boardwalk (in the distance so you can’t hear!) and Monterey Bay, as well as beach and pool access. Plus, they’re equipped with all the modern amenities you could wish for: premium coffee makers, rain showers, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, 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 children in our room), and all are charming, comfortable and have incredible ocean views. The rooms, which range from standard doubles to suites, are large, with feather beds and one wall is completely enclosed by windows, so you can always see the view, although rooms on floors 7 to 10 have the most expansive views. One of my favorite memories of the trip is falling asleep listening to the waves, the fresh sea air as I lay warm under a heavy blanket on a luxurious mattress.
Accommodation
The Dream Inn is the best located hotel in Santa Cruz and possibly one of the best located hotels on the coast. It has ocean views, a private beach and a pool on the beach.
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In addition, the hotel is a stone’s throw from the promenade and has its own parking (not something that is always easy in the city!). So this hotel is perfectly located for any family activity you might have planned, whether it’s a beach holiday or surfing, or exploring museums, hiking the promenade or even a drive up the coast.
Restaurant
Don’t get me started on how delicious the breakfast was at this restaurant. Have you ever had one of those experiences where food is simple hits are different? I had exactly that experience when, after a great night’s sleep, I went down to breakfast at a beachy but fancy and sophisticated restaurant and wanted to eat literally everything on the menu. They offered all the classics but with a delicious twist, we almost ordered one of everything while watching the birds fly over the bay. Next time I go back, I plan to have lunch there too, overlooking the bay at sunset! I definitely recommend eating here at least once during your stay, although Santa Cruz offers a lot of food, so be sure to diversify.
Service
The service at the Dream Inn was impeccable, from the porters to the pool boys to the waiters in the restaurant, everyone was kind, generous and very helpful. It was clear that everyone enjoyed working there and were genuinely happy to be with us as guests.
Reviews of Dream Inn Santa Cruz
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 perfect location, gorgeous views, cleanliness and fantastic service.