Dream Inn Hotel Review: Santa Cruz Beach Bliss
A night at the Dream Inn has propelled this beachfront Santa Cruz hotel to the top of my favorite places to stay in this legendary beach town/college/80s vampire movie. The Dream Inn is the only hotel in Santa Cruz right on the famous Cowell Beach and, next to the boardwalk, it’s a Santa Cruz institution. The hostel captures the romance and whimsy of California’s surf culture, from the retro-chic pastel-colored lobby and rooms to the bellboys who embody “surfer dudes,” while providing a sophisticated and comfortable experience for the whole family, with a pool and hot tub, fantastic views and delicious food.
What you need to know about the Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Rooms
The Dream Inn is not so much a hostel as a large, modern and extremely comfortable hotel. All rooms feature a private balcony or patio overlooking the beach, boardwalk (at a distance so you can’t hear it!) and Monterey Bay, as well as access to the beach and swimming pool. Plus, they’re equipped with all the modern amenities you could want: a coffeemaker with premium coffee, a rain shower, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and bathrobes. .
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The rooms vary in size and sleep three to four people (during my stay, we comfortably fit two adults and two children in our room), and are all charming, comfortable, and have incredible ocean views. From standard doubles to suites, rooms are large, beds are plush, and one wall is entirely windows so you can still see the view, although rooms on floors seven through ten offer the most panoramic views. One of my favorite memories from the trip is falling asleep listening to the waves and fresh sea air coming in, as I lie warm under a heavy duvet on a luxury mattress.
Location
The Dream Inn is the best located hotel in Santa Cruz and arguably one of the best located hotels on the coast. It offers ocean views, a private beach and a beachfront swimming pool.
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Plus, the hostel is a stone’s throw from the promenade and has its own parking lot (which isn’t always easy in the city!). This makes this hotel ideally located for whatever family activities you have planned, whether it’s lounging at the beach, surfing, exploring museums, hitting the boardwalk or even taking a stroll by car along the coast.
Restaurant
Don’t tell me how delicious the breakfast was at this restaurant. Have you ever had one of those experiences where a meal just hits different? I had this experience when I went down to breakfast after a wonderful night’s sleep, in a classy yet sophisticated restaurant, and literally wanted to eat everything on the menu. They had 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 dinner there too, with a view of the bay at sunset! I highly recommend at least one meal here during your stay, although Santa Cruz offers many dishes, so be sure to vary it.
Service
The service at the Dream Inn was impeccable, from the bellboys to the pool boys to the restaurant servers, everyone was kind, generous and very helpful. It was clear that everyone loved working there and were really happy to engage with us as guests.
Reviews of 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 convenient location, scenic views, cleanliness, and fantastic service.
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