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The 10 Best Design Hotels in Santa Cruz, USA

Check out our selection of great boutique hotels in Santa Cruz

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Review Score

Wonderful: 9+ Very Good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Centrally located in Santa Cruz, this inn is across from Main Beach. The inn features a courtyard area with picnic tables, an outdoor pool and guest rooms with free WiFi.

Each room at Beach Street Inn and Suites includes a microwave and a refrigerator. Coffee facilities are also provided along with cable TV.

The shower is phenomenal, the complimentary coffee variants, the snow scones and popcorn were super cool.

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9
Wonderful
1,551 reviews
Price from
$155.40
per night

Located 3 blocks from the historic Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, Ocean Pacific Lodge is 100% non-smoking and offers guest rooms with free WiFi. Free on-site parking is available at this pet-friendly motel.

Walking distance to the wharf and Santa Cruz board walk. The pool is salt water and enjoyable

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8.1
Very Good
1,215 reviews
Price from
$89
per night

Styled in modern decor, this restored historic mansion offers 12 luxurious and refurbished suites. Free WiFi is included daily.

Offering a city or ocean view, each suite at Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz features a flat-screen TV. A microwave and refrigerator are provided. Guests are pampered with free toiletries.

I’m so happy I chose this place. It was the cutest house with with half-timbering rooms. There was a little fireplace in our room, windows you could open, ropes, towels, free toiletries and much more! The beds were comfortable and it was in a nice quite area. The manager was the nicest and he gave us a tour of the place and told us the history behind the hotel! There were free coffee, tea, water and sodas too!

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8.5
Very Good
812 reviews
Price from
$79
per night

Located within 10 minutes’ walk from Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk, this hotel features rooms with free Wi-Fi. It offers a 24-hour reception and free guest parking.

A TV and a DVD player are featured in each room at Sea & Sand Inn. All rooms provide a seating area and an en suite bathroom. Each room offers a sea view.

Great location, comfortable and clean. Nice breakfast, cheese & wine and 24h coffee. Friendly staff and well maintained. Thank you!

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8.8
Excellent
145 reviews
Price from
$289
per night

Built in the early 1900s, Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is located on a quiet cul-de-sac that ends at Monterey Bay's unique Sunny Cove Beach. The inn's cul-de-sac location minimizes traffic and provides for a relaxing and safe beach stay. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is 10 minutes’ drive away.

Front desk very nice and view..very clean

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8.4
Very Good
311 reviews
Price from
$169
per night

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is less than 10 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Capital Village is 8.8 miles away, and Pacific Avenue with boutique shops and stores is just 15 minutes’ walk from the property.

Beautiful hotel, great beds, friendly staff. Up to Marriott standards

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8
Very Good
467 reviews
Price from
$136
per night

Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this eco-friendly hotel offers en suite rooms with flat-screen cable TVs and iPod docking stations.

Free WiFi is available in all of the rooms at the 100% non-smoking Pacific Blue Inn. The brightly-coloured rooms are also equipped with a DVD player, an electric fireplace and a work desk.

I truly enjoyed how spacious the room and bathroom were. The bed was very comfortable, the bedding soft and warm. I found it stylish, I kind of forgot I was in a hotel. The decoration was nice.

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8.5
Very Good
487 reviews
Price from
$89
per night

Situated 2 minutes’ drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Bay Front Inn offers an outdoor pool and rooms with free WiFi.

All rooms include a coffee machine, a refrigerator, a TV with satellite channels, hardwood floors, and an en suite bathroom which includes a shower.

Every thing 10/10,.makesure u return my $82.50 deposit thank u on my card i booked it on . Yours sincerely Deborah Reece.email deborahreece08@gmail.com.

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6.7
Review score
802 reviews
Price from
$72
per night

This motel, just 10 minutes' walk from Capitola beach and village, offers free Wi-Fi. A seasonal outdoor swimming pool and guest launderette are available for guest use.

A flat-screen cable TV and balcony are included in each room at Quality Inn & Suites Capitola. A microwave, compact fridge, ironing facilities and hairdryer are are also provided.

Comfortable room in a good location.

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7.9
Good
557 reviews
Price from
$109
per night

*Adults Only* Just 10 minutes’ walk from Capitola Beach and Wharf, this luxurious B&B offers an evening wine reception complete with appetizers. A full breakfast is served daily. All rooms include free Wi-Fi.

Room was lovely. Sagar, the host, was exceptionally gracious and welcoming. Location was ideal for walking the town

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9.2
Wonderful
174 reviews
Price from
$295.90
per night

Looking for a boutique hotel?

These hotels offer something unique in terms of design and are usually set in a trendy, urban part of town. Blending high standards with a homey vibe, boutique hotels are more intimate than your average hotel.
Search boutique hotels in Santa Cruz

Most booked boutique hotels in Santa Cruz this month

Boutique Hotels That Guests Love in Santa Cruz

  • Avg. price/night: $174.76
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 717 reviews
    Great hotel in a lovely location. Close to Santa Cruz, but far enough away for it to be a peaceful break. I liked the bar area, it was very relaxing by the fire on an evening.
    Jade
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $120.92
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 928 reviews
    Great location, affordable, comfortable, lovely staff.
    Mari
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $195.91
    8.0
    Scored 8.0
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 467 reviews
    The hotel is nice, clean and well designed.
    morcohen120
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $226.64
    8.0
    Scored 8.0
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 198 reviews
    Great location, helpful staff, good breakfast (we had a voucher to spend each morning, this didn't cover the total bill but if we'd of opted for a bagel and coffee each it would of). The kids loved the pool. Laundry was a bonus! Nice and quiet at night in our room. I was worried after seeing some of the reviews, but we had a wonderful stay. Yes, you pay for parking, but we factored that into our budget. Try Pizza of my heart and penny ice creamery!
    Jayne
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $170.93
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 488 reviews
    This cute little boutique hotel is a wonderful little gem. Rooms cozy with fireplace and hot coffee/latte available in the lobby along with lovely banana bread. A short walk to the shops and restaurants downtown. I would definitely stay again.
    Linda
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $222
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,551 reviews
    Great location, lovely layout and nicely designed rooms
    Louisa
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $406.85
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,013 reviews
    From the moment we arrived this place had us hooked. The design is sensational and the hospitality team were super kind and welcoming. Room was gorgeous, light and well sized. What a balcony!
    Catherine
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $86.75
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 878 reviews
    Was the most affordable motel I stayed in during my trip (although could feel it was on the nore budget end of places). Comfortable enough though for a night, and not too far to walk to the waterfront.
    Christopher
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $195.91
    8.0
    Scored 8.0
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 467 reviews
    Gorgeous location and design. Boutique hotel w/ every amenity one might need.
    A
    Anonymous
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $219.03
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 637 reviews
    location, lounge/meeting/tv area well designed
    Ruth
    Young couple

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