Pros

  • Convenient location, a five-minute walk to the beach and Santa Cruz boardwalk
  • Clean, contemporary rooms have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers
  • Free breakfast includes hot items
  • Some rooms have fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs
  • Small outdoor pool (seasonal)
  • Free Wi-Fi and free parking
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Cons

  • Small, seasonal pool is set within the parking lot
  • No restaurant or bar
  • Parking is tight and guests might have to leave car keys at reception in case cars need to be moved
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Bottom Line

Situated in a convenient location that's a five-minute walk to the beach and Santa Cruz boardwalk, this value Comfort Inn property makes a good base for budget-conscious travelers. A handful of features are offered, including freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking, as well as a small, seasonal outdoor pool -- though it's situated in an unattractive setting within the parking lot. Parking can be a problem here, as the lot is tight and fills up. Guest rooms are clean and come with a good selection of mod cons, including flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, plus some have extras like fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. For more money, Hotel Paradox has a gorgeous pool, Solaire restaurant, and outdoor fire pits. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area

Scene

Modest budget chain hotel with contemporary interiors

A value property from the Comfort Inn chain, this low-key hotel offers clean and inviting contemporary interiors in a convenient location that attracts leisure and business travelers. The ochre-colored two-story building is motel-style, with exterior hallways wrapping around the parking lot and outdoor pool area. Inside, decor is typically chainlike, but modern and pleasant. The lobby, which also functions as the breakfast room, is clad in gray and brown tones and includes two armchairs in front of a fireplace, as well as a collection of small round dining tables and chairs next to a rack of tourist brochures. Overall, it's a solid choice in a walkable location, though travelers seeking more features might want to look elsewhere. 

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Location

Convenient location by the river and a five-minute walk to the beach and entertainment-laden boardwalk

The hotel is situated a two-minute walk from the San Lorenzo riverside and the Santa Cruz Riverwalk that runs along it. There are a couple of motels in the immediate area, and several dining options line the beachfront Beach Street, a three-minute walk away. The beach and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a family-friendly destination full of amusement rides, games, and a haunted house are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, as is the Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway-Boardwalk Station. Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, which is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, is about a 10- to 15-minute walk.

The Santa Cruz Wharf, a pier with food, shops, boat tours, and sea lions, is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Other area attractions include Natural Bridges State Beach (10-minute drive), Wilder Ranch State Park (12-minute walk), the Mystery Spot (13-minute drive), and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (13-minute drive). San Jose International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Monterey Regional Airport is an hour away. San Francisco International Airport can be reached in a bit over an hour.

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Rooms

Contemporary rooms have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges

Rooms here are clean and decked out in contemporary chainlike style dominated by brown and beige colors. Sleek, blond wood furniture includes nightstands and desks or tables, while large headboards feature leather padding. Brown and beige bedspreads top white linens, and framed black-and-white photos of area attractions like the boardwalk amusement rides adorn the walls. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, irons/ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Larger rooms add couches, and some rooms have fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs. Bathrooms are clean and feature external sink/vanity areas, and separate rooms with toilets and shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers and some toiletries are provided. Most rooms overlook exterior hallways and the parking lot. 

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Features

Small outdoor pool in parking lot, plus freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking

This modest hotel offers a handful of features that add value to a stay. A free breakfast is served in the lobby, which doubles as a dining area, and includes a make-your-own waffle station as well as other hot items, fresh fruit, cereals, juices, and tea/coffee. Free coffee is available here throughout the day. Other freebies include Wi-Fi throughout the property and weekday newspapers. On-site parking is also free, but it's a bit tight and some past guests have complained of having to leave car keys at reception in case cars need to be moved. The hotel also has an outdoor pool (open seasonally), but it's small and located in the parking lot, which isn't a particularly scenic setting for a swim. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area

Scene

Modest budget chain hotel with contemporary interiors

A value property from the Comfort Inn chain, this low-key hotel offers clean and inviting contemporary interiors in a convenient location that attracts leisure and business travelers. The ochre-colored two-story building is motel-style, with exterior hallways wrapping around the parking lot and outdoor pool area. Inside, decor is typically chainlike, but modern and pleasant. The lobby, which also functions as the breakfast room, is clad in gray and brown tones and includes two armchairs in front of a fireplace, as well as a collection of small round dining tables and chairs next to a rack of tourist brochures. Overall, it's a solid choice in a walkable location, though travelers seeking more features might want to look elsewhere. 

See More Scene

Location

Convenient location by the river and a five-minute walk to the beach and entertainment-laden boardwalk

The hotel is situated a two-minute walk from the San Lorenzo riverside and the Santa Cruz Riverwalk that runs along it. There are a couple of motels in the immediate area, and several dining options line the beachfront Beach Street, a three-minute walk away. The beach and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a family-friendly destination full of amusement rides, games, and a haunted house are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, as is the Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway-Boardwalk Station. Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, which is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, is about a 10- to 15-minute walk.

The Santa Cruz Wharf, a pier with food, shops, boat tours, and sea lions, is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Other area attractions include Natural Bridges State Beach (10-minute drive), Wilder Ranch State Park (12-minute walk), the Mystery Spot (13-minute drive), and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (13-minute drive). San Jose International Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Monterey Regional Airport is an hour away. San Francisco International Airport can be reached in a bit over an hour.

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary rooms have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges

Rooms here are clean and decked out in contemporary chainlike style dominated by brown and beige colors. Sleek, blond wood furniture includes nightstands and desks or tables, while large headboards feature leather padding. Brown and beige bedspreads top white linens, and framed black-and-white photos of area attractions like the boardwalk amusement rides adorn the walls. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, irons/ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Larger rooms add couches, and some rooms have fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs. Bathrooms are clean and feature external sink/vanity areas, and separate rooms with toilets and shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers and some toiletries are provided. Most rooms overlook exterior hallways and the parking lot. 

See More Rooms

Features

Small outdoor pool in parking lot, plus freebies like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking

This modest hotel offers a handful of features that add value to a stay. A free breakfast is served in the lobby, which doubles as a dining area, and includes a make-your-own waffle station as well as other hot items, fresh fruit, cereals, juices, and tea/coffee. Free coffee is available here throughout the day. Other freebies include Wi-Fi throughout the property and weekday newspapers. On-site parking is also free, but it's a bit tight and some past guests have complained of having to leave car keys at reception in case cars need to be moved. The hotel also has an outdoor pool (open seasonally), but it's small and located in the parking lot, which isn't a particularly scenic setting for a swim. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.