Hotels near Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County

We stayed at the Seacliff Inn when it was a Best Western. I made my reservations last spring before it was a Hilton but was curious to see what changes were made as a result. As I did not make my reservations through Hilton and it was made quite clear to me my Hilton Honors standing had no meaning here, not even the usual welcome bottle of water and it took several tries for my no-cost internet connection; it kept prompting me to pay for internet or join Hilton Honors. Had I made reservations through the Hilton Honors website, things may have been different. The exterior is being painted from a deep brown with blue trim to a grayish color with blue trim. The restaurant has changed its name and the interior decor is now very sp**** and severe. The outdoor dining is still very nice. The gardens are well kept and the outdoor dining area is next to a lovely pond and waterfall. I ate at the restaurant once for dinner and once for lunch, service and food were very good. I honestly do not remember the front desk area before but it is very nicely appointed with some seating, the desk staff have all been helpful and pleasant during my stay. They removed the laundry facilities but do not offer clothes cleaning services. The amenities are mixed, no shower cap or body wash and only one bar of soap for both the tub and sink, but good Starbucks coffee for the in-room coffee maker, a little refrigerator, and a large TV. Internet has gone out several times during my stay, which unfortunately wipes out the Television as well. It may just be my provider, but cell coverage is little to none so when the internet goes out I cannot even use my phone as a hotspot. There were no elevators when it was a Best Western and there still are no elevators to the second floor rooms, not sure if that is in the plans for updating the property but there are 6 separate buildings so that may not be in the immediate plans. The corridors and doors can be loud, on a busy weekend night that can be disruptive as people are more likely to boisterously wander the halls at all hours. Again, not sure if some mitigation for noise is in the works for future plans. As if making a war on comfort, they removed the comfortable chairs from the rooms and put in a stool and an extremely uncomfortable chair at the desk. The furnishings were replaced and look very utilitarian but are quite functional. I don’t think they replaced the beds, there are two in the room and both very firm. The bedding is nice and up to the usual Hilton standards. I was surprised to find out that they are charging for parking, although it is completely unsecured. I was told I could get cleaning every 4 days, but only if I called to schedule it. I have been catching cleaners in the hallway to exchange towels and refill supplies and the front desk has been helpful too. The heating/cooling system is still the old motel style wall unit. It had signage that the unit was controlled by the wall thermostat. It wasn’t, I needed

Recently, an international brand hotel at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Although the sparrows are small, they have all the internal organs, swimming and fitness, the restaurant only serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner are not open, and the room does not have free mineral water.

We like this location because we have family nearby. The hotel is clean and comfortable. And the in-house restaurant is excellent. However, this ”housekeeping on request” policy is extremely irritating. Completely uninformed, we returned to our room at the end of our first day and it hadn't been cleaned. Apparently they only clean the room every five days. My wife called for housekeeping service and was told, ”they would try to fit us in”. Which they did. Including, thankfully, replenishing the in-room coffee supplies. This “full service” hotel actually expects you to collect your own coffee supplies at the front desk every day. I have been travelling for business and pleasure for over 50 years and I have never encountered such lame service at a so-called “full-service” hotel. And to add insult to injury, they call this housekeeping service-on-demand “complimentary”, aka “free”. Funny, I thought I was paying for it. Yes, there are fine-print placards everywhere that explain the policy, but I just tune all that crap out. I especially don’t like being scolded to “conserver water” when the faucet provides almost no flow and it has to run for five minutes before you get any hot water. If they want us to conserve water, they should install a hot-water recirculation system, as many other “full-service” hotels have done. Yes, a hot-water recirculation system uses more energy in order to use less water. Pick your poison. There is no free lunch. Next irritant: Pool and spa hours. Inside the pool enclosure, there is a permanent professional metal sign that clearly says the pool hours are from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. Very reasonable. However, on the locked gate, there is a hand-made paper sign that says 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. A pre-breakfast swim is thus not possible. Not reasonable. Again, this might be expected at a two-star hotel, but not here. Next irritant: Lousy maintenance. In the fifth-floor corridor, 50% of the overhead lights are either broken, missing their bulbs, or hanging down from their wires. Not very classy. Next (minor) irritant: No task lighting over the coffee prep area. As you prepare coffee, you are literally casting a shadow over the work area. And all the lights in the room are very dim. Finally, a note about security at the front desk. We did not initially go to the front desk to check in. We checked in online while enroute and used a “digital” key to go directly from the back parking lot to our room. Which is very convenient because it’s miles (and two elevator trips) from the fifth floor (back building) to the front desk. Later, when I waltzed up to the front desk and asked for my plastic keys, the nice lady handed them over, with a very nice smile. Without asking for ID. Not good; I could have been any random criminal. I certainly don’t blame the nice front desk lady for this obvious gap in management policy. In summary, I might stay here again in the future, but if I do, my expectations will be way lower next time.

Location was horrible. I finally found it from the freeway, no signage at exit, and had to go a mile or more past hotel sighting to turn around. Arrial was on a dead end street and into a trucking lot, scary. Nine pm arrival and gal at front was friendly. Room was ok and clean, but kind of old. Breakfast was next to nothing, not replenished and had to ask for the coffee. Again, it was clean, but creepy. When I saw the outside in the daylight, I knew I'd never go back.

Standard American breakfast, free parking, gas station next to it, convenient for eating and shopping. It was nice to stop with the kids.

Breakfast is very rich in American hotels, the room is large, we booked a twin room, two 1.5 meters of beds, especially suitable for families with children, the mattress is also very comfortable. In short, very satisfied.

Located in Felton, Fern River Resort is on a river, within a 5-minute drive of Roaring Camp Railroads and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This beach cabin is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from University of California, Santa Cruz and 7.1 mi (11.4 km) from Santa Cruz Wharf.Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a private beach or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this cabin include an arcade/game room, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and a library. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 14 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Cable television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries.

Located in Los Gatos, Los Gatos Garden Inn Hotel is in the entertainment district, within a 15-minute drive of Santana Row Shopping Center and Winchester Mystery House. This hotel is 10 mi (16.2 km) from SAP Center at San Jose and 10.1 mi (16.3 km) from Santa Clara University.Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional amenities at this hotel include a picnic area and a vending machine.Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of Los Gatos Garden Inn Hotel.Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, laundry facilities, and coffee/tea in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 28 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and microwaves.

With a stay at Inn at Depot Hill in Capitola, you'll be by the ocean, within a 10-minute walk of Capitola Beach and Capitola Wharf. This upscale bed & breakfast is 4 mi (6.4 km) from Rio Del Mar Beach and 5.7 mi (9.2 km) from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access.Meet other guests and eat at the complimentary reception. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 8 AM to 9:00 AM.The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.Stay in one of 12 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your memory foam bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

Located in Boulder Creek, The Historic Brookdale Lodge, Santa Cruz Mountains is within a 15-minute drive of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Roaring Camp Railroads. This lodge is 8.8 mi (14.2 km) from Big Basin Redwoods State Park and 9.2 mi (14.8 km) from Zip Line.Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and a picnic area.Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge.The front desk is staffed during limited hours. This lodge has 2 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 46 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.