Hitching Post Studios Inn — Hotel in Santa Cruz

I booked this hotel while I was on the road traveling up the coast to Santa Cruz. I checked into this hotel at 7pm, when I got to the room, I had to get some work done and send a few emails. It was dark and I just sat by a lamp and finished a few things on my computer. I then turned on more lights and started looking around the room and realized it was dirty and run down, the sheets were dirty and there was a weird hatch in the ceiling of the bathroom and I just didn't feel comfortable. I'm a young girl traveling alone and I always try and go with my gut and I didn't feel safe or comfortable so I checked out. I was in the room for an hour and 15 minutes total. I did not lay in the bed or use the shower or anything. I only went to the bathroom and washed my hands. When I went to check out the manager Danny refused to give me a refund so I left and went to another hotel. My mom called and asked him to do the right thing and please issue a refund he said that their policy is "Crystal Clear" that refunds are only given within 15 minutes of check-in if not satisfied. Even a partial refund would have been a nice gesture and very much appreciated, he would have had to go the room and wipe down the toilet which I would bet he didn't do before he booked it again. He refused to talk to my Mom any further, so she hung up. I found a lovely hotel a mile away, Aqua, for the same price, they actually gave me a discount when I told them what happened, unfortunately I had to pay for 2 hotel rooms. I also looked around and there are many other nice choices for the same or a little more money. ||Not nice Danny! Do unto...

Bottom Line Up Front: Sleep quality problems and noise issues are abundant here. This is a good place to stay for price-obsessed people only. There are other options in town for $10-20 more a night, and though I can't comment on their quality, I would not recommend picking this one purely for price.

Reasons for 2 Stars:

1. Online reservations do not charge your card, you have to re-swipe when you arrive at the hotel.
2. Do not, under any circumstances, agree to sleep in room 100; request a refund and find somewhere else to stay if this is the case. The hotel is owned/operated by a family (which I empathize with entirely), but their personal housing is directly next door to room 100. A couple issues are caused by this: First, there is a door from their unit into your unit, with no ability to lock it from your side. Second, you can hear everything they say and do. Third, their housing is connected to the front office and a bell rings any time someone comes through the front door, which you can also hear.
3. I requested to change rooms after my first night, which was graciously accomodated (this is the reason there is more than 1 star). However, the second room (103) had no AC (it had a thermostat which didn't work and upon inspection, had been disabled).
4. Of the two rooms I stayed in, you could easily hear noise from outside. In room 100 it was both the owner's family and street noise, in room 103 you could hear every single person who walked by, people dispensing ice from the ice dispenser 50 feet away, anyone talking, etc. There's no buffer against noise, which results in repeatedly...

Honest opinion this place is on the low end of  ok. The rooms have been updated, so the photos from 2018 on the travel sites are outdated.  Inside the room, is a bed, a lounge chair, a wall a/c unit, outdated curtains, 2 nightstands, tv with limited channels, dresser, and a little office area,. The amenities needed for a quickstop.

The bathroom, sink and shower have also been updated. , The mini fridge and microwave are in the bathroom area, but close to the closet-like section. Complaint, the shower leaks water, so place a couple of towels on the floor. Also, if you have more than one person staying in the room. You will have to request additional towels, provided - 1 face, 2 hand, and one body. Towel. The soap dispenser and hair shampoo/conditioner dispensers are ok. I suggest you bring your own.

The bed... the bed was uncomfortable. It sinks in and lumpy.

Outside. The hotel is off a busy street so occasionally you hear loud cars, (music, burn outs, etc).  Some units have an outside/mini patio with 2 chairs, but the inside units do not (may or may not have a chair in front of the room window). They do have a gathering area with a BBQ grill and a couple of seating areas.

Best part. Staff was excellent,  nice, and friendly..

Overall. I give this inn a 4 out of 10. This place is ok for an overnight stay, but the price per night...