Salt Air Lodge — Hotel in Santa Cruz

The rating indicated a 2 star hotel. Our stay was a last minute getaway during a holiday weekend, and the room was booked maybe two days in advance. We've been in a few 2 star hotels over our travels, including one that probably should have been ranked a 1 star. We've also been in a few 3 & 4 star hotels. For a 2 star hotel it was a little better than anticipated.

Pictures included are from the 2nd floor balcony of the boardwalk. 2 midday, 1 6 am before sunrise.

One warning, despite the website & google's claim for in room coffee/tea maker there is not one. The office does serve coffee starting at 9 am, we didn't sample. There are many good quality coffee shops that start opening between 7 and 8 am within easy walking range (half mile or less).

The beds were very comfortable, we had a two room suite. The rooms were clean. Tv with pivoting mount, for those that watch tv. In room fridge & microwave. A small table with chairs. Iron & ironing board, and a small walk in closet, plus closet space in the second bedroom. Literally 5 minute or less walk to the boardwalk. Easy access to jump bikes, and a wonderful trail that runs along the inlet toward the downtown area. Price, to me, was reasonable for a weekend stay for a two room suite for 3 people. Our interactions with the staff were positive.

What I dinged stars on: 1 - No coffee/tea maker in room after website advertised it as an amenity. 2 - No hot water, hot water was tepid to body temp at best even after allowing it to run for a little bit. Barring the coffee maker, because of the hot water or lack of, the actual was probably closer to 4/5 stars.

Would I stay again? If doing another low budget runaway weekend, at the last minute, to get away, and there was not even cheaper...

If you’ve stayed here before it was okay descent nothing luxurious but okay for the stay. Now it’s just very, very different! We stayed two nights from 6/17-6/19/2022 and the rooms are just great! Big spacious bathroom, the main room has a tv, mini fridge, table, microwave and a nice dresser with a open space to hang up your clothes just make sure to take your hangers. The second bedroom also has a Tv, dresser, and plugs on each side of the night stands for easy phone charging. Everything in this room was very clean, smelled nice, and the beds were very soft and comfortable as well as the pillows. It was pretty quiet at night time so we had a good sleep. Sam there is so, so very nice and friendly. He is always there just incase you need anything. Great customer service! This place is walking distance to the boardwalk so if you ever need to stay somewhere this is the place. It’s convenient, fresh remodeled rooms, comfortable stay, and if you have kids and rent a suite it very convenient for privacy each room has a door and tv to keep kids entertained. I would definitely stay here again without hesitation. I would definitely give this place a second try if you haven’t already and I guarantee you’ll be amazed just as my...

2 stars cuz its clean & well priced considering it's a stones throw from boardwalk, but outside of that Wi-Fi included password info incorrect from front desk at check in . Night attendant gave different password verily 4 times. Yelled password at me from i behind the desk inside the locked lobby. They have a "night window" & a sign pointing it's location 3 ft from the lobby door. One would think after the 3 unsuccessful yell from 10 or more feet through a closed window that he would Wright it down walk over & hand it to the hearing impaired customer or any guest. I'm all for family run small businesses & I care if he's in his PJ's. I was in my pj's too. But 8pm is early for a night shift. I felt bad for I assume waking him but that's not my problem. My problem was not getting my reports filed & having to waist 4 more hours of my time the next day. Which I'm guessing is a bit more $ per hour than he is saving by not hiring someone to actually work the shift. God forbid there were an emergency. No thus is not a good fit for a business trip (lessons learned) however if I was on a family vacation I wouldn't want to stay in a room where the TV turns it's cable box off...