Surf City Inn & Suites — Hotel in Santa Cruz

DO NOT STAY HERE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU & FTC - ZERO STARS

I called to make a reservation for a four night stay and was quoted a price; I gave my credit card number to hold the reservation (presumably), and was told I'd receive an email confirmation. I was assured I wouldn't be charged until I actually came in (I specifically asked this question).

A week later, I was getting ready for my trip and still had not received an email confirmation. So I called to see if my room was still being held. I was told I didn't have a reservation - in fact, I didn't NEED a reservation, because the motel would have empty rooms when I arrived on my originally planned check-in date, and I would get a better rate booking day-of instead of in advance.

I contested this, saying that I would be willing to pay a little extra just to have the reservation, for my peace of mind and also for my business records. But again I was assured the rate was better as a walk-in, and not to worry, they'd have space for me.

The day I arrived, I drove to the motel and saw how gross and run-down it looked. Since I didn't have a reservation (so I thought), I just drove to a different hotel and stayed there instead (where I had a very nice experience).

After my trip, I was going over my financial statements and noticed a charge from a BEACHWAY INN in Arroyo Seco, CA for $500+. Assuming this was the same company as the Surf City Inn, I called to dispute this charge, stating that I was told I DID NOT have a reservation, I never received confirmation of one, I never authorized a charge for any amount, and I never stayed at the Surf City Inn. The owner took an attitude and just kept repeating "I did not say that, I did not say that".

I just filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission against this place for charging my card without my authorization (the charge was actually made the FIRST DAY I called! - when they had told me the card number was just being held and that I should get a confirmation later, and be charged once I arrived).

My bank were angels and said the whole thing sounds super sketchy; luckily they reversed the charges.

DO NOT STAY HERE THEY ARE SCAMMERS AND...

It wouldn't let me post with no stars.....We just left this motel after a 3 day stay. The only halfway decent room we saw was the one in the photo on the website. Very deceptive. Our rooms had no closet or even a bar or hook to hang clothes in. No bathroom towel racks, toilet paper holder, iron, hairdryer....... Not even a phone! There were no curtains and our blinds did not operate and were so stained I was afraid to touch them. The doors were not put in correctly and we had daylight and cold coming in the whole time. The carpet was falling off the walls (yes walls. They used it as baseboard!) The first room my son was in had big rips in the dirty stained carpet and the railing had missing spindles which was a safety issue. That was the only reason we saw the fairly nice room, because that's where they moved my family. Even in that room There were no places to hang anything up, no toilet paper holder and The phone was a "prop" not even hooked up to anything. The floors in all the rooms left my grandson black from dirt in a matter of minutes. Breakfast our first morning consisted of waffle batter that was so funny no matter how long you cooked it the waffles remained raw and runny inside. 2 types of cereal (stale) and juice. I tried 3 times to get my waffles to cook. The clerk came out with a new batch that turned out the exact same way. Needless to say, we hit the grocery store right away! That's the physical stuff.... Customer service service was was the worst I've ever seen. There was a language problem, which made things difficult, but it was more than that. We utilized the silverware and paper plates provided in the lobby, but when I went in to ask for a knife the response was "why you keep bothering!" I know that this motel offers low rates when booked thru the discount sites, but no matter what you pay, you should expect some respect. The owners of this motel really need to step up their game and stop the false advertising. I would not recommend this motel to anyone..... Please save your money and sleep in the bus station.....I'm sure it's much...

THIS IS WHAT I FOUND ON ARRIVAL. WATCH VIDEO OF ROOM TO BELIEVE! No hot water for over 65 minutes before 11AM CHECKOUT TIME POLICY IS STRICT &$$$ BIG $$$40 for 2 hours. Most ridiculous behavior (nicest description of desk staff) They demanded checkout 15 minutes b4 11AM when I was attempting to obtain a got shower which I assume led to believe any shower would lease me in room after CO time. "Pleased" I heard in refrance regarding the $40 late fee which included the couple behind us in the long line who had pre paid 2 add'l days but wanted to be refunded the 2nd &3rd nites expedia pre paid. They WERE GIVEN A REFUND FOR 3RD NIGHT AND 2ND LESS $40 AFTER KEY DROPPED BECAUSE BY NOW IT WAS 11:50AM. Due to a 25 minute call from other guests whom also were unhappy about the cold shower they like myself never imagined they were gonna get in a tourist motel shower. It would've almost outweighed so very much foul and unnerving aspects of the entire 2 night debacle. Gotta blame myself, should've RUN AWAY FROM THE SIGHT, SMELL, & CRACKHEADS THAT GREETED US AT OUR 10:40PM ensuring total compliance in all stipulating factors CONFIRMED LATE CHECK IN REQUIRED the booking info. Not sure how to post a video here but am keeping it on home screen if ANYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO PREPAY HERE AT SURF CITY INN AND SUITES. How hard I've been pondering a way to convey with accuracy the horrors which compile the 36Hr./$187.00 experience. I'm a Puerto Rican refugee many years b4 2 consecutive hurricanes destroyed everything I had, mortgage payments despite my oceanfront homes NOW IN SEVERAL PIECES MOST LOST IN THE OCEAN!!!😂 They're currently in the 5th month NO POWER, H20, PHONES OF ANY KIND EXCEPT FOR THE RARE SPOT PEOPLE FLOCK TO IN SO GREAT #'S I'VE NEVER SEEN IT WORK LONGER THAN A HOUR. Credit cards, ATM's, basically a 99% humid 87 degree 1825A.D. with the cars whom can stay in line 12hrs to 24 thru blackness like the mainland's never seen un robbed EXCEED 3MPH AND HAVE LIFE & 12V POWER. SEND ME THERE...