Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz CA Hotel - Motel in Santa Cruz - 500 Riverside Ave, USA

Great choice for the money!! We booked this hotel because the other reviews said it was clean and priced well. We were not disappointed. The staff was friendly and the grounds well kept. We could not get an early check in, but the staff allowed us to park our vehicle so we could get straight to the beach (if you've never been to Santa Cruz in the summer, parking is a pain). The room wasn't fancy, but it was very clean and had everything we needed. It was an easy walk to the boardwalk. The only negative, if I had to pick something is that the walls are thin and we could hear the family next to us but they weren't noisy long and didn't bother us. I would absolutely stay here again!

I didn’t have super high expectations as my husband booked this and it was inexpensive. But the room was lovely and very clean. It had everything we needed, it was quiet and comfortable. The only downside was my husband booked through Expedia that tacked on so many extra charges, but booking directly is somehow weirdly difficult.

Upon arriving, the front office had a bad smell. When we got to the room, the fridge, microwave, and blowdryer did not work. After mentioning it to the front desk, they waited until the next day to replace the fridge; so the food we brought with us went bad from being left out over night. The flooring was sloppy and there were gaps around the doorways, and we had to hang a blanket on the window because it only had a see through shade on it with no blinds or curtains. The WiFi was slow and sometimes went completely out. When I called the front desk about it, he hung up on me and gave me no further information. Additionally, housekeeping only serviced our room once during our 5 night stay, leaving us with dirty towels for most of the time. The parking situation was rough and some nights we would get back and there would be no open spots. Finally, their website states that they include free breakfast and have a pool, however this is completely false. There is no pool or breakfast and when I asked about it the front desk just said that their website has had out of date information for 2 years. This place has a lot of potential as it is in a good location and at face value the rooms aren't bad at all. They just have a lot of issues with amenities, information, and staff that need to be worked out. Overall not worth it especially considering the price and would recommend looking for a different place to stay in Santa Cruz.

We recently had the pleasure of staying at this charming inn, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Located within a pleasant walking distance to the beach, the boardwalk, and local restaurants downtown, this hotel offers the perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. From the moment we arrived, the cleanliness of the premises was immediately apparent. The entire hotel was impeccably maintained, which added to the overall comfort of our stay. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the exceptional hospitality provided by the manager, Sid. Sid went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable, greeting us with the warmth and friendliness of a close friend welcoming us into their home. His kindness and attentiveness truly made our stay special. Sid's dedication to ensuring our comfort was evident in every interaction, from providing excellent dining recommendations to making sure all our needs were met promptly. It’s rare to find such genuine care and service, and it left a lasting impression on us. We highly recommend this inn to anyone looking for a delightful and relaxing stay. We were so impressed by the experience that we plan on bringing our whole family next time. Thank you so much, Sid, for making our visit unforgettable!

The room was fine. The bathroom was fine. Those vital parts of a hotel room were usable. ||Here are the negatives: 1) The walls were very thin. I could hear all of the "talking" going on in both adjoining rooms. And I heard every footstep from the floor above. 2) The only way to park near your room was if you had one of the first few cars in the lot. Otherwise, the parking situation is confusing at best and pretty lousy at worst. ||If you want a room in this location (conveniently less than half a me from he Santa Cruz Boardwalk), this hotel will do. But be aware of the issues and bring your earplugs.

This is a nice motel just a few blocks away from the boardwalk! The rooms have televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, air condoning, and shower/bathtubs. It is not fancy, but the rooms are clean, beds are comfy, and the linens are nice! There is also daily housekeeping service! I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a nice, safe, and comfortable place to stay near the boardwalk!

I arrived late at night, the first week of July. The gentleman that was there showed me the 2 rooms I rented. He was very nice. When getting into bed particles on the sheets started flying and there was hair throughout the sheets In both the of the rooms I rented. Very unpleasant staying in these unclean beds besides that I didn’t even get my deposit back and it has been well over 3to5 business days. I will from now on stay at the riverside inn and suites or sea and sand inn as I have in the past with better planning on my end!

The customer service was above expectations. Room was clean, organized, comfortable bed, pillows, had every essential we needed for a hotel. The owners or management team helped me out in every way possible. Only 5 min walk to Boardwalk, Quiet area both inside and out. Enjoyed my stay there and will be using the Hotel again In the future.