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Islander Motel Santa Cruz

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Seasonal outdoor pool
Reception
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking
1 bedroom, Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, desk
Point of interest

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
522 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Place, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Mystery Spot
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

  • 18 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(18 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Family Room, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking

Family Room, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking

Family Room, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking

  • 14 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 King Bed

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About the area

Santa Cruz

A stay at Islander Motel Santa Cruz places you in the heart of Santa Cruz, within a 5-minute drive of Mission Santa Cruz and University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum. .This motel is 1.3 mi (2 km) from Main Beach and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
View more Motels in Santa CruzOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Main Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Mystery Spot - 8 min drive - 6.5 km

Getting around

  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪四姐 Special Noodle - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Jury Room - ‬5 min walk

About this property

Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Motel with free parking, near Mission Santa Cruz
Islander Motel Santa Cruz offers 22 air-conditioned accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a seasonal outdoor pool.

Children under 5 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision. Guests under 5 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 22 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and irons/ironing boards, as well as phones with free local calls.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Fenced pool
  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Grab bar near toilet (84 centimetre high)
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1963
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Egyptian cotton sheets

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 1:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 25
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 19

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 50.00

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
If you are planning to arrive after 3:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
1 child per adult, up to the age of 5 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Early check-in fee: USD 25 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 50.00 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and mobile payments; cash is not accepted
Mobile payment options include: Google Pay and Apple Pay
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from May 15 to October 31
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Alcohol is not served at this property
Guests under 5 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool, and guests under 5 years old are only allowed in the swimming pool with adult supervision
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Islander Motel Santa Cruz
Islander Santa Cruz
The Islander Motel
The Islander Motel Santa Cruz
Islander Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Islander Motel Santa Cruz Motel
Islander Motel Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Islander Motel Santa Cruz Motel Santa Cruz

Islander Motel Santa Cruz Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 405 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 392 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 116 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 41 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 51 out of 1005 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Rick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stay and perfect location for us. Clean, comfortable and quiet as we had a 2nd story room away from the busy street(223)!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Fredrick

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
When I went to check in, the man at the front desk was kind of a jerk. The rooms were nice, easy parking, and close to pretty much everything, but again the desk man was overall not pleasant
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pleasant motel in great location. On a busy street but not that loud in the room. Convenient to downtown and walkable to the Boardwalk
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Dale

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Reasonable lodging for the Summer

Good experience overall. Good location. Management was responsive to requests.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved how comfortable the beds were. Everything was clean and neat, and there were plenty of amenities in the room to have a comfortable stay. Although we drove somewhere else for dinner, there are plenty of places to eat close by.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Laura

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A nice budget option for one night in Santa Cruz for Wharf to Wharf. The room had everything we needed, including a microwave and mini fridge for some heat n eat meals and race day breakfast, and check in and out were quick and easy. Other guests were a bit noisy, but I can’t fault the motel for that. My husband did find someone else’s undies in a drawer as he was double-checking before we left, yuck! Other than that, no issues with the cleanliness of the room, the bed was comfortable and the larger pillows were appreciated, and this was a convenient place to stay with easy access to grocery stores and the freeway. Thanks for hosting us!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Kirsten

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

MALARIE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Velina

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always an enjoyable time here. Staff is super welcoming and professional. Will be booking again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jose

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

AmyJune

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We love staying here whenever we come to Santa Cru

We love staying here whenever we come to Santa Cruz. Staff is warm and welcoming. Location is very central to downtown.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROSA PALACIOS

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overall, we had a great stay…!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Luis

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities
Nothing special about the hotel . The owner was not that friendly. His wife was. The room was clean l hope . The area was in a good location, next to a lot of stores and fast food restaurants .
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine, Tustin

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great location, excellent staff, comfortable bed. Older property, however very clean and well kept. Only note is no in room coffee option. Would definitely come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Sofie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were clean and no bed bugs, the restrooms were nice. Only issue was customer service my hotel room was under my name but my husband was going to pay. The manger said no and then said he was charging a 100 dollar refundable deposit which i understand but the way he spoke to us was a little rude. Other than that everything else was very great!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Katy

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Eh!

Room I stayed in could definitely use a new paint job. Window was left open in room and room stunk when I checked in. It’s in an ok location. Pretty noisy with all the cars going by. People outside my room were noisy at like 1 am. Management def was not willing to listen to suggestions. Make sure you take your license plate number or else they won’t give you a room key! Will not be returning due to the management!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Biswadeep

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and comfortable room
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was located conveniently in the middle of Santa Cruz and around some wonderful restaurants and businesses. The owner was very polite and went out of her way to help us and bring us fresh towels. I also enjoyed chatting with her. The space was clean and there is a small swimming pool in the front of the complex. We had a relaxing and joyful time there.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Benita, Modesto

Travelled with family
The staff was very helpful when we realized that it was not pet friendly ; that Expedia claimed. They still allowed us to stay and were very pleasant.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
just a cute no hassle surf hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
It was comfortable. I liked that they looked out for our vehicles in their lot.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Heather

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2025