"Very good location near a wonderful authentic Chinese restaurant and within walking distance to the boardwalk"
Ashley from United States
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"Great Air Conditioning, comfortable bed, clean room, nice pillows. Walking distance to Downtown,"
Matthew from United States
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"The room was clean and big and the bed was amazing."
Charlotte from United States
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"Good Size fridge & freezer. Clean and Bright bathroom that looks renovated."
Ferdinand from United States
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"Comfortable clean fresh room. Nice pillows and bed. Liked larger sized refrig and freezer."
Pamela H from United States
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Rooms & Amenities
The Islander Motel offers air-conditioned guest rooms with a 40-inch flat-screen HDTV, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary toiletries. Choose from a One King Bed room, Two Queen Beds, or a Two-Room suite with one King and one Queen bed, accommodating up to four adults. Each room includes a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, and fresh towels. Accessible rooms feature 32-inch wide doorways and ADA-compliant facilities.
Outdoor Pool
A seasonal outdoor pool is available for guests to cool off on warm days. The pool area is fenced and accessible, with a self-operating ADA lift.
Nearby Attractions
The motel is three blocks from Pacific Garden Mall, known for nightclubs, restaurants, and retail stores. Nearby landmarks include the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Natural Bridges State Beach, and the Museum of Art and History. The University of California Santa Cruz and West Cliff Drive are within a short drive.
Accessibility Features
The property is fully ADA-compliant, with wheelchair-accessible routes, Braille signage, and van-accessible parking. Accessible guest rooms include widened doorways, roll-in showers, and visual alarms. Staff are trained to assist guests with disabilities.
Guest Services
A 24-hour front desk provides local recommendations and assistance. Free parking, daily housekeeping, and fax/photocopying services are available. The motel does not allow pets, except for ADA-defined service animals.
“Islander Motel strikes me as a place that truly prioritizes a comfortable stay, evident in the consistently praised beds and renovated, clean rooms. Its proximity to downtown and the beach, combined with friendly, family-run service and a solid price point, makes it a practical choice for Santa Cruz. I'd return, particularly noting the palpable sense of safety and well-maintained grounds.”
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels
Choose from a variety of room types
Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
Single Room Disability Access
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Single bed / 1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
King Bed
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
2 Queen Bed
2 persons
155 sq. feet
2 Queen Size Beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Show all rooms
Availability and pricing for your selected dates
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Facilities
Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Great
8.5/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Parking
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Services
Housekeeping
Business
Fax/Photocopying
Facilities for people with disabilities
Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled
Spa & Leisure
Seasonal outdoor pool
Shallow end
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock
Show more
Islander Motel Santa Cruz Ca Location
522 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, 95060,
Map view
City landmarks
Mall
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
1.4 mi
Harbour
Santa Cruz Wharf
1.4 mi
Museum
Museum of Art and History
4600 ft
Museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1.0 mi
Landmark
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
1.4 mi
Theatre
Rio Theatre
3600 ft
Shopping Area
Pacific Garden Mall
4600 ft
Landmark
Pacific Avenue
4600 ft
Beach
Seabright State Beach
1.0 mi
Landmark
San Lorenzo Park Plaza Shopping Center
2600 ft
Landmark
Nickelodeon Theatre
4600 ft
Spa Centre
Tea House Spa
2600 ft
Spa Centre
Well Within Spa
2900 ft
Landmark
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
4900 ft
Store
Shopper's Corner
2100 ft
Park
Abbott Square
2100 ft
Landmark
Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse
1.3 mi
Amusement Park
Laurel Park
4600 ft
Park
DeLaveaga Park
1.3 mi
Landmark
Del Mar Theatre
2200 ft
Landmark
L H Selman Ltd Glass Gallery
4900 ft
Landmark
Arana Gulch Trail
1.3 mi
Store
Whole Foods Market
3600 ft
Park
Neary Lagoon Park
1.5 mi
Church
Mission Santa Cruz
4900 ft
Landmark
Sky Glider
1.4 mi
Nearby
Spa Centre
Kiva Retreat House
1900 ft
325 Soquel Ave at Ocean Avenue
The Satellite Workspace and Digital Media Studio
600 ft
Parks and Recreation Dept
600 ft
Ocean Street
900 ft
Restaurants
Chelito's Pupuseria
1300 ft
107 Leonard St
Taqueria Jalapenos y Pupuseria
1300 ft
107 Leonard St
Samba Rock
900 ft
291 Water St
Little Caesars
1900 ft
233 Ocean St
Pizza My Heart
2700 ft
1116 Pacific Ave Ste B
Marianne's Ice Cream
1400 ft
1020 Ocean St
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co
2900 ft
1330 Pacific Ave
Zoccoli's Delicatessen
3400 ft
1534 Pacific Ave
Explore Santa Cruz
Explore Santa Cruz
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
25 minutes walking
A classic beachfront amusement park featuring rides, games, and food stalls. Perfect for families and thrill-seekers.
Museum of Art and History
17 minutes walking
Showcases the region's art and cultural history. Offers free admission on the first Friday of each month.
Santa Cruz Wharf
25 minutes walking
An iconic pier with shops, restaurants, and stunning ocean views. Great for a leisurely stroll or marine life spotting.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
25 minutes walking
Interactive exhibits on marine life and conservation. Ideal for families and ocean enthusiasts.
Kiva Retreat House
10 minutes walking
A wellness center offering massages and yoga classes. Perfect for relaxation after a busy day.
Santa Cruz Harbor
28 minutes walking
Enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. Rentals available to thrill-seekers and water adventurers.
Twin Lakes State Beach
20 minutes walking
A family-friendly beach for sunbathing and picnics. Popular for swimming and beach games.
Samba Rock
4 minutes walking
A vibrant spot serving Brazilian-inspired dishes and cocktails. Casual atmosphere ideal for quick bites.
Chelito's Pupuseria
5 minutes walking
Authentic El Salvadoran cuisine with delicious pupusas. A cozy spot with vegetarian options available.
Pizza My Heart
10 minutes walking
Local pizza favorite known for its unique slices and fresh ingredients. Casual dining with a fun vibe.
Rio Theatre
13 minutes walking
Historic venue featuring indie films and live events. Enjoy cozy seating and local performances.
Nickelodeon Theatre
17 minutes walking
Indie cinema with a focus on documentaries and foreign films. Offers a unique movie-going experience.
Pacific Garden Mall
17 minutes walking
Shopping and entertainment destination with boutique stores. Frequent community events make it lively.
Tips on navigating the city
City Centre
Santa Cruz 10 min · 2700 ft
Airports
Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 79 min · 32.7 mi
Monterey Peninsula (MRY) 102 min · 42.0 mi
Bus
Bus stop 2 min · 400 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
from 10:00-11:00
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
20
Family-focused reviews and ratings
Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Cleanliness
8.9/10
Comfort
8.9/10
Facilities
8.5/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.1/10
Location
8.8/10
Staff
8.9/10
Value for money
8.6/10
Pros
Clean rooms
Comfortable beds
Friendly staff
Good location
Spacious room
Cons
Tight parking
Noisy road
Outdated amenities
Guest reviews
based on 249 reviews
8.3/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.