Hotel Paradox - Santa Cruz

Super friendly staff! Stayed on a quiet weekend. The hotel staff greeted us and made sure we had everything we needed. The hotel is modern, new and very clean. The rooms were nicely furnished (not too over the top) and the bed was comfortable. The only thing was the down pillows sink so if down pillows are not your thing, definitely bring your own. […] We didn't think to call the front desk and ask for different pillows. Also, other guests have mentioned the sliding bathroom door. My bf and I didn't mind the door but if this is your first "romantic" weekend then you should beware that you can hear everything in the bathroom, LOL even with the door "closed". I actually liked the design of the door and thought it was cool and different. The pool was clean and had a great hot tub along with a few cabanas. They have beer and wine and you can order food and drinks at the pool. We sampled a couple things off the menu and they were tasty (ham and cheese, fries, chips and dip). I would recommend trying the restaurant. The location is convenient and there is plenty of parking. My one gripe about the parking is that it's $5 a night. You could just park on the street which is on the same street as the lot. I think this fee is ridiculous. The surrounding area to the side and behind the hotel is kinda sketchy, but hey, it's Santa Cruz. Beach "bums" everywhere. I would definitely say stay here and I certainly intend on returning soon! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The photos online look much nicer than actual site. The Hotel cost is not worth the stay. Was disappointed in the look of the Hotel and how the rooms were situated. The interior rooms are nice and modern, but the overall site and building are below average.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Even my 2 1/2 year old daughter said it is great. Go figure.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Pleasantly comfortable hotel. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The rooms are smaller but very nice- perfect for couples. All the wood is a little strange, but the rooms were very modern overall. Comfortable bed, nice tub/shower. The pool and hot tub area are nice, and the waitress was friendly. Drinksvare expensive, but that's the same at most hotels. I would stay here again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We LOVED our stay at Hotel Paradox! The remodel is upbeat, stylish, and is probably the best hotel in Santa Cruz for a very fair price! When you check into the hotel, pick up one of the books in the lobby, you'll understand why they call the hotel a "Paradox" :-) We booked two rooms, 1 king & the other 2 queens. Both really nicely decorated and perfect […] for the 4 of us adults. The pool area is fantastic with comfortable cabanas, lots of places to tan, delicious food and a really refreshing drink menu. We had a cucumber drink made with cold saki (rice wine). I highly recommend it for hot summer days, it was gooood! The restaurant is really good too, great menu selection for dinner and breakfast. I'd stay here for business or pleasure. Grab a friend and have a mini-vacation! We plan to go back again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel Paradox is well-named. The unimaginative, cold exterior is in contrast to the highly creative interior space that is modern yet still welcoming. The "front desk" is actually a large tree on its side, an absurd and silly device as it is all form and no function (there's no place to set your credit card or purse). The public spaces are hip and inviting. […] We drove up to our room, which opened to the parking lot. The room itself was clean, well-furnished, and offered all of the amenities, including plush robes and a Kreug coffee machine. All in all, a very pleasant stay. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

i loved it!! the employees were wonderful. the hotel was clean and very modern. the only thing that is a slight problem would be the main street its on. its convenient when it comes to food and the boardwalk, just watch out for cars especially if you are walking with kids.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed at Paradox for two nights for the Santa Cruz half marathon. The hotel decor is very modern and clean with a very friendly staff. We had a lovely time. There is very little separation between the bathroom and bedroom so don't stay here if you are at all shy.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We booked this hotel based on pictures on the internet as well as the fact that it had a pool and hot tub. When we arrived at the hotel on the day of our reservation we were informed they had a special event going on and the pool and hot tub would not be available. We feel we should of received prior notice of this as they had our email address. We […] weren't offered any compensation for the inconvenience. Room itself was very pretty, but you weren't able to control the temperature in your room other than by a few degrees. The room was very hot and muggy. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

It looks like the Hotel Paradox recently went through an extensive remodel and upgrade. They did away with traditional bathroom doors so that they could make their small rooms seem larger. What they did was mount the door on a rail, above the bathroom opening, where you slide the door to cover the opening. Guess what? You can hear EVERYTHING that goes […] on i the bathroom! The only way we could give the person who was in the bathroom a sense of privacy, was to turn up the TV really loud. Plus the closet is inside the bathroom so getting to your clothes/stuff while someone is using the bathroom is awkward. We were staying with our teenage son so that made this bizarre bathroom door design even more of a factor. We were booked for two nights and only stayed for one. The rooms are small to begin with and with the awful bathroom door design, we left. Only stay here if you are traveling alone -- otherwise, find some other place. It's not worth it! Read more

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Our refrigerator was not working and our food spoiled and they gave me a $5.00 credit. For the price if the room and the cost of the food that was unacceptable. We also had to keep calling because we needed towels, coffee etc.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The Hotel was nice but very bland. The service was ok from the bell person to the front desk. We walked past housekeepers and other employees, they were not friendly to say the least. There was no greeting rather they looked away when we passed by them. When i read the rating prior to booking, people compared it to the "W". There is no comparison. The […] "W" is colorful, hip and tests all your senses from smells to a warm welcome. Again you cannot compare the two. Overall our stay was ok. I was expecting to be wowed but that didn't happen. I will not return. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We were given a nice room, but the view was lousy. Service was wonderful, price was far too high for what we received. We would not stay again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I did plenty of research on hotels in the area and read plenty of reviews. Bottom line, this hotel is in a good location, probably 1 mile from the beach. The surrounding neighborhood doesn't have much but is walking distance to the main strip which is nice. The park nearby does have a few homeless people but you will soon find that the homeless in Santa […] Cruz are nice. Every california city has them. The hotel itself was fine. Clean and adequate. The kids enjoyed the pool. All in all the hotel was a little expensive for what you get but I would stay there again. It was probably an old hotel that was remodelled. Nice touches everywhere that make it seem like a boutique (nice tiles and stone in the bathrooms, highlight lights in walkways, security at night) and also some remnants of an old hotel (thin walls so hope for quiet neighbors, old stairways, etc). I would defintely consider this hotel especially if the price seems like a deal. Read more

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

What a beautiful hotel! Very clean and comfortable. Sheet & towels were very soft.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Really nice hotel but the only thing I did not like was that the parking was extra $$$ .. But over all ,, nice hotel

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I received a great price for 2 nights at The Paradox. I knew the area is not the best in Santa Cruz. However, the hotel is terrific. It is motel style, but it is bright and well done. Be sure to check out the front desk. Seems the place is very environmentally conscious. Staff was always available and tried to help in every situation with immediate […] response (I had an internet connection problem and wanted more coffee in the room.) Suggest staying here if the ammenities meet your needs. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff was very nice and helpful. We arrived early and they let us check in then, as we had driven through the night. We didn't eat at the hotel, but other restrauants were close. The warf was only a few minutes away, so that was convenient but had to drive to get there. The room was not large, but very comfy and clean. Would we stay there again?, […] you bet we would!! Upom leaving, the desk clerk printed out a map to guide us back to I-5. It was also quiet and easy to get there. My compliments to the staff, we will return!!! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Clean, quiet, nicely updated and a little Funkey. My kind of hotel!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel and room were nice and updated. Pool was great as it was very warm despite the cool weather. Resaturant had excellent food and our servers were great. Our only problem was witht he restaurant manager. We came in from a fairly long day on the road were told that it would be a two hour wait (at 5:30 on Sat). Were offered a spot near the bar which […] we took. Watched as 4-5 tables remained empty over the next 2 hours.......Clearly we were deemed not chic enough to be seated..... My wife and I are both physicians but did not look the part as we were on vacation and had our 11 and 13 year old with us. I discussed my displeasure with the new evening manager who was appropriately humble but noted that the manager who did lied to us was his boss. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very new, clean, and nice, but the rooms gave off the vibe of a motel 6. Overall a nice hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

beds were great and enjoyed eating at the restaurant. love the pool

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

There are not many good options for hotels in SC. The Paradox is a refreshing option for the area. It is a revamped older facility but the owners did a great job. Rooms have a modern, boutique look with comfy beds, flat screen tvs. Great pool, hot tub, and pool hangout area. Pretty good happy hour specials on food + drinks. Walking distance to Pacific […] ave. We'll definitely stay here again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The reduced rate for the room was pretty good. The room was small but clean and seemed to be recently furbished. Although the place was mostly empty as it was mid week, I was given a room overlooking the parking lot and not the pool. FYI - there is absolutely nothing to do in Santa Cruz. The place is over run with what seem to be homeless youth. I did […] not feel safe walking through the park near the hotel or down Pacific (the main drag with mostly resale shops). Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Room has no iron and ironing board. Service was ok, we'rent too friendly when answering the phone. Overall an ok hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very Nice hotel, in a unique area.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very pretty place. Neutral tones. Bed very large but much to be desired in the comfort dept.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Would rather not waste your or my time writing another review about another Santa Cruz Motel charging almost 150 dollars to be ignored by servers, and stay in a room that is smaller than my room at my house. Disappointment to say the least.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Great get away. Very modern cool vibe of the hotel.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel is on a level with The W without the steep prices. It's also ultra chic, hip and cool without the attitudes that usually come along with that vibe. The manager Michael is super helpful and a fun guy and the rest of the staff is upbeat, friendly and attentive.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel Paradox is a very pleasant surprise. The facility is new, the staff actually seems to care about your comfort and goes out of its way to ensure that you will enjoy their hotel and come back for more. Excellent location, excellent service.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was so impressed with this hotel. On the outside, it looked unimpressive. But inside it was amazing. It was a combination of modern decor with very natural looking decor as well. It fit right in to the the area, which has coastal redwoods nearby. The service was excellent. I loved this hotel.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I loved this hotel, everything was brand new. The staff was helpful. Pool and spa area was beautiful, restaurant was clean, rooms were fantastic.....cant wait to stay again. Needs vending machine so as to get a late night coke, ; ) Put a dance area and a D J and I feel this place would attract the crowds.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Everything about our stay was great. The only thing we found odd was that the hotel entrance and lobby felt a little bare. Even when we drove in.. we didn't really know where the entrance to the lobby was or where should be really park. There was no one waiting outside to direct us. And in the lobby there was just one person on the counter.. but he […] was indeed very courteous and helpful. Other than that.. our stay was perfectly fantastic. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Highly recommended!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The lodgings are 100% better than they were as the UC, Santa Cruz hotel.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

New hotel that has an interesting interior decoration. This is probably the best hotel I've stayed in for a long while. The hotel staff was pleasant, and the facilities were really good.

Genuine Expedia guest review