Local people know about the familiar Santa Cruz Dream Inn which has overlooked the Monterey Bay for forty years. People may not realize the Dream Inn was given a fresh look in 2008 at the same time the hotel became a member of Joie De Vivre Hotels Management Group.
The combination of the Dream Inn and Joie De Vivre Hotels really is a perfect fit for this Santa Cruz beach town. "JDV branded this hotel as a high-tech, eco-friendly, and family-friendly destination highlighted by surfer aesthetics,” Mary Duan said in her July 4, 2008 Silicon Valley Business Journal article.
Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, CA
The Dream Inn, 175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-4330 is the only four star luxury hotel in Santa Cruz. Yet the hotel still manages to keep its beach surfing personality as it has transitioned into a trendy upscale place for guests. All of the 165 guestrooms and suites really do have great Monterey Bay views from private patios and balconies as the hotel overlooks Cowell Beach.
Other amenities like free wireless internet, flat screen HDTVs with full cable access, and iPod docking stations are reasons people may not want to ever leave their rooms. They even have surf board and bicycle storage available.
Guests may see a mixture of surfers, kayaks, beautiful sunsets, and sea lions without ever leaving their hotel rooms. What else does the hotel offer?
Aquarius Restaurant at the Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, CA
The restaurant is open for all three meals daily and offers room service. Not only is this a great place for the hotel's guests, local visitors find it a nice place to cool off, relax, and enjoy a bite to eat. The high point of the restaurant is the view – it is the best seat to watch the beach and water activities through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It feels like you are right on the beach with everyone else.
Of course the local regional wine list from the Santa Cruz Mountains and local sustainable seafood are a definite asset for those who appreciate excellent dining. Even an ordinary hamburger and french fries at lunch is transitioned into a gourmet flavor for everyone.
Aquarius supports the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
Pool and Meetings at Santa Cruz Dream Inn
Why would a guest ever need to leave the hotel with a heated pool, jacuzzi, and pool side bar? Of course there are meeting rooms which may accommodate up to 250 people – no worries as there are curtains to pull over the floor to ceiling windows for distraction-free and quiet meetings.
JDV Hotels Give Back
Member hotels of the innovating JDV Hotel Group are proud to donate a minimum of $200 per guest room per year to local communities. This may be through different methods like providing gift certificates or fund-raising assistance. Santa Cruz Dream Inn also works with Save Our Shores, a non-profit organization in promoting marine conservation.
Fun Things to Do in Santa Cruz, CA
Now if hotel guests should wander outside the hotel grounds, Santa Cruz is an active area for water sports of all types like surfing and kayaking and even cruises on yachts and catamarans. People of all ages enjoy the activities on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Wharf. There is an easy walking trail with great views along the cliff next to the hotel. Or guests may go on more rigorous hikes and even try wine tasting in nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.
Downtown Santa Cruz is fun to explore for shopping, trying a delicious cup of coffee at Santa Cruz Roasting Coffee Company, and watching the people in this relaxed beach and university town.
Another unusual attraction is the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a working marine laboratory where people may hold a sea star and view the world’s largest whale skeleton. Admission is a well-spent $6 per person at the Discovery Center.
Stop by and visit the hotel and restaurant overlooking the Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Dream Inn really is a mixture of history, surfing, and it's very hip now as one of the newest members of the JDV Hotel family.
Donna West - Donna West is a Writer with an uncanny ability and passion of finding unusual ideas, off the beaten path, even in everyday occurrences.
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