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  5. Reviews of Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Reviews of Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 2 stars

130 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 95060, United States

#46 of 59 hotels in Santa Cruz

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 656 hotel reviews

7.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.9

  • Comfort

    8.0

  • Location

    9.1

  • Facilities

    7.6

  • Staff

    8.4

  • Value for money

    7.6

  • Free WiFi

    7.4

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 31 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Had to pay for extra car

    Close to the beach and the boardwalk

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 August 2025

    8.0
    Location good right near pier, ok for 1 or 2 nights.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night

    Location very good, short walk to pier where there was lots of sea lions underneath. Breakfast good, bagels and waffles etc. Beds were very comfortable, slept very well. free car park.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 August 2025

    8.0
    Good for night or two
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Paid parking on site $20

    Close to beach good size of the room breakfast

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 August 2025

    7.0
    Great location. Needs some upkeep/upgrades.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Pillows very lumpy. Shower curtain too short/hung too high. Needs some touch up work in the bathroom.

    Location.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2025

    9.0
    Great location, comfortable room, would stay again
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Paying for parking is kind of ridiculous if I’m already paying to stay at the hotel. The breakfast could have had a bit more options.

    The location was ideal especially for the price. Room was comfortable and the air conditioning worked well. Free breakfast was a plus.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 August 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel is old and has needed renovations for a long time, but everything was quite clean and washed.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 17 August 2025

    7.0
    it was fine. good location.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    it was too expensive for the quality of facilities, the breakfast was sad, and they charged 20$ extra for parking which is silly.

    it was clean and the staff were nice.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 August 2025

    7.0
    Santa Cruz day
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    You need to go up stairs with your luggage Too narrow rooms

    Location Fair breakfast

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2025

    8.0
    Great spot near the beach
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Business Queen Room with Partial Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Everything was great. Rooms are small, but I'm not doing yoga in my hotel rooms, so it didn't bother me.

    Just to get it out of the way, the rooms are tiny. One of the smaller hotels I have ever stayed in. But I didn't go to Santa Cruz for the hotel. I went for the beach/boardwalk. The room had enough room to sleep in, was clean, and was close to the beach. Just don't expect a 500 sq foot room and you'll be happy.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 August 2025

    9.0
    Nice staff, clean rooms, wonderful breakfast and excellent location!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I liked everything!

    The staff were very friendly and helpful. And our room was very thoughtfully furnished. And the breakfast was great!

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 August 2025

    7.0
    we had a pleasant stay and will stay there again
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Business Room with Three Double Beds and Partial Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    the room was comfortable and accomodated the family.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 August 2025

    9.0
    Girls trip
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Business Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Hot tub, only half of the jets worked

    The view, close to the beach

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 August 2025

    7.0
    Liked it
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Room with Two Double Beds
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Stairs

    Clean

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Business Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Hot tub/Spa area gloomy and dark. Tub was covered. Did not look welcoming. Very dated. No pool.

    Room was as advertised just like the pictures shown with ocean view. Nice color scheme. Beds were comfortable. Loved having a private patio to hang out and enjoy the view. Staff was friendly. Location was perfect to get around by foot from food, to wharf, to beach and to the boardwalk.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2025

    7.0
    Location is worth the price otherwise look into other places.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very loud AC that didn’t work that well and a couple of towels had hair on them.

    The location is very close to the board walk, decent breakfast, and nice staff!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2025

    9.0
    Comfy stay, and super close to Santa Cruz attractions
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    We have no complaints, other than the pillows weren't soft enough and the bed kept coming undone each night because instead of a bottom sheet, there was a flat sheet used instead.

    We were genuinely welcomed by the wonderful employee the late afternoon that we checked in. She was very helpful. The room was comfortable and we absolutely loved the fact that the wharf, and other restaurants were all within a short walking distance, meaning that we didn't have to take our car and try to find some parking. We would definitely stay here again.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2025

    8.0
    Great stay, but beds were uncomfortable.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Business Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The beds were very very firm. It was like I was sleeping on the floor.

    Location was great. And the complimentary breakfast was great too!!!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 July 2025

    9.0
    This property is a good value for the location and breakfast.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Business Room with Three Double Beds and Partial Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was pretty small but granted there were 3 beds.

    Older property but in decent shape. Clean and the breakfast was great. The location to the beach and boardwalk is the highlight. Walking distance to all.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 July 2025

    7.0
    Great location, but aging facility
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room, etc was fairly dated - and the hair in the shower was also a bummer.

    Location was great, as was the shower. The bed was also alright.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 July 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Close to santa cruz boardwalk

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 July 2025

    7.0
    It was over all great…
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Business Room with Three Double Beds and Partial Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The beds were not that comfy

    It was clean and staff was extremely nice

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 July 2025

    8.0
    Able to accommodate an early check in as we had a function @ 3.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Queen Room - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No tub mat

    Quiet,clean

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Business King Room with Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The complimentary breakfast was WEAK

    We got a corner room on the second floor with a patio and ocean views! Was lovely

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 July 2025

    9.0
    Nice place, easy to get to the wharf and boardwalk.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Business King Room with Ocean View - Non-Smoking
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The breakfast could have been better. The bed was a bit hard for me.

    The room was nice and roomy. They kept the hot tub open late for us which was a real treat!

    Stayed in July 2025

Showing 1 – 25

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