Islander Motel Santa Cruz

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Islander Motel Santa Cruz

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

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
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Mystery Spot
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(16 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Family Room

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

Family Room, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking

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

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

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

Similar properties

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.

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 - 3 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

  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬4 min walk
  • Starbucks
  • 四姐 Special Noodle
  • ‪Woodstock's Pizza Santa Cruz - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Abbott Square Market - ‬10 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.

Languages

English

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. 399 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 388 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 120 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 42 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 53 out of 1002 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

10/10 Excellent

sherrie

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brent

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Sonia

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

10/10 Excellent

Howard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
our stay was great. Even though it is on a major through street, it was quiet at night
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Esmeralda

Disliked: Staff & service
Overall room was clean. However front staff specifically Moe provided terrible customer service. Upon checking in, he couldn't confirm my booking and my credit card was charged twice.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very clean. Simple and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Steven Lawrence

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Laura

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Matthew

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rude check in
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kurtis

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

8/10 Good

Adam

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alicia

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Desy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This has been an easy chexk
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick Armstrong

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

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and knowledgeable office staff.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anita

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

Comfortable

Nice visit as usual. Rose was great and very accomodating. Will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pleasantness of staff.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rita

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a motel not so far from UC Santa Cruz and an ideal place to stay when visiting your "Slug." The parking was very lit and quite empty on Saturday night; the lady at the reception appeared very polite and with good customer skills; the prices were competitive; the shower - updated; the bed - comfy and there was even an iron and a drier, as well as a microwave and a fridge in the room. The only thing that was missing was a coffee maker and water in the outside Cold Drinks machine... but the coffee maker was not advertised as "available" in the description anyway, so I have nothing to complain about! I'd recommend this place to anyone who passes by Santa Cruz and UCSC!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was kind and helpful
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Fidel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything is good
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025