Reviews of Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection 4 stars
611 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
#26 of 59 hotels in Santa Cruz
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 449 hotel reviews
8.1Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
8.7
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Comfort
8.8
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Location
8.3
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Facilities
8.5
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Staff
8.7
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Value for money
7.9
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Free WiFi
8.9
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Reviewed: 26 August 2025
Molly
United States27 reviews3 helpful votes9.0“Cool renovated hotel was a nice comfortable base for exploring the Santa cruz area”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Location was a little far from the boardwalk and the beach. Neighborhood not as nice as the hotel. Barn door to bathroom was a little difficult to operate and a little out of place with the vibe of the decor
Loved that they reimagined the old hotel. The front desk made from a huge piece of redwood was amazing. Comfortable beds. Good breakfast. Rooms were very quiet. In room coffee was good
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 24 August 2025
Amina
United States3 reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The room is tiny for more than 2 people is hard to move around. I also dont like these restroom doors that slides and dont locks so everybody can hear what’s going on inside
The room was very clean. I really liked the breakfast at that place and the pool was nice, location is also great 5 minutes from all the spots.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 24 August 2025
Bill
United States1 review7.0“see above”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
WAY overpriced
cool hotel
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 19 August 2025
Jennifer
United Kingdom1 review8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Modern and lively. The DJ by the pool was great, and we liked that this finished at 6pm also. It felt like a great family friendly hotel.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 18 August 2025
Kelly
United States5 reviews7.0“Better for a long stay.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Location.
Great on the inside. Rough around the edges. I think it was overpriced by a lot!
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 12 August 2025
Pauline
France65 reviews9 helpful votes7.0“Great location and confortable rooms but to pricey”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Cozy Room, One Queen Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The price is way too expensive for a hotel of this style
The hotel is nice, the room was very spacious, confortable. The location is great, walking distance from very nice neighborhoods and shopping locations
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 2 August 2025
Jenny
United Kingdom43 reviews8.0“Comfortable hotel in edgy area”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The area around the hotel feels very run down with lots of tramps in the nearby park and on the streets. We didn’t feel comfortable walking into town in the evening and chose to take a taxi. The hotel is a little far out from the boardwalk.
Comfortable beds, nice pool and lounge areas.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: 26 July 2025
Michael
Switzerland12 reviews5 helpful votes9.0“Great place to hangout”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Clear communication re breakfast (which was included in Booking but not clear on Site)
Great vibe, lobby and pool
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 18 July 2025
Kerrie
United States15 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Convenient home away from home while on business”- • Business trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
The pillows were a bit lumpy. The barn door on the bath does not
The lobby! Great for remote work. The staff were great!
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 12 July 2025
Hadas
Israel20 reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Dont pay for pool view. all the room have that view... And it is when you open the room. I read that they give smooth or something and when i remembered and ask, it was to late. Mainly - we met 4 different people in the front desk. One was nice and 3 were not nice and rude
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 10 July 2025
Eliza
United States6 reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed, Pool View
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
For the cost per night the amenities are pretty basic.
The location is pretty centralized and quite walking distance to the downtown Santa Cruz area
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 7 July 2025
Jill
United States14 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Will be back! Our kids loved the pool and the staff is so friendly.”- • With a pet
- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King Bed, Sofabed
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Very family friendly/dog friendly and beautiful property in great location!
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 4 July 2025
Rachel
United States8 reviews8.0“Just fine for one night.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Not a lot of attention to detail. Things like the toilet paper was too thick for the holder so it was hard to get, the end of the moulding wasn’t painted, the wallpaper was peeling. Stuff like that. Also, we made a reservation on OpenTable for the restaurant for 9:00 which was when we got in and they told us the kitchen was closed. Don’t accept reservations for when the kitchen is closed!
Convenient location. Bed was very comfortable. Shower had great pressure. It was quiet.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: 23 June 2025
Alexander
United States1 review1 helpful vote9.0“Overall beautiful place! Clean, beautiful, and amazing amenities”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Parking is $28 😬 was hit with that at the counter. Not a usual fee in Santa Cruz
Really great place.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 16 June 2025
Emma
United States13 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds, Pool View
- • Stayed 1 night
Shower stall pebble floor looked good but was a little sticky/ dirty? vIt was graduation weekend so more expensive and in high demand
Beds, room, pool, lounge area are all comfortable and well decorated (art everywhere in the lounge/ entry foyer and pool area.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 10 June 2025
Andrii
United States17 reviews2 helpful votes8.0“Would recommend to stay there except pricy parking”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
$30 per day for parking is not fair. A lot of free spaces in parking lo. Parking itself from hotel should not cost so much because it is not sea shore line
Cool pool party on Sunday with music. Clean and bright
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 7 June 2025
Carl
United States3 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“I would go back”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The room and bathroom sizes are tight.
The beeed… the mattress, the comforter!! Now I’ll be dreaming about having my own Marriott Simmons one. The room size was just ok for two Q size beds. The bathroom was freshly renovated and clean but no toilet privacy. I loved the shower lighting detail, it looks like day light.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 4 June 2025
Michael
United States62 reviews13 helpful votes8.0“Ok hotel but far from top attractions and restaurants.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Cozy Room, One Queen Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Parking fee is high for location
Nice bar in lobby
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: 23 May 2025
Erin
United States26 reviews8.0“Good place to stay in Santa Cruz though we wish it was nicer.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Cozy Room, One Queen Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Rooms are small and tend to be loud—doors slam, people talking loudly.
We loved have a pool and a restaurant at the hotel.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 1 May 2025
Stephanie
United States39 reviews3 helpful votes7.0“Pleasant stay for a girls trip”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Not much to do in the vicinity.
Unique and repurposed property. Pretty decor.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 23 March 2025
Debra
United States2 reviews8.0“this is a good hotel worth the money wish dinner menu was better”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 2 nights
shower in room dirty grout
did not eat breakfast there
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 28 February 2025
Meri
United States6 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Fab stay in a very unique hotel”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 2 Queen Beds, Pool View
- • Stayed 1 night
Pricey food and drinks
Fab hotel in a great location 15 minute pretty walk to main strip Pacific Ave. The hotel has a great vibe - fun pool/bar/hot tub area. Lobby is really nice - staff super helpful and courteous. Our room faced the pool on 4th floor. I have seen other reviews about dirty rooms and rude service - not the case at all with us. The food and drink are pricey $30 for 2 cocktails, $45 for a muffin, egg sandwich and 2 coffees but the service was nice and so was the atmosphere. There are really limited rooms with a pool view and honestly since the windows face the outdoor walkway with folks walking by, you end up closing the shades for privacy so not such a big deal to get a regular room - just ask for a higher floor. (The first floor rooms I would stay away from - dark, you look at hedges and not private - especially around the entrances will be loud - banging gates)
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 27 February 2025
Riedel
United States5 reviews3 helpful votes9.0Superb- • Business trip
- • Couple
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The hanging/open bathroom door. Put real doors on the joint, and have a loud fan. No one wants to hear/smell their partners restroom remnants. The drinks at the bar are stupid expensive.
Nice place, nice hotel.
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 1 January 2025
Jennifer
United States2 reviews7.0“Not Bad”- • Business trip
- • Family with young children
- • Guest Room, 1 King Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
This was my second time staying there, and the staffing is still an issue.
The modern interior design.
Stayed in December 2024
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