Howard Johnson Inn Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

To start it off, I had a three hour drive and got here at 7 pm on a tuesday night. I booked my trip on orbitz and when I booked it gave me 2 options, OCEAN VIEW or PARTIAL ocean view, I clicked "OCEAN VIEW." It was the only thing I really wanted when coming here. So I have my itenarary in hand when I walk in with a confirmation number and the price off 408 dollars for 3 nights right on the printed Itenerary it says OCEAN VIEW room so when I go in to get my keys and fill out the form the lady wporking gives me a room in the back. I asked her how is that an ocean view room when its in the back, her reply was, "its a partial ocean view" (which I don't even see how it was that) So I then had to dispute what was clearly stated on my itenarary, call orbitz, orbitz called the hotel, the hotel tried to say I picked my room, which how in the hell could I pick my room when that is not even an option when getting one. Orbitz apologized and blamed the hotel, and the hotel blamed me. They did finally resolve by giving me an "ocean view" on the bottom floor so when we go to walk in the room we look out the screen door and all we see is building and a little tiny bit of the ocean. So if anything I do believe this is the Partial View room. Somebody needs to get their advertising straight. The pictures are not like the hotel, they glorify it and make it much better than what it is.

great position for beach and funfair both within 10 minutes stroll,room clean and does the job,staff on the ball and polite.When the owner found out that we had a major problem with our rental car he phoned Alamo and got things moving,a great guy.Will go back (with a proper car)

We stayed here for one night for part of our honeymoon in July 2007. The place was dumpy, but fit into our budget and has a great location. We thought it would be nice to go back for part of our anniversary this year 2010. A couple of weeks ago, we made reservations for two rooms (with our friends). Our friends needed to cancel their stay due to his job. So, we called and wanted to change our reservation for 2 days later, since that date actually worked better for us. Their computers were down (they were down the first time we called, too), so they transfered us to their central reservation office. That lady could not find our reservation, just our friend's one room. So, I said okay, let's just start over and make a new reservation. The price jumped $50.00 more and she could not guarantee the room we wanted. Which they guaranteed the right room the first time. I thought that was the purpose of making reservations! She responded, that well 20 minutes ago someone could have asked for the same thing. So, it could not be guaranteed. I was not going to drive all the way there to not be guaranteed a room! She also explained that there was (suddenly) a 2 night minimum, which was not mentioned the first time. So, she transfered my call back to their front desk, and the lady did not have me on hold (just laid the phone down) and I could hear everything she was saying to the people checking in. Some long (uneccesary) story about her sister wanting to move to Norway for better seafood. Then she came back to the phone and said hold on, and was being chewed out by a lady mad that could not get utilize their safe because management was not in. Then she came back and starting typing my info into her computer, getting my credit card number and address a couple of times because her computer kept failing. I asked how much the room was and NOW it was an additional $76.00! In one phone call, the price went up twice! She said, well we're busy. After 25 minutes of this very unprofessional treatment, I told her forget about it, I wouldn't stay there if she paid me to, the service was awful, first they lose our reservation, then raise the price twice in one phone call and could not guarantee our room, and she was very rude and starting raising her voice to me! These people need some serious customer service training! FORGET THIS PLACE! For that same amount of money, we booked a room ON THE WATER close by, in a nicer place, and it only took five minutes.

my birthday so called hottub on sat night was closes at 8 pm and the tv in my room that said over looked ocean which means bike park/ walf/ way out there ocean the tv fell on my foot and they charged us 300 it was my bday 7/7/07 and for the price they charged us was over priced low budget breakfast was the worst i have ever had in a place that charged 250 a night was my loss there less spending on everything..

Prices very high. Location is perfect for beach and wharf, close walk to both. Staff always accommadating and friendly. Rooms are clean and comfortable.We go back at least twice a year.

Loved the balcony and view! The room was so smelly we had to leave the slider open. The bathtub took forever to drain, the toilet barely flushed and one of the lamps didn't work. The paint was dirty and the furnishings were badly beat up. Carpet needs to go too. This hotel needs a total rehab!

Our stay in the motel was just great and my family and I will come back again.The rooms are very clean and the beds are just perfect after a long day at the boardwalk or on the pier.The family and I had a great time

It's a bit pricy during the summer months and on weekends but I stopped a gas station and picked up a Trave Coupon Guide book and got the room for only $59. Of cours, my stay was Sunday night thur Tuesday, which are typically the cheapest nights in any hotel. Plus, I was there in late September and the rates had dropped a bit anyway. It's a GREAT motel, just a walk from the beach and a very nice room, almost perfect. The room was clean, it had a microwave and refigerator and a nice size room for the money. Can't beat the location!!!!!!!

The staff was so helpful for two out of towners. Everything was clean and laid out for us. The front desk made sure we had evertyhing that we needed.

We really enjoyed our stay at this Ramada hotel in Santa Cruz-- perfectly located near everything. And- it's one of the few places that had AirConditioning, even though rarely needed. We can't wait to return with the whole family next year. Mr.and Mrs J.Pollet New Orleans, La.