Chaminade Resort & Spa

Overlooking the Bay and Santa Cruz

Warm, understated colors, tasteful, comfortable chairs throughout the hotel. A patio/veranda view from the restaurant that puts you above the fog in the evenings and an expansive view of the Bay and Santa Cruz by late morning. The food was wonderful, but overpriced. The rooms have great soft beds with warm comforters. Nice spa, pool and volleyball area. Great for conventions because everything you need is there. For the curious and new to Santa Cruz, unless you are looking to retreat from everything, the drive down the hill into Soquel/Santa Cruz is not one you could walk. You will need a car and good directions.

Hotel Good; Restaurant Poor

If you are just there for the room, spa, and surroundings, this can be a very good place. Tried the spa and it was excellent. You are a bit away from the rest of Santa Cruz and if you stay there to eat, I am thinking you may be disappointed. Food was at "good restaurant" prices, but not quality. This is just one opinion, but an aritchoke dish was disappointing, vegetables somewhat overcooked and tasteless, and pork dish spiced in a way that was overly strong. We were there in October. This might be an off-season problem.

We would never stay there again...

My husband and I decided to try this hotel for 5 nights. We lasted only 4 nights. Expedia was kind enough to let us out of our pre-paid contract. Place was terribly overpriced. Our room was damp and moldy. The heater nor the air conditioner worked. The room had no refrigerator. No machines at the hotel to get a soda.Room security was weak. TV too far from bed to see anything worthwhile.The worst part was the restaurant. It was closed and everyone was forced to eat in the grill/sports bar which was loud and rowdy. The meals were overpriced. We paid $29.00 for a pork chop, a scoop of mashed potatoes and a carrot. Sparse servings, too. We only ate two meals there. The spa was adequate. We paid way too much for massages. More than on a cruise ship. They were not especially good massages either. All of the spa services on the menu were way too high priced. The exercise room was old, damp and dreary. The women’s steam and sauna needed a facelift. The nature/hiking trail was just a trail in the bramble bushes amongst some redwoods. No scenery to speak of. Last but not least, Santa Cruz is a major dive. The small houses by the beach are almost tenements filled with college students. The boardwalk was under construction and closed down. The highlight of this pricey experience was a local restaurant called Lillian’s Italian - great food, It was the best part of our trip. Oh, yes and Gail’s restaurant for breakfast is a must. Delicious!

Traveler's tip

Stay home. This place is not going to make it although they are half heartedly trying. Somebody poured money into renovations but it was not enough to please us. The pool looked good and the tennis courts were nice.