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Summary of reviews'Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk' is largely praised by guests for its stellar location in Santa Cruz. Just a short 5-10 minute walk to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the beach and downtown Santa Cruz, it offers convenient access to many of the city's key attractions. The motel is set back from the main road, ensuring a quiet and serene environment while remaining at the heart of the city’s activities. The surrounding area is described as clean and pleasant for walking and exploring.
The rooms at Torch Lite Inn are another highlight, characterized by their cleanliness, comfort and modern renovations. Guests appreciate the spacious accommodations, new furniture and updated kitchen appliances like coffee machines, microwaves and refrigerators. While there are occasional issues with dim lighting or tight spaces, the general feedback regarding room quality is positive.
Cleanliness standards at the inn are notably high with guests frequently commending the fresh and tidy rooms maintained by a diligent housekeeping team. The property itself is also well-kept, contributing to an inviting atmosphere.
Staff at the inn receive numerous accolades for their friendliness and professionalism. Names like Kevin and Carlos stand out for their exceptional service and overall, the personnel are described as attentive and courteous, creating a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.
While the WiFi service at the inn receives mixed reviews, those who experience good connectivity appreciate it. However, complaints about slow speeds and intermittent connectivity suggest that improvements could be beneficial.
The hotel's parking situation is a mixed bag. Guests appreciate the availability of free, monitored parking, yet the parking area is often described as tight and challenging. Despite these constraints, the surveillance and availability of handicap spaces provide some security and convenience.
Beds at Torch Lite Inn generally garner positive feedback for comfort and cleanliness with guests praising their spaciousness and ample pillows. Nonetheless, some guests experience issues with firmness or old mattresses, indicating room for improvement.
Accessibility features of the inn are commendable, although the absence of an elevator and some logistical concerns are noted. Despite these minor drawbacks, the hotel's proximity to main attractions and its accessible environment make it a practical choice for most visitors.
One consistent area of disappointment is the lack of breakfast offerings, which many guests had expected based on previous advertisements. This lack, combined with the remodeling of the pool, does detract from the overall experience for some.
In summary, 'Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk' offers a convenient, clean and comfortable stay with modern amenities and a friendly staff, making it a popular choice for visitors to Santa Cruz. However, minor improvements in WiFi, parking and breakfast offerings could enhance the overall guest experience. Show more
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Motel with Parking
Free parking is available at the Torch Lite Inn. This makes it easy for guests to park their vehicles without extra charges.
Accessible Motel
Room Types
King RoomOffering free Wi-Fi, this air-conditioned room includes a 40-inch LCD TV with HBO film channels, a work desk, a coffee machine and an en suite bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Microwave and refrigerator provided upon request.
Double RoomThe spacious double room features air conditioning, parquet floors, as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. This double room offers heating and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.3
Good
Location
'Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk' boasts an exemplary location, making it a popular choice for guests seeking convenience and accessibility in Santa Cruz. The hotel is situated within walking distance to many of the city's key attractions, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the beach itself and downtown Santa Cruz. The boardwalk is consistently highlighted as being just a short, enjoyable walk away, typically around 5-10 minutes, which makes it easy for guests to reach amusement park rides, restaurants, shops and the pier.
The central positioning of the motel offers guests a quiet yet accessible environment—set back enough from the main road to avoid excessive traffic noise, yet close enough to be at the heart of activities within minutes. This balance creates a comfortable stay for those looking to enjoy the beach and boardwalk while having an easy return to a tranquil base.
The area around the hotel is described as nice and clean, making it a pleasant place for walking and exploring the local attractions. Many guests emphasize the convenience of being able to walk to the beach, amusement park and downtown areas, allowing them to leave their cars parked and enjoy their surroundings more intimately.
Overall, the location of 'Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk' stands out as a significant advantage among guest reviews, contributing positively to their overall experience in Santa Cruz.
Breakfast
Guests at the Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk have consistently noted the lack of breakfast offerings during their stay. Many were disappointed to find that despite booking with the expectation of breakfast being accommodated, there was no complimentary or continental breakfast available. Some guests found this particularly inconvenient as they were expecting at least a basic setup with coffee or tea. The establishment did not offer any form of morning meals, which was a letdown for those who relied on the website's advertisement of breakfast services. Additionally, it was mentioned that the pool was not available due to remodeling, but apart from these aspects, many found their overall experience to be as expected.
Rooms
At Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk, guests frequently praised the hotel's rooms for their cleanliness, comfort and modern updates. The rooms were described as spacious, well-equipped and newly remodeled, featuring new beds, furniture and updated kitchen appliances such as coffee machines, microwaves and refrigerators. Many guests appreciated the aesthetic appeal of the rooms, highlighting the modern designs, fresh decor and nice color schemes.
The size of the rooms, although varying, was generally found to be adequate with some guests specifically noting large and spacious accommodations. Rooms were often described as comfortable, featuring amenities that contributed to a pleasant stay, such as comfy beds and adequate lighting, though a few mentioned issues like dim lighting or tight spaces.
The overall condition of the hotel was noted as clean and newly renovated, providing a fresh and modern feel. Guests found the properties and rooms to be well-maintained and tidy, living up to the descriptions and pictures provided online. Despite a few mentions of outdated furnishings and minor maintenance issues like broken floors or see-through curtains, the general consensus was positive.
In summary, the Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk offers guests clean, comfortable and modern accommodations with updated amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for visitors to the Santa Cruz area.
Beds
The beds at Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk have generally received positive feedback from guests with many finding them comfortable, clean and spacious. Descriptions such as very comfortable, incredibly comfy and large were commonly used. The presence of ample pillows and bed sizes also contributed to guest satisfaction, emphasizing a good night's sleep.
However, reviews reveal some inconsistencies. While many guests appreciated the comfort, a few experienced firmness or discomfort. Some mentioned that the beds were on the uncomfortable side with occasional reports of old, hard mattresses. Cleanliness of the beds was mentioned positively, though a few guests found bed sheets stained and the mattresses very old. Pillows also received mixed feedback; although some were clean, many were noted to be flat.
Despite these discrepancies, the overall impression is that most guests enjoyed a restful experience on the hotel's beds. Substantial efforts in maintaining comfort seem evident, but some room for improvement remains to ensure a consistently cozy experience for all visitors.
Cleanliness
Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk consistently receives positive remarks for its cleanliness. With rooms that are frequently described as very clean, newly remodeled, modern and comfortable, the property maintains high standards of hygiene. Guests repeatedly highlight the fresh and clean ambiance of the rooms, often noting clean linens, spotless floors and a general sense of tidiness. The hotel’s housekeeping team is praised for their diligence and attention to detail, ensuring that every room smells fresh and looks immaculate. The property itself is well-kept, contributing to an inviting stay that is both convenient and accessible.
Staff
The Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk consistently receives praise for its friendly and helpful staff. Many guests found the front desk personnel to be welcoming, accommodating and professional. Names like Kevin and Carlos were often mentioned for their exceptional patience and kindness. Several reviews highlight the manager's swift resolution of issues and friendly demeanor. In general, the staff are described as attentive, courteous and eager to assist with any questions or needs. However, there were occasional concerns about slow service at the front desk with some guests finding certain staff members unhelpful or rude. Despite these occasional lapses, the overwhelming sentiment is positive with many guests appreciating the polite, responsive and family-friendly atmosphere created by the hardworking team at Torch Lite Inn.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk is somewhat mixed. While free WiFi is available to guests, the connection quality can vary. Some guests have noted that the WiFi is good and offers a decent connection, but others have experienced issues such as slow speeds, weak signals and intermittent connectivity. The internet speed is considered okay by some, though it may not be the fastest and can be inconsistent. It appears that the WiFi coverage does not reach all the rooms and there can be periods with no connectivity at all. Overall, while there are positive mentions of good WiFi, the service could benefit from improvements to ensure more stable and widespread coverage throughout the hotel.
Parking
Parking at the Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk has received mixed reviews from guests with notable positive aspects. Guests appreciated the availability of free parking and plenty of surveillance cameras ensuring safety. Many found the parking to be convenient and easy with some mentioning monitored parking spaces. The presence of handicap parking was also noted.
However, parking at the inn is generally described as limited with a tight and somewhat challenging parking area due to small spaces and inconsiderate drivers taking up more than one spot. The parking lot behind the hotel offers most of the spaces, though it can be tight and not always sufficient for the number of rooms. On-street parking appears to be a viable alternative for those who struggle to find a spot on the property.
Overall, while the parking situation can be tight and certain aspects like the parking in the alley with security concerns have been pointed out, free and monitored parking options provide a level of convenience and security for guests.
Accessible
Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk boasts remarkable accessibility features, making it an excellent choice for guests with disabilities. The inn is conveniently located just a short walk from the boardwalk and the beach, making it easy to access and enjoy the local attractions. The hotel's location is a major plus, as it is newly remodeled and situated in an area that is easily walkable.
While the hotel offers accessible parking spaces, it's worth noting that there are limited spots available. However, overall accessibility remains a positive for the property. Some guests have mentioned the lack of an elevator for reaching the second floor, which could be a consideration for those with mobility concerns.
Despite a few logistical concerns such as no free shampoo or conditioner, as well as the absence of a closet in some rooms, Torch Lite Inn provides a comfortable stay. The drawback of neighborhood safety for women has been noted, yet the hotel's access to key attractions and essential amenities overshadows these issues for many guests.
Though there were mentions of noise complaints, the inn's proximity to the beach and boardwalk remains a significant advantage, offering guests a practical and enjoyable stay.
No, Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk.
No, Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk.
No, Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk doesn't have a gym.