Hotel Paradox: Upscale Santa Cruz Lodging & Dining

If you’re traveling for the holidays Hotel Paradox can guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable stay in Santa Cruz. Coupled with its prime central location and affordable rates, this chic hotel offers some of the best value in the city. Learn why Hotel Paradox is a smart choice when visiting what’s known as the real Surf […]

Main entrance of Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz

If you’re traveling for the holidays Hotel Paradox can guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable stay in Santa Cruz. Coupled with its prime central location and affordable rates, this chic hotel offers some of the best value in the city. Learn why Hotel Paradox is a smart choice when visiting what’s known as the real Surf City.

About Hotel Paradox

611 Ocean St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-7100
www.hotelparadox.com

Conveniently located along the main thoroughfare to the world famous Beach Boardwalk, Hotel Paradox is one of the leading boutique hotels in Santa Cruz. An integral part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the pet friendly Hotel Paradox features 170 guest rooms and suites, outdoor swimming pool, fitness facility, meeting space and the acclaimed restaurant and bar Solaire.

Location

With its central spot on Ocean Street, Hotel Paradox is also near many of Santa Cruz’s top attractions. For instance, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Wharf and Beach Boardwalk. Other popular attractions nearby include Natural Bridges State Beach, Seymour Marine Center and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. In addition to Solaire restaurant, the hotel is also close to the nightlife in downtown Santa Cruz. It’s also close to popular restaurants like Alderwood Santa Cruz, Hula’s island Grill and Soif Wine Bar

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Petite Room with King Bed Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox Room (credit: Randy Yagi)

Accommodations

Room sizes range from a 200 square foot Petite Room and 250 square foot Paradox rooms to 450 square foot Suites, with options for pool views or views of the city. Each of the nicely appointed guest rooms and suites come equipped with a number of impressive amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, illy coffee maker, laptop sized safe and eco-friendly amenities. Additional conveniences include plush bedding, upscale furniture, in-room dining and bathrobes.

Current Specials

Hotel Paradox Santa Cruz offers an assortment of hotel specials. This includes a Paradox Pet Package with gourmet treats and oversized dog pillow and “Thursday is the New Friday” package, with 15 percent off the room rate for a three night stay. What’s more, if you book online have other discount options. For example, there are discounts for older adults, AAA members, military members and more.

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Accessibility

Hotel Paradox offers several accessible areas, including accessible self-parking and accessible guest rooms. Other accessible features are the registration desk pathway, two elevators and accessible routes to guest rooms. Accessible guest rooms also provide a number of accessible features. For example are wide entrances, bathtub grab bars, lowered deadbolt locks and lowered viewports. Additional features are TVs with close-captioning and toilet seats at wheelchair height.

Pets

Up to two pets per room are allowed and must be registered at check-in. A $50 non-refundable fee is required per room, per stay. Of course, service animals are always welcome. Registered dogs may receive a Paradox bow tie and special recognition on the lobby welcome board. Pets are not allowed in the food service areas and on the pool deck.

Dining

Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Solaire is an impressive restaurant that specializes in inventive California cuisine. The restaurant offers breakfast, all day and dinner menus, There is a special emphasis on seasonally fresh produce, and high quality seafood and livestock sourced from local purveyors. Among the current selections on the dinner menu are Local Halibut with Prawns and a very delicious vegan Gochjang Rice Noodle Sauté.

Desserts At Solaire

Guests should also save room for one of the restaurant’s exceptional desserts, with possible treats like Chocolate Torte and Bananas Foster. Solaire Restaurant + Bar also has a notable wine list, with local selections from Bargetto Winery and Bonny Doon Vineyards, as well as regional and international wines. The bar also features an array of draft and bottled beers. In addition are finely crafted cocktails, like Golden Ratio and Lotus Mandala with Blue Ice vodka.

Activities

The pool at Hotel Paradox is large enough for leisure and active swimmers, and families with children. The pool facility also offers an outdoor bar, spacious jacuzzi, several lounge chairs, cabanas and fire pits. What’s more, the facility also has a table tennis table and lawn games. If that’s not enough, the fitness center offers cardio equipment, free weights and core equipment. Inside the lobby, guests may also rent out BLIX retro-style electric bikes or an Inboard electric skateboard.

Off Site Activities

Santa Cruz is well known for its wealth of outdoor activities and hotel guest services can make recommendations for additional things to do. Among the top choices are hiking trails, sailing, tennis, beach volleyball, bowling, kayaking, surfing at Steamer Lane or Pleasure Point and championship caliber golf at Pasatiempo Golf Club. In fact, this golf was designed by the famed designer Alister MacKenzie.

Conference Space/Weddings

Hotel Paradox offers nearly 9,000 square feet of event space, including the 1,800 square foot poolside cabana lounge and 4,400 square foot Sequoia Ballroom. The hotel also offers several set-up designs for large gatherings like receptions, theater, banquets and conferences. The hotel is also a very popular wedding venue, with multiple options and in-house catering services.

Services

Valet parking and on-site self-parking is available for just $15 and $10 respectively. The hotel also maintains a portable business center. The hotel also offers a courtesy vehicle for nearby attractions.

Live Music/Special Events

Hotel Paradox hosts a number of ongoing special events and live music on a regular basis. Tuesdays are Taco Tuesdays, with two tacos and a craft beer for $10. In addition, Wednesdays offer yoga instruction and treats prepared by the chef de cuisine. The hotel also hosts Second Friday Artists Receptions and also works closely with local businesses like Midtown Surf Shop and Yoso Wellness Spa.

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About The Author

Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com. He earned a media fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.