Hotel Paradox can guarantee an unforgettable stay in Santa Cruz if you travel for the holidays. 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 an intelligent 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, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness facility, a 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 close to downtown Santa Cruz’s nightlife. It’s also close to popular restaurants like Alderwood Santa Cruz, Hula’s Island Grill, and Soif Wine Bar.
Related: Support Santa Cruz Businesses Now

Accommodations
Room sizes range from 200 square feet in Petite Rooms and 250 square feet in Paradox Rooms to 450 square feet in Suites, with options for pool views or views of the city. Each nicely appointed guest room and suite has several impressive amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, an Illy coffee maker, a 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. These include a Paradox Pet Package with gourmet treats and an oversized dog pillow and a “Thursday is the New Friday” package, with 15 percent off the room rate for a three-night stay. Moreover, if you book online, you have other discount options. For example, there are discounts for older adults, AAA members, military members, and more.
Related: More Santa Cruz Businesses to Support
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 several accessible features. For example, they have 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 prohibited in the food service areas and the pool deck.
Dining
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Solaire is an impressive restaurant specializing in inventive California cuisine. The restaurant offers breakfast, all-day, and dinner menus; there is a particular emphasis on seasonal fresh produce, high-quality seafood, and livestock sourced from local purveyors. Among the current selections on the dinner menu are Local Halibut with Prawns and a 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, there 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, active swimmers, and families with children. The pool facility also offers an outdoor bar, spacious jacuzzi, lounge chairs, cabanas, and fire pits. Moreover, the facility also has a table tennis table and lawn games. If that’s not enough, the fitness center offers cardio, free weights, and core equipment. Guests may also rent BLIX retro-style electric bikes or an Inboard electric skateboard inside the lobby.
Off-Site Activities
Santa Cruz is well known for its wealth of outdoor activities, and hotel guest services can recommend 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. This golf course 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 provides several set-up designs for large gatherings like receptions, theater, banquets, and conferences. The hotel is also a trendy wedding venue with multiple options and in-house catering services.
Services
Valet and on-site self-parking are available for just $15 and $10, respectively. The hotel maintains a portable business center and offers a courtesy vehicle for nearby attractions.
Live Music/Special Events
Hotel Paradox hosts several ongoing special events and regularly plays live music. Taco Tuesdays include 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 works closely with local businesses like Midtown Surf Shop and Yoso Wellness Spa.
Related: Empress by Boon: Michelin-Caliber Dining in Chinatown
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 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.
