All Photos by Garrick Ramirez
Since the surf-crazed 1960s, the Dream Inn hotel has delighted visitors with its beachfront setting and immediate proximity to iconic local attractions such as the Santa Cruz Wharf and Beach Boardwalk-both clearly visible from each of the property’s guest rooms. Now, the sunny property welcomes guests with a spiffy new renovation of its 165 rooms, pool deck, and lobby.
RETRO REFRESH
Every inch of the Dream Inn-from guest rooms to pool deck to restaurant and lounge-is geared to maximize its spectacular waterfront vistas. If there’s a ho-hum view somewhere on the property, we have yet to see it (we can’t swear to this, but we suspect even the janitorial closet rocks a killer view). The property’s cheery, retro-mod motif got a stylish upgrade with new guest rooms that feature modern furnishings, surfboard-inspired tables, and Instagram-worthy geometric wallpaper. Downstairs, a new lounge-like lobby is bedecked with surfboards, a vintage juke, and a mobile coffee cart brewing up espresso drinks from local fave, Verve Coffee Roasters.
POOL PARTY
The Dream Inn’s remodel also included a refresh of the waterfront pool deck with additional seating, fire pits, and a modern surf shack-like pool bar. Throughout spring break and summer 2018, the popular pool deck transforms into a non-stop pool party. Nab some tacos from the street taco bar (daily, 12-4pm), get inked by an airbrush tattoo artist (Fridays, 1:30pm-3pm), and customize a mimosa to sip while enjoying front row views of the mellow waves and frolicking kids at Cowell Beach (Saturday & Sunday, 10am-12pm).
BREW CRUZ
The Dream Inn will also help you take the party on the road. The hotel’s lobby is the departure point for a new weekend brewery tour from our pals at Brew Cruz. For $45 a person, you can get a taste of Santa Cruz’s vibrant craft brew scene via a gleaming 1964 split-window VW bus (note the clock which is always set to 5 o’clock). After touring four local breweries, you’ll be welcomed back to the Dream Inn with happy hour prices at the Jack O’Neill Lounge.
