Torch Lite Inn

We came from Las Vegas for four days and had a cozy, very clean room on the second floor facing the boardwalk. It's so close that we could walk over and enjoy the coast. This will definitely be our go-to place.

I stay at the Torch Lite Inn in Santa Cruz whenever I visit my kids at UCSC. It's just minutes from the beach and boardwalk, and the location is perfect for seeing them. Room 220 was clean, comfortable, and had everything I needed. The friendly service and how well-kept the room was really stood out. I'll be back.

The room was exceptionally clean, and the beds were comfortable. We were greeted by a fellow who may have been the owner, I'm not sure, and he was incredibly friendly and helpful. It's literally just a few minutes from the boardwalk. We'd definitely stay here again.

We chose this hotel ahead of time because it advertised a pool for children. When we arrived, we learned it was under construction and unavailable, which hadn't been disclosed. There was no compensation or discount for the closed pool or for the time and emotional energy we spent trying to sort things out during our vacation. The kids accidentally left a small candy stain on the sheets. It seemed like something ordinary housekeeping could handle with routine cleaning or perhaps a little bleach, and we left the housekeeping staff a $15 tip. Still, we were told the $50 housekeeping deposit would be kept, with no room for discussion. For a minor stain and the usual wear and tear from children, that felt excessive and unreasonable. After I posted my first review, the owner contacted me, apologized for the damage assessment being exaggerated, and offered to refund the $50. I changed my rating from one star to two, but wanted to keep the full experience on record. The whole thing left me feeling taken advantage of, the sort of experience I associate more with travel in less regulated places. In the United States, I expect businesses to show more accountability, transparency, and fairness. I hope the owner takes this feedback seriously and handles future customers with more care.