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Carousel Motel: Traveler Reviews

110 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 110 Rivers
Hotel amenities
Carousel Motel
Ranked #21 of 51 hotels in Santa Cruz
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65 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    12
    26
    18
    6
    3
Date Rating
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“close to the boardwalk”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed October 18, 2012

The hotel is directly across the street form the many enterence of the boardwalk. The thing is the boardwalk location is kind of ghetto. The are a lot of bums and pan handles everywhere. The room itself was average smelt bad couldn't figure out what it smelt like but it wasn't good. The price was good for what you got.

  • Stayed November 2011, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Sbitb2005 about Carousel Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Visalia, California
1 review
“Stay all the time...ALWAYS enjoy it!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 10, 2012

I stay here as often as possible, usually between 6 and 10 times a year. The hotel is clean and safe, the staff is ALWAYS lovely, and the location literally cannot be beat if you're there for the boardwalk. It's SO convenient to get up in the morning, enjoy their continental breakfast, head to the beach to have a nice walk, get your wristband for the day and then just enjoy the place. No worrying about parking or remembering to take everything you need to the beach, then worrying about what to do with it while you're on the rides. They're kind enough to offer parking before and after your checkout. If you get tired and want a nap or just need to use the facilities, the short walk from there back to your room is such a godsend. I go back and forth between the beach and the room all day long while I'm there. I promise I'm not employed by Carousel, they're just that good! Haha. I'll be back in 2 weeks, Carousel! :)

Room Tip: I prefer rooms with a balcony. Get one facing the boardwalk during the summer. It's lovely to or...
See more room tips
  • Stayed July 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask ChCam about Carousel Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sacramento, CA
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Convenient, Clean, Courteous”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 19, 2012

Have stayed here many times. It is located across the street from the amusement park and within walking distance of the wharf.
Prices are reasonable, considering the location.
A free continental breakfast is provided every morning.
Have never had a problem with loud noises or obstreperous guests.

  • Stayed September 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask bigrod52 about Carousel Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
PILOT HILL, CA
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Convenient but .....”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed September 17, 2012

You can't bet the convenience if you are spending the majority of your time at the Boardwalk, beach and Wharf but the price was so high for what you got. The rooms are small and the parking situation is challenging. We took the 2 grandchildren and there just wasn't enough room for 4 and all of our stuff.

  • Stayed September 2012, traveled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask STOVETOP4YOU about Carousel Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Santa Rosa
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“View of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed September 6, 2012

We could see Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from our room at this motel.! That was one of the perks for staying at a motel directly across the street from this amusement park. We could sit on our balcony and watch the roller coaster's ups and downs. Yes, it was a little noisy, but not after the rides shut down at 11 p.m., and after a day spent on the beach and on all the thrilling boardwalk rides, sleep came easy in our clean, comfortable room. Complimentary breakfast is included with the room, and there is always fresh coffee in the lobby. The front desk clerks were friendly and accommodating. The only flaw was some backed up brownish, sandy water in the bathroom sink, fortunately not while we were using it. It sounded like a coffee percolator, but it
drained completely. We mentioned this to the manager, and they admitted knowing that they occasionally had problems with sandy water in some sinks. It didn't hamper our stay, and we
wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Carousel the next time we return to Santa Cruz.

Room Tip: Overlook the street if you want a view of the park, and maybe hear some street noise in the night...
See more room tips
  • Stayed August 2012, traveled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Ravenmagniac about Carousel Motel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about Carousel Motel

Also Known As:
Carousel Hotel
Carousel Motel Santa Cruz
Carousel Hotel Santa Cruz
Carousel Santa Cruz
Address: 110 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 110 Rivers
Region: United States > California > Santa Cruz
Hotel Style:
#2 Best Value Hotels in Santa Cruz
Price Range: $
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The family-friendly Carousel Motel is just steps away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Main Beach. ... more   less 
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