Babbling Brook Inn
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Avg. $279 /night, 11/3 - 11/4
$299
per night
$276
per night
$252
per night
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Average
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About
4.5
#1 of 7 B&Bs in Santa CruzLocation
4.4
Rooms
4.4
Value
4.2
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.6
Sleep Quality
4.4
Babbling Brook Inn infuses contemporary design with the ageless architecture. As you arrive, you will feast your eyes on the stunning foliage, winding brick and stone pathways that weave through Babbling Brook Inn’s grounds. The generous wooden decks and balconies offer views of hillsides brimming with climbing vines, mature trees, and the waterwheel that is serviced by the creek that flows through our lush gardens. Thirteen elegant rooms with thoughtful touches, soft pastel color pallets, and a décor that integrates the works of renowned artists Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, and Tennyson which line the walls of each guest room. Meticulous attention to detail is apparent in every guestroom and the common areas within Babbling Brook Inn.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Hiking
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Fireplace
Private balcony
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Green
Location
1025 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4237
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 59 out of 100
59
San José Mineta International Airport
27.9 mi•
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Monterey Peninsula Airport
28.3 mi•
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Rental Cars
125 Restaurants
within 0.75 miles
448Reviews4Q+A95Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
Beautiful landscape, Covid and time has damaged this property.I loved the quiet! After Covid the Babellin Brook will be renovated. .and I will return to eat fine dining . Care takers and house keeping are very friendly, if looking fir a great place to stay in USA. Look for great inns of America.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The night I arrived in Santa Cruz was one of the most miserable of my life: the wait for the bus from San Jose had been frigid, it started raining when I arrived in Santa Cruz, George W. Bush was finally named president, and I got lost twice while I was trying to find my B&B, on foot, with a 60 lb. pack on my back that had been my home for the last 2 weeks of traveling around the U.S.
When I finally found laurel street, and walked up it to the Babbling Brook Inn, I was about ready to tip over.
But when I arrived, the hand-carved sign was lit up like a beacon. It was almost too good to be true. I walked up to my room (the Toulouse Leutrec) and practically collapsed on the bed. It was a bright, clean, welcoming room. I ejected my pack to the floor and immediately took off all my wet clothes; it was almost a crime to wear muddy clothes in such a clean room, and after a little reverse-engineering turned on the one(or two friendly)-person jacuzzi and warmed up. The complimentary chocolates I ate immediately as I had skipped dinner on the train, and one of the bottles of spring water I sipped in the jacuzzi. After a while I figured out how to work the faux fireplace and warmed up in some dry clothes. The little accoutriment that I thought was most original was the journal in the room for guests to write in and share their experiences.
I was too keyed up to sleep, so I watched some t.v., or at least I tried to; the television was in the closet, which doesn't surprise me as if I hadn't been on my own I wouldn't have even thought of watching t.v. The only reason why I found it was because I found a cable jack sticking out of the wall.
The buffet breakfast the next morning was excellent, with individual fruitada, coffee, tea, a selection of minimuffins, crossants, and if memory serves a few kinds of granola. The dining room was very comfortable with a large skylight and the chef was very friendly and coincidentally his parents were there and we all had a very pleasant conversation. I left to visit UCSC up the road and left later that afternoon to pack and leave, and I'm happy to report that the custom of the original owner, keep fresh cookies around all day, is still kept up. :)
Visit the place if you want to get away from it all, go on a romantic getaway, or simply rrrrelax for a day or two.
Anthony Tecce
When I finally found laurel street, and walked up it to the Babbling Brook Inn, I was about ready to tip over.
But when I arrived, the hand-carved sign was lit up like a beacon. It was almost too good to be true. I walked up to my room (the Toulouse Leutrec) and practically collapsed on the bed. It was a bright, clean, welcoming room. I ejected my pack to the floor and immediately took off all my wet clothes; it was almost a crime to wear muddy clothes in such a clean room, and after a little reverse-engineering turned on the one(or two friendly)-person jacuzzi and warmed up. The complimentary chocolates I ate immediately as I had skipped dinner on the train, and one of the bottles of spring water I sipped in the jacuzzi. After a while I figured out how to work the faux fireplace and warmed up in some dry clothes. The little accoutriment that I thought was most original was the journal in the room for guests to write in and share their experiences.
I was too keyed up to sleep, so I watched some t.v., or at least I tried to; the television was in the closet, which doesn't surprise me as if I hadn't been on my own I wouldn't have even thought of watching t.v. The only reason why I found it was because I found a cable jack sticking out of the wall.
The buffet breakfast the next morning was excellent, with individual fruitada, coffee, tea, a selection of minimuffins, crossants, and if memory serves a few kinds of granola. The dining room was very comfortable with a large skylight and the chef was very friendly and coincidentally his parents were there and we all had a very pleasant conversation. I left to visit UCSC up the road and left later that afternoon to pack and leave, and I'm happy to report that the custom of the original owner, keep fresh cookies around all day, is still kept up. :)
Visit the place if you want to get away from it all, go on a romantic getaway, or simply rrrrelax for a day or two.
Anthony Tecce
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is truly beautiful, I would rate it a 5 except for 2 things I didnt like 1 The High Price 2 The TV not working But who thinks about the tv when there is a jacuzzi tub and a featherbed right? :) Yes, everything is really clean, excellent service and nice shady setting. Close to the "boardwalk" and center of town. Would definetly recommend if you have a little extra money to spend on that special someone. Things I loved: -The Cleaness -The Whirlpool Tub - The Featherbed - The View (many windows w/ nice views) - and The Breakfast (yummy) ok well i hope this review was helpful to you.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm not sure when the photos of the rooms at the Babbling Brook Inn were taken, or if I just happened to get a really bad room (the Contessa Room), but the truth is that their online site in no way matches reality.
I had booked the room as a "sister's" trip and thought the rooms looked lovely. After calling an off-site person to obtain the key to the room, we were immediately hit with a musty smell upon entering the room. We were also taken aback by the fact that there were absolutely NO decorations on the walls, no books on the bookshelves, no window treatments, etc. Nothing that appears on the online photos. In addition, in the 1/2 hour we were in the room, my sister had to fix a broken chain in the toilet 2 times. There was no way we were going to be able to remain in the room for even an hour, let alone stay overnight!
The cost of the room ($280/night) was way out of line with the condition of the room. We did not take photos while we were there because we were focused on finding a different place to stay. Not sure what is going on at the Babbling Brook Inn but I would definitely not recommend staying here.
I had booked the room as a "sister's" trip and thought the rooms looked lovely. After calling an off-site person to obtain the key to the room, we were immediately hit with a musty smell upon entering the room. We were also taken aback by the fact that there were absolutely NO decorations on the walls, no books on the bookshelves, no window treatments, etc. Nothing that appears on the online photos. In addition, in the 1/2 hour we were in the room, my sister had to fix a broken chain in the toilet 2 times. There was no way we were going to be able to remain in the room for even an hour, let alone stay overnight!
The cost of the room ($280/night) was way out of line with the condition of the room. We did not take photos while we were there because we were focused on finding a different place to stay. Not sure what is going on at the Babbling Brook Inn but I would definitely not recommend staying here.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Terrible room and bathroom (Contessa Room)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This B&B used to be great, but it has gone WAY downhill. Do not stay here, and I don’t say that lightly. If this property were listed on air bnb they would be kicked off the platform for being TERRIBLE hosts! My 80 year old mom booked two nights here, when she arrived there was no one to help get the key and she wasn’t emailed any instructions. Finally someone showed up and informed her they didn’t have her reservation even though she showed her reservation confirmation. They then told her they’d accommodate her but she’d have to switch rooms for the second night. Ok. So the next day when she returned to check into her new room, AGAIN, no one was there to help. She finally got a hold of the person listed on the key box who gave her the code to the key box. However when we opened the key box her keys weren’t there. The person said she would come right over. That was 15 minutes ago we are still waiting. Contactless check-in only works if the hotel is organized. This place is not. Don’t waste your money, there are better options.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worst experience ever! We paid for a room we never got. BEWARE! We booked through Expedia and the property sent an email explaining the contact less checking. It was a code to a lockbox with all the other keys to the rooms in it. And our room was not ready. The door was wide open when we got to it and the room was in total disarray. When you called the number provided, you got a voicemail to a Mobile Home park. Leave a message, sure, but you won't get a response. When you ask for a refund to their non-refundable room, you're denied. Please don't fall for this trap.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Things to avoid.....this hotel!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for a long weekend. We arrived late at night, and it was cold and rainy. The room was freezing and damp. As others have said, no one was around to check us in (contactless check-in). It would have been nice to have the gas fireplace on to warm the room and make it feel somewhat welcoming. We cranked up the fireplace, piled on clothes and got into bed. The room was still cold when we woke up in the morning.
The room was dated, carpet shabby, bathroom old. Coffee supplies and toiletries were put in small paper shoping bags. We had a room close to the street and we could hear traffic all night long. There were many outdoor lights on all night, and light came in widows that did not have curtains/blinds. The place would have been fine for a $100 or less room, but we spent $300+/night.
No food (this is NOT a bed and breakfast).
The outdoor area is nice, but the whole place is so unwelcoming, I don't know if anyone actually uses the outdoor area. It's too bad that the owners are not doing more. I would not recommend staying here.
The room was dated, carpet shabby, bathroom old. Coffee supplies and toiletries were put in small paper shoping bags. We had a room close to the street and we could hear traffic all night long. There were many outdoor lights on all night, and light came in widows that did not have curtains/blinds. The place would have been fine for a $100 or less room, but we spent $300+/night.
No food (this is NOT a bed and breakfast).
The outdoor area is nice, but the whole place is so unwelcoming, I don't know if anyone actually uses the outdoor area. It's too bad that the owners are not doing more. I would not recommend staying here.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
+1
This hotel is nothing like the website. It is run down and only an electric fireplace for heat. No one can be reached for service or questions. The smoke detector was just lying out on the dresser, uninstalled. Noise from the adjoining rooms was very loud. To top it off, the price was almost $300 for the night! DO NOT STAY HERE.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Room was comfortable and quiet with king bed away from street noise. Grounds are shady and rustic with water wheel and lots of steps to reach office from parking lot. The only staff person we saw was housekeeper and her 2 children. Check in and out by remote. Time for BBI to start answering phone, returning calls, & providing food again as area restaurants are fully open and post pandemic. Hard to find breakfast at a local restaurant without long line on weekend. Glad to discover Gilda's on the wharf with no wait, great ocean view, and good service. Okay 1 night stay on weekend unlike another B&B that required 2 nights reservation.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Room cool with windows open but needed a bit of heat later at night (turn knob on strip heater...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is well located for the Santa Cruz main beach area and meant we could walk there which was good. The place itself is as quaint as the pictures suggest and has loads of character. However, as many of the reviews point out, the pictures make the rooms look nicer than the reality, based on our experience. Whilst clean and with nice linen, the room we had was very tired and sparsely furnished, with Wi-Fi that did not work well or consistently. We were only there for one night so it didn’t matter too much but if they (a) invested in the rooms and (b) had a properly manned front desk this could be real gem.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cezanne we stayed is located on the street level and has clear access to the parking area.
One next, although we cannot remember the name, also has an easy access.
Thank you for your inquiry. The rooms at the Babbling Brook Inn all require some stairs and therefore are not ADA compliant. Again, thank you for your time and please feel free to contact us directly with any other questions you may have.
Thank you for your inquiry. Inns by the Sea has held ownership of the Babbling Brook Inn for several years. We do not have any record of previous owners by those names. Again, thank you for your time and we hope we might welcome you to the Babbling Brook Inn or another Inns by the Sea property in the future.
Hello. You need to contact the hotel for reservations. Tell them you are interested in staying at the Babbling Brook.
I am merely the reviewer!
Good luck.
"Room cool with windows open but needed a bit of heat later at night (turn knob on strip heater below window)."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$247 - $279 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
babbling brook hotel santa cruz
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSanta Cruz
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Babbling Brook Inn
Which popular attractions are close to Babbling Brook Inn?
Nearby attractions include Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center (0.6 miles), Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (0.6 miles), and Bookshop Santa Cruz (0.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Babbling Brook Inn?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Babbling Brook Inn?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Babbling Brook Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge, Laili Restaurant, and Walnut Avenue Cafe.
Is Babbling Brook Inn located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.4 miles away from the center of Santa Cruz.
Are there any historical sites close to Babbling Brook Inn?
Many travelers enjoy visiting San Lorenzo River Railroad Bridge (0.1 miles).