Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Signature Room
Terrace/patio
Front of property
Lobby sitting area
1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
500 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz Wharf
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Room options

Signature Room

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(67 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(51 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About this property

Torch Lite Inn

Art Deco motel in Santa Cruz with free parking
A 24-hour front desk, free self parking, and free WiFi in public areas are available at this smoke-free motel. Other amenities include a vending machine.
Torch Lite Inn offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 40-inch LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Torch Lite Inn. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You'll find features like free WiFi in public areas and free self parking.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Amenities include a terrace and a vending machine
  • Guests have great things to say about the helpful staff and the location
  • 7 minutes by foot from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a 4-minute drive from Monterey Bay
As a guest of Torch Lite Inn, you'll find a terrace and a vending machine. WiFi is free in public spaces. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This Art Deco Santa Cruz motel is smoke free.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking available only on request
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking (max 1 space per unit)

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 40-inch LCD TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 45
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Early check-in fee: USD 45 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests arriving after 10:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using exisiting bedding.

Property is also known as

Torch Lite Inn
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Hotel Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Motel
Torch Lite Inn Motel
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Inn Motel Santa Cruz

Torch Lite Inn Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 400 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 254 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 171 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 81 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 108 out of 1014 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Dayene

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
First off, I would like to say that the hotel on the inside is beautiful. All the interior designs are modern and update. There are only two bad things I can say about the room one, they don't have any streaming services on the TV, only cable channels, and two the light closest to the door randomly switches on and off. On top of that the customer service was impeciable. When I arrived I was a little skeptical but I wanted to have a positive mindset (which I'm glad I did). The parking lot is extremely unorganized and good luck trying to find one after 8:30PM because there will be NONE. Other then these few complains I would come back as I did enjoy my stay here overall.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Anthony

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Le

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Nashua

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

2/10 Terrible

Claudia

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty and unsafe
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Ansel

Disliked: Amenities
Called to let them know I would be checking in late. Then when I ultimately got there to check in I called and they said that it was too late, and refused to check me in and hung up on me. Tried to call back and didn’t answer. They had no problem taking my money like thieves though. Had to book another room.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raquel

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was wonderful!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

daniel

Disliked: Amenities
Car broken into twice in one night. Never again!!!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness
Property looks nothing like the pictures. It's on a big, ugly lot with a big dirt patch in the middle. Linens were not pressed and neat. Hair dryer didn't work, and we were only given ONE packet of a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner. Again, PACKETS!! Not even the small bottles. The tub looked like it needed a deep cleaning. There was dirt all in the cracks of the tub and the drain was disgusting. Hair dryer also didn't work. Would not advise anyone to stay here even for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erlinda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

tammy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was pleasantly surprised when i got in our room..it was remodeled very nicely..doesnt match the outside . Quiet ....close to boardwalk
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Horrible

horrible! loud walls are thin and i got my car broken into no broken windows but they had some key to open newer model cars
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nichola

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Good enough
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mitch

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not where I normally stay in Santa Cruz but was in town for a night and didn't want to pay $300. Will probably stay here again, the room was nice, the location excellent, with lots of parking. Easy walk to the beach, boardwalk, wharf, and downtown, what else do you need?
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Eileen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
It was great for the price, and the staff was supportive. Made small talk, and the process was smooth, definitely give it a solid 8/10. The only suggestion I have is cleaning the rooms a little more through.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sergio

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The host was spectacular and kind. The room was very clean and comfortable. Enjoyed our quick stay in the quaint town.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Maria, Reno

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Staff way very understanding with check in late..
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

dylan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Bryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Santa Cruz is a vibe

It was a good stay. The room was clean. Stayed for one night. I would stay here again. Decent amount of parking. Good spot to rest your head.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Nicole

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

CheyAnn

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025