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Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Signature Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk
Front of property
Lobby sitting area
1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk
Terrace/patio

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
$98
includes taxes & fees
Aug 25 - Aug 26

Explore the area

View in a 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

View all photos for Signature Room

Signature Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk

Signature Room

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

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk

Deluxe Room

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

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About this property

Torch Lite Inn

Motel in Westside Santa Cruz
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.
Torch Lite Inn features a terrace and a vending machine. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access. Limited complimentary onsite parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Torch Lite Inn is a smoke-free property.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking available only on request
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite 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 elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Smoking not allowed

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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay

We have included 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

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

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 1003 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 249 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 167 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 81 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 106 out of 1003 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

10/10 Excellent

Makenna

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff super friendly and was a very easy stay overall. Definitely alleviated travel stress!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Caitlin

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
My partner and I stayed for one night in a deluxe room. It was quiet, had blackout curtains, and the room appeared as advertised. There was also plenty of parking and the location is convenient. We were disappointed in the cleanliness - the floor was filthy and there were some insects. The one window in our corner room did not have a bug screen, so we weren't able to enjoy the fresh air.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I felt safe and they were very kind people!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

All good.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Amanda

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend staying here. I should have paid more attention to the poor reviews. The photos look nice enough, so we gave it a chance. The flooring in our room was sloppily put together with multiple gaps and splitters/ flooring sticking straight up. We didn't feel safe walking barefoot in the room. The room smelled unpleasant. The bed was uncomfortable. We didn't try the breakfast. The location was good, but the hotel needs a lot of improvements.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Laurent

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
When I arrived there, it had no parking at all. I went into my room and I forgot my toothbrush, so I asked them if they had any and they said no. Which hotel room doesn't have toothbrush??! This experience was crazy. NEVER RETURNING THERE
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caren

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

Family trip

It was very clean inside and outside. Close to things. Good parking. Close to things to walk.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean, polite service. No issues.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Dayene

Business traveler, Traveled 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

Traveled 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Raquel

Traveled 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 traveler

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

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

8/10 Good

tammy

Traveled 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 traveler

Traveled 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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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