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Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Signature Room | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, blackout curtains
Terrace/patio
Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, blackout curtains
Lobby sitting area
Front of property

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

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 | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, blackout curtains

Signature Room

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

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, blackout curtains

Deluxe Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(52 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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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 Wi-Fi 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 a hairdryer. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 40-inch LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Guests can make use of the in-room fridges and microwaves. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and complimentary toiletries.

This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us that 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 such as 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 location and the clean guestrooms
  • 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.

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

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.
  • Cots (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 on-site parking
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise 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 existing 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. 405 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 247 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 168 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 81 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 104 out of 1005 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

Peter Jacob

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location, clean. Parking is a little odd but made it work.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina

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

8/10 Good

Karina

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Houry

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Alysha

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dominique

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

6/10 Okay

Rose

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Cheap toilet paper

Pillows too thin. Cheap toilet paper.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It's very clean, quiet area, the only minor con was parking not enough parking and small small space even for a Honda Civic it was very tight. And if you have a more bigger built person with you they would definitely unfortunately hit the other person car if you were to get out of the parking space parked. Doable if your other passengers get out of the vehicle before you park. And it's just you trying to squeeze out of the car.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Definitely coming back, close to the boardwalk. Lots of things walking distance!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good for the cost. Nothing fancy, but worked well for our purposes. Husband and I getting away. Great location, except at a very busy intersection that was very loud at times. (loud music from cars). Bring some earplugs if you are sensitive to that. Staff very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Makenna

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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 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