Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott Santa Cruz, Ca

“Extraordinary FIVE STAR Accommodations and Customer Service at this Santa Cruz Gem!”

As a Marriott Titanium Elite / Lifetime Platinum Elite Guest, I made a reservation for my five (5) night stay in early August 2025 at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Cruz as my base of operations in Santa Cruz before picking up our youngest daughter at the conclusion of her 7-week summ… more

As a Marriott Titanium Elite / Lifetime Platinum Elite Guest, I made a reservation for my five (5) night stay in early August 2025 at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Cruz as my base of operations in Santa Cruz before picking up our youngest daughter at the conclusion of her 7-week summer STEM internship program at the University of California Santa Cruz. I made this reservation using my Marriott Bonvoy points approximately four (4) months prior to my arrival date. Within hours after making the reservation, I emailed Mr. Brendan Shelton, the General Manager, and advised him of my future stay as well as my special requests. Shortly thereafter, I received a thoughtful reply from Mr. Shelton and he readily granted all of my special requests. The prompt response Mr. Shelton did not come as a surprise given how active the management of this property is in reading and promptly replying to past guests on Trip Advisor as well as the Marriott Bonvoy website, which is a clear sign of management’s commitment to exemplary customer service. Not only is the hotel conveniently located in walking distance of the Natural Bridges State Beach, West Cliff Drive, the Wilder Ranch State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as well as the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail but it is a short drive to UC Santa Cruz as well as Downtown Santa Cruz. I actually left my car parked at the hotel (FREE parking) and walked to ALL of the places listed above throughout the duration of my stay! My initial visit to the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Cruz did not disappoint. Upon my late arrival, I was greeted in the lobby John and the check-in process was a breeze, although there was a little wrinkle that occurred with my previously "blocked-in" suite, which Mr. Shelton handled promptly and professionally with assistance by John. Further, upon entering my King Suite with a balcony a few minutes after checking-in with John, I was very pleased because the King Suite with a balcony was HUGE and very comfortable in terms of bedding and ample desks, tables and chairs for relaxing. My King Suite with a balcony had two separate sleeping areas, one full bathroom and a closet and dresser as well as a view of the Pacific Ocean! The housekeeping staff provided me with sufficient towels, replenished bath products as necessary and provided several bottles of water daily. Further, the cleanliness of our King Suite with a balcony was exemplary and for this I want to recognize the entire housekeeping staff. The complimentary Wi-Fi provided to me as Marriott Bonvoy elite guest was excellent throughout the entire hotel. Now, onto a description of the food and drink offered during the breakfast buffet, which I attended all five mornings during my stay. The highlights of the breakfast buffet include piping hot coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea (excellent variety herbal and caffeinated teas), delicious orange, cranberry or apple juice, various milks and nut milks. There was a nice variety of hot items each morning, including waffles that you make yourself, as well as eggs, bacon or sausage, oatmeal, bread, muffins, cereals, assorted yogurts and fresh fruit (oranges / apples / bananas / fresh cubed watermelon ). In short, the food and drink in the breakfast buffet was incredible and limitless! I also really enjoyed the fully-equipped fitness center (which had an ample amount of free weights, cable machines as well as cardio machines) as well as sitting by the fire pit every night. See my twelve (12) pictures of the hotel attached to this review since a picture is worth one-thousand words. The generosity and hospitality shown by Mr. Shelton and John as well as the rest of Mr. Shelton's team throughout my stay was extraordinary. Every team member with whom we came in contact during our stay, including the individuals listed above, the helpful staff members at the reception desk and the other food & beverage staff as well as the house-keeping staff really went out of their way to make me feel welcomed. Not surprisingly, the notable customer service that we received before and during our stay as well as the incredible accommodations in my King Suite with a balcony, made this hotel a twelve out of ten in my book! If your travels take you to Santa Cruz, please don't hesitate to make this hotel your base of operations ... you won't be disappointed!

less