Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel (Santa Cruz, USA)

This hotel's clean, modern rooms provide guests with a low-key base to explore the region. Travelers consistently rate the facilities found in brightly-decorated guestrooms. Those who book suites find them spacious and equipped with all the conveniences of home, including comfortable sleeper sofas for extra family members.

Upbeat staff at this hotel get an A* from many guests, who find them affable and ready to share local knowledge and tips for exploring their world-famous surf town. Reviewers describe front-of-house staff as swift to respond to requests or complaints. Many mention the homely atmosphere fostered by staffs' friendly approach.

The generous complimentary breakfast offering at this hotel energizes business travelers for the day ahead. Despite occasional queues for the popular buffet, reviewers rave about the number of tempting cooked and fresh items on offer, as well as the smiling staff who keep the most popular dishes well-replenished.

While most travelers rate this hotel's off-center location and its proximity to the Santa Cruz Highway, some find the neighborhood a little ominous late at night, and recommend taking a cab into town. Lots of guests enjoy the one mile walk to the hip Downtown area during daylight hours.

The underground parking facility at this hotel can be an annoyance for guests in larger vehicles. A few road-weary minivan and SUV drivers report difficulties maneuvering the narrow lanes and snug parking spaces within. Those in regular cars are more fazed by the shortage of spots late at night.

While most guests experience an unbroken night's sleep and rate the crisp linens and soft pillows offered, repeat concerns regarding the mattresses suggests not all guests check-out as well-rested as they might have been. Too firm for many, an extra duvet has helped soften the blow for some.