La Bahia Hotel Santa Cruz Review: Is Santa Cruz’s New Luxury Hotel Worth the Splurge? New

I have to admit, I arrived at La Bahia Hotel with high expectations.

After all, this isn't just another beachfront hotel. La Bahia has been billed as Santa Cruz's first true luxury hotel, built on the site of the 1926 La Bahia Apartments, whose iconic tower has been lovingly recreated as a nod to the property's history. (Check out this cool article for some history.)

As someone who has stayed in everything from tiny European guesthouses to grand five-star hotels, I was curious. Could Santa Cruz really pull off luxury? Within about thirty seconds of arriving, I had my answer.

I turned off Beach Street, drove through a beautiful archway, and suddenly found myself pulling up to…valet parking. Valet parking in Santa Cruz? I've visited Santa Cruz more times than I can count, and it has always felt delightfully casual. It's one of the few places where I'd normally expect someone to offer to watch my bicycle, not park my car.

Being greeted by a valet felt wildly out of character, and kind of fab! That feeling continued the moment I stepped inside.

The Lobby That Made Me Forget I Was in Santa Cruz

The lobby is gorgeous. I'm still not entirely sure how to describe the design. Moroccan? Mediterranean? California coastal with a passport? Whatever you call it, it works.

Warm woods, woven textures, palm prints, rich velvety fabrics, soft lighting, and comfortable seating areas somehow create a space that feels elegant without feeling stuffy.

One side of the lobby is anchored by a beautiful bar. On the other, bookshelves are filled with books and board games that make you want to cancel your plans and settle in for the afternoon. (I was going to say “pray for rain so you can hang out here and play games”, but come on!)

Near the reception desk is a small gift shop with curated, fun Santa Cruz and California gifts that are much nicer than your average tourist trinkets.

Then check-in surprised me again. The receptionist offered me a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. At this point I was beginning to suspect I'd accidentally driven to Monte Carlo. Not that I'm complaining. Check-in was quick, friendly, and genuinely welcoming.

My Room Was Bigger Than I Expected

I made my way upstairs through a hallway lined with palm tree wallpaper that somehow manages to be both playful and sophisticated. Again I felt like I was someplace much more exotic than Santa Cruz, where I'd taken my kids to play Skee-Ball at the Boardwalk more times than I can remember.

Opening my room door immediately to the left there was a spacious bathroom featuring two sinks, a large walk-in shower, and a separate water closet. Sadly, there wasn't a bathtub, which longtime readers know always costs a hotel a few points in my unofficial scoring system.

The hallway had generous closet space, and a wet bar. I've stayed in hotel rooms where the coffee maker looked like it survived the Reagan administration. This was…not that. An actual wet bar complete with a cocktail shaker, proper glassware, refrigerator, and complimentary drinks.

Inside the refrigerator were soft drinks and a small bottle of wine, all included with the room. Waiting on the counter were generous bags of saltwater taffy and kettle corn. Give me a free bottle of wine and some kettle corn and suddenly I'm wondering if I should start referring to the staff as “my good people.”

A Living Room with an Ocean View

Past the hallway, the room opened into a comfortable living area decorated in soothing blues and sandy earth tones.

A large TV, comfortable sofa, and armchair made it feel more like a stylish beach condo than a hotel room.

Sliding glass doors opened onto my balcony. This was another unexpected treat. From my room I had a beautiful view of the ocean, Santa Cruz Main Beach, and the Boardwalk. Looking the other direction overlooked the hotel's pool.

The king bed featured an enormous illustrated headboard that became something of a mystery for me. At first I thought it was Italy, but staring at it longer I think maybe it's California inspired. I spent an embarrassingly long amount of time trying to decode it. The floating castle and white horse peeking out from behind a tree made it even more mysterious and fun.

A Note About Noise

Whenever I stay somewhere overlooking a pool, I worry I've made a mistake. Pools are wonderful during the day. Not so great when you're trying to sleep. Fortunately, La Bahia did an excellent job with sound insulation. There was plenty of activity outside while the pool was open, but once I closed the window and balcony doors, the room became wonderfully quiet. I slept very well.

Two Restaurants, Two Very Good Meals

La Bahia has two restaurants, and naturally I had to try both. The first evening I ate at Low Tide, the more casual restaurant located on the ground floor facing Beach Street. I must admit that when I walked in the vibe made me think this was very casual, almost diner-like. But, the prices and quality of the food were definitely steps above that! Everything I ordered was delicious.

The following I night splurged further and treated myself to dinner upstairs at High Tide. Between the incredible views over Monterey Bay and one of the best meals I've had in Santa Cruz, it became one of the highlights of my stay. If you're celebrating something special, I'd absolutely recommend making a reservation there around sunset.

My Favorite Vacation Activity Makes No Sense

As I've gotten older, one of my favorite vacation activities has become…living the “life of leisure”.  Specifically, sitting beside a beautiful hotel pool with my planner, a good book, coffee in the morning, and eventually a cocktail.

This is admittedly ridiculous because I have extremely pale Irish skin that burns if someone merely says the word “sunshine.” My ideal pool day involves SPF 50, a hat large enough to receive satellite signals, and enough shade to grow mushrooms. Still, I love it.

So one afternoon I settled into a shaded lounge chair with my planner to map out upcoming travel goals and my current read, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Lunch arrived courtesy of poolside service, and I spent hours alternating between reading, planning, and occasionally looking up at the sparkling pool with Monterey Bay stretching out beyond it.

The Spa Surprise

The spa occupies the hotel's sixth floor, and if you're considering booking a treatment, I have one important piece of advice. Choose the outdoor massage.

When I made my reservation, I couldn't quite picture what “outdoor massage” meant. I imagined lying on a massage table while random hotel guests wandered by pretending not to stare. Nothing says “relax” like wondering whether strangers are critiquing your shoulder blades.

So I booked an indoor massage instead. The massage itself was wonderful. But afterward I stepped onto the rooftop terrace and immediately experienced a little buyer's remorse.

The outdoor treatment rooms aren't exposed at all. They're beautiful private cabanas positioned around a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. The cabanas allow the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves to drift through while still providing plenty of privacy. Knowing what I know now, I'd absolutely book an outdoor treatment next time.

The rooftop also houses one of the coolest saunas I've ever encountered. One entire wall is made of glass. Imagine sitting in a warm sauna with an entire glass wall facing Monterey Bay. Had someone quietly slid a grilled cheese sandwich under the door, I might still be there.

I didn't bring my phone up to the sauna or cabanas, so you'll have to trust me on those, but I did grab a couple of shots in the locker room.

Is La Bahia Worth It?

So here's the question everyone wants answered. Is La Bahia worth the price? For me, yes.

It's rare for a hotel to feel luxurious without feeling intimidating. La Bahia somehow manages exactly that. It feels polished but approachable. Elegant but comfortable. Upscale without taking itself too seriously.

More than once during my stay I caught myself forgetting I was in Santa Cruz. It felt like the kind of boutique coastal resort I'd expect to find in Hawaii or along the Mediterranean.

For solo travelers, couples looking for a romantic getaway, or anyone celebrating a special occasion, I think La Bahia delivers something Santa Cruz has never really had before. And perhaps that's what impressed me most. It still feels unmistakably Santa Cruz…It's just Santa Cruz after putting on a linen blazer and ordering champagne.

Watch my Hotel Tour video here: