Babbling Brook Inn - Santa Cruz, California

Alex D.

My family tried to stay here while visiting in town. The first room they got was covered in fleas, so they moved rooms. Then the second room was also covered in fleas and the heater wouldn’t shut off. They also had issues reaching the front desk to voice their complaints (as other reviews have stated). They ended up moving to the Hyatt on the other side of town as opposed to staying here (highly recommend the Hyatt, they have great security and beautiful rooms). After reading the other reviews, this place NEEDS to be SHUT DOWN. I’m extremely glad my family decided to leave and stay somewhere else. This place seems unsafe.

Katrina-Kay A.

As mentioned in other reviews, the service here is downright awful. No one was there to check us in for over an hour so we had to wait outside in the heat. Not ideal in any circumstance but especially when you’re heavily pregnant and had previously sent messages informing the hotel of your condition. There’s also no way to contact anyone as they don’t respond to your calls or messages.

When the manager finally showed up, he was extremely unapologetic, rude, and unprofessional. It’s sad to see such a beautiful place going into such a state. The room we stayed in was in slight disrepair but not too bad at least.

Cory H.

Stayed there a few years back. Room condition was about as good as the outside condition -- old carpet, scantly decorated, old and unmatched furniture items (not really vintage so much). Bathroom cabinetry falling apart, mirror falling off wall, shower controls falling apart, lightbulbs not working and floor sloping noticeably downhill (it is falling off the hill?). I walked away thinking it could be a nice place if it got some TLC and someone reinvested the money they were collecting by not having to have any innkeeper, cleaning staff, or food/drink offerings. Hopefully that happened

Cindy

Please read the review by Kodi Media. I'm not going to repeat everything they wrote, except to say I echo their comments: disrepair, safety issues (the smoke alarm was removed from our room leaving a hole in the ceiling with wires), extremely poor outside lighting (we had to use flashlights to access the outdoor ice machine), horrible wifi (couldn't get online 85% of the time), landscaping is a mess, not enough parking, couldn't drain the bath tub, no furniture on the outside decks, old outdated furniture that's garage sale quality, poor service with unprofessional staff dressed in messy gym clothes, hotel clerk arguing quite loudly outside with his girlfriend, and on and on. For $309 a night it's a sad state of affairs. There was one redeeming quality: the bed was very comfortable and the comforter was nice.

Jacob I.

We had a pleasant stay. The inn is right off of a main road to downtown. The walk from here to downtown is about 15 min.
The rooms have a ton of windows pointing inwards to the brook and a greenery area. Our room had a skylight, which was nice until morning.
You can see into your neighbors rooms from certain areas.
The tub was nothing special, and we couldn't figure out how to turn ours on, or it was broken. It was very big though. Fit both me and my wife comfortably.
The rooms walls were a little thin and we could hear the road all night, and our neighbors. We could also hear the brook so...
There was no AC or cooler, but Santa Cruz doesn't usually need it. They did have a couple fans in the closet if you needed it.
Last it was contactless check-in. We did need to contact them and it was easy and they were super helpful getting us what we needed.

Alex B.

I dont usually write reviews, but in this instance I feel it is necessary.||Clearly something has happened in the last couple of years, possibly a change in ownership during COVID, as this beautiful location has gone seriously downhill.||I visited this hotel back in 2018 and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Check in was very friendly and informative and offered complimentary cookies along with wine and cheese in the evening. The room was beautifuly decorated and clean, bed very comfortable. Impressive complimentary breakfast in the morning. All of this is expected at this high price point.||Now it is barely more than a low-tier Airbnb. Ive had better customer service at cheap motels. Upon arrival there is a lockbox which says to check your email for check in instructions, which I never received. Front desk is practically nonexistent, instead you are supposed to call a number for a random person who I’m guessing is the manager or owner. Our room was very barren with mismatched furniture, broken window blinds, and the wifi name and password on the room card both were wrong. We were texted a blurry picture with the wifi username and password, which worked but was VERY slow.||This hotel has become a scam, riding on its former reputation as one of Santa Cruz’s luxury hotels, with the price unchanged. We were seriously disappointed. I would stay anywhere else.

Kodi M.

To the hotel ownership:

I recently stayed at your hotel, and while I understand that new ownership can bring challenges, I believe providing constructive feedback can aid in your efforts to elevate the guest experience. As someone with many years of experience in the hospitality field, I hope these insights prove helpful.

Areas of Concern:

1. Room Condition: The rooms are in a state of disrepair, with various room components that are outdated and falling apart. A comprehensive renovation is essential to restore the rooms to a condition that meets guest expectations.

2. Inaccurate Photos: The photos on your website do not reflect the current condition of the rooms. Accurate and up-to-date images are crucial for maintaining trust with your guests.

3. Furnishings and Decor: There is a notable lack of quality furnishings and decor, and it appears that recent removals have left the rooms feeling bare. Investing in high-quality, themed furnishings can significantly enhance the guest experience.

4. Amenities: The absence of basic amenities, let alone those expected in a five-star establishment, is evident. Essential amenities such as fridges, microwaves, hair dryers, shelves, and proper luggage storage should be provided. Additionally, ensuring the proper placement of these amenities will improve functionality.

5. Safety and Building Codes: There are apparent building code and potential safety issues that need immediate attention. Ensuring compliance with safety regulations is paramount.

6. Accessibility: Accessible lighting, light switches, and electrical outlets are necessary for guest convenience and safety. Addressing these issues will improve the overall guest experience.

7. Hotel Activities: The lack of hotel-based activities represents a missed opportunity for additional revenue and guest engagement. Introducing activities and recreational facilities will enhance the guest experience and increase profitability.

8. Noise Levels: The noise from on-site staff and their families, particularly late into the night, is disruptive. Implementing quiet hours and ensuring staff accommodations are separate from guest areas will help mitigate this issue.

9. Cleanliness: Ensuring the cleanliness of sheets, walls, curtains, bathrooms, floors, and windows is fundamental. A strict housekeeping protocol needs to be enforced to maintain high standards of cleanliness.

10. Professionalism: The behavior and appearance of the main host and hotel manager were concerning. Instances of unclean clothing, smoking on the premises, and inappropriate attire are unacceptable. Staff training on professionalism and proper dress codes is essential.

11. Housekeeping: There is a lack of daily and thorough room care. Implementing a more rigorous housekeeping schedule will ensure rooms are consistently well-maintained.

12. Property Maintenance: Property maintenance appears to be lacking diligence, with issues such as rusting window bars and general disrepair. Regular maintenance checks and prompt repairs are necessary.

13. **Internet Access:** Reliable and regularly functioning internet is a basic expectation for guests. Ensuring strong and consistent internet service is crucial.

Recommendations for Improvement:

- Renovations: Undertake a comprehensive renovation of the rooms to address structural and aesthetic issues.
- Updated Photos: Update your website with accurate photos of the current state of the rooms and amenities.
- **Quality Furnishings:** Invest in high-quality, themed furnishings and decor to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Basic and Advanced Amenities: Provide essential amenities in all rooms and consider adding luxury options to enhance the guest experience.
- Safety Compliance: Address all building code and safety issues immediately to ensure compliance and guest safety.
- Accessibility: Ensure that all lighting, switches, and outlets are easily accessible.

By addressing these areas, your hotel can significantly enhance guest satisfaction and build a strong reputation. I hope this feedback assists you in your efforts.

Talia K.

The staff is hard to contact and took a day to get back to me about a change in my booking. I don’t think I got the room I booked, or maybe it wasn’t described well. Dont book 103 it’s literally in the middle of the deck and super noisy / no privacy. The room is very drab, the lamp on the night stand doesn’t work. Wifi doesn’t work + no cell service. Definitely not worth $300!