We were in Santa Cruz for a night and after trying to find a nice hotel near the beach, we finally gave up and just booked this.

The hot water/cold water is reversed in both the sink/shower, so be careful when operating the faucets. Every room faces the street, so you hear noise from the street the entire time you are there. The beds were also extremely uncomfortable, but really what do you expect from a motel. Definitely wouldn't stay here again. We saw many other better options once we actually got to the area that we did not find on our internet search.

We just got back from staying there 2 nights. I asked for a quite room location. The owner gave us a room with a view of a 2 walls on each side of the room. The curtain was so thin that the light in the hallway was as bright as the sun all night. So I took out the light bulb. In the morning I was potting the light bulb back and he was furious that I had done that. I explained why but he would not listen.
We booked a queen bed bed it was only a double. When I asked about it he insisted it was a queen. I went online with my phone and showed him the dimensions of a queen and double , but he refused to admit it was only a double bed.
The keys were the typical card keys that we threw away just before we checked out. The front desk asked us for the keys back. When I told them I threw them away, they wanted to charge us for them! I will never stay here again with this owner. His name is Moe.

Excellent independent caring service. Reasonably priced and located a comfortable walk too downtown and a couple of blocks from a nice park for the kids!
Microwave and fridge in room, but no coffee maker. Coffee available with Continental Breakfast in the office though if you are up early enough. (We just buy a cup of coffee and keep it in the fridge 'til morning so we can sleep in.)
Pool was not heated when we stayed, but it may have been early in the season.

Way better deal than the Ramada Limited around the block, and the room was just slightly larger. We got an upstairs room over the parking garage so we had a nice view window and the kids could run around and not disturb anyone.

We travel to Santa Cruz at least twice a year for weekend "get aways". We usually stay at Travelodge but their prices have gone up way above our budget.
We will definitely return to stay at The Islander Motel. The owner is extremely polite and professional. He was considerate & offered us the back room, fartherest from the road.
It was a super clean and comfortable room. No noise from the road. The bathroom was sparkling clean, with enough towells, and hairdryer. There is a fridge in the room but no coffee maker. The beds and linen were super comfortable.
There is a pool and enough parking which is secure and convenient.
We have travelled alot, this motel is certainly one of the cleanest we've stayed in. We will be going back.