National 9 Santa Cruz

2-star hotel Great 130 Plymouth St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
National 9 Santa Cruz

About National 9 Santa Cruz

Those staying at this accomodation may surf on the internet thanks to the Wi-Fi access ready to use on public areas. There is no 24-hour reception. Some services may be payable.

Amenities

  • Meeting space
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Reviews

4.1 / 5
Great 222 reviews

The hotel reviews indicate a mix of positive and negative experiences. Guests generally appreciate the cleanliness of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff, but some express dissatisfaction with the quality of the beds, the noise level, and the lack of certain amenities.

What guests liked
  • Clean rooms
  • Friendly staff
What could be better
  • Uncomfortable beds
  • Noise level
  • James Jun 2026 · via expedia
    3/5

    Shower rod is a press fit type and it came down on my head when I pulled on the curtain to steady myself. Bad ordinarily, but particularly in a handicapped room where balance is often an issue.

  • Gabriella Jun 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    The room was clean and the wifi was good. The room had a microwave and fridge, which definitely came in handy!! It’s a good location too. Tucked away off a main street.

  • Dex Jun 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Staff was very accommodating. Room was clean and quiet. Would definitely stay there again. Would recommend anybody looking for a lower price room without losing any quality.

  • Mary May 2026 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    It’s an older motel, room smelled strongly of cheaper cleaning products, stains on bathroom wall, and a gross layer of mold between two rings on shower curtain. It was cheaper than most other properties, and we only slept there for a night. I wouldn’t recommend for a vacation spot, only if you’re in need of a cheap room for a night. Beds were creaky, and light from outside shines through curtains (not floor length) which makes it hard to sleep if you need it to be totally dark to sleep.

  • Sonny May 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Room and property grounds were clean. Great stay. Will stay again next time

  • Julie May 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    We had a great stay and would stay here again. Owners were super friendly and welcoming and we felt safe parking within the fenced parking lot. The Hotel is definitely older and not updated, but our room was spotlessly clean and maintained (and the beds were pretty comfortable too) and you can tell the owners put a lot of pride in a well-run, well-maintained hotel. We would absolutely stay here again if we find ourselves in Santa Cruz.

  • PATRICIA May 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very clean rooms also smell clean as you walk in and the smell stayed. Very pleasant staff.

  • Miguel May 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Very clean affordable hotel for a Friday in Santa Cruz. Will stay there again.

  • Erin May 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Friendly easy check in and check out, simple but clean/ fresh room. Beds were comfortable and the air conditioning worked well. Overall we were satisfied staying in this well kept motel at a reasonable rate.

  • Mark Apr 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Location was great. Property was fine. This is one of the older motels in town, so it is a bit dated. However, the room was clean and it had every convenience we needed. The price was great. I would stay here again.

  • kate Apr 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Clean room, easy location, sweet staff

  • Milena Apr 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    This place was surprisingly wonderful. Clean simple room. The property is well taken care of. Friendly staff.

  • Mary Apr 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    The hotel is a good value! It is older but clean. It’s right by the hwy but with the door closed you don’t hear the hwy. The staff is very friendly and the rooms are clean.

  • Diana Apr 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Comfortable, clean room! Staff was amazing

  • Anjanette Apr 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    The sweet owners were amazing. So deeply grateful to have a kind, clean and comfortable place to sleep during my daughter's college tours.

  • Nancy Apr 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Yes

  • Tamara Apr 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Staff was very nice, room was very clean, parking felt secured.

  • Melora Mar 2026 · via expedia
    2/5

    Overall the room, bed, amenities, etc. were average but when I tried to shower in the morning there was no hot water and nobody working on site to help. Very upsetting. I believe it’s posted as a 16 minute walk to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk but when I mapped it, it was double that so we decided to drive and it was in fact very far away.

  • Nikolas Mar 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    the people were so nice, it’s right at the entrance to Santa Cruz and the rooms are very nice for the cheap

  • Donovan Mar 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    Perfect place to stay

  • Adrianna Mar 2026 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Clean

  • Charles Mar 2026 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    The room was clean and comfortable. Good location

  • Marc Feb 2026 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Staff is always friendly. Recommend for inexpensive stay.

  • John Feb 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    I enjoyed my stay.

  • Helen Jan 2026 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Very clean room, lovely friendly staff, easy parking.

  • Alec Jan 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    We have stayed at this location many times and we will always come back to this hotel when we stay in Santa Cruz. The owners are amazing! They are always polite and always have a smile on their face. The customer service is top tier! I have asked for a late check out a few time with no hesitation to accommodate! It’s always an amazing stay at National 9!

  • Rose Jan 2026 · via expedia
    5/5

    This is consistently the best motel experience I’ve ever had. Third time staying here. The owners are wonderful and warm and the rooms are spotless and comfortable. A hidden gem. Easy to bike into downtown Santa Cruz from the location. I’ll never stay anywhere else.

  • jesus Dec 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    excellent

  • Michael Dec 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Clean room and the location. It was close to every place I needed to go. And Marianne's Ice Cream was a short walk up the street!

  • Emiliano Dec 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    Worth the cost.

  • James Nov 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    I walked from hotel to the Sa ta Cruz Wharf easily enough. Lots of food options nearby. Room was pretty basc but perfect for a night stop off.

  • Scott Nov 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Great staff and clean room great value for the price.

  • Barry Nov 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Room was clean, staff were extremely pleasant and helpful. Easy walk to downtown. Great value. Would stay again!

  • Samuel Nov 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very good

  • melissa Nov 2025 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    efficient check-in and check-out. Nice front desk receptionist. Good value but the strong lingering cleaning product smell took a star away. Be careful if you have asthma or severe allergy. Good thing I brought my allergy medication with me.

  • Kimberly Nov 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Nice gentlemen that checked me in. The room was very clean and comfortable. I would recommend this motel and stay there again.

  • Marc Nov 2025 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Everything is good here. I would stay again.

  • Aaron Nov 2025 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Great location, super close to Hwy 1, and within walking distance of Pacific Ave area. Simple amenities, everything was clean, appliances worked, mini fridge was cold, shower got hot quickly, parking lot was close (only allowed 1 car due to limited parking, plenty of street parking nearby), etc. Office staff was polite/courteous. I always stay in this area for occasional work (cluster of 5-6 hotels), this was a great price - will come back!

  • William Nov 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    I enjoyed my stay here, it is in a central location and the room seemed clean to me.

  • Alec Oct 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Management is super nice, always enthusiastic, and accommodating! I have been to this location many times and it’s the only hotel I stay at in Santa Cruz!

  • Marc Oct 2025 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Everything was fine. Clean room, friendly staff.

  • Barbara Oct 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    I would happily stay here again. The rooms were spotless. I worried a little that because of the location it might be noisy, but it was very quiet. Close to everything, but off the main streets. Very nice.

  • james Oct 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Nice and easy on and off Hyw 17!

  • Beth Oct 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Pleasantly surprised. The room was a little worn and the bed a little too hard for my liking but it was clean, the shower was hot and the pillows were comfortable. It was a little loud from street traffic at times but is gated so we felt safe. Would stay here again.

  • Tui Oct 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    The room was clean. It was quite warm when I got in, but the AC worked fine. The staff were friendly. The parking lot was small, but had plenty of spaces while I was there. The main reason I went for this hotel was location. It's right off Highway 1, near downtown Santa Cruz, & only a 10-15 min drive to Aptos where I had an event. I wouldn't say much is walking distance, but only a short drive. I did miss the turn the first time, but once I figured it out it was very easy to find. The pool was open, but I didn't use it. My room had a bathtub, which made me very happy, since I live in a small apartment with a shower only. I would have preferred an electric water kettle, to drip coffee maker, as I did not have that kind of time. That being said, it's nice that it was provided, along with a fridge and microwave so I could make my trip more affordable and have leftovers from yummy The Red Apple Café.

  • Jason Sep 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Price was right and place was clean.

  • Troy Sep 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Nice staff, good stay. Nice dinner down the street too.

  • Killian Sep 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    great place to stay for the price. friendly staff. quiet. clean.

  • James Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Friendly owners, good people.

  • Angela Aug 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Decent hotel for a quick stay. Our son was moving into his dorm early so we decided to head up to SC the night before. Room was clean, just a bit old. Beds were comfy and shower pressure was good. The shower head was a bit low for my tall son. All in all, a good one night stay. We would be willing to stay longer with the rest of the family.

  • Viki Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Good Nice staff

  • Javier Aug 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    good for the price

  • Sandra Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Great place to stay in Santa Cruz!!

  • James Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Love the owners

  • Cornelia Aug 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Pleasent and great servicd

  • Ruby Aug 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    What was supposed to be a one day vacation turned into a three day vacation all because of my car but thanks to this hotel and friendly staff they made it so welcoming and comforting to stay there for those couple of days. We stayed in two different bedrooms, Two beds and one queen size bedroom. Both were super clean and stacked with towels. My daughters and I decided to go for a swim in their pool it was honestly super clean and well cared for. I loved our stays here, I’ve stayed at pricier hotels but the cleanliness here does not beat it. I’m so happy to have booked with them. Very thankful with the staff, all so sweet. Hope to see them on my next Santa Cruz trip.!

  • Rose Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    This is a perfect room for what it is. It’s very obvious that the motel owners take good care of the property- fresh paint, clean bedding, updated bathroom. Check in staff was friendly and seemed like a genuinely lovely person. Quite reasonable rates and comfortable stay. Not luxury but amazing quality and experience for the money.

  • Sara Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    So much better than I hoped for, I'll definitely be back.

  • Danielle Aug 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    We had two rooms not only did we get rooms right next to each other but the owners are extremely nice people. We absolutely would stay again, by far one of the best places I've stayed in Santa Cruz.

  • Alejandra Aug 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    The room was specious and clean, would definitely stay again.

  • Sandra Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Great stay!!

  • Liwen Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Fabulous central location and friendly, helpful staff

  • Carlos Jul 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    What we liked about the facility. The rooms were very clean and modern.

  • Anthony Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Everyone working there was very courteous and helpful.

  • Anthony Jul 2025 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    The room was basic, but very clean and comfortable. My only complaint is that the odorizer they use when cleaning the rooms is overpowering. Way too overdone and the smell never goes away. It was bad enough that I might not stay there again.

  • Diane Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    The room was very spacious and looked like it had been recently updated. The bed was comfortable and the cable TV offered many channel selections.

  • Sandra Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Good stay!!

  • Lorien Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Mahalo

  • Duc Jul 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Check in was easy, i liked that our room was private and behind the main set of rooms

  • Sandra Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very good

  • Reynalda Jun 2025 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Room was nice for the price, bed comfortable. Parking crowded.

  • Michael Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very clean. Quiet

  • Ernest Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Great location. Highly recommend

  • Sandra Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Nice place!!

  • Chris Jun 2025 · via expedia
    2/5

    So I’m being sour grapes probably because I drive a big truck for work and they shoved me in a corner in the back I could barely fit so I took up two parking spaces only to get woke up at 10 o’clock at night to be asked to scoot my truck over to one spot against a fence wich I could barely get out of in the morning at 6:30 when I had to leave

  • claudia Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very clean and the maid was wonderful. Great housekeeping.

  • miguel Jun 2025 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Nice to stay

  • Sandra Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very good stay

  • Iliana Jun 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Everyone that works here are so kind and thoughtful 😊

  • Russell Jun 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Clean and comfortable.

  • Theresa Jun 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    Yes, the property is older. The couple that runs the place have done a great job of making sure it is comfortable and clean. The flowers everywhere are wonderful. So, don't expect Marriott, however, for the convenience and price, you can't go wrong.

  • Allyson Jun 2025 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Hotel was just average. The room was clean, but way too much pine sol on floor, gave a headache. But told owner and she was very nice about it. The people above were super loud, but not hotels fault.

  • Greg Jun 2025 · via expedia
    4/5

    Great people running the hotel.

  • Frank May 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Because of traffic patterns, it's kind of hard to get in and out of, no fault of the owner or staff.

  • John May 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Great place for a good price. Close to beach, redwoods and shopping.

  • Sandra Apr 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    ***

  • Helen Mar 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Beautifully clean as always, excellent location, convenient parking, extremely friendly, kind managers.

  • John Feb 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Excellent as always.

  • John Feb 2025 · via expedia
    5/5

    Easy reservations. Good prices . Great staff.

  • Helen Feb 2025 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Excellent no-frills motel, very clean, very friendly service, excellent value for money. Always happy to stay here when in Santa Cruz on business or holiday, and always happy to recommend the motel to others.

  • Kai Nov 2024 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    The room had a comfy bed and nice extras such as a fridge and microwave. The owners were very friendly and helpful. The motel is an easy 30 minute walk from the Boardwalk and beach.

  • Tasha Oct 2024 · via expedia
    5/5

    Very nice staff. I would stay here again.

  • Anna Sep 2024 · via expedia
    3/5

    It was ok it was just far from the boardwalk and it's an old motel.

  • John Jul 2022 · via expedia
    1/5

    Management SUCKS !!!

  • Robert Jul 2020 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Dated outside in a not so good neighborhood.

  • MeanaV Jul 2020 · via expedia
    3/5

    Room was clean but the room next door had the tv on and it was blasting all night like it was in my room. I couldn’t even watch my tv.

  • Gerardo Dec 2019 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    It was amazing

  • Annette Jun 2017 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    I didn't expect a lot because the motel was so cheap so I wasn't too surprised or overly disappointed. Pros...the room was clean and the sheets fresh. Check in was quick and easy. Cons... Electrical outlets near beds were limited. The biggest disappointed was that we found no free breakfast when we were ready to leave in the morning (7:25am) and no sign posted saying the hours it would be available. I might stay there again since it was cheap and clean.

  • Verified Apr 2017 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    We were very pleased with our stay.Choosing a motel online is sometimes difficult,not knowing how it looks in person.From the beginning of our stay,till the end,it was a great experience.....

  • Verified Feb 2017 · via hotels.com
    1/5

    I have stayed here twice ,first time was great but second time was extremely disappointing. I guess they think its ok to have construction begin at 0745 on the cottage in the back which was right outside my window. nail guns, compressor, four guys yelling back and forth to one another. I was under the impression that when you pay money to sleep somewhere you get to sleep.It doesn't happen here. I consider myself ripped off

  • Michael Jan 2017 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Fantastic location, very clean, and super friendly staff! This is one of the best lower cost motels in Santa Cruz. When I was searching, I was looking for cleanliness above everything else and this place hit that mark especially for the price! The bed was a bit older, everything was bolted down, but again was CLEAN, could walk bare footed with no worries... and best of all no bed bug worries!!

  • Shannon Nov 2016 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Our stay was facilitated by early check-in time (starts at 1:00 pm.) Also, I loved the giant soaker tub! Our room had both a microwave and very good refrigerator. This motel was a great value at a low price for the region. The decor is dated, but the room was clean and there was adequate on-site parking, which is a huge plus. For us, the location was perfect, but others may be bothered by road noise as it is very close to the freeway and a major surface street. Overall, one of our best motel experiences in Santa Cruz.

  • Bill Sep 2016 · via expedia
    4/5

    The attendant was Impeccable. Checked in and got to my room within 3 minutes. I forgot my Charger for my phone and the Attendant had one there.

  • James Aug 2016 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Good quiet hotel. Only thing I wish room had was a refrigerator

  • Kelly Jul 2016 · via expedia
    4/5

    The facility offered good basic accommodations that were clean and well maintained. It has no frills but everything worked. The desk attendant was very helpful with directions and information. No coffee in the room or free breakfast but the price was competitive.

  • Savanna Jul 2016 · via hotels.com
    1/5

    Checking in was very difficult because the lady at the counter wouldn't give my husband a key because he was the second name on the room. check in was two hours before we got there and she said "I do have a room available for you but it isn't clean yet". Pretty sure that means there isn't a room ready. So after waiting over 5 minutes we finally get a key to a room and I decided to shower. There were towels with makeup still on them. She never told us the wifi password and there wasn't any hotel information around the room. It had a sketchy wobbly fan and the decor was being at grandmas house. The TV was staticky except for the Spanish channels. I'm amazed this hotel is even aloud to have business.

  • Verified Jun 2016 · via expedia
    3/5

    Pillows were rather flat. Parking lot crowded. Pool is quite small.

  • Verified May 2016 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    A great value without a lot of unnecessary amenities.

  • Dana Nov 2015 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Just A quick overnight trip to Santa Cruz to check out UCSC. We weren't looking for luxury or an ocean view this time. This hotel is small, centrally located, and one of the least expensive places to stay on the list. We got what we paid for. Our room was clean, parking at the motel was never a problem, and the owners were on sight, and friendly. Some improvements are in order; the decor in the room is dated, there was no refrigerator or coffee pot in the room, the bedding is not fancy, and there were no extra pillows or blankets in the room, but we did just fine without these things. We were happy with the price we paid and the value we received. Would stay here again in a similar situation. We had a car, and downtown area and beach were just a few minutes away by car.

  • Jimmy Oct 2015 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Was ok

  • Verified Oct 2015 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    I didn't buy an expensive hotel room so that wasn't what I expected. The motel was exactly what I expected and the front desk staff was really nice. I would stay here again - for the price, it was excellent.

  • LAURA Sep 2015 · via hotels.com
    5/5

    Clean room, nice beds, nice bathrooms. Only thing is breakfast is a little small. Other than that it was a nice getaway.

  • Verified Aug 2015 · via expedia
    2/5

    It is bare bones. OK if you do not expect much. blanket in bad condition.

  • Ruben Aug 2015 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Motel is a little old , still using keys to get into room , no coffee ice machine needs to be cleaned once in awhile .

  • Reina Jul 2015 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    it was a short hours but it was nice

  • Verified Jul 2015 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    Hotel staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. I would stay here again.

  • Lucy May 2015 · via expedia
    1/5

    First the Bedding is very old blankets . people sitting outside the door smoking and talking loud late at night. the windows are so old we could not sleep with all the outside noise. the mattress was bad , we did not sleep at all. The worst night I ever had.

  • Celina May 2015 · via hotels.com
    4/5

    Cute motel with great rates, definitely going to stay here again when in the Santa cruz area

  • Stephen Apr 2015 · via hotels.com
    3/5

    No coffee. No breakfast. Just an ok room.

Frequently asked questions about National 9 Santa Cruz

Does National 9 Santa Cruz have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, National 9 Santa Cruz offers free Wi-Fi for all guests.
Does National 9 Santa Cruz offer parking?
Yes, National 9 Santa Cruz offers free parking on-site.
Does National 9 Santa Cruz have meeting spaces, conference centers, or conference rooms?
Yes. National 9 Santa Cruz offers meeting spaces for business and group use.
Does National 9 Santa Cruz have a fitness center?
National 9 Santa Cruz does not list an on-site fitness center. Some properties partner with nearby gyms — check directly with the hotel.
Where is National 9 Santa Cruz located, and how walkable is the area?
National 9 Santa Cruz is located at 130 Plymouth St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. With a Walk Score of 77, the area is rated Very Walkable. Most errands can be completed on foot, with public transit and rideshare easily accessible.

House rules

Check in 1:00 PM
Check out 11:00 AM
Cancellation Not available
Children Not available