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Staycation O N T H E M O N T E R E Y B A Y 12 A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 1 8 W hether you live in Santa Cruz County or Monterey County, it can be fun to "play tourist" and spend a night or two in a nearby hotel. We talked to two local properties about their of- ferings: Dream Inn Santa Cruz and Chami- nade Resort & Spa. Dream Inn Santa Cruz Dream Inn, open since 1962, was always a beautiful hotel. In 2016, they made it even better by starting a complete renovation, which was finished in April 2017. All of their guest rooms are now brand new and fully renovated, as are their lobby and pool deck. For discounts on hotel rooms, Dream Inn offers local residents the promo code "Local." Depending on availability and date range, the discount fluctuates from 10 to 20 percent. ere are also blackout dates when the code is not valid. e hotel offers several packages; these in- clude the Screamin' Dream (stay three nights and receive 15 percent off the best available rate, plus a daily $25 food/beverage credit) and Livin' the Dream (includes accommoda- tions for two nights, complimentary valet parking and a $100 food/beverage credit for the stay). Read more at dreaminnsantacruz. com/santa-cruz-hotel-deals. ere are various places to eat and drink at Dream Inn: Aquarius Restaurant, Jack O'Neill Lounge, and the Shorebreak at the pool. Aquarius serves daily breakfast, brunch and dinner prepared by Executive Chef Ken Drew, who has been at Dream Inn since March 2017. "e restaurant offers an Artichoke Flat bread that has become a local favorite," says Dan Smart, Dream Inn's Director of Sales and Marketing. Past dinner entrees include pan-seared Day Boat scallops with polenta, edamame-corn-bell pepper succotash, and red and yellow pepper coulis. Aquarius has occasional "theme weeks" throughout the year. A special "Strawberry menu" began August 17 and lasts until August 24. Artichoke Week was held in June, with dishes like savory artichoke bread pud- ding, and Avocado Week was in July. Jack O'Neill Lounge has a laid-back "very Santa Cruz" atmosphere; décor includes suroards suspended from the ceiling and vintage photos on the walls. Signature cocktails include the Mai Oh Mai Tai and CoCoMo (Ketel One, mint, lime, pineapple, and coconut water). ere is live music ursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 6:30-8 p.m. Happy hour is held seven days a week from 3-5; customers can order discounted bottled beers and glasses of house wine. All day long—from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.—the menu offers food such as clam chowder (in a sourdough boule from Aldo's Bakery), fish tacos (including choice of grilled or fried seafood), and burgers. e Lounge's kids' menu includes a grilled cheese sandwich and chicken tenders. e pool is a big draw at Dream Inn; the pool deck even has direct beach access. At the pool, there is a Shorebreak "Drink and Dine" menu available for hotel guests with sandwiches, salads and snacks. Drinks include soda, ginger beer, coconut water, smoothies, wine, beer and cocktails. Right now there is also a street taco cart from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Need another reason to visit Dream Inn? Dan Smart has plenty more to offer: "Dream Inn is located right on Cowell Beach and steps away from Steamer Lane. Why wake up and drive to the surf, when you can just walk right out of your guest room door?" Also, for those interested, Smart says that the week aer Labor Day is a "…secret time to stay with great deals and big waves." Other amenities worth noting, from Smart: "e staff is top notch, the views are spectacular from the 100 percent ocean-view guest rooms with private balconies, you can sleep to the sounds of the waves. 'Surf, Sun, Sleep, Repeat.' And on Tuesday, ursday, Saturday and Sunday, we offer Brew Tours with Brew Cruz's 1964 VW bus Slowboy." Hotel guests get to leave right from Dream Inn, and take a tour of several Santa Cruz breweries. Chaminade Resort & Spa Spending a night or two at Chaminade— or even more—can be transformative. Nestled in the eucalyptus-covered hills above a bustling slice of Santa Cruz, it feels very re- mote—like a person is experiencing a much- farther-away locale. People should watch out for occasional promotions; for example, right now there is a discount accommoda- tion offer for California residents. A bonus for locals: there is a special spa discount for Santa Cruz County residents; they receive $20 off spa treatments 45 min- utes or longer Monday through ursday. e spa and fitness facility is very large and pleasant, covering 1,700 square feet. I once had a facial at the Chaminade, and it was one of the best I've ever had. e aesthetician was top-notch, and the treatment room had a wonderful atmosphere. Whether or not you stay at the hotel, once you purchase a spa treatment of $95 or more, you are entitled to use the property's facilities at no extra charge. ese include a spa patio, a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor Santa Cruz hospitality S TAY W H E R E T H E T O U R I S T S S TAY. . . I N T H E O F F S E A S O N by Tara Fatemi Walker Photo courtesy of Dream Inn

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