Sands By the Sea Motel

You get what you pay for!
Viewing this place online, you definitely feel as though you’re going to be staying in style and comfort — then you drive up and check in.
CONS: I’m not sure if they even have a working phone here since nobody answers calls, maybe that’s because there’s only someone in the office very minimal hours a day.
The property and room is old, and could definitely use a face life. The bathrooms are disgusting, there are marks on the doors and floors of wear and tear. There’s an old musty smell to the room as well.
If you like ants, look no further! This place is crawling with them.
Our «beach view» was alright, although I’m not sure it’s one of the make or break details they should share.
The beds look comfortable! But 3 nights and I feel as though I’ve been sleeping on concrete.
The indoor pool. First of all, no Jacuzzi because of the drought, but they can still keep that pool up and running? We didn’t even try because just going into the pool room, it’s dark and it looks filthy.
PROS: All in all it was a good price compared to anything else in the area. It’s close and convenient. About 5 miles from Hearst Castle and 10 miles to Cambria.
There is beach access and that was a plus.
The Cavalier restaurant next door was a good place, and you’re also provided with coupons.
If you’re looking for something convenient, cheap and easy for a night I’d say stop in!
I think with how much this place was talked up and presented online, I was disappointed.
I’ve seen worse, but I’ve also seen better!

For two adults, one night, it was $ 79, which was half the price of the best western next door. The gentleman at the front was very helpful and room was comfortable. The room was not as modern as it could have been, especially the bathroom, but for the price we were very happy.

The name of this place sounds pretty fancy, but in reality, it is your typical run-​off-​the-​mill highway motel. The place is a bit old and somewhat cramped. But what sets it apart from other highway motels of its class is the fact that you have access to a private beach. It isn’t a great beach (it is very rocky), but they have fire pits where you can sit around and relax during a cold night. Pretty cool!
They don’t have food at this motel, but they give you a $ 3 discount on breakfast at Cavalier Inn, which is located in the Best Western next to it. The wifi exists, but is terribly, painfully slow. Cellular network speeds are better. When we checked in, the person at the front desk told us that we’d have a view of the beach. Well, he was right — we did see a sliver of sand, water and sky sandwiched between two buildings. Ha! This place might be semi-​managed by Best Western, but if that’s the case, I’m not sure why folks would stay here instead of Best Western which is generally a star up with rooms at the same price.

I booked a reservation for my daughter and her boyfriend. I have tried calling so many times I’ve lost count to speak with someone about my reservation. I’ve emailed multiple times and still no response. No matter how nice a hotel may be, if you cannot speak to a human being or even leave a message then it’s a bad place to be. I am absolutely FLOORED by the lack of concern they have.

This place is dirty, the bathroom door is falling off it’s hinge, and the tv won’t allow you to chang input, so crappy live tv is all you get, no laptop, no games, no netflix, just e! Caitlyn!

hi-​ya!
For a 2 star hotel, the place works. It’s got a private beach area, indoor pool (small), running water and beds haha.
The showers are SO small… I am not huge, but to enjoy any standing room in that shower was a task. Not a lot of room to move let alone do anything else… as the shower temperature fluctuates.
The beds and TV are solid though. They work and get the job done.
They do give continental breakfast vouchers at the hotel restaurant next door. Cash value of these is $ 3.00 so don’t expect much.
The juice cup they provide is tiny… compared to the cup they normally provide with the non-​continental breakfasts. Our room was just shy of 195 after taxes – 1 bed.

Beds are nice. This coming from a 33 week pregnant woman. Brian at the front desk is helpful and accommodating. The pools close way too early for people trying to vacation. Fridge, microwave and free wifi are all good perks. Overall great value for the $ 89 a night we paid.

I will give it 4 stars. Our room is 248 and has a great view by the beach. The end room at 2^nd floor by the stairs. It was one of the few rooms that has ovean view. We are very satisfied with the room. They have a heated pool and in the evening there are fire pits at the back… best western own that you can sit at. Walking distance to the beach. It is beautiful. Its also minutes drive away from Cambria. Close to san Simeon state park beach. Its close to everything. Very satisfied with stay. The place is dated that is why i did not give it 5 stars but has surpassed expectations. Will stay there again for a reasonable price.

Great location. Right on the beach side of Highway 1. Easy walk down to the beach. They have rooms with full oceanview, we did not stay in one, but they looked good from the outside, each one with a balcony to sit out on. Firepits by the beach are really nice as well as the benches that you can sit at right above the ocean. Room was clean and laid out. The rooms in the building closest to the road do not have the nice balcony that the oceanview rooms do … next time I will try for one of those… Office had limited hours. The restaurant at the motel next to this one (Best Western Cavelier) was great. BY the way, that is a great motel too…

The biggest selling point by far is the location. Our ocean view room was amazing, so close you could hear the waves breaking at night. In the morning we watched the surfers from our bedside. My wife would be the first one to mention the overall lack of cleanliness of a hotel room, and she had nothing but good things to say about the overall condition of our room. The restaurant located adjacent to us (cavalier) offered a friendly environment with a hardy breakfast. It was enjoyable talking to our waitress about the various entertainers that have frequented the area during her 21 years of service at this establishment.
At night, we enjoyed eating at the local Mexican restaurant, and the reviews, in my opinion we not accurate. The service was good, the food was great, and the proximity to the hotel was fantastic. Enjoy the fire pits (wood provided) that they have on the bluff on a nightly basis, get there early to reserve one for bigger groups. the beach was a few minutes away on foot, and on low tide you can bring your S wedge and hit a few as you walk the beach. Our daughter loved looking for «moonstone» rocks while we walked as well. If I had to complain about something, it would probably have to be about Wi-​Fi signal strength, pretty sluggish. But, overall we had a great experience and we will definitely be back.

Amazing motel on the beach for the price. The staff was so friendly. Our room had a huge, comfy bed with 5 pillows and very nice bedding, a flat screen tv, complimentary coffee and tea, a fridge, microwave, and a nice big bathroom. We went to the Cavalier for our continental breakfast and took it to go and sat at the beach. There are chairs and benches at the beach along with fire pits that are shared with the Best Western next door. The elephant seal lookout and Hearst Castle are both just about a 5 minute drive away, and this is a perfect place to stop if you’re driving the coast from LA to the Bay Area. I would love to stay here again if I ever had the chance.

For the price and location, this place is fine. To me, 3 stars says just that.
This isn’t the Luxe nor is it priced that way. It’s a budget hotel in a remote location with a great view when you walk down to the ocean’s edge. Hey, and the rooms are A-​Ok (for the price).
I’d stay here again.
They have good coffee in the lounge although it was closed pretty late into the morning. We were there right before the tourist summer rush, so maybe they were resting. After 9 am, I had to put the keys in the return box.
The free breakfast is really a $ 3 certificate to an adjacent restaurant. They should be more honest in their description of their advertised free breakfast.
Okay, for the record… for what it is, for how it’s priced, if I were to need a place to stay in this area again, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here.