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Rio Sands Hotel

2.0 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Rio Sands Hotel

Fountain
Junior Suite | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Kitchen Suite, 2 Rooms, King Bed, Queen and Sofa Bed | Private kitchen | Fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker
Interior
Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    Pool
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Business services
    Business services

Explore the area

Map
116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos, CA, 95003
  • Rio Del Mar Beach
    2 min walk
  • Seacliff State Beach
    3 min walk
  • The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
    17 min walk
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    49 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen | Living area | Flat-screen TV

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

  • 108 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen

Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Suite

Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Junior Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • 108 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • 108 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Junior Room, Accessible

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Kitchen Suite, 2 Rooms, King Bed, Queen and Sofa Bed

Kitchen Suite, 2 Rooms, King Bed, Queen and Sofa Bed | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Kitchen Suite, 2 Rooms, King Bed, Queen and Sofa Bed

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for kitchen suite, Queen bed, Queen sofa bed, twin sofa bed

kitchen suite, Queen bed, Queen sofa bed, twin sofa bed | Living area | Flat-screen TV

kitchen suite, Queen bed, Queen sofa bed, twin sofa bed

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds

Room, Accessible

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

Exterior

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Pool
Hot Tub
Pet friendly
Free WiFi
4.2 out of 5, Very Good, (1130)
The price is $137
$118 per night
$137 total
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

About the neighborhood

Aptos

When you stay at Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos, you'll be by the ocean, within a 15-minute drive of Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. .This motel is 4.4 mi (7 km) from Capitola Beach and 9.3 mi (15 km) from Mystery Spot.
View more Motels in AptosOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Seacliff State Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Seascape Golf Club - 4 min drive - 1.9 miles
  • New Brighton State Beach - 14 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Capitola Beach - 14 min drive - 4.4 miles

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Marianne's Ice Cream - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪The Hideout - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Peet's Coffee and Tea - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Erik's DeliCafe - ‬18 min walk

About this property

Rio Sands Hotel

Motel in Aptos with a 24-hour business center and an outdoor pool
Rio Sands Hotel offers 50 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

This Aptos motel provides complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the motel include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 50 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include microwaves and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. This motel also features complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.
Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, a 24-hour business center, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • 24-hour business center
  • Computer station
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 33.66
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 32

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.0 per night

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100.00 per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Early check-in fee: USD 33.66 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 32 (subject to availability)
  • A kitchen/kitchenette is available for an additional fee
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests should contact this hotel in advance to request a dishware/utensils kit (surcharge applies).

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Rio Sands
Rio Sands Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel
Rio Sands Hotel Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel Motel
Rio Sands Hotel Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel Motel Aptos

Rio Sands Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 502 out of 1004 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 309 out of 1004 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 119 out of 1004 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 43 out of 1004 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 31 out of 1004 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Douglas

Basic hotel in need of a refresh, but nothing seriously wrong with it. Great access to the beach!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linh

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was obviously well cared for. All employees seemed very dedicated to this hotel. Desk employee extremely kind. Breakfast dining room very pleasant, large, and with a fireplace. Good food choices too. Our room was really like an apartment, and had a patio with access to lounge furniture. Just what the doctor ordered!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was great for the price compare to the area. Close to the beach. And staff was great, front desk and lady on the kitchen.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great, room was safe. More comfortable than staying in S
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Yvonne

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Great location and clean, rooms need some updates.
Great location, clean, and nice to have complimentary breakfast included. The rooms are dated and could use some upgrades. Walls are thin--can hear the neighbors--yikes. Nice to have a kitchen in the room BUT there were no utensils or plates/bowls, etc. Time to either stock the kitchen or remove the kitchen.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leonard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Myeshia

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent Family Vacation
Excellent stay for my family. We will be going once a year. The location, staff, and amenities are great. Love the pool and beach I don't think there was air conditioning in the room only a fan, so it was hard to sleep at night due to being warm. This is an easy fix for my future stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Connie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Conveniently located by beach, walkable, coffe shop, restaurants nearby
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
You come for the location
The location is fabulous but the amenities were lacking. Without a working AC unit the room got rather hot even with the windows open.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and facilities! We loved that they had family suites so that we could all be close together, but not right on top of each other. Room is a bit small for a suite, e.g. there's a kitchen, but you have to eat outside on the patio/balcony, and furnishings are older. Overall great value for the price. Would definitely return!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Dawnyelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Mercedes

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyable stay in Aptos
Bed was super comfortable. I enjoyed having a little patio area to sit outside. The rooms do not have AC, and my room felt a bit warm and stuffy. I could open the sliding doors to cool it off, except at night. The location is a short walk to the beach. Not much soundproofing between floors, but they have quiet time starting at 10pm.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

D

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
No bargain
While still part of the package, the breakfast is a fraction of what it was several years ago: no more eggs (except for hard-boiled), no more bacon or sausage, no more yogurt, and no more fruit except for bananas on our last morning. On our first full day, we discovered that the lock on the sliding glass back door wasn't working. We reported it on our second day and then went to the beach. When we returned, the job had yet to be completed and then when it was done later that day, it was hard to engage the new lock without having to just about force it and in so doing, run the risk of breaking something. This was the worst experience that we've ever had at Rio Sands; it's obvious that the owner of the place, Allen Properties, has been cutting corners while trading on the hotel's decent location that's a very short walk from Rio Del Mar Beach; and we won't be returning to Rio Sands anytime soon, which is a shame.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Keith

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Worst hotel stay in my memory. Kids screaming all over, loud guests, paper thin walls so you can hear every toilet flush in the building. Then was woke up at 7:30am by construction workers shoveling just below my window. The bed had a 70s box spring that sounded like a dying animal every time I moved. The place is very ugly on top of all that, with small crowded rooms. Just loud and ugly.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

annalyn

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
We booked a family with bunk beds, but they gave me a single king instead, expecting 2 adults, 2 kids to fit with a price of a family suite. The lady at the desk insisted that we booked a king, she didn’t even seem to understand the configuration of her own hotel rooms. When I asked to cancel, she said, she’ll charge us a days stay with cancellation fee. I refused, told her she can’t charge us, and I ended up booking a junior suite through Expedia. The property is older motel that was renovated quite nicely. The bed and pillows are very comfortable. Smaller bathroom, with good water pressure. There is no elevator, no airconditioner, only a heater. The room was warm at an august night. We had to open the windows which gave us a cool breeze. The property is a less than a block away from a quiet beach. It is surrounded by private homes and feels very homey and safe. I thought the pool was heated but it is not on our stay, very very cold water. Breakfast was waffle, bread, cereal, coffee, juice, and hard boiled eggs.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brittany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is our 3rd year coming to Rio Sands. We absolutely love it. I hesitate to share how incredible it is bc I don’t want it to get busier- but they deserve it. It’s our beach home away from home.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ralph

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved the pool and spa and walking distance to ocean!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Juan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was great the only thing they shut off the water . When I was in the shower.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Kokoro

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
All in all it was great! Bummer that no one is staffed at night. We had no tp and no blankets for the pull out couch. Also you have to pay a fee to get any items for the kitchen. Kind of pointless and frustrating. Also our key cards kept not working so we had to get like 6 of them for our two night stay. Continental breakfast could use some fruit and pastries.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Robert

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was in a noisy residential area.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

G
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Steffani

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The overnight staff was very rude! We arrived late and I felt that we were being watched on how many people entered the room however the next morning when the a/c wasn’t working, service was no where to be found. I will never book here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was nice and clean and peaceful
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024