Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos

4.2 (199) 116 Aptos Beach Dr, Aptos, CA 95003, United States

Categories

Hotel

Location on the map

Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-688-3207
Site: http://riosands.com/

Opening hours

Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.2

199 Reviews for Rio Sands Hotel 2024:

Review №1

2024-05-21 00:12:50

Check in was easy and front desk help were friendly. However not trained as well as they should be, as they struggled to give me a cash receipt. Room was very nice and clean. Clearly rooms have been remodeled recently. I liked the bed as it was firm, and king bed came with four large pillows. They all have balconies or back porch. I would probably recommend downstairs as porches seems nicer. Our room had a small refrigerator and coffee pot. Biggest complaints would be TV never worked. It would turn on but no signal for channels. We were not there to watch TV but like to watch the news. Called several times and were promised someone would come fix it. We stayed three days, and they never came. I see this in other reviews for them so its clearly an issue that needs to be addressed. Pool and hot tub close too early 9:00PM. Other issue would be their continental breakfast. Its in a beautiful room and lots of seating. Has juice, coffee, waffle maker, toast and cereal. Some sort of yogurt machine that didnt work. So, no yogurt. I prefer something individually package in these situations and yogurt is a must for many people. Also, no flavored creamer, come on these days thats a must. We went and purchase some and left it. Location is good and beach is right there, however its kind of dirty in that section. You really have to go down the beach a bit to find a nice spot. There is a nice restaurant right at the beach called Venus and I would recommend it. Overall, I would stay there again even though price was a little high for what we got. Its a cute place with friendly help and good location.

Review №2

2024-05-24 01:09:41

We stayed here 5 nights while visiting a relative in the area. We liked the room, location, breakfast, and proximity to dinner options. The room was good. HOWEVER, 3 WEEKS after our stay I saw a charge on our credit card from this hotel. I called, thinking this was either a case of stolen credit card info or a mistake...was informed that we left a stain on a duvet, pillowcases, and towels! We are sedate senior citizens, didnt have a party in the room, no red wine, did not drink coffee in bed, no nosebleeds. I objected to the charge but was told that housekeeping reported this and there was no recourse. BEWARE! We didnt cause the problem nor would the hotel show the evidence. The owner and/or manager clearly should not just bill a guest without at least calling promptly after the stay to ask about the issue. Sneaking a charge onto the card 3 weeks after the stay is dishonest.

Review №3

2024-02-26 05:49:09

What a wonderful stay our family had here! The location is perfect. Its a block from the beach. Our room was awesome. All of the staff here were great. Brooke really stood out. She was so kind and went out of her way multiple times to meet our needs with our room. Its wonderful to feel like we had a home away from home here. Ive been coming here since I was a teen and this was the best trip yet! Book here!

Review №4

2024-04-24 18:36:56

I wanted to give a shout out to Jodie at the hotel who went above and beyond helping me find my purse which I lost. She really was so helpful and her kindness will not be forgotten. As others have noted, the hotel can use an update but it is very clean and the staff is great.

Review №5

2024-06-06 21:31:58

No air conditioning, very dated in some of the rooms. Overnight office person was not present for an extended period of time (more than 30 minutes) and when she returned, she was drunk, with a white claw in her hand. Breakfast was mediocre at best.

Review №6

2024-05-13 14:56:53

I loved my experience our 8 Year Anniversary was beautiful peaceful and the room was really nice with dove products and very nice service and right down the street from the beach it was beautiful cant wait to come back

Review №7

2024-05-14 18:48:24

I got food poisoning from eating their breakfast. My stomach was not right for another week following being sick for a day. I was constantly throwing up, not able to keep anything down for about 8 hours. I would not recommend the breakfast or food here as it can get you sick, but the room was very nice and relaxing. Just dont eat the breakfast!Update: Nobody in management reached out which makes sense. It is a hotel after all and people come and go all day. But still interesting that if someone gets sick from their food, nothing happens, nobody gets notified, and they just dont seem to care. Sad to see another hotel revolve around money instead of a good experience. Even though it is not a 5 star hotel, you should get decent service, that I have not seen. Book an Airbnb and support someone local instead of a business!

Review №8

2023-11-28 18:57:06

This was the single worst hotel Ive ever stayed. Wouldnt stay 15 min here just to use a bathroom. The employees dont care about the guests. The noise is miserable, and the place is disgusting. Blood stains on the towels dirt on the floors, no tables, just a bed and some walls. Would give it 0 if I could.

Review №9

2023-06-02 16:19:04

Great service, beautiful location and rooms and the amenities are fantastic. One room needed more outlets but another was fine. The hot tub/pool and continental breakfast were a wonderful addition to our stay. Would definitely stay again.

Review №10

2023-01-21 18:12:07

This place is nice for what it is, a motel near the beach. Nothing luxurious, but the rooms are clean and well taken care of. All the staff I interacted with were friendly and helpful. The free breakfast was actually pretty good too. Very good value for what you get.

Review №11

2023-01-17 05:20:44

Staff are really nice and helpful- great people, the let me check out later than usual. however the rest of the stay made it prettysad experience, this place is NOT clean, I found a toe nail on the leaving room table, spots on the floor that has not been mopped from previous guests, even after we complained about, on our next stay which was booked( unfortunately) at same place, things had not been cleaned- don’t bother stay there, even if it’s cheap - it’s FILTHY! I hope after this review things will finally improve

Review №12

2023-04-22 23:30:26

Booked through my Capital One credit card under dog friendly hotels in Aptos. This came up. I booked the King room, LR, private patio, kitchenette, first floor. I called the next day to confirm. Two weeks later my friend said she went to book and hotel was not dog friendly. I called again to confirm room, dates, & dogs. Put on hold so long, has to call back at a later time. Called again. Receptionist stated I was in an upstairs. I described to room I had booked, and she said it was not available. What??? To top it off, they are not dog friendly. Thank God my client let me know so I would not have arrived in July with 2 dogs and no room.

Review №13

2021-04-30 17:57:03

I love how close this place is to the beach. Makes going there easy! The room is spacious, with a living area and back patio. Were going to enjoy the hot tub as well. Too bad the kitchen didnt come with dishes or cooking utensils; they do have a dish kit but it costs money, which is kindof annoying. Its like making people bring their own bedding. The bed was fine, but dipped in the middle, so it was hard for the 3 of us to be comfy all night. The bathroom could also use a fan, it got very steamy in there, even with the window open.

Review №14

2021-08-29 04:30:13

If you plan on staying anywhere relatively near the Santa Cruz area, this is 100% the best value stay youll find that will offer a quality experience. This place is within a five minute walk to the beach, which itself is much less crowded compared to Santa Cruz. In addition, the rooms are much bigger (and cleaner) than your typical motel and there is plenty of parking. Perhaps the best part of the stay is the breakfast offered. While a full continental breakfast is only available on weekends as a result of COVID, the offerings are certainly plentiful and the dining room is spacious. And even on weekdays, there are still offerings of cereals, coffee, and other to go items. Lastly, staff were all very friendly and the location is within a five minute drive to many restaurants, stores, and other establishments Overall, a much better stay if youre on a budget but still want to be close to the beach!

Review №15

2018-11-25 15:15:24

This place was an old motel that has been converted to a slightly swanky hotel two blocks from the beach. It was a pleasant surprise, the staff were all super sweet and accommodating.The rooms were clean and comfortable. The pillows were plentiful and plump, the hot tub and pool were clean and warm. The breakfast could use more protein and could be closer to the middle of the place. All in all I would recommend this place to my friends and family.

Review №16

2016-11-21 20:26:35

It was nice to have the extra area in our suite. We didnt use the couch to sit on, but it was convenient to have the extra space to put our suitcases down. The location close to the beach was a short, easy walk. The service at the front desk, helping us find the room we wanted, was excellent. The woman in the breakfast room was very nice and helpful.

Review №17

2019-03-26 13:35:03

The place is within walking distance from the beach which is a positive.. however you must get a room upstairs or you will take your chances on who is above you. we had super loud people above that were up all night...awful! the room has been recently renovated... but the toilet wouldnt flush properly... ugh! also the peach flavored dial soap in the shower downgraded the place to feeling super cheap. amazing how a smell can turn you off big time. still, this place has potential... with just a few changes... the staff was nice.. free breakfast was solid.

Review №18

2022-11-25 19:42:09

This hotel is a block away from the beach, has a very comforting room with a coffe maker and other general condiments. It has a pool and hot tub, vending machine. For breakfast it is buffet style, with waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, oatmeal and much more, no additional charge.

Review №19

2022-06-02 14:12:29

The sheets did not fit the bed. We paid so much to stay at this hotel. We stayed two nights. I informed the front desk that the sheets did not fit the bed the first night and asked them to replace them with some that did. The second night was the same. Buy deep pocketed sheets. If you are going to charge more than the Biltmore to stay at your hotel, show your guests enough respect and buy sheets that actually fit your beds. Come on you can do better than that. Oh and theres no mirror that you can actually use to get ready.

Review №20

2017-06-05 15:40:01

Room was newly renovated, spacious and lovely. This is an ideal location and super close to the beach. Walking distance. Free enhanced continental breakfast. The grounds were well taken care and there was delicious hot coffee in the lobby all hours. The employees were helpful and friendly. Lots of noisy kids during this visit but it should not be a reason to score this place anything but a 5 star . After all, isnt the beach all about family time?

Review №21

2022-05-21 15:49:50

My husband and his son stayed here for approximately 21 days. They loved their stay until the motel refused to refund his security deposit. They never called him, it was on his cc stmnt. and he called them. They stated they smoked in the room and burned the bed. He has never smoked in his 69 years and his son always left the property to smoke. My husband hates cigarette smoke and everyone who knows him, knows that. We dont understand and frankly, we know its false. Not only will we never stay here again, we will tell everyone we know not to stay here and why. Super sad!

Review №22

2020-11-24 00:41:51

Not the worst hotel ever, but will definitely avoid booking here from now on.For starters, its $100 a night. But they charge $40 more for taxes and fees. Not sure what the fees are, but itll cost you $140 total.When we got to our room, the back door was open. Not sure if this is normal, but the room was freezing and we had to check under beds and in closets for a surprise visitor. Luckily we didnt find one.The cleaning of the room was also concerning. There was a big black hair and a leaf in the bathroom sink, brown mystery stains on the towels and sheets, orange crumbs/dirt in one of the beds, dirty floors, and other peoples belongings in the drawers of the vanity.The water also doesnt get hot, only slightly over room temp.We were not happy here and would have much rather booked somewhere much nicer for the same cost.

Review №23

2023-07-06 17:38:10

First time here. Very happy with the location and price.We will definitely be coming back.This is our new to go placeBeen back many timesFirst time here since the stormThe pool and jacuzzi was open the property looks very nice everything was like nothing happened even though we know they went through a lot of trouble

Review №24

2021-06-29 19:16:51

I’m basing this review off of my most recent experience. I have been staying here for over 20 years, probably several dozen times and have always been very happy. Great location steps from the ocean, rooms are clean, mostly quiet, nice pool and hot tub, complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, normally good service. This visit was different. People at the desk all seemed new and not well trained, the phone in the room didn’t work so if I needed something I had to walk to the desk. The water was shut off inexplicably without notice in the middle of brushing my teeth. When I asked they said they “tried” to call everyone to let them know (remember my room phone didn’t work). Overnight there was a rowdy group downstairs up until the early morning hours and no one on-site to address. No breakfast (Covid?). When checking out I received no thank you or how was your stay just a “ok you’re all set”. I will probably be back but a very disappointing experience overall.

Review №25

2018-06-29 15:02:43

Perfect location for one of the best beaches in NorCal. Not fancy, but nice enough and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I appreciate the free coffee all day in the lobby! Just steps from the beach, the deli and a small grocery store. Kids love the pool and patio area in the back. Kitchenette rooms are available if you like to cook away from home.

Review №26

2016-11-08 00:24:56

Tess, at the reception desk, was very friendly and helpful. Our room was spacious, clean and had sliding glass door and balcony with table and chairs. The room smelled fresh, not musty nor full of chemicals. The bed was comfortable and there were extra pillows for reading.We unfortunately were only able to stay for a night, but will be back in the near future to see the sun set from the balcony. We did not have an ocean view, but looking left off of the balcony, it is visible. It is two blocks up from the ocean with good morning coffee and restaurants close by.Weaknesses? God awful coffee in the room and close competition at the breakfast buffet. The breakfast is spartan, but fine if youre hitting and running on your way out to the beach.

Review №27

2018-08-12 03:34:25

Decent stay at the hotel. Clean room, friendly staff. My only gripe is that they shut off the hot water without notice in the middle of the day. I was getting ready for a wedding and the groom needed to shower. I spoke to the receptionist and she had maintenance turn on the water temporarily so he could finish getting ready. Overall, a decent experience.

Review №28

2019-06-27 15:08:58

While cruising highway 1 we were looking for an affordable place to just spend the night. When traveling with a family of five that can be difficult, but this hotel offered a suitable room. The room was only one room, with two queen size beds and one sleeping couch. The place is worn and outdated, not very clean and there is no luxury at all. It seems to be no sound damping between the rooms, so you can easily hear the neighbours on all sides walking and talking. When the neighbours woke up in the morning, so did we. But there is free parking just outside the door, there is a small outdoor pool, there is literally around 150 steps to the beach and they provide a simple and limited breakfast.

Review №29

2018-04-05 19:35:20

Weve been coming here for over 20 years. When our kids were small, it was great having a kitchenette, having a pool, and being just steps from the beach. Now that the kids are grown, we skip the kitchenette if its a short stay (the free breakfast is good, and there are lots of wonderful restaurants in the area); but we still love being just steps from the beach. We prefer upstairs so we can sit out on the balcony, but be aware theres no elevator. They did an extensive renovation a few years ago, everything is in good shape. You may need to ask the desk for help in figuring out the new wall heaters, but they work well (no air conditioning, and you dont need any). Highly recommended.

Review №30

2017-07-23 02:20:46

Wonderful place to stay especially for families.The staff is great! They really put every effort into making sure that your stay is as stress free as they can.They pool is clean and kept at 80 degrees. The hot tub is wonderful too. At 9:00 P.M. everything is closed and covered so everyone is wound down for a good nights sleep.Breakfast is served in the commen hall 7-10 A.M. only steps away. 5 different coffees, O.J. is the best. Waffles, regular or blueberry, cereals, fresh fruit, different breads and bagels, yogurt, All self serve.Beach is only 200ft from the Hotel.Rooms have different configurations to fit many different families.All in all 5 of 5! Will be back next time.

Review №31

2021-05-03 23:05:18

Staff was nice, place was clean and bigger then I expected. It was a suite that was perfect for 2 adults and 2 teens. Walls were paper thin, but luckily that wasnt a problem for us. No one was loud. Literally a block from the beach, 3 min walk to one of the nicest beaches in santa cruz. Would def stay here again. Feel like it is a hidden gem!!

Review №32

2016-11-15 01:24:00

Got there just end of sunset. Steps to beach with restaurant and to go kitchen. Excellent view from balcony. We noticed an older couple in the next room and phoned the desk and the young lady accommodated our request for a switch with ease and understanding. The room was clean, w/ 2nd room, balcony & kitchenette. We had cookware & dishes so avoided $50 rental. Comfy bed & flat screen. Bath/shower was bit small but nice. Smoking gazebo by pool has heat at night. Breakfast has cereal waffles fresh fruit bagels/toast & hard boiled eggs. Got late checkout easily. Excellent stay.

Review №33

2016-04-05 05:04:08

We cant believe this place was so affordable. We are right next to the beach. We have a beautiful room with a balcony. The pool and hot tub are perfect and the grounds are peaceful and picturesque. Best continental breakfast Ive ever had. Definitely making this our go-to inn whenever were in town.

Review №34

2019-03-02 18:09:22

I am glad to see so many people had a good experience here, but I am sad to say mine was not. My brother used to live across the street from this hotel and warned me not to stay here due to the seedy nature of it. I did anyway because I wanted to be near the beach. However the walls were extremely thin and the people below us were partying all night. When I called the ER number to complain, no one answered. I left a message but no one returned my call. The manager did refund half of my money because we had to evacuate our room at 6am due to the above mentioned people smoking in their room and setting off the alarm. The staff are not very friendly (they never smiled or said hello, not one!) The manager was prompt to return my call, but when I wanted a full refund, she stated she didnt think that was necessary for a minor inconvenience. I personally dont think losing 2 nights of sleep is a minor inconvenience. So needless to say, I will not stay at this hotel again.

Review №35

2019-03-03 19:39:27

Just needed a place to stay after helping our daughter move to Aptos. The room was nice and comfortable. Free breakfast, but could use more hot foods besides waffles. Friendly staff. Cynthia was great at check in.

Review №36

2022-03-23 02:22:58

The 2⭐ rating must be a typo. The Rio Sands Hotel is a four star hotel to me. I was expecting low budget and was exceedingly ecstatic at how nice the hotel truly is in person. The check-in staff made it easy and I was in my room in no time. The rooms are spacious and feature several modern amenities. There was a microwave, fridge, coffee maker, mini fridge, free Wi-Fi, a sitting area with a sliding glass door to the patio, a flat screen TV and a comfy bed. Youll also find outdoor amenities. Such as, a heated pool, hot tub and a BBQ area with a hammock. The location of the beach is the best part. Its only a 3 minute walk from the outside of the garden area gate. While visiting the Aptos area, be sure to check out the historic mission church and the quaint downtown area. Plus, there are some great breweries and BBQ in the area. I would recommend bringing your own hair dryer. My hair kept getting sucked into the dryer. 🌊👙🏖️ IG: SACRAMENTOHONEY

Review №37

2016-11-07 07:57:35

I stay here for 2 night, with my 15 months old son. It is a very cozy and nice hotel. Hot tub is awesome! Big balcony with table and chairs, perfect for breakfast or dinner time. 5 minutes walking to the beach. Recommended!

Review №38

2014-02-12 15:42:09

Spent 5 months here while finding work and place to live after relocating from Pennsylvania. While not the ideal place to live, the amenities were good, the service and staff were very courteous and polite, and being a couple blocks from the beach was great. The noise was an issue we dealt with frequently, and the office accommodated us as best they could - again, living there and working. Great place for families and friends. Heated pool and hot tub throughout the year - seemed very popular for the guests.

Review №39

2018-02-27 03:14:28

Very cool place, super clean. Great staff, grounds are pretty. Nice pool, great hot tub. Walking distance to beach. Breakfast includes...3 kinds cereal, juice, good coffee, waffles pancakes, boiled eggs, tea, muffins, toast (several kinds of bread), bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit. Big brick bbq for guest use. This place is a favorite!

Review №40

2016-06-27 06:10:39

We had a nice enough time here. The room was clean and the breakfast was alright. While there isnt much of a view from the room itself, the beach is a very short walk away. The wifi service choked at some intervals but was mostly adequate for a bit of video viewing. Overall a decent place.

Review №41

2018-06-20 15:06:03

Great for vacationers. No frills, quick walk to the beach, quiet and pleasant. Motel, not a hotel. Your door opens to the parking spaces. Very limited parking. No hot breakfast, though the continental breakfast pastries are nice. Room does not have space for much more than the bed. Separate family room type space.

Review №42

2021-05-30 03:47:22

Best kept secret in Aptos. Perfect location, steps from the beach. Nice pool with bbq area.Food options, good burgers also market with liquor, snacks and basic items one block away.Hotel is clean, safe would recommend for a nice getaway.

Review №43

2016-09-09 00:40:31

We LOVE the Rio Sands!! We have stayed many times and love it each time!! I would like to specifically mention Lolita, the wonderful lady who keeps the breakfast buffet stocked. Lolita is so hard working and very hospitable! We are so appreciative of her cheerful greeting each morning.

Review №44

2024-01-07 17:07:09

Decent, least favorite part was the lack of hot water for morning shower.

Review №45

2017-03-29 00:00:39

Nice room, it was really comfy. The bed was great, I have a broken neck and was worried about traveling but that bed was great! They had a good little complementary breakfast with waffles! Front desk was a great wealth of knowledge about the area in general.

Review №46

2016-03-28 06:15:56

Super nice staff. Our room was freshly renovated. Its not high end but clean, tidy and positive. Fastest hotel wifi ever (50 down, 12 up!) and that for free.Around the beach with beach-front restaurant, grocery, Bistro and bar. Close by are golf course with good value American breakfast, Nisene Marks national park and in the mountains casual wineries and other gems. Love Aptos.

Review №47

2017-06-04 03:34:33

Super friendly staff! Clean rooms and grounds. Very family friendly! Breakfast available at 7am and good coffee! Good coffee was a very pleasant surprise. They serve Santa Cruz Roasters. I will be back very soon!

Review №48

2016-11-15 15:16:20

As always we had a nice relaxing get away with you. We love that youre just steps from the beach and the weather was outstanding. The rooms are always clean and quite. Also having the extended breakfast is a major plus.Thank you, Lisa

Review №49

2016-12-05 00:01:29

We love staying here. Love the continental breakfast. Rooms are very clean. Our grandkids love the heated pool and jacuzzi. Front desk people r very nice. We stay there at least 3 times a year.

Review №50

2016-10-01 02:11:42

Exceptional service. For a beach hotel - its perfect! Very short walk to the beach. Great pool and spa after beach. Bed was surprisingly comfortable. Yeah, the bathroom and shower were as small as I read, but like I said - for a beach hotel its perfect. We will definitely return! Thank you Rio Sands.

Review №51

2021-12-23 20:23:55

Our room was not cleaned. They no longer have a nice breakfast in their banquet room. It seems the management has changed. Whoever Cynthia is. She is not a very pleasant person. I dont recommend staying here. It used to be a nice place

Review №52

2015-10-25 23:17:19

We had to book a couple of rooms at the Rio Sands because the vacation rental The Tudor Rose Manor only held 22 guests and we had 26. It worked out perfectly as a couple of guests wanted to have more privacy, but they were able to join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner and activities from 8am to 9:45pm at the Tudor. And since the Rio Sands was right on the way to the beach, we had lots of friends dropping by for a quick dip in the pool after being in the ocean. It turns out that lots of extra guests at the Tudor book here regularly, as the owner recommend the Rio Sands Hotel as it is only 2-min level walk to the home. We enjoyed our week in November as the weather was perfect with no crowds! Well be back next year too.

Review №53

2014-07-27 18:18:38

Stayed here recently with a group of people in multiple rooms. We found it to be a family-friendly hotel in a nice location, a short block from the beach. Nearby there is a great little deli, a decent (though slightly pricey) restaurant with some good seafood/steak, coffee shop, and market -- pretty much everything you need for an extended stay.The pool area/grounds were clean and had BBQ pits available to us, which I thought was neat.Some of the rooms appeared to have been completely renovated and had that great new furniture and hardwood flooring smell, and in general were the kind of rooms youd expect in a higher priced hotel in the area. The rooms yet to undergo the renovation were clean, comfortable and well maintained, but obviously not new like the renovated rooms were.Staff was very nice and accommodating. The breakfast area was nicer than most similarly priced accommodations in the area offer (also appeared to have been newly redone) and the continental breakfast selection was satisfactory. Free wifi internet access was of great quality and allowed me to get a little work done while we were resting between outings.Only real complaint would be the noise from occupants on the floor above us. Either they were exceedingly heavy footed, or the hotel could benefit from some sort of noise reduction between floors. And I suppose a minor complaint would be that one of the rooms our group stayed in had no ceiling fan or AC (not generally a necessity on the coast, but nice for those who prefer to sleep in a cooler environment), and it felt a little stuffy at night with sliding door closed (ground level). That said, the staff did provide a fan for the room when asked the rest of the stay was comfortable; kids loved the bunk beds.Either we had an exceptional experience, or it seems management has been improving their service and accommodations. Overall, we wouldnt hesitate to stay here again and likely will in the future.

Review №54

2018-11-05 16:30:55

Realize when you choose to book a room here you are paying for being one block away from the beach. In a place like Santa Cruz where there are precious few hotels few if any are closer. The rooms themselves are no frill but sufficient. If your idea of vacationing is using all the amenities at the hotel you will be disappointed. But if you want a home base to explore Santa Cruz, be able to take early morning walks in the fog on the beach, and be near two great little hole in the wall cafes, then spend the money and enjoy your stay.

Review №55

2017-07-08 18:34:36

We stayed in a junior suite and were very happy with accomodations and staff. The room was clean and comfortable. The free breakfast was perfect with waffles, muffins, cereal and juices. We will be back.

Review №56

2022-08-28 17:27:42

Surly desk clerk? Check. Need to look in the mirror? Just bend over sink and look sideways. Power outage? You betcha! Plus, a bathtub suited for bathing your toddler, an infestation of ants, a noisy and leaking refrigerator, a desk but no chair; just a low rise pouffe. The ocean, however, is less than a block away, but that is something for which they can take no credit.

Review №57

2016-11-28 19:05:53

The hotel was perfect! We had a big group of family members all staying there, 5 rooms total! We werr all on the 1st floor in suites right by the hot tub and pool area! The rooms werd great and the staff was awesome!! And the bonus is your only a couple blocks from the beach! Its a perfect spot!! Thank you Rio Sands for adding to our already amazing holiday! We will stay with you guys again for sure!!

Review №58

2018-04-21 16:59:35

We love this place. Have been coming here a few times a year for the last 9 years. It is our home away from home. The pool is heated and the spa is always nice. Very beautiful and so close to the beach.

Review №59

2020-08-24 02:07:50

This Hotel was perfect. Close to an amazing beach. Nice warm pool. Great lounging area. Friendly and helpful staff. Hope to plan our next trip here also!

Review №60

2018-08-17 15:44:46

Sofa bed we paid extra for was the most uncomfortable thing EVER. I miss tgis place when it was Motel and had 70s decor, before all the great reviews came out. It was more affordable and easier to get a reservation. It has been a tad yuppified. But I still love it, great location and place for family.

Review №61

2021-03-27 00:44:33

Great except for the thin walls and ceilings. Right now we have a room with a door that goes directly to another room and I can hear full conversations. On the opposite side we can hear murmured talking. Neighborhood noise is common as well. Other than that, Rio Sands is great.

Review №62

2018-02-14 17:45:45

Have stayed at the Rio Sands on two different occasions. Very pleased and will be back again. Everything you hope for when booking a room on the coast. Walk to a great beach, clean quiet rooms, friendly staff, immaculate grounds, nice continental breakfast, etc. I could go on and on.

Review №63

2017-06-13 02:09:54

Really nice little hotel! In a cute little neighborhood in Aptos, short walk from the beach! Peaceful area, hotel is very warm and inviting. Plus they have memory foam mattresses! First hotel Ive ever actually been jealous of the bed, lol!

Review №64

2017-12-27 00:12:54

Very relaxing. Hotel attendees were so kind and corteous to us, even after i went up to front desk asking different questions. But the young man there made me feel comfortable and of No bother. Hope he did well on his deep sea fishing escapade. Wish i could have stayed longer.

Review №65

2018-06-27 01:15:21

Great update to the rooms, wonderful service from the staff..... The only bummer is that our rooms were not ready until 5pm instead of 4pm..... Had to wait an hour with two toddlers. Otherwise, a great beach hotel!!!

Review №66

2021-10-23 16:36:08

If you are visiting Santa Cruz I suggest staying here. Great combination of price, distance to town, and proximity to ocean that nakes this place just right. And we could hear the ocean from our room at night. We will be staying here again.

Review №67

2016-10-31 00:46:51

Enjoyed our visit to the Rio Sands very much. Nice clean quiet room on the top corner. Breakfasts are very good as well. Staff is helpful and location if perfect! We will be back!

Review №68

2019-05-15 18:33:14

To start, when we called asking for a 2nd floor room they didnt note it or even mark that we called despite saying we would be given a 2nd floor room. We were told there were only 1st floor rooms which they tried to put us in. We ended up upgrading to a kitchen suite which got us to the 2nd floor eventually. The rooms are fine and clean however the screen door was broken and difficult to open and shut and the sink drain wouldnt close. When we reached under the sink to try to fix it ourselves we found loads of rust that started to flake off.Walls thin enough where I could hear the tv next door clearly.The continental breakfast was alright but the only protein available was hard boiled eggs.They charge 4 star prices for their rooms and yet it is at most a 2 star.

Review №69

2020-03-25 02:44:12

My family has been going to the Rio Sands for over 30 years. We love everything about it. It’s clean, close to the beach, staff is awesome and the breakfast is great. It’s our favorite vacation spot.

Review №70

2016-07-22 05:16:39

Good place to stay within walking distance to beach and places to eat. Downfall is no AC and you have to leave windows open for ventilation. Noisy neighbors can make it hard to fall asleep.

Review №71

2018-09-06 06:43:08

Our room was very clean and nice. Service desk attendants were all super nice and very helpful, was a little bummed that the hot tub/pool was only open until 9pm, but other than that our stay was good :)

Review №72

2016-10-03 15:33:19

Very close, walking distance to the beach but the room was very SMALL compared to the price I paid. No TV or privacy in the bedroom of the kitchenette suite.Breakfast was a nice spread though.

Review №73

2021-08-01 23:02:22

Overall the place was “ok” for the price, but with the combination of rude workers and inconsiderate neighbors it ruined my stay. we were supposed to have complementary breakfast on wednesday and it was not available for some reason with no explanation. the workers will NOT help no matter what and i also had horrible experiences with all of the managers as well.

Review №74

2017-09-24 04:16:27

First 4 nites were great. Last 2 not so much. Loud families stayed & disrupted our sleep. No one answered at the front desk. I called 3 times. Breakfast room was a mess last day.

Review №75

2016-08-27 23:25:50

We love Rio Sands. Such a great place for the family. Weve been coming here for years. It has everything you need plus its only a short walk to the beach and good restaurants, and a short drive to the Boardwalk. We never stay anywhere else!

Review №76

2021-12-31 00:17:13

I called to find out if they would accept my credit card before I booked my trip and the lady was extremely rude and did not want to help me. I literally had to ask her if she could confirm it for me and she rudely told me I needed to call back the next day to speak to a manager. I do not understand why they would have someone answering the phones if they are going to be unable to help with a simple question. Looks like I will be booking my stay with another hotel.

Review №77

2016-10-21 04:55:14

We enjoyed the stay and love the area. The pool and hot tub and amenities were very good. The rooms were clean but noisy, probably lack of soundproofing.

Review №78

2016-04-10 04:07:49

Nice heated pool and spa. They charge for everything, including use of dishes, late check-out, etc. The bathroom was tiny. Very good location, walking distance to the beach.

Review №79

2016-08-24 18:53:08

Family friendly (6 in our case), walk to a great beach in a quaint town. Easy drive into Santa Cruz. Pool and amenity spaces are nice and clean. Helpful staff.

Review №80

2017-04-18 03:07:17

Nice hotel. Pool and hot tubs very nice. Breakfast room very nice. Room (two queen) was a bit small and bathroom was a bit dated. Everything was clean and staff were friendly.

Review №81

2018-02-07 16:15:53

Awesome little hotel. Lobby and breakfast place was very up to date and nice. Rooms were clean! Breakfast was good. All you can ask for!

Review №82

2017-08-03 23:56:00

This is the worst company to work for and the most mediocre to stay at. The management treats all employees like disposable Garbage. Jill Crosby is a terrible lead supervisor and has no business running a hotel. The Rio Sands fires employees to avoid having to pay their benefits and overtime. For instance did they fired the best manager they had because he wanted a raise after working there for 6-7 years. Beware young jobseekers and vacationers do not be fooled and do not associate yourself with this company . Hopefully they go out of business soon so a new company can try run a fair equal opportunity business. Jill Crosby will fire you if you ask for more hours or benefits. You can expect a .33 cent raise after 2 years of hard work here. All I can say is JILL CROSBY has no business running a hotel and being under the influence at work is a crime! You know what Im talking about. Allen Property Group Drug test your management and this message will all make sense.

Review №83

2018-04-05 18:02:19

Very very nice here. Great pool and so close to an amazing beach. Nice people, clean, everything we needed plus a comfy bed.

Review №84

2023-11-15 15:17:03

Great location, great prices, and great rooms. Hotel staff went above and beyond for me. I have been coming for 30 years.

Review №85

2018-04-27 21:32:19

Great location less then a block from the beach. Very nice pool and spa. Continental breakfast was good. Room was just ok. Free parking.

Review №86

2019-04-15 19:58:17

Rooms are clean and modern enough. The hot tub was acceptable. Its about 1 minute to walk to the beach.The location is excellent, and the staff is friendly.

Review №87

2019-03-11 03:46:15

I stayed with my daughter and grandkids in February and our experience was great! Amy at the front desk was exceptional, the pool and breakfast amazing!! What a gem!! I will be back!

Review №88

2016-10-24 18:04:18

Having stayed at the Rio Sands every year or two for 19 years Ill say its great. Internet access was even better this year! The staff are wonderful and the accommodations absolutely meet my needs. Since I generally stay for 2weeks at a time, I love having a kitchen unit and it really feels like home. Thank you so much for another lovely stay!

Review №89

2016-07-19 04:05:03

We loved our stay! Great staff and amazing location. .quiet and restful. A little dated but totally a steal of a find. .well be back!

Review №90

2016-10-24 21:59:15

Lovely, comfortable, excellent customer service, very cozy and central to everywhere we needed to go. feel very safe, well taken care of and cozy. Love the breakfast buffet too

Review №91

2017-12-30 01:04:11

Rooms are fine. Our toilet kept clogging and they took a long time to come fix it. Wifi doesnt work at all and the building is a cell phone black hole. Breakfast was OK.

Review №92

2016-11-07 04:36:41

The room was very nice, a most comfortable bed, exceptionally gracious staff and the price was good. I will most definitely stay there again when next Im in the area. Thank you, all.

Review №93

2019-04-30 03:38:55

Clean, simple rooms, friendly staff, great breakfast, wouldn’t hesitate to book again worth every penny. Not to mention there is a beach within walking distance.!!

Review №94

2019-07-25 19:52:57

If you like a gas powered leaf blower at yr front door at 9 in the am and you dont mind having yr car covered with a fine dusting of dirt then this place is for you. They will also be leaf blowing near yr glass doors in back. Just make sure yr dressed or curtains are closed. Bring yr ear plugs cause you will need them to drown out the noise and the kids screaming Marco Polo all day nd night. You just have to guess which day of the week K D landscaping will be there. Other then that its a great place to spend a noisy vacarion. Try the Seasape resort for a peacfull va ca.

Review №95

2016-09-04 22:53:32

Clean, quiet, close to the beach. Breakfast buffet was nicer then most hotels. We plan on a revisit on our next meeting in Aptos.

Review №96

2021-06-16 03:02:19

I stayed at this hotel on June 7, 2021 and will not be returning. When checking out I requested a copy of my receipt be emailed. Cynthia couldnt do this but said she would mail one. Its been over a week. I still havent received a receipt. I called the same day I checked out realizing I had left a few items behind, indicated my room number, and again Cynthia told me shed leave a note for someone and call me back. No call back after a couple of days I checked in again. No update per Cynthia, but would leave another note and call me. Today is June 15th and I called again and guess who I got- Cynthia. No news and nothing has been done. How hard is it to leave a note for housekeeping to tell them on the day of check out the room I stayed in belongings were left behind and to note this and place with lost & found so I could pick up on my next round. If Maggie, GM youre reading this please note your customer service sucks and there are too many properties that are available in the area, are nicer, more updated, and less expensive. Ive stayed here more than a dozen times and will NEVER return. Lousy way to operate a business!!! And, Im tired of the Covid excuse. Guess what, others are thrilled to be open and appreciate having return customers. Your property has fallen way short. Good some better follow through people at your front desk. Ive done the hotel desk job in my earlier days. Its not that hard people.

Review №97

2023-05-29 18:00:30

Great moments each time I visit the Rio sands hotel. I want to say thank -you, to the staff

Review №98

2020-03-15 21:33:47

The workers here are not nosy and all up in your business and theres a very peaceful smoking area for those who smokewith a nice relaxing fountain in the sitting area to listen to while youre smoking and the pool is heated as well as a hot tub and lots of yummy choices for breakfast in the morning.

Review №99

2020-10-07 18:23:20

Love ❤️ this Hotel. Full kitchen,bath,living room. located at the Beach 🏖️.friendly staff and very accommodating. Love ❤️ also the attached balcony upstairs.🌹😃🥰

Review №100

2019-06-06 01:45:18

Great older hotel. Immaculately clean and well maintained. Excellent location and amenities. Small rooms and smaller bathrooms.

Review №101

2017-09-12 22:49:32

I love this place. Ive been staying here for more than 20 years. As a former Aptosian, this is the hotel I recommend to everyone looking for somewhere close to the beach.

Review №102

2016-04-24 05:00:40

Great pool and hot tub and very convenient location. Continental breakfast was okay and room was a little dated, but clean and good price.

Review №103

2020-12-22 05:44:54

We have been coming to this hotel since we were kids, i now have the pleasure of taking my kids and grandkids here, The beach is close by and the hotel and staff are great, warm pool year round too !!!!

Review №104

2017-02-14 05:51:51

Showed up after hours and guy was really nice and accommodated me by getting me a room. But that room was never cleaned... You should verify the rooms are clean more often... Especially when new people are working

Review №105

2019-07-12 04:02:17

This hotel is the best priced, best location, and best looking hotel in Aptos! We stay here every single time we go and it is just steps away from the beach! Definitely recommend a thousand times over!

Review №106

2020-08-04 17:34:48

The location is great. The rooms have been updated nicely. Check it out if you are in Aptos or Rio Del Mar area.

Review №107

2019-08-17 00:12:10

Quiet, with a nice pool and hot tub. Also has a three pit bbq. Grew up coming here with my family and now I take my kids.

Review №108

2018-02-08 22:04:23

Great place to stay with your family. Beautiful location by the beach. Good eats close by. I recommend this place for a very good stay in the Monterey Bay. Enjoy

Review №109

2016-09-07 16:43:54

Wonderful location, great rooms and I loved the pool! The staff was very helpful. We will be returning for sure!

Review №110

2016-04-05 06:00:59

Pros: Great location, clean rooms, friendly staff.Cons: Definitely on the expensive side, but thats Aptos for ya!Would Recommend: Yes! Would stay there again in the future and will certainly be telling friends/family all about it in the meantime!

Review №111

2020-08-24 05:11:30

Nice accommodations, walking distance to the beach (block away). Restaurants, Pixie Deli & cute corner market with the essentials! Had a good time 🎊

Review №112

2019-12-31 01:57:30

Nice place close to the beach. Restaurant, cafe, and bar all close as well.Rooms are very well maintained.Continental breakfast.

Review №113

2016-09-22 08:59:25

Well kept rooms, friendly staff even when experiencing problems, and fantastic location close to beach and in very quaint town. Lovely stop would visit again.

Review №114

2017-08-01 16:41:43

This place was awesome rooms are nice we got the family 2 room kitchenette parking is right out the door/ The only problem was to many cameras and no smoking

Review №115

2016-11-14 23:04:05

It was really relaxing and quiet! Right near the beach! Just a cute little apartment looking hotel! Adored our stay!

Review №116

2016-10-21 05:50:52

My room was clean and comfortable. The staff was great. The breakfast selection was varied and

Review №117

2016-10-17 15:41:42

For the price, especially in the Santa Cruz area, this place cant be beat. Cute pool area, very nice free breakfast, clean rooms, and a short walk to a beautiful beach (Rio Del Mar).

Review №118

2016-10-21 17:13:14

This is my favorite go to place when an opportunity presents itself to get away for a few days. Love the location, love the place itself and what it offers.Have been coming here for 5 years consistently and always will....

Review №119

2021-02-21 16:17:52

Great place. I have stayed here many times, this last time the people next door were a little too noisy.

Review №120

2019-01-22 00:08:11

Staying in the newer side building and its wonderful. Beautiful floors, mounted TVs, comfortable beds, and very clean.

Review №121

2018-01-24 03:08:53

Very nice rooms absolutely amazing complimentary breakfast in the morning nice area around it stones throw away from the beach

Review №122

2021-12-27 23:08:15

Love this place, we stay there a few times a year when the city makes us a little too nuts and we have to get away.

Review №123

2017-05-28 15:36:12

Basic beach side motel. Stair carpet could use a clean. Nice staff. Comfortable beds.

Review №124

2019-08-18 22:21:19

We stayed for a night in a the Rio Sands Hotel and I liked it. The set up of the room with one room separated from the rest is really convenient.

Review №125

2016-10-10 04:09:41

Comfortable, close to the beach. Beware no A/C, but not needed most of time. Breakfast is normal for motel.

Review №126

2022-06-16 02:32:23

Nice little hotel by the beach, great location, excellent pool, good price. NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!

Review №127

2016-10-04 22:12:20

My brother and I enjoyed our stay. Too bad you have not put in air conditioning yet. That would make it perfect!

Review №128

2016-09-16 04:42:44

This was a nice hotel very close to the beach just a few steps nice breakfast only bummerbwas no air conditioning but nice clean room

Review №129

2020-05-05 08:12:27

Never received my internet password was never written on key card envelope. Besides that very small err.... Great location!

Review №130

2022-09-07 07:56:26

Great accommodations. Clean and comfortable. Close to the beach.

Review №131

2019-04-15 21:54:49

Liked pool area. The inviting fire in the fireplace at breakfast hall was delightful. Beach is nearby, another plus.

Review №132

2019-11-21 18:45:46

I have a nice room, on the small size but clean and accommodating. Location is wonderful!

Review №133

2019-02-02 00:42:07

Great place to stay anytime of the yearI like the outdoor sitting are and BBQ areaClose walking distance to the beach

Review №134

2020-09-22 14:06:26

I was charged 50 dollars for a set 0of utensils and they were all dirty and didnt have everything in it and the customer service was not the best

Review №135

2016-04-15 04:57:31

Excellent hotel. Good amenities. Only downside was very small breakfast. Overall good stay

Review №136

2019-05-14 19:57:16

Nice rooms, call ahead to make reservations... Easy walk to Aptos Beach.

Review №137

2018-02-03 16:27:42

Cute clean rooms, friendly helpful staff, a block from the ocean and restaurants. Could not ask for more personally.

Review №138

2020-07-04 23:30:46

So close to the beach! Humble place, not too fancy, just right for quick trips from south bay.

Review №139

2016-10-11 19:52:44

Welcoming staff, nice size and clean rooms. Easy access to pool, hot tub, and BBQ area.

Review №140

2017-10-20 01:05:24

The rooms lack a lot of basic accommodation, and so did the continental breakfast. If you want just a place to sleep for a night and nothing else then this is for you.

Review №141

2018-09-20 00:06:18

Nice place, people are friendly, free breakfast, close to ocean. I would stay again.👍

Review №142

2016-07-03 05:06:34

Great spot nice rooms good view of the ocean. Safe quite and close parking

Review №143

2016-10-06 12:53:20

Thanks alot for the few days at your hotel. It was the best place we stayed on our one week trip in california.

Review №144

2018-07-28 03:45:45

You can hear everything from everyone around you! Playing in the pool, people talking in the parking lot, etc. Not a quiet place to relax.

Review №145

2021-09-06 16:03:45

Not our first time here. We love it. Walking distance from the beach.

Review №146

2017-10-12 16:22:40

Friendly staff. Nice heated pool and spa. Very close to the beaches

Review №147

2018-08-29 03:04:36

There for a quick overnight stay. Simple, clean rooms and loved the waffles for breakfast.

Review №148

2020-11-27 17:32:20

Excellent quiet hotel just minutes from the beach👍 and good coffee.

Review №149

2023-01-31 21:39:49

Great hotel in the heart of Aptos. Just a block off the beach

Review №150

2018-07-27 19:40:12

Nice and clean hotel! But would be better if it had A/C! Had a unit without A/C and was pretty miserable!

Review №151

2020-03-04 16:15:44

Hotel renovated. Rooms very nice. Breakfast good. Staff amazing.

Review №152

2018-08-19 23:56:11

So close to the beach. Clean rooms. Family friendly.

Review №153

2016-09-22 00:58:13

Nice property, clean rooms, close to the beach, and very polite personnel.

Review №154

2018-01-25 07:01:55

Great service. Clean and homey. Loved my stay here.

Review №155

2016-10-18 04:20:34

Great location by beautiful beach. Hotel staff very friendly and helpful.

Review №156

2016-09-12 16:19:23

The staff was great. And the hotel was just the quiet oasis I needed.

Review №157

2019-09-30 05:46:13

It is so bad. The bed is obviously used. And the bathroom is not cleaned. Such a bad experience.

Review №158

2016-10-24 22:53:40

Personnel, breakfast and housekeeping all five star!And of course the location is perfection.

Review №159

2021-06-01 19:21:37

Its a great place to stay and clean next to the beach.

Review №160

2018-09-28 01:07:41

Great location near beach. Nice facility for a small meeting

Review №161

2024-05-06 21:04:45

Rude, unnecessarily combative

Review №162

2016-10-14 17:58:39

A beautifully kept, family friendly, neighborhood motel one block from the the beach.

Review №163

2022-09-18 06:30:44

I received the worst service from the manager at this location. The staff are a reflection of their manager. You will see!

Review №164

2017-10-13 18:13:57

Location is great, staff is prompt and helpful; cleaning staff is thorough.

Review №165

2019-02-14 16:52:42

Great hotel. I will definitely stay here again.

Review №166

2020-03-09 05:55:57

Very nice room and perfect location near the beach

Review №167

2017-02-09 20:34:09

Incredibly nice staff. Super rooms. Tess helped out tremendously!

Review №168

2019-09-18 01:12:25

They overcharged and deceived me on the cost of the room. I am very unhappy

Review №169

2021-05-23 13:50:41

Up grade the toilets. Fridge kept me awake half the night. ED Danville

Review №170

2020-08-02 17:06:19

Do not stay here if you value cleanliness. The room was filthy 😳

Review №171

2016-08-09 17:30:33

Super close to the beach and a good hot breakfast in the morning

Review №172

2021-11-07 22:01:01

Perfect place to go when going to the beach walking distance to beach and places to eat

Review №173

2016-05-17 07:16:46

Clean and quiet. Great pool and friendly staff.

Review №174

2018-08-08 11:04:51

Great rooms pool and jacuzzi. Beautiful landsvape

Review №175

2018-06-08 15:54:11

My kids LOVED this hotel and the breakfast was perfect

Review №176

2021-07-03 23:31:47

Super clean and really comfy place to go.

Review №177

2016-10-30 21:22:35

Beautifully updated room and wonderful breakfast. Thanks!

Review №178

2020-01-19 07:54:25

The heater doesnt work! the microwave doesnt work! and the fridge doesnt work! and the manager says it is normal this is unacceptable!!!!.

Review №179

2018-06-09 22:44:00

Friendly staff. Very easy to beach! ENJOYED

Review №180

2019-06-09 02:51:29

Best place to stay staff is awesome and helpful discounts available.

Review №181

2022-02-20 04:19:51

Pretty nice place. Would go back for sure.

Review №182

2015-07-01 06:58:42

Its amazing I love that u get free food in the morning yay

Review №183

2016-07-18 05:51:55

Great place to stay right next to the beach great staff

Review №184

2019-05-14 04:32:43

We come to this hotel once a year! Its awesome

Review №185

2016-12-04 22:19:07

We love rio sands- front desk and rest of staff great

Review №186

2016-05-31 08:37:45

Waffle breackfast, couple hundred feet from the beach and reasonable rates

Review №187

2018-05-01 19:17:13

We have been coming here for 14 years we love it!

Review №188

2019-03-18 23:01:20

I enjoyed it. The beds were a little rough though.

Review №189

2020-11-19 13:51:34

Clean affordable nice rooms and great location

Review №190

2021-06-01 16:21:54

Great prices the help is outstanding Kario Olivo Romero is the best.

Review №191

2018-02-18 05:03:28

They have breakfast, wifi, Ethernet cable, and he tvs

Review №192

2019-01-06 05:32:40

Small motel right by the beach. Good pool/spa

Review №193

2016-11-27 21:51:52

Awesome and best kept secret. I stay there all the time.

Review №194

2017-08-13 04:06:20

Clean, friendly staff, affordable, fun atmosphere.

Review №195

2017-08-31 14:29:13

Great rooms and close to the beach

Review №196

2018-05-28 23:24:55

There a horrible place for people of color unless you dont mind being treated like a second class citizen.

Review №197

2018-04-03 04:41:58

Nice staff, clean room, great location.

Review №198

2017-02-18 14:25:31

Comfortable, nothing special hotel close to the Pacific

Review №199

2019-03-04 19:27:07

Nice location, clean and cozy rooms.