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Sands by The Sea

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Sands by The Sea

BBQ/picnic area
Fitness facility
Lobby sitting area
Lobby
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
$112
includes taxes & fees
Nov 16 - Nov 17

Explore the area

View in a map
9355 Hearst Dr, San Simeon, CA, 93452
  • Place, Cambria State Marine Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, San Simeon State Park
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Hearst Castle
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(93 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(82 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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Exterior
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
4.4 out of 5, Excellent, 1,747 reviews
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

About this property

Sands by The Sea

San Simeon motel with 2 outdoor pools
This smoke-free motel features 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and a restaurant. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a fitness center, coffee/tea in a common area, and a business center are onsite. Housekeeping is available on request.
Sands by The Sea offers 33 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. LCD televisions come with premium satellite channels. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include ceiling fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered on request and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the motel's full-service spa. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, sports massages, and Swedish massages. The spa is open daily.
Sands by The Sea features 2 outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center. The motel offers a restaurant. This motel offers access to a business center.

Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access. This beach motel also offers a vending machine, coffee/tea in a common area, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Complimentary self parking is available on site.

Sands by The Sea is a smoke-free property.

Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
Cavalier Coastal Kitchen - This restaurant is located on the beach. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee: USD 5 to 30 for adults and USD 5 to 30 for children
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Cavalier Coastal Kitchen

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Business services

  • Business center

Outdoors

  • Direct access to the beach

Full-service spa

  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Hot stone massages
  • Prenatal massages
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with premium cable/satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out fee: USD 150

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Friday - Sunday (1:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, California 93452]
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 30 for adults, and USD 5 to 30 for children
  • Late check-out fee: USD 150

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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Sands Sea Condo San Simeon
Sands Sea San Simeon
Sands By The Sea Hotel San Simeon
Sands Hotel San Simeon
Sands Motel San Simeon
Sands Sea Motel San Simeon
Sands Sea Motel
Sands Sea
Sands by The Sea Motel
Sands by The Sea San Simeon
Sands by The Sea Motel San Simeon

Sands by The Sea Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 461 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 285 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 148 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 57 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 50 out of 1001 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Gloria

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The property is run down. They also run the motel next door. It is a bit confusing because you check in at the other motel lobby. The restaurant next door has good food. The staff is very nice and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay at Sands by The Sea and the Cavalier amenities so much we stayed an extra night. The perfect combo of price, location and amenities for us. Definitely recommend. We also enjoyed and recommend the Cavalier Coastal Kitchen restaurant. The food was great and the staff was friendly. Danny our server set us up at a window and mentioned we might even see some whales. We did and watched a very active pod for over 45mins out at the horizon as we enjoyed our meal. Dinner and a show, awesome!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin, Peoria

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
You were on a road trip so we only stayed for one day. And we had the opportunity we would extended another day or two. The restaurant was excellent. There was a fun bar across the street. The grounds were very fun to walk on. Just beautiful scene.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was AMAZING! They meet all our needs and then some. I’m a single mother with two little girls and they were very accommodating. I will definitely be staying there again soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lots of room for improvement

The front desk staff was not knowledgeable about the rooms, and not very urgent with our requests. This is part of cavalier property and they don’t seem to care much about this property. There is no AC in the rooms. And the thermostat was hanging off the wall. Also, our room wasn’t ready when we got there an hour after check-in time and wasn’t ready until 5 PM. We were told it was because the cleaning staff was running behind. But then the cleaning staff was at our door the next morning before we even got to check out, like we were being rushed out of the room.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jo Ellen

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Truly dog friendly. Great beach. Beautiful views. Very Very affordable. Kind and compassionate staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Paul

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

GIORGIO

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
nothing they show in the picture is thru.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Sandi

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Virginia

Traveled with partner
I liked the location and views! Did not care for the rooms!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Victor

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Family trip

The day was pleasant. Rooms were clean. The resort amenities were amazing. The fire pits room service was great overall it was an exceptional day.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Karina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness

Decent hotel but needs some repairs and updates

The hotel was clean. It’s an old hotel so everything is outdated. And there is no AC. My only negative is our room had a broken door for where the fridge was. So the door wouldn’t stay closed. Also one of the drawers next to the fridge was broken and would also pop open and you couldn’t close it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Angelina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
In order to check-in, we had to go to the property next door. The room was average. We liked that the had fire pits outside they lit at night at sunset.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Robert

The room was nice. The view was great.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Candace

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the bonfire
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Darren

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We've stayed at Sands by the Sea a few times now, and it continues to be our go-to spot when visiting San Simeon. It's not fancy by any means, but for the price and what we need during our trips, it fits the bill perfectly. Our family doesn’t spend a lot of time in the hotel room—we’re usually out exploring—so we really appreciate how affordable this place is. The rooms are definitely dated and could use some serious cosmetic updates—think worn furniture, old fixtures, and a general "tired" look. If you're someone who values modern decor and upscale touches, this might not be the place for you. That said, if you can look past the wear and tear, you’ll find that it’s a simple, no-fuss place to stay that covers the basics well. One of the big perks is its connection to the Cavalier Hotel next door. Since they’re sister properties, guests at Sands by the Sea can take advantage of Cavalier’s amenities, which is a huge plus. On this trip, we tried out the fire pits at the Cavalier and made s’mores—it was a great experience and added a fun, cozy element to our stay. We also love how close the hotel is to the beach. Easy beach access is a must for us, and Sands by the Sea delivers on that front. Overall, if you're looking for a budget-friendly, conveniently located place to crash while exploring the Central Coast—and you're okay with a hotel that’s a little rough around the edges—Sands by the Sea is a solid option.
Sunset in San Simeon, CA.
Elephant Seals
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Gypsy

Traveled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It was a good location and had a restaurant which made it convenient. After a long drive to the hotel I fell asleep quickly and woke up to find I was cuddling with a blanket that had poo smears on it. They took the charge for the first night off the bill and cleaned the room again, but come on....
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Joaquin

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

William

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rude staff, poor cleaning. Hotel is older and looks like it. Needs maintenance. Will not stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

David

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Brilliant hotel for an amazing price. The room is a little old but everything else was perfect. The beach is beautiful and the restaurant is lovely. I will stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jorge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The location is amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Nicole

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025