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Sands by The Sea

2.0 star property
Beach location and 2 outdoor pools

Photo gallery for Sands by The Sea

Beach
Front of property
BBQ/picnic Area
Standard Room
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Room amenity

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
The current price is NZ$139
includes taxes & fees
15 Jan - 16 Jan

Explore the area

View 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

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(95 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Connecting rooms available
Fridge
LCD TV
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(83 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Connecting rooms available
Fridge
LCD TV
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

About the area

San Simeon

At Sands by The Sea you'll be within just a 10-minute stroll of Cambria State Marine Park and San Simeon State Park. Highlights at this beach motel include 2 outdoor swimming pools, a full-service spa and a restaurant. .A pampering day can include deep-tissue massages and hot stone massages. Plus you'll find free Wi-Fi in public areas, a gym and coffee/tea in a common area. Cooked-to-order breakfast is available daily between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .In the area of this San Simeon motel, you'll find Hearst Castle.
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What's nearby

  • Cambria State Marine Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • San Simeon State Park - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Moonstone Beach - 4 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Moonstone Beach Park - 4 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Hearst Castle - 25 min drive - 14.1 km

Getting around

  • San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cambria Coffee Roasting Company - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Main Street Grill - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Linn's Bakery & Eatery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪JJ's Pizza - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Sands by The Sea

Beach location and 2 outdoor pools
Sands by The Sea offers its guests 2 outdoor swimming pools and a fitness centre. There's a restaurant on site. There's an onsite business centre.

Public spaces have free WiFi. The business-friendly Sands by The Sea also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in common area, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available.

This San Simeon motel is smoke free.

  • 33 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Business facilities
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front desk safe
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
Sands by The Sea offers 33 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. LCD televisions come with premium satellite channels. Fridges and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and complimentary toiletries.

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

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.

Similar properties

Beach nearby
The Morgan San Simeon - Cambria by Hearst Castle
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 1,247 reviews
The price is NZ$166
includes taxes & fees
25 Jan - 26 Jan
The Morgan San Simeon - Cambria by Hearst Castle

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

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 centre

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
  • Smoke-free property

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
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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Maximum 1 pets

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • 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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International and Carte Blanche. Cash is not accepted. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the motel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your 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

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Sands by The Sea?

Sands by The Sea offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Sands by The Sea?

As of 14 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sands by The Sea on 15 Jan 2026 start from NZ$138.79, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at Sands by The Sea?

Yep, Sands by The Sea has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Sands by The Sea?

The closest beach to Sands by The Sea is Moonstone Beach (5.2 km).

Is there a spa on site at Sands by The Sea?

Yep, there is an onsite spa at Sands by The Sea. You'll enjoy services like hot stone massages.

Does Sands by The Sea have a pool?

Sands by The Sea has 2 outdoor swimming pools.

Does Sands by The Sea serve breakfast?

Yep, cooked-to-order brekkie is on offer daily between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Sands by The Sea?

No, Sands by The Sea does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Sands by The Sea?

Yep, you can grab a meal at Sands by The Sea's onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at Sands by The Sea?

Check-in begins at 4 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Sands by The Sea Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 475 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 280 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 138 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 59 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 48 out of 1000 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was friendly and helped us out after we left an item in our room after leaving. Would definitely stay again on our next trip.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Arina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROXANNE, Youngstown

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ragged furniture filthy windows nasty shower curtain rusty fixtures, etc.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Soheyl, ALISO VIEJO

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at this motel hoping for a budget-friendly, no-frills experience. What I got was a crash course in neglect. The room looked like it hadn’t been updated since the early 2000s—if not earlier. The carpet was a striped relic, fraying at the edges and clashing with the mismatched flooring transition strip. The cabinetry was chipped and swollen at the base, likely from years of water damage or poor maintenance. One drawer wouldn’t close properly, and the kickboard was literally falling apart. The door barely latched, and the furniture felt like it had survived multiple moves without a single touch-up. Even the fridge looked like it belonged in a breakroom from a forgotten office building. It’s the kind of place where you keep your shoes on—not just in the bathroom, but everywhere. If you’re nostalgic for the golden age of neglect, this place delivers. Otherwise, spend the extra $20 and find somewhere that doesn’t feel like a set from a low-budget horror film.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Han Na

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Prt friendly
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Francis

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Locked out.

Parking was free and safe. Easy to access the property. The room was generally clean. There is not air conditioning at this property and it had a musty smell. The carpet was filthy! My socks turned dirty from the bathroom to the bed. The room keys deactivated every single day and we were locked out of our room every night of our 3 day stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Janet

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

This hotel has wonderful staff!

The reception staff are wonderful: very helpful and professional. Our room was very clean, but TBH, the carpet needs to be replaced as it is very, very dirty and stained. I would stay here again because the location is great!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Amy

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff is amazing and almost worth coming. As is the view and the chance to have smores at the firepit. The hotel is very dated. Very poor circulation in the room and the inability to open the window was very frustrating. Bath is very small and is only compounded by the shower curtain being so close you lose a 1/3 for the space. For the price you get what you get but could use some basic upgrades. Also the gym is not open until 9 am which kind of sucks.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Erik

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room had no AC just a ceiling fan would have been ok if we could open the window more than 2”. The room was warm to hot the air in the room was dead. We had to keep the door to the room open which some drunk neighbors almost came into our room. The view of the ocean in the morning was beautiful. Kids had fun with the heated pool and checkers board. Fire pits at night where nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Amber, Fresno

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff is amazing. The room honestly could use a little refresh. There’s no AC, and the heater isn’t the most efficient. There was a chair in our room that was very worn and torn. Beds were just ok. You can really hear people walking around outside but it’s actually pretty quiet after 9pm. We enjoyed the area, but on the first night they only had one fire pit lit. All in all I did enjoy my stay but the room is definitely dated.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruben

Liked: Staff & service
It was a nice place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Susan

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was just ok. There was no air conditioning and the room was musty. I woke with a headache. Coffee was not available in reception until 7:00 a.m. The outside area around the beach was excellent. The lady who checked us in was very friendly and made recommendations for shopping and eating.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel is right on the water, Beautiful sunset!!!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Bruce

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ellen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul, Hanford

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked it it was nice the room was clean. I wished the windows would open more but it was fine
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff at check in made me feel welcomed, they were attentive to my questions, professional, coupled with that home town hospitality. Made me feel like a regular although it was my first visit. Made an impression on me.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Gunhilde

Travelled with family
The best part are the fire pits by the ocean
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

julia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay! Check in at cavalier resort, then we stayed in a clean but admittedly outdated room on the sands by the sea side. The property had a restaurant which we dined out- nothing fancy but it was up to my standard and a fair priced. The property was awesome and we loved sitting by the fireplace after sunset. Convenient location for visiting Hearst castle and Cambria. I would definitely stay here again- good experience and good value!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Carpet was so dirty that we had to wash our feet - which turned the cloth brown - after showering. Carpet was stained and felt wet in spots. We travel frequently and have never had a room that had carpet this disgusting.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin

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

2/10 Terrible

Donald

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location and near the beach but carpet in room was very very stained and bad condition.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Victoria

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room itself was dirty. The desk was dusty. It needs a good deep cleaning. Carpet was really dark which almost looked normal until you saw the light colored carpet under the ledge of the nightstand.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025