Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos
in: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
out: 12:00 PM
No pets
No parties
Smoking allowed
Additional rules
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COVID-19-related guidelines apply
Fire alarm
Carbon monoxide alarm
Security cameras
Safety rules
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Cancellation is free up to 5 days before
After 5 days, cancellation costs a 5% Fee
You can't cancel an ongoing event
Additional terms
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We got you covered
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Security cameras
Security patrols
Security alarms
Daily cleaning
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Daily cleaning personel
Cleaning tools
We take care of you
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24/24 concierge lodge
Direct phone liaison
Fire detection
Private entry
Swimming pool
Baby carriage
King size bed
Bathtub
Wi-Fi
Workspace
Television
Minibar
Air conditionning
Room service
Additional details
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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.
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!!
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.
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.
Overall the place was βokβ 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It is outrageous to me that this hotel charged me $350 for a room that was barely better than a tent. this glorified motel is absolutely a rip off, not even worth $50 let alone the $350. i am incredulous that other people fell for this disgusting tourist trap. not to mention that theres nothing near the hotel. absolutely not worth your time and certainly not your money. garbage.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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(199 comments)
Review β1
2022-06-02The 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 β2
2022-05-21My 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 β3
2022-03-23The 2β 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. ππποΈ IG: SACRAMENTOHONEY
Review β4
2021-12-31I 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 β5
2022-06-16Nice little hotel by the beach, great location, excellent pool, good price. NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!
Review β6
2021-08-29If 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 β7
2021-04-30I 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 β8
2021-06-29Iβm 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 didnβt 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 βtriedβ to call everyone to let them know (remember my room phone didnβt 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 βok youβre all setβ. I will probably be back but a very disappointing experience overall.
Review β9
2021-05-30Best 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 β10
2021-06-16I 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.