When you stay at Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos, you'll be by the ocean, within a 15-minute drive of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay. .This motel is 4.3 mi (7 km) from Capitola Beach and 9.3 mi (15 km) from Mystery Spot.
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 49 min drive
Restaurants
Starbucks - 17 min walk
Marianne's Ice Cream - 15 min walk
The Hideout - 3 min drive
Peet's Coffee and Tea - 16 min walk
Erik's DeliCafe - 18 min walk
About this property
Rio Sands Hotel
Motel in Aptos with a 24-hour business center and an outdoor pool
Rio Sands Hotel offers 50 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.
This Aptos motel provides complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Housekeeping is offered on request and irons/ironing boards can be requested.
Recreational amenities at the motel include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 50 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include microwaves and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. This motel also features complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.
Featured amenities include complimentary wired internet access, a 24-hour business center, and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Languages
English, Spanish
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
Things to do
Outdoor pool
Family friendly
In-room microwave
In-room refrigerator
Outdoor pool
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Vending machine
Guest services
Housekeeping (on request)
Business services
24-hour business centre
Computer station
Meeting room
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Picnic area
Pool loungers
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
More
2 buildings
2 floors
Banquet hall
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shower/bathtub combination
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Microwave
Refrigerator
More
Heating
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 33.66
Contactless check-in available
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 32
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Renovations and closures
The following facilities or services will be unavailable from June 11 2025 to June 12 2025 (dates subject to change):
Swimming pool
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.0 per night
Payment types
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Deposit: USD 100.00
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Early check-in fee: USD 33.66 (subject to availability)
Late check-out fee: USD 32 (subject to availability)
A kitchen/kitchenette is available for an additional fee
Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.0 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests should contact this hotel in advance to request a dishware/utensils kit (surcharge applies).
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)
Property is also known as
Rio Sands
Rio Sands Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel
Rio Sands Hotel Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel Motel
Rio Sands Hotel Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel Motel Aptos
Rio Sands Hotel Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
My gosh what is there that is not good to say about this place that isnt less then the perfect place for me!!
The staff was great the location was great rooms were clean and it was quiet and so peaceful
Tammy Jo
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
4/10 Poor
Amanda
Travelled with family
13 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service
The property and room were both clean. Best part was its location to the beach! The walls were thin and you could hear everything. The pull out beds were very worn and you could feel the springs. The younger lady at the counter was absolutely amazing and brought pads over to help. She was great but the lady who works night shift is very rude and unpleasant! Since the walls are very thin our neighbors called at 9:30 to complain our family card game was to loud. We are a family of 5 with three teenage kids. They advertise a kitchen but have no kitchen utensils, cups or anything!! If it rains they close the pool and hot tub as well. The shower pressure is not great and i couldn't wait to get home to shower. The continental breakfast consisted of bread, 2 different cereal, oatmeal and waffles. The property has a lot of potential if they put a little bit more money to make the stay better. Though the location was great we will look else where for our next stay!
Location was nice, near the beach. There was a coffee and dinning near by. One issue we had, was that the room was advertised to sleep 6 people but it was actually to sleep 5 people. One sofa bed was only for single person not two.
We only stayed one night, but we loved it. Clean, quiet, walked to the beach and coffee shop. Above all the staff was super friendly and helpful. We plan to return.