Rio Sands Hotel

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Rio Sands Hotel

Fountain
Outdoor pool, pool loungers
Junior Suite
Apartment | Private kitchen
Deluxe Suite, Kitchen | Living area

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services

Explore the area

Map
116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos, CA, 95003
  • Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Seacliff State Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Capitola Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Family Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Junior Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Junior Room, Accessible

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Apartment

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Deluxe Suite, Kitchen

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds

Room, Accessible

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Aptos

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.

What's nearby

  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Seacliff State Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Seascape Golf Club - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Capitola Beach - 5 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Capitola Wharf - 5 min drive - 6.5 km

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
  • 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

Rating 10 - Excellent. 535 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 290 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 113 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 36 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1006 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rose

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay! Right by the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy Jo, Sutter Creek

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Amanda

Travelled with family
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Francisco

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

MERCEDITA

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice walk to the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great room and love how close it is to the beach
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

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

10/10 Excellent

Bruce

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

10/10 Excellent

Julie, West Linn

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really comfortable and clean. The location was wonderful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Milano

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and super clean
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent, as always.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

10/10 Excellent

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Theresa A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good customer service of the entire staff
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

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

10/10 Excellent

Darren

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stay. Looks recently updated and was very clean. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emelia

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

10/10 Excellent

Rick Armstrong

Travelled with group
Liked: Amenities
spacious
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Joe

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good location while not too expensive. Nice amenities with modern look. Floor could have been cleaner but pretty comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025