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Rio Sands Hotel

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Rio Sands Hotel

Fountain
Apartment | Private kitchen
Junior Suite
Interior
Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services

Explore the area

View 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

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen | Living area

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Kitchen

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite

Family Suite

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(12 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(46 reviews)
  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Junior Suite

1 bedroom, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Junior Suite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(19 reviews)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

1 bedroom, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(11 reviews)
  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Junior Room, Accessible

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

View all photos for Apartment

Apartment

Apartment

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

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, Kitchen

Deluxe Suite, Kitchen | Living area

Deluxe Suite, Kitchen

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds

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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.
View more Motels in AptosOpens in a new window

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
  • ‪Sushi Garden - Aptos - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Erik's DeliCafé - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Peet's Coffee and Tea - ‬16 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.

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 are closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday:
  • Outdoor 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 per stay

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

Reviews

Rio Sands Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 563 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 265 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 111 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 36 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 31 out of 1006 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

moe

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Lourdes

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean property. Easy walk to beach.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jay Ann

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Walking distance to beach
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We love staying there every year. And love the pool and just a little shocked at how small the breakfast has gotten
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a great location! Room was clean and comfortable. Loved the pool and hot tub and the continental breakfast was a nice plus. Walking distance to the beach and to restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Norma A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was superb! Hotel is only 2 small blocks walking distance from the ocean which I loved! Staff was very friendly! Will definitely go back this summer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Rebecca

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

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love how close it was to the beach, my family and I definitely took advantage of walking there and back on our stay.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Fred

Travelled with family
Clean room parking ok. Can be noisy with property across the street and tenants who arrive late at night
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

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

10/10 Excellent

Carmen

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gigi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
My mattress wasn't even across the entire surface. But our suite was spotless, no sand on the floors which isn't so easy this close to the beach. Very clean suite and roomy. Quiet and very close to the beach. Coffee in the continental breakfast room was good, and the fire and comfy chairs added a nice ambiance. We'll be back
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great for families.

This is a perfect hotel for a family vacation. The pool and BBQ area are perfect. The rooms were clean and very comfortable. The staff was very polite and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Corinne

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Best part about Rio Sands is how close it is to the beach! That is the only reason they can charge their rates. The King room is just ok, nothing special. There was a terrible stench in the bathroom…not sure if it was in the pipes or a really bad smelling cleaning product. No elevator for 2nd floor room. I appreciated the pool closing at 9pm to stop the screaming kids.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

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

A day away from the Grind

We had a great one night getaway. Hotel is conveniently located by the beach. Literally a 2 minutes walk. Our room came with a kitchenette so we were able to cook our dinner after enjoying a great day at the beach. Rates are reasonable considering the season. I would definitely stay here again. Hopefully soon.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

daniel

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Christi

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Love the location! Last time we stayed upstairs in the same building as the office. This time we were downstairs by parking and it wasn’t as nice-lacked privacy too,
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was quiet and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Ignacio

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property is nice staff is great perfect location one block from beach
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

ZACHARY

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

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love this place! It’s been remodeled and is very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025