Junior Suite | Blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
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Reviews of Rio Sands Hotel

2 out of 5
Rio Sands Hotel
116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos, CA

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 489 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 325 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 119 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 40 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 29 out of 1002 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Yuliya

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place. Right by the beach!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Maisie, Redwood City

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
I waited for 30 minutes to check in because front desk was empty.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So happy we found the Rio Sands- check in/out was lovely, nice breakfast room with good food and a cozy fireplace, and a comfy large room with beachy vibes plus a view of the ocean from our balcony. Couldn’t ask for more!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Jewlia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We really enjoy the area and the pool. Unfortunately there were so many children running and screaming and riding skateboards and nobody tried to keep them from doing that it was very loud and noisy. Definitely was hard to sleep at night with people talking loudly on the balcony. Was spring break time so that's understandable. Upon arrival the stove was not level so when we tried to cook the eggs moved all to one side they may need to address that overall everything is fine just not as great as last time we stayed here would definitely recommend just next time stay upstairs due to noise and check out the kitchen before you sign off because you may need to have them adjust the equipment. The pool is very clean they do a great job of keeping the property clean found a contact lens on the floor in the bathroom upon arrival not a big deal but maybe they need to pay a little closer attention to detail in that area no one wants to see that. The place didn't smell bad at all which is great A lot of times older rooms will have a bad odor this place did not smell bad. The bed was very comfortable would have gotten plenty of sleep if not for the noise. We'll definitely stay here again just not during any school break.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruben

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was our second
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Jasmine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Sarah

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a great place to stay and very kid friendly. The only negative is we had a downstairs unit and the people upstairs were very noisy walking around back and forth. The spa and heated pool were a plus with my kiddos. A block from Seacliff/Rio Del Mar beach. Lots of memories here and it was fun to make new ones with my family. Will stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nanette

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Older facilities but nicely updated. Very clean rooms and comfortable bed. Loved the walkability to the beach and nearby food.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We spent the weekend at Rio Sands, it exceeded our expectations. The hotel grounds were extra clean and safe. Plus they helped us with our large family. It was a very nice experience
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

sarah

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really liked the larger rooms with the kitchenette. Our family was very comfortable. The only thing I would have liked in the room that wasn’t are towel hooks in the bathroom or behind doors to hang towels or swimsuits on since it is so close to beach. We will definitely be visiting again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fariba

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room I stayed in was very clean and decorated nicely. The room had a full kitchen. I'm a local so had I known there was a full stove and refrigerator I would have brought stuff to cook a gourmet meal. If you plan on cooking just bring the pot and pans and cooking utensils along with silverware. But that was a nice surprise. I will be staying in that same room again and do plan on cooking...And the bed and pillows were so comfy! The staff was so helpful and delightful. The breakfast in the morning was a treat...I had a cup of coffee and sat next to the beautiful fireplace in the dining area. Being in a very short walk to the beach is really nice as well. I highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very good place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elsa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Paul

Traveled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We got a kitchenette, but it turned out to get the dishes and pots and pans had to pay extra bucks. I don’t think I never go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Sweet and quaint
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

ellen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jayson

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Iliia

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

jorge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly. Room was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adrianna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cozy Hotel
Spent an overnight with my son after a day at Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Front desk was super nice. Gave us a complementary upgrade. One bedroom suite was cozy and clean— full kitchen, spacious balcony overlooking the pool. My son said it was one of the most fun rooms we’ve stayed at in a long time. Five minute walk to the beach. Delicious breakfast with waffles, pastries, oatmeal and coffee. Overall a fantastic experience. The only things that kept it from being five stars: no stopper for the bathtub, the hot tub was just warm, and the heater made a loud clicking sound when it turned on. None of these things was a dealbreaker, especially for the price. We will definitely be staying here again!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Randy

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Nice place, poor internet
This is the third time we’ve stayed at Rio Sands in the last two years, and in each of those 3 visits, we had some disruption in the WiFi service at the hotel. In two of those visits, it went out for multiple days and we never got it back before we left. So if you’re trying to do business, or otherwise need WiFi, be warned. There’s no guarantee that it will work. The location is great, and I like the lay-out, but people need to be on the internet and not by connecting computers through their cell phone service, which is also not great in this part of town.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Short walk to the beach. Friendly staff. Great breakfast included!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Karen S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Noisy heater and refrigerator.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love and enjoy all time
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities

10/10 Excellent

Cori

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a perfect stay! Balcony and kitchen were amazing bonus. The bed was super comfortable, Tempura-pedic mattress. Heat pool and jacuzzi were perfect for December visit.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Rio Sands Hotel on Dec 12, 2023
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay!!! Please come back and visit us again soon! :)

10/10 Excellent

Javier, San Jose

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lyudmila

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Rosa

Traveled with group, Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and quiet, one block from the beach. Great value
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Heated pool, breakfast, great family room
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Dec 4, 2023
thank you we appreciate your feedback, we hope to see you again.

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Traveled with family and small children
We got reservations for two queen beds and a king size bed. Our room had two queen size bed and a pull out twin bed. Please up date the description on the website to what is actually given.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Dec 4, 2023
We apologies for your any inconvenience you experienced during your stay. We checked the descriptions online and see everything looked correct. if you have any helpful information please feel free to reach out. We hope to see you again soon.

8/10 Good

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location - Location - Location!!!
Short overnight stay. Location - Location - Location!!!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Dec 4, 2023
Thank you for letting us know how we are doing. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Bejarano

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Dec 4, 2023
Thank you, we appreciate your feedback. We hope to see you again in the future

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Returning to Rio Sands after an absence of five years and including watching horrendous floods at Rio del Mar on television earlier this year. It was good to see the hotel is as good as ever and with some great upgrades around the foyer etc. Hope to return again soon
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Nov 14, 2023
We are happy to have you back. We are delighted to hear you enjoyed the upgrade. We hope to see you next time.

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Nov 14, 2023
Thank you for you feedback. We hope to see you next time.

8/10 Good

Katharina

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The lady that checked us in was not the same services where we have expected over the years and some changes to the breakfast is to be considered also we love the location but are considering our future with this facility
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Nov 14, 2023
We apologies for any inconvenience you experienced during your stay. We hope to see you next time.

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rio Sands for the win!
The rooms at the real Sands are very comfortable and clean in the pool in the hot tub are amazing. We had a glorious time.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Nov 14, 2023
Thank you for your feedback, We are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay with us.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We will be staying here many times in the future!
We have stayed at the Rio Sands Hotel in the past and were very pleased with the friendly staff, clean rooms, beautiful location, delicious breakfast, and a short walk to the beach -- unbelievably gorgeous!
A gorgeous, walkable beach. Not crowded and you can walk for miles!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Rio Sands Team on Nov 14, 2023
What a BEAUTIFUL picture you took. We appreciate your feedback. We hope to see you again.