Is parking available at the property?

Yes, free self-parking is available on-site. However, parking is limited.

What are the standard check-in and check-out times?

Check-in time is at 3:00 PM, and check-out time is at 11:00 AM. Early or late check-in/check-out may be available upon request, but guests should contact the property in advance.

What is the property's location in relation to key landmarks?

The property is located by the ocean, within a 15-minute drive of Long Sands Beach and Marginal Way. It is 0.1 miles from Short Sands Beach and 6.2 miles from Ogunquit Beach.

Does the property have a swimming pool?

Yes, there is a seasonal outdoor heated pool available. The pool is open from April to October.

What are the policies for guests staying with children?

Children are allowed at the property, and there is no mention of a minimum age for children to stay for free.

What are the policies regarding extra beds and cribs?

The property offers rollaway beds for a fee of USD 20.00 per day. An advance request for rollaway beds is recommended.

Sands by the Sea Motel

What guests think

At Sands By The Sea Motel, travelers praise the prime, walkable location by Short Sands Beach and the friendly, accommodating staff, noting a heated pool that families enjoy and easy access to shops, restaurants, and attractions for quick seaside getaways.

Many reviews describe dated, compact rooms with tight layouts and worn or unsupportive mattresses, plus occasional noise and AC or Wi-Fi/TV issues. Facilities feedback notes limited on-site parking, and one review reported murky pool water and a broken fountain. Cleanliness ranges from very clean to reports of musty odors and bathroom mold, suggesting inconsistency across rooms. Expect a no-frills stay where beachside convenience and friendly service lead the experience.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Heated outdoor pool is frequently appreciated. Parking is limited, and one review reported murky pool water and a broken fountain.

Related guest reviews

10

Todd

Jun 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great staff. Beautiful pool, and close to everything.

10

Alan

Oct 13, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great, convenient location! Beautiful views and heated pool.

10

Ruth Ann

Jul 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a great stay at the Sands. Pool was great! Accommodations were also. Could not beat the location. Will definitely go back again.Staff was friendly and attentive.

8

Jean

Sep 25, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was great. Right across the road from short sands beach. Heated outdoor pool.

8

Ronald

Aug 9, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Not enough parking

10

Bruce

Jul 30, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Early check in, no problem. limited parking, but not a huge problem.

10

J. B.

Jul 23, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

comfy bed, great ocean view of short sands from balcony, clean, pool was awesome...couches to sit on, umbrellas, chaise lounges, etc.

8

christiana

Aug 31, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Definitely outdated, but the location cannot be beat. Super quick walk to Short Sands Beach and local restaurants and shops. Room was tired, no bathroom ventilation, missing outlet covers, very old a/c heat unit. Fountain in the pool was broken, so, in its place, there is an arcing pvc pipe throwing a hard spray of water into the pool. Small pool was murky for all three days we were there, so we didn't go in it. No coffee in the room or lobby. Narrow stairs to access second level (no elevator). It was a comfortable room but in definite need of updating. Not sure I'll stay here again, especially for what I paid.

10

Colleen

Jun 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds. Extremely clean. Lovely pool

10

Maryann

Sep 6, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The rooms are not modern, but they are clean and comfortable. Location, location, location. Shops and restaurants all within walking distance. (Although some shops only opened on the weekend after Labor Day). Beach is directly across the street. Heated pool was a plus. Planning to return next year.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Many guests found rooms very clean, but several reported musty odors and bathroom mold, so cleanliness feels inconsistent.

Related guest reviews

10

Cheryl

Oct 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff are friendly and full of information 🙃. Room is ok. Ac only goes to 66 so felt very warm still. Stuffy in room. Room was clean . Ned’s a little softer than we are use to but comfortable . We slept good. It does have a rug . Which at the beach keeps all the sands in . Great location close to everything you can walk to . We would come back here again

8

Caroline

Jul 31, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Needs new mattresses, and terrible mold in the bathroom. But location is perfect, and the staff was very nice.

4

Jeanine

Oct 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Bathroom in terrible shape! How much does a new toilet seat cost? Roomed smelled of mold. Pillows horrible. Wont be back.

8

James

Jun 5, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean but extremely small- could use a coffee maker as nothing nearbye is open in the morning. Friendly personel

8

Kunje

Oct 24, 2022

·

Stayed 2 nights

Vlakbij t strand, nette schone kamers. Wel kleine kamers en ouder materiaal, maar goede bedden, rustige omgeving, supervriendelijk personeel

Translate

10

david

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location for weekend event. Friendly staff. Clean, Well-maintained... all that i needed for a weekend... and walking distance to restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

10

Mollie

Jun 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This hotel was good for a 1 night stay. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. It is an old place, but it was clean. I would stay here again.

8

Don

Oct 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was very clean but motel is dated. Staff were extremely helpful & accommodating. Very beautiful area & the pool area & beach looked fantastic. Definitely would stay there again.

2

Kathleen

Sep 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was old, musty, mildew smell. 1 chair and that was filthy. Rugs were filthy too. Mattress's were old, cheap and horrible. Hard to sleep and had sore back and neck. I would never stay there again.

10

Colleen

Jun 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Comfortable beds. Extremely clean. Lovely pool

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are dated and compact with tight layouts and mattresses that often feel tired or unsupportive. Some guests noted noise, AC limitations or malfunctions, and occasional Wi-Fi/TV issues; a few rooms have ocean views.

Related guest reviews

8

Florence

Oct 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room is very basic and old but clean. Door was hollow door and not sound proof and lock was old fashioned light weight and very worn lock - you really need to put chain on. No plugs near the night stand and no clock. I found a plug under the a/c to charge my phone, and I had 2 beds and could choose between sleeping with my my head 2’ from the window and window air conditioning or 1.5’ from the bathroom door - not great

6

Brittany

Jul 26, 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was very smelly, AC unit did not work properly.

6

Jodi

Sep 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The location is good. The place is just very dated. Our room was very small and the beds could use new mattresses.

8

Wanda

Aug 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

All was ok. Staff was responsive to any requests or issues. The mattress was very tired and needed replacing.

4

Carl

Sep 8, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Room cramped beyond being safe. Literally 16" between bed and access to bathroom. Antiquated in every aspect and the world's most uncomfortable beds. A night of torture.

6

Sandra

Jul 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The location is very convenient and is walkable to all shops and beach. The room had plastic cups for use and one was used without wrapping. The TV is very small and furnishings were okay. The motel was loud until around 1:30 am. The price is not worth the stay.

10

Crys

Jul 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The tv or the WiFi didn’t work in our room. Cable box wouldn’t turn on. We do love staying here just disappointed that the tv or WiFi wouldn’t work

8

Aditi

Aug 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I liked the easy walk to the beach. I did not like that the space between my bed and the bathroom toilet was less than 6 inches. The layout of the room could use a better strategy. If you are going to fit two double beds in a limited space, please give it a bit more thought. The room, bed, and everything were generally uncomfortable. The service and location of the property made this worth it; however, I am never booking a room here again.

8

gustavo

Oct 13, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very GOOD the wifi is Bad but it's a Nice place to sleep an enjoy the beach

6

Anthony

Aug 3, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

It’s a motel, close to the beach. Comfort is not the best. Twin beds with no comfort. Barely fit on bed.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Service is consistently praised as friendly and helpful, with smooth check-in/out and local tips.

Related guest reviews

10

Todd

Jun 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great staff. Beautiful pool, and close to everything.

10

Cheryl

Oct 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff are friendly and full of information 🙃. Room is ok. Ac only goes to 66 so felt very warm still. Stuffy in room. Room was clean . Ned’s a little softer than we are use to but comfortable . We slept good. It does have a rug . Which at the beach keeps all the sands in . Great location close to everything you can walk to . We would come back here again

8

Sokha

Oct 17, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The front desk lady is a sweetheart

8

Joan

Sep 9, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Front desk staff so friendly!

10

Ruth Ann

Jul 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We had a great stay at the Sands. Pool was great! Accommodations were also. Could not beat the location. Will definitely go back again.Staff was friendly and attentive.

10

Scott

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location. Jen was great she circled places on the map for us to check out and gave us recommendations for places to eat! Will definitely be back, thank you!

10

david

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location for weekend event. Friendly staff. Clean, Well-maintained... all that i needed for a weekend... and walking distance to restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

10

Masaki

Sep 24, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff are very nice and kind.

10

Leslie

Aug 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Super great location, staff was friendly and helpful. Check in and checkout was a breeze

8

Don

Oct 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was very clean but motel is dated. Staff were extremely helpful & accommodating. Very beautiful area & the pool area & beach looked fantastic. Definitely would stay there again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Excellent, walkable location across from Short Sands Beach and close to restaurants, shops, and downtown York; convenient for events and exploring.

Related guest reviews

10

Cheryl

Oct 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff are friendly and full of information 🙃. Room is ok. Ac only goes to 66 so felt very warm still. Stuffy in room. Room was clean . Ned’s a little softer than we are use to but comfortable . We slept good. It does have a rug . Which at the beach keeps all the sands in . Great location close to everything you can walk to . We would come back here again

10

Todd

Oct 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great Motel right next to Short Sands. 9 iron to great restaurants and shops.

8

Jean

Sep 25, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was great. Right across the road from short sands beach. Heated outdoor pool.

10

Rachel

Sep 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Older motel but well maintained and clean! Excellent location across from Short Sands Beach!

6

James

Oct 7, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great spot, close to the beach and restaurants.

8

Tracy

Jul 13, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location

10

Hilary

Jul 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location in downtown York. Parking to most everything.onsite and you can walk

10

david

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location for weekend event. Friendly staff. Clean, Well-maintained... all that i needed for a weekend... and walking distance to restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

8

Kathy

Aug 19, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Easy access to the beach across the street.

10

Maryann

Sep 6, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The rooms are not modern, but they are clean and comfortable. Location, location, location. Shops and restaurants all within walking distance. (Although some shops only opened on the weekend after Labor Day). Beach is directly across the street. Heated pool was a plus. Planning to return next year.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

Related guest reviews

8

James

Jun 5, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean but extremely small- could use a coffee maker as nothing nearbye is open in the morning. Friendly personel

8

christiana

Aug 31, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

Definitely outdated, but the location cannot be beat. Super quick walk to Short Sands Beach and local restaurants and shops. Room was tired, no bathroom ventilation, missing outlet covers, very old a/c heat unit. Fountain in the pool was broken, so, in its place, there is an arcing pvc pipe throwing a hard spray of water into the pool. Small pool was murky for all three days we were there, so we didn't go in it. No coffee in the room or lobby. Narrow stairs to access second level (no elevator). It was a comfortable room but in definite need of updating. Not sure I'll stay here again, especially for what I paid.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Sands by the Sea Motel

About this property

Location

Room options

the Sandpiper Suite

One Bedroom Suite- 38

the Seashell Suite

One Bedroom Suite- 39

the Starfish Suite

King Bed with Pull Out Twin Sofa

Two Bedroom Cottage

Three Bedroom Cottage

Classic Double Room, 2 Double Beds

Two Double Beds with Pull Out Twin Sofa

the Sea Glass Suite

Suite

Guest reviews of Sands by the Sea Motel

Who stays here?

What guests think

No written reviews

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Sands by the Sea Motel