See all properties

Sands by the Sea Motel

Property class: 2.5

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Sands by the Sea Motel

A spacious living area with a dining table, chairs, a sofa, and a coffee table. There is a large window providing natural light and a view of the outdoors.
A coastal area with a beach, parking lot, and buildings.
A swimming pool with a blue tiled waterfall feature, surrounded by a white fence and lounge chairs.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a granite countertop.
A living room with a sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, and a dining table. There are two framed pictures on the wall, a window with blinds, and a view of the outside balcony.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
15 Ocean Ave., York Beach, ME, 03909
  • Place, Short Sands Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, York's Wild Kingdom
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Long Sands Beach
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Airport, Portsmouth, NH (PSM-Portsmouth Intl.)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for King Bed with Pull Out Twin Sofa

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a bathroom, and a door.

King Bed with Pull Out Twin Sofa

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • 252 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Two Double Beds with Pull Out Twin Sofa

A hotel room with two beds, a sofa, a small table, and a door.

Two Double Beds with Pull Out Twin Sofa

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • 252 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for The Sea Glass Suite

A spacious living room with a leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a kitchen area featuring wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a spiral staircase.

The Sea Glass Suite

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 7
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for One Bedroom Suite- 39

A compact living space with a kitchenette, a sofa, a dining table, and a window.

One Bedroom Suite- 39

  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for One Bedroom Suite- 38

A compact living space with a dining area, kitchenette, and a sofa.

One Bedroom Suite- 38

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Beach view
  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 7
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Suite

A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a sofa, and a kitchen in the background.

Suite

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Suite

A room with a bed, a dresser, a television, and a door leading outside.

Suite

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for The Sandpiper Suite

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a dining area with a wooden table and chairs.

The Sandpiper Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Cottage

A living room with a red sofa and a white sofa, a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a refrigerator, and a dining area with chairs and a table.

Two Bedroom Cottage

  • 800 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for The Seashell Suite

A modern living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a dining area.

The Seashell Suite

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for The Starfish Suite

A living room with a leather armchair, a sofa, a wooden coffee table, a patterned rug, a cabinet, and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

The Starfish Suite

  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Three Bedroom Cottage

A living room with a red sofa and a white sofa, a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a refrigerator, and a dining area with chairs and a table.

Three Bedroom Cottage

  • 1100 sq ft
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 4 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Classic Double Room, 2 Double Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a desk with a lamp, a microwave, and a window with curtains.

Classic Double Room, 2 Double Beds

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(13 reviews)
  • 252 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Similar properties

A hotel sign with 'The Anchorage Inn' and 'Indoor Pool' visible.
Anchorage Inn and Resort
York Beach
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kids pool
  • Waterslide
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,296 reviews
$119 nightly
The price is $130
Oct 25 - Oct 26
Total with taxes and fees
Anchorage Inn and Resort

About the neighborhood

York Beach

When you stay at Sands by the Sea Motel in York Beach, you'll be by the ocean, just steps from Short Sands Beach and 12 minutes by foot from Long Sands Beach. .This motel is 6.2 mi (10 km) from Ogunquit Beach and 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Nubble Lighthouse.
View more Motels in York BeachOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Short Sands Beach - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • York's Wild Kingdom - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Long Sands Beach - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Nubble Lighthouse - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Ogunquit Beach - 13 min drive - 8.9 miles

Getting around

  • Wells Regional Transportation Center - 21 min drive
  • Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Anthony's Food Shop - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Elks Lodge 2778 - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Union Bluff Grill & Pub - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Cape Neddick Lobster Pound - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Goldenrod - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Sands by the Sea Motel

Sands by the Sea Motel offers 60 air-conditioned accommodations with DVD players and hair dryers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include showers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Televisions come with cable channels. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a seasonal outdoor pool.

Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision.

Make yourself at home in one of the 60 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
Grab a bite from the grocery/convenience store serving guests of Sands by the Sea Motel.
Featured amenities include ATM/banking services and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Things to do

  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • DVD player
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV with cable channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Sunday - Thursday (9:00 AM - 10:00 PM) and Friday - Saturday (9:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between October 25 and April 22.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit 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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector and outdoor lighting
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from April to October
Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision

Property is also known as

Sands Sea Motel York Beach
Sands Sea Motel York
Sands Sea York
Sands Sea Motel
Sands Sea York Beach
Sands Sea
Sands by the Sea Motel Motel
Sands by the Sea Motel York Beach
Sands by the Sea Motel Motel York Beach

Sands by the Sea Motel Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 155 out of 362 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 123 out of 362 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 52 out of 362 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 24 out of 362 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 362 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had an amazing weekend stay. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy going property, nice pool. Right in the middle of down town, directly across from beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good for a no frills stay close to it all. Has everything you need. We were disturbed by a noisy late night group that did not respect the posted quiet hours.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Always nice to be right near the beach. Pool was warm first day but didn't seem like heater was on the next two days.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great spot, close to the beach and restaurants.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Super great location, staff was friendly and helpful. Check in and checkout was a breeze
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, located near shops, pleasant staff at check-in.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff. Beautiful pool, and close to everything.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great, convenient location! Beautiful views and heated pool.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Older motel but well maintained and clean! Excellent location across from Short Sands Beach!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location good shopping restaurants nice beach across street nice pool friendly accommodating check in Very old & dated but good price comfy bed
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great Motel right next to Short Sands. 9 iron to great restaurants and shops.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access to the beach across the street.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff are very nice and kind.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
comfy bed, great ocean view of short sands from balcony, clean, pool was awesome...couches to sit on, umbrellas, chaise lounges, etc.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

We come every year

Nice weather placed beautifully in town within walking to Everything !
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very friendly. We enjoyed the pool area. The rooms are clean but dated.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022