Sands by the Sea Motel

2.5 star property

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The Starfish Suite | Living area | 32-inch TV with cable channels, DVD player
Beach nearby
Fridge, microwave
Seasonal outdoor pool, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
Shower, hair dryer, towels

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
The current price is $333
$306 nightly
$333 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jun 19 - Jun 20

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

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
  • Free WiFi

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
  • Free WiFi

The Sea Glass Suite

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

One Bedroom Suite- 39

  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

One Bedroom Suite- 38

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

Suite

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

Suite

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

The Sandpiper Suite

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

Two Bedroom Cottage

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

The Seashell Suite

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

The Starfish Suite

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

Three Bedroom Cottage

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

Classic Double Room, 2 Double Beds

7.8 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)
  • 252 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

Similar properties

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 beach motel is 6.2 mi (10 km) from Ogunquit Beach and 5.6 mi (9 km) from Marginal Way.

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
  • ‪York Beach Beer Company - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Greenleaves - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cumberland Farms - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Sands by the Sea Motel

Sands by the Sea Motel offers 60 air-conditioned accommodations with DVD players and hair dryers. 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. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include irons/ironing boards, housekeeping is provided daily, and rollaway/extra beds (surcharge) can be requested.
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
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
  • 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
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV with cable channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • 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 available for USD 20.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per day

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, 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. 132 out of 324 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 115 out of 324 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 49 out of 324 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 324 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 324 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyla

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

8/10 Good

Tracy

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

6/10 Okay

James

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

10/10 Excellent

Leslie

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

8/10 Good

Don

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

10/10 Excellent

Todd

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

10/10 Excellent

Scott

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

10/10 Excellent

david

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

8/10 Good

Marlene

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

10/10 Excellent

Alan

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

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

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

10/10 Excellent

Ruth Ann

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

10/10 Excellent

Todd

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

8/10 Good

Susan

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

8/10 Good

Kathy

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

10/10 Excellent

Masaki

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

10/10 Excellent

Colleen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable beds. Extremely clean. Lovely pool
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Jodi

The location is good. The place is just very dated. Our room was very small and the beds could use new mattresses.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J. B.

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

10/10 Excellent

Augustus

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

10/10 Excellent

Mollie

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

8/10 Good

Glenn

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hilary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location in downtown York. Parking to most everything.onsite and you can walk
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Joan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Front desk staff so friendly!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Sokha

Liked: Staff & service
The front desk lady is a sweetheart
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024