Casual motel rooms with free Wi-Fi, parking, and outdoor pool. Close to Long Sands Beach, family-friendly attractions, and dining in York Beach, ME.
Recent guests highlight the motel’s unbeatable location near Long Sands Beach and nearby attractions, along with its clean rooms and welcoming staff. While some note the rooms are a bit dated, most appreciate the value, outdoor pool, and convenient amenities for families and beach visitors.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Sands by the Sea Motel offers straightforward, casual accommodations with access to an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and parking. Situated at 15 Ocean Ave in York Beach, ME, this motel provides air-conditioned rooms and suites designed for comfort rather than luxury, reflecting a laid-back, beachside atmosphere. While the property is not pet-friendly and lacks on-site dining and fitness facilities, it caters well to families and visitors seeking convenient amenities and easy access to the beach.
Located just across from the 1.5-mile stretch of Long Sands Beach, the setting is ideal for guests aiming to enjoy the coastal village vibe. Several nearby attractions such as Short Sands Beach—with its promenade, shops, and dining options—and York’s Wild Kingdom, a family-oriented zoo and amusement park, expand opportunities for leisure. Multiple guest reviews highlight the motel’s prime location as a key advantage, with many appreciating the proximity to local restaurants and entertainment within easy walking distance.
Guest impressions often praise the friendly and helpful staff alongside the clean rooms and comfortable beds, even if some note that the accommodations can feel somewhat dated. The presence of an on-site pool is repeatedly mentioned as a valuable benefit, especially for families with children wanting an alternative to the busy beach. Those requiring accessible facilities will find the motel accommodating, while travelers looking for extensive services or upscale amenities may need to look elsewhere.
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, with check-out by 11:00 AM, aligning with typical motel standards. With a rating of 4.1 from 242 reviews, this property suits visitors who prioritize location and practical comforts over frills. Its position makes it a practical choice for exploring York Beach and nearby attractions without needing to rely heavily on a vehicle, as parking is included and many points of interest are within walking distance.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
Been coming here for over 30 years - the location can’t be beat. The staff are so friendly and always welcoming. It’s a bonus that there’s a pool on property too so you can hang out there for a bit after the day at the beach
Perfect hotels for little families. Clean, convenient, and GREAT LOCATION. The staff was also incredibly nice and informative. Nothing fancy but it was exactly what you want from a New England beach hotel. The beach is crazy crowded before noon which is why the hotel pool was crucial for our toddlers. Can’t wait to book again.
My wife and I started visiting York Beach annually back in 2007 and that's when we discovered Sands by the Sea. It is such a perfect spot, putting you right in the middle of all the fun. You are a short walk pretty much from everything, the zoo, the beach, the restaurants, the arcade, you name it. They have a nice pool and patio area. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfy and the staff is friendly. In our opinion it's the best spot in Short Sands.
Second family vacation in York, first at this motel. It will now be our annual stay. The rooms are a little dated, and room service is spotty but those are my only complaints. Front desk was extremely pleasant and helpful. Being able to walk across the street to the beach makes this worth the stay alone, but the added bonus of having the pool to come back to in the evening makes it perfect. Plenty of restaurants and stores in walking distance so you can leave your car parked all week. Can't wait for next year!
I’m really picky on my motel/hotel stays. A Hilton “Diamond Member” and more. I travel for work, but this time was leisure. I love this little motel. The woman at the front desk bent over backwards for me. I walked in with no reservation and she promptly gave me a room with a stellar view and a comfortable bed. I added an extra night I enjoyed the first so much. The location is perfect. A cute deli convenient store is adjacent to the motel with stellar breakfast sandwiches. The beach is right across the street. Is it outdated? Yes, but it’s clean and very affordable ($99 a night, can’t beat it!)
So happy with everything here! The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. The rooms were very clean: the bed was comfortable: room service (Sam) was awesome. Location was perfect especially for a handicapped person.
First time here & we will be back for sure , the rooms & pool were very clean & everyone working was so nice & right there when you needed something !! Thank you for Andrea for making our stay a relaxing one ! Hope to see you next year !!
Best motel I have ever been to, the location is incredible!! in the heart of everything , affordable, staff was beyond nice and the housekeeping did an amazing job. I have stayed at hotels for way more and they did not clean the way this place did I left to go to the beach came back and my room had been cleaned such an incredible surprise.pool was kept up well very refreshing !! The room it self is a little out dated but doesn't effect the stay one bit. Definitely going back!!
Village area with 1.5-mile Long Sands Beach, plus restaurants & an arcade at Short Sands Beach.
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Maine. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
1,281 reviews 189 Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909, United States
1,343 reviews York, ME 03909, United States
3,590 reviews 1 Animal Park Rd, York, ME 03909, United States
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