Is parking available at the property?

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

What type of breakfast is offered and what are the serving hours?

A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at the property?

Yes, pets are allowed in specific rooms only, with a pet fee of USD 25.00 per accommodation, per night (maximum USD 75.00 per stay). Service animals are exempt from fees.

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

Check-in is from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee of USD 25.00.

What accessibility features does the property offer for guests with disabilities?

The property features step-free entrances and wheelchair-accessible facilities in public areas and rooms. Specific details about bathrooms and pool access features are not provided.

Where is the property located in relation to key landmarks?

The property is centrally located in San Luis Obispo, just a 2-minute drive from California Polytechnic State University and 10 minutes from Avila Hot Springs. It is approximately 0.8 miles from Fremont Theater and 13.9 miles from Pismo Beach Pier.

Does the property have a swimming pool?

Yes, there is an outdoor heated pool available for guests, with access from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

What are the policies regarding children staying at the property?

Up to 2 children aged 17 years old and younger can stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.

What are the policies for additional guests and extra beds?

The property offers rollaway beds for a fee of USD 10.00 per stay. Advance request or confirmation may be required.

Sands Inn & Suites in San Luis Obispo

Average nightly price at Sands Inn & Suites by month, last 12 months (USD)
Month	Average price
January	$85
February	$102
March	$96
April	$124
May	$112
June	$156
July	$140
August	$131
September	$109
October	$124
November	$109
December	$90

What guests think

At Sands Inn & Suites, travelers frequently praise the friendly staff and handy location near Cal Poly and downtown, while reviews describe uneven room quality—some updated and comfortable, others dated or poorly finished with maintenance issues and thin walls.

Cleanliness and upkeep are inconsistent, with reports ranging from very clean rooms to ants, odors, stained furniture, and incomplete renovations. Complimentary breakfast draws both praise for variety and complaints about empty items and basic quality. Facilities include a pool, hot tub, parking, and a gym; some guests enjoy the pool, while others note shabby areas, a dated gym, tight parking, and occasional cool or unavailable spa. Overall, expect a convenient, budget-minded stay with notable trade-offs in polish.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Property offers a pool, hot tub, gym, and parking, but quality is mixed: several guests enjoyed the pool while others found the pool area shabby, the spa cool or unavailable, the gym dated, and parking occasionally tight. Renovations were visible during some stays.

Related guest reviews

8

Cynthia

Jul 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The pool area was big. Pet friendly.

8

Ella

Oct 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Parking was easy

4

Ava

Jul 3, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We were not able to use pool jacuzzi... large group of children using it as a jumping pool for hours. From check in time til after 9. The parents were drinking and playing loud music. It was too loud and we didnt get to soak at all after a long drive. Water was green next morning. Unregulated pool area made it not feel inclusive and allowed others to be rude and inconsiderate for sure.

8

Michelle

Jul 30, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Parking was limited,

8

Jennifer

Jul 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Place was nice . Was disappointed that the spa was not hot

8

Alex

Sep 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location wise was perfect as it was pretty close to everything. Restaurant right out front as well as a short few minute drive to downtown. You’re also about 15 minutes from Morro Bay. Property has a huge parking lot and offers complimentary continental breakfast. It’s pet friendly with an additional fee. There’s both pool and spa as well as a gym. It’s pretty quiet when we stayed. Checking in was easy but there was a little confusion with an upgrade. Being a platinum member with Expedia, we alway check to see if an upgrade was available. The lady that was working did say they had some but she couldn’t do anything on her end. We would have to go through Expedia as we booked through a third party. I don’t know, we alway been able to upgrade if there was something available and never had to contact Expedia. Anyways, she reached out to higher contact but we never heard back. Our room was a standard king which was on the ground level. There’s two other buildings which was two levels. Basic room, king size bed. There was a big nice desk, big Ardmore closet, microwave and min refrigerator. Bathroom was decent size but shower was very small. It had a built in seat but size wise, tight. Downfall, ac unit was quite loud that we had to shut it off in the evening. Overall, the stay was good. Plenty of parking. Nice continental breakfast. It wasn’t busy as we were there mid week. There was a couple of maintenance trucks parked in the lot the whole time we were there. Would stay again

10

Valerie

Aug 16, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I was in SLO for a family wedding. Check in was easy, the room was clean, the bed was comfortable. The pool was clean, the water was the perfect temperature for cooling off on a hot day. There were beach balls, inner tubes and pool noodles to use. The breakfast was your typical hotel breakfast scrambled eggs, sausage,waffles, cereal, which was fine. Would stay here again if I were to go back to SLO.

2

Darren

Jan 12, 2026

·

Stayed 3 nights

Worst place ive stayed at shame as i love the town of San luis osibio. Constant banging of floor above me, people shouting, dogs barking, , cars rwccing the engines, terrible room cleaning service. Gym also terrible like something feom the 90's with the equipment there and lack of it..

6

Emily

Oct 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Fairly quiet, old and needs updated, unable to change room temp settings unless you can reach the AC unit high on the wall by hand, not enough towels/no wash clothes, no answer when calling front desk, gym doesn’t feel safe with machines not working and not bolted down, breakfast was typical, pool/hot tub looked dirty so didn’t use. It was fine for a quick place to sleep.

2

Angeline

Nov 12, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Towels clean but dingy gray. No hair dryer in room. Shower had VERY slow drain. Furniture that tv was on had cup marks, drip marks all over it like it hadn’t been wiped in a very long time. Even though weather too cool to get into the pool the pool furniture/area was not inviting at all. The cushions were old, cracked and strewn around and no pool towels for the spa.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is inconsistent—many report very clean rooms, while others cite ants, odors, hair, stained furniture, and dirty floors, plus missed housekeeping and worn linens.

Related guest reviews

2

Jason

Dec 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

There were ants in the bathroom. The bathroom door looked like it was kicked in. I would not let my kids sit on the couch or chairs because there were stains on them. The room smelled like stale smoke.

8

James

Dec 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean and the staff was great. The air conditioner was loud, but I was still able to sleep. I'd stay there again.

4

David

Oct 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is convenient in location, near Cal Poly and restaurants. The cleanliness of the hotel is not 5 stars. The coffee maker was broken, there was a long hair hanging from the water dispenser and an old coffee bag in the water portion of the coffee maker. The towels were not completely clean, long hairs still remained in them. The bed was make but again we found hair in the sheets and on the bed. The floor was so dirty ly feet were black, after ly shower! The staff at the front desk was very friendly and that was the highlight of our stay. Its great for a place to just sleep but Im sure there are cleaner nicer places near by that would be better. We will never stay again! Very disappointed, deceived by the photos and the reviews!

4

Blanca

Jul 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Well I gotta say , it is super dirty ! Starting from the lobby to parking areas rooms , pool , jacuzzi, eating area , dirty !!!! Building looks abandoned, some construction going on ! Rooms were decent but not for the price we paid . Pictures on the internet is totally super different from real life !! I was disgusted with the eating area ! Dust everywhere, trash is a bucket over flowing , no one absolutely no one cares for this hotel !! There’s dead flowers , broken pipes , ripped patio furniture , no towels no umbrellas!! I can go on forever but , you see for yourself ! Never again. Never

6

Tiffany

Aug 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beds are not comfortable, pillows are too thick and hard, neck hurt. Chairs uncomfortable, shower heads are ridiculous, way too big for showers. Old furniture thrown outside in the side yard (pool furniture and room furniture). Lady at front desk could have been a bit more pleasant at check in, maybe smile. Very clean inside room and outside and pool was very clean. NO safety equipment in the pool area.

6

Bjørn

May 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Day 1: they never showed up to make up the room. I reported it to the front desk and they said it would be done first thing in the morning the next day. Day 2: again they never showed up. I didn't stay long enough to find out if Day 3 would have been any different. All that being said, it was still an enjoyable stay and a nice and clean, even quite stylish, room.

10

Vanessa

Sep 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This place was spacious and super clean. Would stay again

4

Michelle

Oct 19, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I want to give this property a good rating, but I cannot. There was a blood pressure medication (internet identified) clearly on the floor when we walked in. Neither my partner or I had anything of the sort on us. There were large scratches on the floor I was worried we would be charged for, the bathroom sink leaked, the room was filthy, bedding was missing. The other hotel guests were loud, yelling across corridors, and overall would never stay here again. The pictures are misleading. It does NOT look that nice. I have pics for proof.

8

Michael

Oct 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good size room. Loved the pool. Breakfast was good. Lots of hairs throughout the room and bathroom. Would stay again

8

mary

Nov 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice decor. Great customer service. Very clean

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Room experiences vary: some suites are spacious and comfortable, while others are small or awkward, with thin walls, loud or hard-to-use AC, limited outlets, uncomfortable pillows/beds, and occasional broken or missing features. Updates exist but workmanship can feel unfinished.

Related guest reviews

6

Karen

Jun 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

HVAC unit very noisy. Old oversized assortment of furniture crowded room

6

Elizabeth

Jul 30, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Thermostat was pulled off the wall, so could not adjust temperature in the room. Also, there was no TV remote in the room, and not enough outlets.

8

seng

Sep 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was clean and roomy. Very loud air condition machine thought

6

Rachel

Oct 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast options were great, they also appeared to extend the time later than expected for additional guests. Our TV remote did not work, likely a dead battery, and had to use controls on the side of the TV. The AC was bizarrely high up on the wall where you had to climb on top of a counter dangerously to adjust it to meet your comfort. There was a lack of pillows, two total for two people and a queen/king bed (we went to the front desk late at night to get more due to lack of phones in the rooms). The bed was basically made with a couple layers of sheets, not a comforter at all. Our bed was also broken on the side so it sunk down. My husband was gracious enough to take the broken side for the night and we informed the staff in the morning (wish i documented the room #). Outlets were very few and did not work in the room. The staff was nice and helpful, however, the property is outdated and not stocked appropriately.

4

Deborah

Aug 22, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This property redecorated and I do not like the furniture which is oversized for the room. And the walls have 70s mirrored wall tiles and the ugliest cabbage rose wallpaper. Not pleasant. I used to stay here often. Now looking for other alternatives.

6

Stacy

Oct 16, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This motel is well located and close to downtown. The room i stayed in was a good basic room. I appreciated the fact that the breakfast byffet came with a variety of options. The staff was friendly and helpful. The walls were a little thin.

6

Kathleen

Oct 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Parking was ok. The room was NOT like the pictures advertised. Not even close. Room was very small. No wash cloths, no floor mats, awkward room layout very small for 4 people. Looked like a refresh was attempted but poorly executed. There was something spilled back behind desk and splattered down the wall. Bedding was thin. Booked for 4 people, only stocked with 3 towels. When we went to front desk for another towel, staff seemed put out. When room was cleaned did not restock toilet paper and had to go to desk to ask for more. Overall was ok for price point but I will not stay there again.

6

Richard

Jun 2, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Front desk was attentive & helpful; check-in & check-out was easy. Grounds were quiet, clean, & had a swimming pool (didn't use it). Hotel is close to freeway, downtown, shopping, & dining. Continental breakfast was decent though not exceptional. Room was spacious & clean, nice bathroom fixtures. However, the walls & trim were worn & poorly painted in spots. The armoire wardrobe closet was also worn & didn't match the room layout. Worst was the front door: It had a large gap at the bottom of about 1/2 inch & had no stop. That not only allowed cold air in at night, but it could've allowed small rodents & such to come in easily. Disappointing for a room advertised as being 'superior'.

8

Stephen

Oct 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

No USB plugs and pillows were terrible.

8

Kris

Aug 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Ok for stop over. Air conditioning confusing. Room was large and redone. There are small kitchenettes. Family liked the pool

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Service

Staff are frequently friendly and helpful, with quick check-in and issue resolution at times; however, several reviews report rude or unhelpful interactions, mistaken room access/assignments, and inconsistent responsiveness.

Related guest reviews

2

Darlene

Nov 29, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The woman named Beverly was so rude to me and other guests at the motel. I have never been treated that badly before in my 71 years! It was horrible. She would not give me the managers name or contact information.

4

Kathleen

Oct 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Someone was given a key to our room to check in prior to check out, they walked in while my daughter was changing! When I went to the front desk, he said sorry thought it was empty??? The toaster in the breakfast area was broken and looked unsafe, tables were dirty, chairs were broken.

6

Luz

Jul 6, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

I like how the front desk Lady was super nice and welcoming. The front desk guy was very rude and also cleaning staff said they couldn't give me more toilet paper or towels and told me to go to the office instead.

4

Vicky

Aug 10, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check-in was great, very nice young man. Our room didn’t have working AC and the front desk girl nor the manager cared. Their solution was a fan that would take 4-6 hours to get to us. The repair man was 30 minutes away at their other property but they wouldn’t bring him to our location. It was horrible, we didn’t sleep the first night, the fan helped the second but their behavior and treatment of us was unacceptable.

4

wetona

Oct 4, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

My visit with the Sands started out with an unpleasant welcome when I tried to check in at 7:30 in the evening. The lady at the front desk asked me to come back in 11 minutes because she was on her break. I had been driving for 4 hours and just wanted to check in and politely stated I need you to check me in now. She did, but wasnt happy about it. I have NEVER experienced anything like this ever. The room I requested was not av available, I booked a 2 queen room, I got a King and a pull out. I was not happy about that as well, she blamed Expedia for that mess up. the curtains were torn in the main bedroom, the bathroom had a sewer smell. overall cleanliness was about 8 out of 10. the only positive part of it all was a staff worker offered to help me with our luggage and their morning breakfast buffet wasn't bad. I would not recommend this place due to my experience overall.

8

Todd

Nov 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good location, front desk personnel were very friendly and professional. Only hiccup was our room wasn't changed over but they took care of that immediately when notified. Breakfast was a nice convenience.

10

Greg

Nov 19, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

We have stayed here several times for business and this is always our "go to" when we know we need to be in the area. It is always Comfortable and clean and that staff is top shelf!!

10

Sarah

Aug 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Cozy hotel tucked into a nice area of slo. Staff are so friendly here and when we needed to cancel a night due to our car breaking down staff were very accommodating and kind about the situation. I would definitely stay here again!

10

Sherie

Nov 15, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location and wonderful breakfast. Rooms and bathroom were nicely remodeled and beds very comfy. I left a bag at the hotel and the staff was marvelous as called me right away. I was so appreciative.

2

Jessica

Jul 20, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

1- the parking was full and unorganized. Your website advertises "free parking" not "complementary parking". We stayed two nights and noticed the same people sleeping in the cars. The night staff on Thursday night was no where to be found when we checked in. It took them 5 minutes to show up. On our first night, we noticed people working on the cars in the back lot. The hotel room towels were dirty. The lady working the breakfast station Friday morning was rude, unprofessional and unorganized. You should invest in security to ensure your guests vehicles are the ones parked on your property and not suggested to park on the street. The front desk night manager on Friday night was zero help. I rate this experience at 1 star out of 5 and will not be recommending this location to anyone.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient to Cal Poly, downtown, and the freeway, with some walkable dining and services nearby; a few guests felt options were limited.

Related guest reviews

10

Kevin

Jul 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Liked the renovated room. It’s spacious and clean. A mile away from downtown.

6

Larry

Mar 12, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Sands Inn & Suites in SLO is just okay. The staff are the highlight, being super friendly and kind! The hotel itself is mediocre. The room was clean but dated. The hot water took forever to feel hot as you had to let water run into the bathtub or sink for 5 minutes + before it turned hot. The hotel gets the job done and is close to downtown, but keep expectations low.

6

Stacy

Oct 16, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This motel is well located and close to downtown. The room i stayed in was a good basic room. I appreciated the fact that the breakfast byffet came with a variety of options. The staff was friendly and helpful. The walls were a little thin.

8

Carlos

Aug 13, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel was walking distance to restaurants and downtown.

8

Alex

Sep 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Location wise was perfect as it was pretty close to everything. Restaurant right out front as well as a short few minute drive to downtown. You’re also about 15 minutes from Morro Bay. Property has a huge parking lot and offers complimentary continental breakfast. It’s pet friendly with an additional fee. There’s both pool and spa as well as a gym. It’s pretty quiet when we stayed. Checking in was easy but there was a little confusion with an upgrade. Being a platinum member with Expedia, we alway check to see if an upgrade was available. The lady that was working did say they had some but she couldn’t do anything on her end. We would have to go through Expedia as we booked through a third party. I don’t know, we alway been able to upgrade if there was something available and never had to contact Expedia. Anyways, she reached out to higher contact but we never heard back. Our room was a standard king which was on the ground level. There’s two other buildings which was two levels. Basic room, king size bed. There was a big nice desk, big Ardmore closet, microwave and min refrigerator. Bathroom was decent size but shower was very small. It had a built in seat but size wise, tight. Downfall, ac unit was quite loud that we had to shut it off in the evening. Overall, the stay was good. Plenty of parking. Nice continental breakfast. It wasn’t busy as we were there mid week. There was a couple of maintenance trucks parked in the lot the whole time we were there. Would stay again

8

Talopatina

Sep 20, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Breakfast offering was definitely a plus! Convenient location and friendly staff.

10

Sherie

Nov 15, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location and wonderful breakfast. Rooms and bathroom were nicely remodeled and beds very comfy. I left a bag at the hotel and the staff was marvelous as called me right away. I was so appreciative.

10

Janell

Mar 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location.

8

Marisa

Mar 31, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Rooms have been upgraded. Convenient to the freeway, gas stations, restaurants, Cal Poly, and downtown SLO. We stayed a Sunday night, so very quiet. We’ll definitely stay again.

10

Carolyn

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location close to downtown and close to the college plus right off the freeway. Really enjoyed our stay!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Included breakfast receives mixed feedback—some appreciate the variety and value, while others encounter basic selection, cold items, understaffing, and slow restocking.

Related guest reviews

6

Gian

Aug 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Continental food options need an upgrade.

10

Weijun

Apr 30, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Good Breakfast.

6

Amanda

Apr 1, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The breakfast experience was horrible, cold eggs, and limited selection. Power didn’t work in the kitchenette area but eventually did work. The shower curtain is too short and water gets everywhere. (Nice shower head) Very spacious room.

8

Todd

Nov 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Good location, front desk personnel were very friendly and professional. Only hiccup was our room wasn't changed over but they took care of that immediately when notified. Breakfast was a nice convenience.

10

Valerie

Aug 16, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I was in SLO for a family wedding. Check in was easy, the room was clean, the bed was comfortable. The pool was clean, the water was the perfect temperature for cooling off on a hot day. There were beach balls, inner tubes and pool noodles to use. The breakfast was your typical hotel breakfast scrambled eggs, sausage,waffles, cereal, which was fine. Would stay here again if I were to go back to SLO.

6

Patricia

Sep 6, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The hotel was ok, but the stairways and walkways needed a good power washing. The breakfast could have had more variety.

6

Diganta

Nov 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was good, front desk was courteous. Breakfast was not good

10

Sherie

Nov 15, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location and wonderful breakfast. Rooms and bathroom were nicely remodeled and beds very comfy. I left a bag at the hotel and the staff was marvelous as called me right away. I was so appreciative.

10

Shannon

Sep 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Updated property, comfy bed, clean and quiet. The free breakfast is great with plenty of options. The staff was very nice and helpful.

8

Krissy

Jun 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was great! They were understaffed at breakfast. When we got to breakfast right when they opened, they had already run out of scrambled eggs. We waited 15 minutes but then had to go because we had reservations at Hearst Castle.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $82	2 $82	3 $82	4 $82	5 $82	6 $230	7 $247
8 $82	9 $82	10 $82	11 $82	12 $98	13 $189	14 $173
15 $82	16 $82	17 $82	18 $82	19 $82	20 $123	21 $140
22 $82	23 $82	24 $82	25 $106	26 $148	27 $177	28 $140
29 $73	30 $73

Sands Inn & Suites

Prices for Sands Inn & Suites

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Economy Room, 1 King Bed

Superior Room, 1 King Bed

Studio Suite, 1 King Bed, Kitchenette

Suite, Multiple Beds, Kitchenette

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Kitchenette

Studio Suite, Multiple Beds, Kitchen

Suite, Multiple Beds, Patio (Kitchenette)

Double Room, 2 Double Beds (Adapted)

Guest reviews of Sands Inn & Suites

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Sands Inn & Suites

Considering this hotel for your trip?

Prices for upcoming dates

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30 $136	31 $140