Blue Sands Motel

This motel is a great value with a great location. It is one half block from the beach. There is a park across the street and beyond is the beach.

Two rooms have ocean views. Room 11, a two-room suite with full kitchen. This room is above the office and does not share walls with any of the other rooms. There's a view from the kitchen and one of the rooms. Room 5 also has an ocean view. It's more romantic than room 11, with a fireplace and a big window view of the ocean from the bed. Ahem, yeah, romantic. No full kitchen in room 5. Both of these rooms are upstairs, up a 15 step outdoor staircase.

We stayed in room 11, and found the kitchen a perfect spot to leave my small, adorable, terrier pooches while away. The kitchen has a door that closes.

Cleaning the dishes is not part of house keeping at the motel. They've got a sign in the kitchen saying so. The dirty sponge we encountered here also told us this. Granted, we got into the room early, with a super quick management inspection, so they may have missed this. In any case, plan to bring a sponge to clean dishes with. You may also want to bring a few sharp knives, cutting board and wine glasses if you plan to use any of these. They did have one serrated knife (along w/ cultery, dishes, glasses, blender, pans, etc.) that cut the amazing olive bread I brought.

Otherwise, this place rocks! There's a nice pool, though it's closed in winter. The rooms are updated and the decor is very pleasant. The decor makes it feels like a more expensive place than it is.

Unique Quality: Great location. Dog friendly. Very amiable service. A happy place.

Directions: Exit Milpas from Hwy 1, go towards the beach. If you're coming north, this means going 3/4 way round the round about at the freeway exit.