Golden Sands Resort Motel

Golden Sands means a lot to our family. We’ve been coming for 25 years, and both my kids learned to swim in that pool. The location is amazing, which makes the state of the rooms and grounds such a disappointment. We booked a lakefront room, but when we arrived it wasn’t available and we were put in the Courtyard. For what these rooms are like now, I wouldn’t say they’re worth more than $90 a night. Housekeeping needs serious attention. The fan over the beds was so filthy we couldn’t turn it on, the coffee mugs hadn’t been washed, and the air conditioner was so dirty my husband had to clean it himself in the heat. The old bedding smelled dusty, and the mattresses were like crappy RV mattresses. Around the site, several lamp posts were out, garbage and piles of leaves and debris were everywhere, and the pool hadn’t been cleaned overnight. There are no security cameras on site. While we were there this summer, a lovely couple from Montana had bought a bike for their disabled brother. It was stolen from the back of their truck while we slept, which was unnerving. We’re torn because we love the place and its location. If the owners are reading, please work on these rooms so we can enjoy somewhere we’ve loved for years and come back. 🙏🏻

The beach and nearby shops were the only real positives, and the shower had good water pressure despite being dirty. The room itself was dark and unclean, with stains everywhere and a tiny sheet on a mattress that looked like someone may have bled out on it. The AC was loud and ineffective, and there seemed to be black mold on the ceiling. Check-in was confusing and difficult, and when we reached the room there was no parking on the property. I definitely wouldn’t stay again. Spend the extra $50 for somewhere nicer.

Doug at the front desk was a delight, cheerful and ready to help with anything we needed for the room. We had a great time at the Golden Sands Resort Motel. It’s large and had what we needed, including extra blankets and towels, cookware, and a nice pool. The balcony view is in the picture. You’re right on the beach, with lots of good restaurants, ice cream shops, and more nearby. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it. 😊

The single star is for Steve and the poor housemaid who seemed overworked. Steve was fantastic, and any workplace would be better with him there. We spent as little time inside as possible, which was our saving grace. We’d stayed here with our group before, but after booking two suites for 11 adults, we won’t return. The Golden Sands Resort Motel’s location is the one thing it has going for it: easy access to the water, dining, rentals, and activities. The units were rundown, but that would have been manageable if they weren’t so dirty and the staff didn’t seem so careless. Broken or missing blinds were an issue in reviews from two years ago too. On Friday, there was only ONE housekeeper for check-in. We waited six extra hours past check-in, until after 8 p.m. We were told third-party workers hadn’t shown up, though I’m not sure that was accurate. After the rooms were supposedly cleaned, we still had to pick up cherry stems and other previous guests’ trash and sweep. There was no mop in the unit, and it seemed not to have been properly cleaned in weeks. When we asked for soap and shampoo, the notoriously aggressive receptionist said those hygiene products weren’t included. In the other suite, plumbing complaints included what sounded like sewage gas entering the living area on the first night. We didn’t test the TVs. The plumbing was mostly functional, but some lights were broken, some outlets didn’t work, and the security bar had been removed from my window. There was no vehicle access to another road because we were blocked in for the cycling events. We asked for compensation for the wait, and the request was denied until it reached the owner, or perhaps the manager. He offered 5% off a future stay only if we booked next year right then. Pros included window AC in each bedroom, towels while we waited for our rooms, balcony chairs and a lakeside view, and a pool. The cons were long check-in waits, one housekeeper, missing or broken blinds, the receptionist and careless employees, hygiene products supposedly not being included, broken lights, bad outlets, the removed security bar, limited vehicle access, and the dirt. Don’t stay here.