Seaside Sands Inn

The boardwalk is amazingly close, and there’s food all around: a corner store, Montes Cafe for Mexican food, a pizzeria, and Mila's for breakfast. For seafood, walk down to the right while facing the boardwalk and check out the stands. The staff are fantastic, with great people working behind the scenes. Plan for the costs, though: parking passes are $10 per day and beach passes are $13 per person. There were events on the boardwalk while we were there, including fireworks. For event details, I’d ask at the information booth to the left of the closest entrance, rather than the staff.

The front desk employee was extremely welcoming and helpful when my girlfriend and I arrived very late, and the location is hard to beat: about two blocks from the boardwalk, beach, restaurants, and shops. Our room was relatively clean, the A/C worked, and there was a nice flat screen TV. It also had a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee pot, though we didn’t use those. The area was quiet, but this was the off season. The room itself had problems: mold on the ceiling and in bathroom corners, peeling paint, and a hole in the picture on the wall. There were no blankets or washcloths when we arrived. I asked twice for blankets, and eventually they brought one fleece extra blanket like the kind in standard hotels. I don’t think they provide comforters. The bed was hard and the pillows small, though I’ve slept worse. The parking lot is limited, so if you arrive late you may have to use the lot next door. Either way you pay: $10 for the hotel lot overnight, or $5 for the neighboring lot for the whole day in the off season. The next door lot belongs to the same people who own the hotel. At checkout around 10 a.m., the office was closed. Unsure what to do with the key and not wanting another day’s charge, I left it on the room table and took a photo. The area felt fairly safe, but the next day one of the parking lot attendants asked if we had weed to sell him. My one night wasn’t awful, but I probably wouldn’t return unless it was the only option. The location and front desk service were the best parts.

For an affordable stay near the ocean, the Seaside Sand Inn Motel was a pleasant choice. There are restaurants and shops nearby, and the beach is a short walk away. The room was basic but had the expected essentials: a comfortable bed, fresh linens, and working A/C. The decor was dated, though it gave the room a cozy beach town feel. Housekeeping kept it tidy, and the staff were friendly and available to answer questions or suggest local places. Parking was convenient, so coming and going was easy. I’d recommend it to travelers who want an inexpensive, no frills spot and care about being close to the beach.

I came across this place by chance while looking for one night at the last minute for my family of four. It fit our budget, and the room was clean and nicely decorated. The art on the wall caught my eye right away. The front desk and management were very accommodating and made sure we had what we needed. It’s a nice, family friendly option in Seaside Heights for the price, and I’d recommend staying here.