Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach — Hotel in Pismo Beach

My review is delayed from just before Covid, so there may be some updates since, but we enjoyed our stay, with a few issues, so thought it might still be worthwhile to mention what you may want to ask about, if staying. || The location is difficult to beat! Right on the beach, with gorgeous views of the ocean, the sunsets, the pier, etc., and walking distance to restaurants. We splurged on the ocean-front suite for 1 night, as they were having a winter discount, and we thought we'd spend most of the time in the evening relaxing, reading, enjoying the views, and the fireplace in the room. Check in is at 4:00 p.m., it gets dark in winter at 5:40 p.m., and check out is at 11:00 a.m., so that didn't give us a lot of time to enjoy our stay, but we planned to make the most of it.||I have many mixed feelings on this place, so will try to outline them briefly. But, overall, we enjoyed our stay, and love the views and location, so would consider this hotel on a future trip.||Pros:|- Location! - right on the sandy beach & beach walkway; close to pier & restaurants|- Cute lobby, had cookies in afternoon, discount coupons for a glass of wine, coffee, & for dining at SeaVenture Restaurant next door|- Games in lobby (checkers & Connect 4), and on the Deck (foosball & shuffleboard type table)|- Fire pits on the Deck, including one upstairs for guests|- Beds were comfortable|- Evening small plates (Arugula salad with strawberries & goat cheese; turkey/brie/cranberry sandwich; caprese flatbread) were delicious!|- Free parking & wifi|- Small robes in the room & a hairdryer|- Friendly staff||Cons:|- Fireplace in suite did not work|- Suite is a very large room, yet the bathroom is very small, and the lounger in front of the fireplace & TV is not comfortable|- Shower drain was not assembled, and paper was left in the shower|- Heat Lamps on Deck were not working & guests & maintenance stood blocking the sunset view from the other guests for over a 1/2 hour trying to fix it|- Service for food/drinks on the Deck was exceptionally slow, and that is during the very slow season (i.e. wait 15 minutes when only 1 party of 3 people ahead of you in line--just to place order; the same person is taking orders, looking for tape for their machine, making drinks, delivering the food outside, cleaning up spills,...)|- Roughest facial tissue/Kleenex ever in the rooms|- Offered a portable heater when our fireplace wouldn't work, as "it will get very cold at night, but don't leave it on, as it may catch fire." Told the thermostat in room may not work, due to maintenance issues|- Breakfast was not very tasty - rubbery French toast, but the berries were nice, and the mocha (breakfast is no longer free, as was posted in other, earlier posts)|- There was Major construction next door (which I believe was going on around 8 years prior when I was in the area); "partial ocean view" rooms may also have mainly "construction views"; they do not work on weekends; just be aware if there on weekdays, and know your view options (construction may now be over)|- Non-hotel guests are allowed to sit on the Deck, and order food & drinks. It was ok in January, where it is the slow season, but I imagine it may be very difficult to get a seat during the busy season (worth considering which way your room faces, to ensure a view from your balcony)||Overall, a great location, and a nice hotel, but there is a need for maintenance & service improvements. But, for the views, and access to the beach and pier, it is worth considering...

I called the Sandcastle months ago to book room 317. It is their best room. I asked when it would be available so I could ensure we got that room. It was our 30th anniversary and I wanted a special visit. I can't normally afford this room, but it was a special occasion. I called two days ahead to confirm room 317 was available. I was told Yes Sir. When we arrived after a 5 hour drive we were told 317 was not available. The guests that were in it already asked to stay, so they got to keep it. We were bumped to the suite that is right on the elevator lobby and across from the ice machine and shares the third floor balcony with all of the other guests. Kids running up and down the corridor. I was told the Hotel can never hold a room and it is their discretion to put you where they want. But they can tell you that you will get what you want until you show up and have no other options. Very unethical.

I feel duped and foolish I trusted these liars. $740 for a room I did not want and never would have bought. They baited and switched me without a care in the world. Too bad for you dude!

The Staff is churlish and rude at times. Management is indifferent and only wants your money. The breakfast has been removed, a new costly Bistro will replace it. The rooms are small, the bathrooms are ridiculously small. The remodel appears to be a disaster. The new fixtures are cheap and breaking. The furniture is old and dusty. Yes, the beds are too soft too and the "new" furnace sounds like a jet engine, if you can figure out how to use it. The remote control for the TV didn't work. Called for the service man, he showed up an hour later after his break I was told. Stood 2 feet from the TV and it worked. After he left it worked intermittently. Last year I took a long shower and the staff show up at my door in a panic because water was leaking into the room below. I would not be surprised if they develop mold problems down the line.

Location, location, location. That is the only reason to book this hotel. Don't expect anything else, except to pay for everything.

Can't wait until the new place across the street is open. Thank you James! Staff for a completely disappointing stay. We won't be back.

If you think I am just pissed, you are right. But beware, what I wrote is true. I can't wait to see their lame response.

There are a lot of great hotels in Pismo. This is NOT...

My parents surprised me with a birthday weekend in Pismo. We stayed at the SandCastle and had 2 rooms with partial ocean views. Firstly, the front desk staff was unfriendly and unhelpful with a few questions we had when we arrived (Richard). Upon checking into my room, I had a view of the parking lot and I found the cleaning staff eating their lunch in my room instead of their break room. I went to discuss with the front desk and again they were not apologetic and unhelpful and just kept telling me that housekeeping is supposed to tell them when they do that. REALLY???? Like that was the problem. I had to request to speak with the Manager (don't remember her name, but had only just completed her 90 days) and was a very nice young woman and did her best to fix the situation. She ended up moving me to a different room, with a better view, which I gave to my parents and I took their partial view room. Around 9pm, the room next to mine had a large group of people celebrating a birthday party with loud music, loud people, screaming girls and jumping all around. It was only 9pm so I tried to be nice and allowed it to continue (thankfully my parents were no longer in this room as they go to bed at 9 and would not have been able to sleep). Around 11pm, I finally called down to the front desk to complain...they said they would talk to the guests. Never heard staff come to the room and nothing changed with the music or loud people. At 1230AM, I called again to complain and once again nothing changed and the group continued their party with no intervention from hotel staff. Around 130AM, the group finally called it quits and I was able to get to sleep only to be awoken by housekeeping staff talking socially and loudly to each other right outside my door, which continued for 45 minutes. Room was nice, location was great, but staff was terrible and inconsiderate. Only exception was the bar tender (I believe her name was Rene?) who was kind, helpful and went out of her way to refill our drinks, adjust the outside umbrellas and was personable and attentive to doing her job well. Staff needs more training and I would highly recommend NOT staying here unless you want mostly terrible service...