A-OK is correct! Visited Stone Harbor/Avalon for an engagement party this weekend and was lucky to grab a booking with my friend at Desert Sand. Where to begin? A lot of good and a lot of odd! Let's start with what I liked: + Great amenities for a beach vacay! Indoor and outdoor pools, super quick access to the beach front, ample parking for guests, nice sized rooms with a couple of different layouts, that you can explore on their website which is helpful. + Amazing location - quick walk to downtown area, easy beach walk, and close to restaurants and wedding venues. Pretty sure it was exclusively wedding guests staying here while we were attending. + Decent in-room amenities as well - we LOVE a hotel with makeup remover wipes. Free wifi, etc. The not so great: + Rooms are pretty bare bones and drab from a decor perspective. Haven't have an upgrade since the 80s? + The payment process was so wacky. You can "cash" in on a deal if you're willing to jump through hoops (at least in a not so busy weekend in October), like sending in a cash deposit, paying in cash upon arrival...and then getting a $50 visa gift card back. It was bizarre. I think finding accommodations here can be a challenge, so they'll continue to get away with it..but dang. Any seasoned traveller would say "WTF" to this process. + Like other reviewers have said, staff isn't super warm or welcoming. A fine option if you're looking for a cozy spot on the beach! read more

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We arrived shortly before our check-in time of 4:00 pm on a Friday night and had no problems checking in upon our arrival. We had an XE suite which included a common area with a microwave, kitchen sink, and large refrigerator as well as two separate bedrooms both with their own full baths. Each bedroom had two queen beds and a tv. The room was spacious and the shower was nice until we found out our water wasn't getting warm no matter how far towards heat we turned our shower handle. Our room was cold (which was okay - I enjoy sleeping in the cold) but the air conditioner was very loud and was constantly turning on. I thought my bed was comfortable and the bathrooms were nice. There was plenty of parking surrounding the hotel and lots of seats outside around the patio. I didn't mind staying at Desert Sands and it was more affordable than other options in the area. We didn't spend too much time in the room during our 2 night stay, but it wouldn't have been a big deal if I had to spend a little extra time in our room. It felt/looked clean. This was my first time in Avalon and I don't know when I'll be back but I would consider staying here again (as long as my shower had hot water lol). read more

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**Disappointing Experience Despite Initial Promises** We booked our stay at this hotel through Expedia about three months in advance, but unfortunately, our experience was far from what we expected. A week before our stay, we needed to change our reservation from three nights to just one. I called the hotel directly, and the staff member I spoke to assured me it wouldn't be a problem. He confirmed that a refund for the two unused nights would be issued, and even stated that if Expedia needed confirmation, they could contact him directly. This was reassuring, especially since the hotel had a strict cancellation policy. Expedia followed up by calling the hotel to confirm the change, and the same staff member verified the modification and the refund. I even called the hotel again to double-check, and everything seemed set. However, on the day of our original check-in, I received a text from the hotel about our check-in time. Confused, I called the hotel only to be told they had no record of our reservation change and no intention of refunding the two nights we wouldn't be staying. Ariel, the staff member I spoke to, was sympathetic and promised to do everything she could, including having a manager call me back. I gathered all my information, including screenshots of transcripts and records of calls, but after two days, I never heard back from anyone. When I called Expedia, they confirmed that they had a recording of the conversation with the hotel staff member, but the hotel still denied any such communication and refused to honor the refund. Upon arriving at the hotel for our single night's stay, the experience was mediocre at best. The hotel itself was just okay. However, the fact that our room's entry code was simply our room number felt unsafe, especially considering our door didn't lock properly. It was also nearly impossible to find any staff members to address these concerns. Thankfully, Expedia stepped in and refunded us for the two nights, and they mentioned they might consider dropping the hotel from their website. It's frustrating that despite a clear recording of the hotel staff agreeing to the changes, the hotel refused to honor their word or communicate with us further. Overall, while the hotel's physical accommodations were passable, the handling of our reservation and the lack of communication left a lot to be desired. I wouldn't recommend this hotel unless you're prepared to deal with similar issues. read more

Tried to call and make a reservation; however, since my guest that is with me is not 25 for another year, was not able to make the reservation. Absolutely ridiculous when we just need a place to lay our heads at night. No wonder y'all still have rooms available with this ridiculous policy. I guess me turning 25 means I can't handle myself or my guest who's 24??? I've been going to Avalon for 17 years and walking past this place. It's 2020 people, not everyone is trying to be loud and obnoxious. Absolutely ridiculous. read more

Excellent, professional staff! Amy and Liz at the front desk are exceptional. Highly recommend. Been coming here from San Diego every summer. read more

I'd like to start off saying that the room was very clean which made up for it being a bit dark. If you are looking for quiet and relaxing this sure isn't the place. We thought a visit to the shore after the Labor Day holiday would mean a more mellow crowd. For the past two nights it's been a 55+ (age group) crowd of people drinking and hanging out in the courtyard. Have to say I heard the F bomb dropped quiet a few times (glad they were thinking of all the guests with small children that they were keeping up) We called management at 10:58 to ask what time people are supposed to pack it in and they said 11. The party continued at least until 12:30 am. Management was well aware that they were disturbing guests but nothing was done. We unfortunately have one more night...hope this isn't a problem again...hint hint "MANAGEMENT." read more

I had a reservation that wasn't used due to our event being cancelled and the management was not pleasant to deal with and now I just received a solicitation letter from a realtor in that area that acknowledges my dealings with this business- so not only are they difficult to deal with they sell/pass on your information as well. If your going to pass on guests information maybe tell the solicitor to NOT reference your business in the letter - it's not a good look. read more

Desert Sand Resort - Hotels Near Me - Avalon, New Jersey

A good family location that is close to the beach and has a pool onsite. Fairly strict on policy (no rowdies) and noise ordinance which makes it peaceful and quiet if you want to get some sleep which is something i can appreciate. Plenty of hotels in the area if you want to party but not here, just as an fyi. The price point is Jersey shore high, with the cost of the beach built into every spend, but most folks know that, yet they come in herds during the summer to get nostalgic. I think this hotel could pull itself up several notches by being more customer focused. Wet carpets in the room, never enough towels by the indoor pool, rock hard mattresses, outdoor pool could be cleaner and staff could be friendlier. The wifi is below the line when it works and needs upgrading. While location is good for families w kids (real nice park across the street) the management needs to get with it because surrounding hotels have upped their game w serious renovations and this place needs to level up or price down. read more

If i could give the manager LIZ no Last name and this Hotel(resort) zero stars for professional courtesy and general politeness i would. Let me start off with their cancellation policy 72 hours really ?? What other hotel does this. Well i tried to cancel my reservation at the 4pm hour on a weds for a friday evening check in. "Sorry sir you are not within the 72hr window so you can not get a refund". Well i am at like 60 something hours. There has been a cancellation of my plans and an oncoming hurricane coming in and the state has also been issued a state of emergency says i. "Sorry sir i cant control the weather but if there is a mandatory evacuation we will refund your money ". Gee thanks. GO SOMEPLACE ELSE !! Money whores!! read more

Great place to stay in Avalon/Stone Harbor. Weekend stay with 2 friends. The room was spacious and very clean. The location can't be beat for it's proximity to the beach. We ventured across the street to the Windrift and Golden Inn for happy hours. I highly recommend a stay here. read more

My sister and I stayed here many summers as kids so we thought we would do the same with our children. The hotel was clean and the staff was incredibly friendly! The only complaint I have is I have a nine month old son and I was told they did not have rollaway cribs so the first of the two nights we were there I didn't et any sleep so I checked again with the front desk and was told I was misinformed and they do infact have pack n plays. But, again, the staff was awesome and very eager to help with any request. read more

Stayed here for one night the first weekend in May because we had a wedding to attend close by. Wedding was at 5pm. We arrived to check in at 3pm. Our room had no running water. Called front desk and they sent someone right away but repair man said it would be at least an hour. Called the front desk back and asked them to move us to another room immediately because we had to shower and get ready for the wedding. They changed our room. We had a few snacks that we left in sealed bags on the counter in the kitchenette. The next morning after the wedding we noticed that there were small chewed holes in the bags. And we found the culprit...it was a mouse! Disgusting and gross!!! read more

What type of organization does not recognize that WiFi in a Hotel/Motel room is not Not an option. The Desert Sand Motel in Avalon NJ, that would be the type of organization. They promise Free WiFi in your room and then when they are unable to actually provide said WiFi, blame it on the company they hired to manage their Network (Innflux is their name) while being told there was nothing the Desert Sand Motel in Avalon NJ (thats for the search engines) could do, despite my having explained that though I am on vacation I must be able to access my corporate network, another group came into the office and said they to were unable to connect. Innflux cant fix it and Desert Sand doesnt care. Way to start my vacation. read more

I have stayed here twice, and both were good experiences. The staff is nice enough and the facilities are well maintained. There is a small outdoor pool and smaller indoor pool. The rooms can be a little dark, slightly musty, and are dated, but everything is very clean. The hotel is exceptionally well located, at barely a block from the entrance to the beach, and the hotel provides beach passes to guests. Room rates are great for a hotel this well located and well maintained. read more

I stayed here for July 4th and the hotel is beautiful. Both indoor and outdoor pool available, full kitchens so you can even buy groceries and store them away. Close to the Windrift and Golden Inn. The customer service is top-notch too. That's why I'm giving 5 stars. Melissa at the front desk was super helpful when our group had a huge fight. (Nothing to do with Desert Sands!) I wanted to leave at around 2am to get back to New York - Melissa was so efficient in checking cabs, buses and schedules. She was so kind, helpful and really took care of me when I was in a tight spot. This review is especially for Melissa - thank you:) read more

Just stayed at the Desert Sand. We come to Avalon every year, and usually stay at either the next-door Concord or Beachcomber. We missed the good deals at the other two and had to try the Desert Sand this year. From the minute the front desk greeted us with all of the enthusiasm as a gas station attendant filling up your tank, i could tell that it was going to be the worst of the three. Below are the pros and cons PROS: -Room and pools were clean, and cleaning staff was pleasant. -Pretty good rate for Avalon (at least the special deal we go was good) CONS: -Room smelled horrible. I see this with some "beach" hotels that have carpet. The constant beach air and wet feet and clothes of people coming back from pool and beach always seems to cause a musty smell. Big Strike! -No dresser?!!? how can you expect to stay somewhere with 4 people with no drawers. Unless you count the 3 small drawers under the microwave. So you basically have to live out of your luggage for the week. -Railing of our second story room seemed very unsafe. The spacing between bars measures about 5 inches instead of the maximum allowable 4 inches (i believe a building code requirements) and my little guy looks like he might actually be able to slip through. Also, instead of the normal 42" high, the railings are about 3 feet. -Beds were very uncomfortable. -WIFI was not strong enough and we all experienced problems with our devices. Missed a portion of our fantasy football draft due to the connection. read more

Incredibly rude staff. Flew in on Saturday for a wedding at 2pm and they wouldn't accommodate an early check in so we could get dressed or put our luggage down. They said they get the all-clear from the head house keeper at 4pm and there was nothing they could do. I haven' t even been in the room yet but this place looks like a totally run down dump. There are SO many other options.... Stay somewhere else. read more