Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel

This time we went for the least expensive room knowing it wouldn't have a good view. It was in the back of the north side facing the parking lot. I ever new they had rooms here. The room was dated at best and other than newer rug and bathroom tiles it need a face lift. Peeling paint, peeling wall paper old and chiped furiture. When i called they said it was recently updated ??? NO it wasn't then they said it was a cheaper room. My mistake I didn't thing cheaper = old run down. But Great beach front!

From the welcome to the checkout,service was fantastic. Victoria and Paul were always there and helpful. The room was clean and comfortable and the beach was the highlight. Would return in a second.

Hotel staff was fantastic, friendly, helpful. Location was excellent.

Very nice older hotel,great pools,steps to ocean,nice staff. Could use flat screen tv's at pool bar

Had to wait beyond check in time for a room. Room was not clean....chocolate covered peanuts/raisins/something on the floor. Bathroom smelled clean but hair everywhere. Beds must be original to the hotel. Hotel is ancient but we knew that....old is acceptable nasty is NOT! Next day after repeated calls to front desk asking when our room would be cleaned, fresh towels we spoke to the manager. Voila.....clean room at 5:15. Needless to say our first and last visit there!

We had requested ground floor poolside rooms many months in advance. At check in, none available, we were tild we should have requested in advance (duh). Breakfast and lunch service good, restaurant and bar not good (maybe why the bar is always empty). The best thing this hotel has is Kelly at the Tiki Bar, the others are surly . Kelly should be in a management position and train other personnel how to interact with guests.

We had a great time spending a week at the Helmsley. Staff was friendly, food was good and the location to shopping and restaurants was convenient. Thanks for a wonderful vacation.

Guess you get what you pay for. Very small hotel room that was dark and depressing. My room faced a parking garage. Very little sunlight ever came through my window. Old TV, old furniture, old building. Seems very little has ever been invested to update this property. These rooms desperately need renovating! On the plus side, nice heated pool and the beach was beautiful! My advice, stay at the Holiday Day Inn down the road.

Helmsley Sandcastle is an older hotel, probably built in the 60s, but has been renovated nicely. We had a very nice, clean room and enjoyed the heated pools, restaurant and bar with entertainment (a singer with keyboards and synthesizer who interacted nicely with the patrons). The location is great, right on a beautiful beach, and they offer beach chairs and cabanas. A short walk to one end of the key brings you to a park and the other way is a short drive to many restaurants and shops at St. Armand's Circle

The location is simply perfect. The hotel is located on the beach and any room is just 1 min from the beach (unless you get a beach view room, of course). The picture on their site seems to indicate quite a walk and this is not so. The beach itself was beautiful and isolated from the usual crowd. The room had a wonderful odor. It was very clean with enough room for a couple to relax and be comfortable. The parking lot is on each level and is free. There is no free breakfast but the buffet was quite good. The swimming pool is heated and is for everyone (3ft - 8ft). They provide lounge chairs to use on the beach for free. Staff is professional and relaxed. The best part is the accessibility to the downtown neighborhood which is right off a novel. Overall, great stay and amazing value.