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The Sands Motel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Sands Motel

A beach with clear blue water, sandy shore, and green vegetation in the foreground.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a white refrigerator, and a microwave. There is a dining table with four chairs.
A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, and a window with curtains.
A modern bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower area.
A modern living room with a grey sofa, a white coffee table, and a grey armchair. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
48 Whangaumu St, Tutukaka, Northland, 0173
  • Place, Whangaumu Bay
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, beach near Motutara Island
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, beach near Philip Island
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Whangarei (WRE)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Family Apartment, Ocean View

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a white coffee table, and a grey armchair. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall.

Family Apartment, Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed, 2 Twin Beds and 1 Twin Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Tutukaka

The Sands Motel places you 20 mi (32.2 km) from Town Basin Marina. Each of the 6 rooms at this motel includes a kitchen, a refrigerator, and a microwave.
View more Motels in TutukakaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Whangaumu Bay - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • beach near Motutara Island - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • beach near Philip Island - 5 min drive - 1.4 miles
  • Tutukaka Marina - 12 min drive - 3.6 miles
  • Town Basin Marina - 42 min drive - 24.8 miles

Getting around

  • Whangarei (WRE) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Schnappa Rock Restaurant & Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Knights Restaurant + Cafe + Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Tahi Cafe Pataua North - ‬47 min drive
  • ‪Oceans Resort Restaurant & Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Heardys House - ‬2 min drive

About this property

The Sands Motel

Guests staying at The Sands Motel enjoy free WiFi in public areas, laundry facilities, and a convenience store. You can take advantage of free parking if you drive. Helpful staff is there to provide front-desk service during limited hours, as well as offer insight about the area. This beach motel also has a garden.
32-inch flat-screen TVs come with satellite channels, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Kitchens, refrigerators, and microwaves are other standard amenities.

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  • Pool
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9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 246 reviews
$126 nightly
The price is $147
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Height restrictions apply for onsite parking
  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/truck parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking (max 2 spaces per unit)

Family friendly

  • Grocery/convenience store
  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room kitchen
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Outdoors

  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • On the beach
  • On the waterfront

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with premium satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Tea bags/instant coffee
  • Toaster

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-7:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
The front desk is available during limited hours. Driving? This property offers free self parking, along with free RV, bus, and truck parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards and cash.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.
  • Parking has height restrictions.

Property class

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

The Sands Motel Motel
The Sands Motel Tutukaka
The Sands Motel Motel Tutukaka

Frequently asked questions

What's there to do around The Sands Motel?

This motel in Tutukaka is within a 10-minute walk of Whangaumu Bay and Motutara Island. You'll also find Tutukaka Marina and Rahomaunu Island within a short drive.

How much does it cost to stay at The Sands Motel?

As of Aug 7, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Sands Motel on Aug 8, 2026 start from $169, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Will I be able to park at The Sands Motel?

Yes, uncovered self parking is offered for free at the motel. Though parking is limited parking spaces, free RV/bus/truck parking is also available. You'll find a max of 2 spaces per unit.

Does The Sands Motel have a casino on the premises?

No, The Sands Motel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at The Sands Motel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this motel.

Is The Sands Motel a good place to stay for couples?

At this beachfront motel, amenities that appeal to couples include a kitchen, an ocean view in some guestrooms, as well as a garden.

Are there hot tubs at The Sands Motel?

No, this motel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does The Sands Motel have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?

No, The Sands Motel doesn't have a restaurant that serves breakfast.

Does The Sands Motel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at The Sands Motel.

Are there connecting rooms at The Sands Motel?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this motel.

What is the closest airport to The Sands Motel?

The closest major airport to The Sands Motel is Whangarei (WRE), which is 24 mi away (44 minutes by car).

Can I book a room with a balcony at The Sands Motel?

No, you won't find guestrooms with balconies at The Sands Motel.

The Sands Motel Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 6 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Karene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff very accommodating. Amazing beachfront.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

J

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Location location location!

Best location ever! Property is a bit dated bit clean and warm and brilliantly located on a stunning beach only 30 minutes from Whangārei if that.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

World class view!

A quick overnight trip en route to Russell but a lovely place. Super clean and well equipped. Staff were extremely nice and helpful. Beautiful place on the beach with a world class view. Wish we could have stayed longer. Nice restaurants nearby too!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
View was beautiful and relaxing. Ross and Shelley were so nice and friendly. Although there are no stores nearby, they do offer the necessities at the office. It was great having a full kitchen. We would definitely recommend staying at The Sands.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Angel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning scenery!! My children and I fell in love with the sounds of crashing waves while we drifted off to sleep. Out of the way place. Perfect. Easy to check in and easy to check out. Cheers
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Reweti

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No dis likes everything was great
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024