For a winter break in North East, we highly recommend The Sands holiday apartments Scarborough. If you’re looking for the best luxury self-catering apartment in Scarborough, we highly recommend The Sands. We’ve stayed here three times and found it ideal for a family-friendly Scarborough break.
Our first visit to The Sands was through a recommendation from friends, who said The Sands apartments are perfect for families, like 2 Adults 3 Children and couples. They, too, have returned several times, each staying in a different apartment.
We were in need of somewhere last minute to stay at Easter and found The Sands had availability. We have also visited twice and found it the perfect holiday venue between Christmas and New Year (or Betwixmas as the youth say!)
The Sands Apartments at a glance
- Luxury Self-Catering Apartments
- Free Parking and Fast Wifi
- Fabulous beach views
- Easy access to the beach and local attractions
- Well equipped, high quality interiors
Booking The Sands Apartments
Booking is done through The Sands website. It’s as simple as putting your preferred dates and length of stay in, then you will be given a selection of available apartments. Sea view apartments are more expensive than street view – we’ve stayed in both and they were both lovely but we really did prefer sea-view as we spend so much time looking at the sea.
To make an enquiry about booking, email enquiries@escape2thesands.com
Where are The Sands Apartments?
The Sands is based at North Bay, Scarborough. They face straight onto the beach or onto the road round the coast. To walk to the main Scarborough harbour, where the amusement arcades and main tourism area is, takes 25 minutes.
The Sands’ address: The Sands Complex, Kepwick House, Peasholm Gap, Scarborough, YO12 7TN.
Parking at The Sands
- Free parking space – Each apartment rental comes with a free parking space for the duration of your stay. You access this from the road, at the front of the apartment blocks, where an automatic shutter will rise and let you through (Number plate recognition in use). You will be given a numbered parking space, either underground or at the top of the ramp. You will also find the bins here and be able to access reception, and then your apartment.
- Electric car charging facilities are also available.
- Additional cars – If you are bringing 2 cars, extra parking can be arranged nearby for £6 per day. There used to be overnight parking available on the sea front (Royal Albert Drive) but sadly I believe this has been stopped now. We used to love watching people bunk down for the night in their camper vans and dreamed of doing the same one day.
Arriving at The Sands
- Car Park – When you arrive, you go straight to the car park, then go through to Reception. Staff have always been friendly and efficient and check in goes smoothly. You are given your keys (we normally get 2 sets of keys) and instructions how to access your apartment.
- Check in is available from 3pm and check out is 10.30am. You can use your parking space on the day you arrive from 12pm midday.
- Access to the apartments – Some apartments doorways are directly in the car park, some need you to go through the main building in the lift or stairs. We have also stayed in one of the annexes, where you need to go up a couple of stairs and up in the lift inside. There is also a doorway to access these apartments straight from the beach promenade, using your swipe card as security.
The Sands Accommodation and Facilities
Each apartment will be arranged differently. Many have their own owners, who use The Sands to rent out their properties. Apartments have between 1 and 4 bedrooms, all with Wi-Fi (Which is fast and reliable, even in a storm).
Apartment Kitchens
Kitchens are what you would expect from a self-catering luxury holiday apartment and every one has been spotless until now. We haven’t gone as far as cooking an elaborate meal but have easily prepared pizzas, ready meals and snacks for a family of 5 with no bother. High chairs and cots are available for young children.
Apartment Bathrooms
Many apartments have en suite bathrooms – All are well equipped with power showers to die for! No shortage of hot water and towels provided. We have always had just enough toilet roll (a pet hate of mine is running out in holiday lets).
Living Areas
During our last stay as a family of 5 (2 Adults 3 Children), we did find that the sofas were just a little cosy for the 5 of us but not too much of a problem as the older girls preferred to spend time in their own rooms.
Each apartment has a smart TV, where you can log into your own Netflix and other TV channel accounts. Dogs are welcome in 2 of The Sands Apartments.
Gym
Since our last stay at The Sands, they have opened an onsite gym for residents. You enter by using your key. Personal trainer service available to book via reception.
Things to do near The Sands Apartments
If you turn left out of The Sands apartments, along the sea front you will find the super cute beach huts/chalets. Find out more about hiring them for the day/season or even purchasing one from Scarborough Beach Chalets.
- Walk to Scarborough tourist area – This takes approximately 25-30 minutes over the headland and is a gorgeous walk. The approach is quite steep though so not suitable for people with mobility issues.
- Visit Scarborough RNLI lifeboat station. Find out more about our Lifeboat Station challenge.
- Crazy golf – The nearest miniature crazy golf is right across the road from The Sands car park entrance.
- Sea swimming. A group of sea swimmers of all ages, abilities and sizes meet up EVERY DAY one hour before high tide. They are a brilliantly friendly bunch and incredibly welcoming to newcomers and holiday makers. They even have a portable sauna for after their swim.
- Surfing – The North Sea gets some fabulous waves but you will need a winter suit!
Where to eat near The Sands
Taylor’s Bar & Kitchen – We return here year after year. I love their Chilli – so flavoursome. Taylor’s is literally at the bottom of The Sands building apartment, so you cannot get much closer – perfect for being blown back to your apartment after a couple of Guinnesses (You remember, we like visiting during the winter and the North East coast is breezy!)
Fish & Chips – You can’t visit the seaside and not go to the Chippy! The Scarborough seafront has plenty to choose from – Just a couple of minutes drive or 25 minutes over the headland. We’ve tried both Papa’s Fish & Chips and The Famous Fish Pan. Both excellent.
For breakfast, you have a variety of incredible venues to choose from. We have featured several on our other site, Breakfasts and Brunches, where we have covered The Best Breakfast in Scarborough.
How much do The Sands Apartments cost?
Our last stay between Christmas and New Year 2024 cost £335 for 4 people. This was a 3 night stay in a 3 bedroom apartment.
Prices obviously vary according to the season and size of apartment.
This looks AMAZING! You always choose the most fabulous places to stay! Scarborough is such a fantastic place for families to visit, love it up there! Sim x
Aah thanks! Thankfully we rarely seem to have bad experiences with our bookings – The Sands were a recommendation from a friend who got it spot on!