The Motel By the Sea - Motel in Thermal - 1008 Ontario Ave, USA

I cannot say enough good things about my stay. The owners of this motel clearly care deeply for the customer experience, as my room was phenomenal and incredibly clean. I stayed 10 days and felt incredibly at home the entire time. Always Met with a smile and the property is beautiful, even got to see some incredible cactus blooms. Count on seeing me here again!

Stayed one night while bicycling from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs. I had no idea what to expect given the paucity of accommodations in the area, but this place was a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. Gary and Roxy were wonderful hosts. The room was huge, comfortable and clean. There was no microwave or fridge in the room, but one was available right outside the door for everyone's use. I wanted to stay again on my return trip back to Palm Springs, but unfortunately they were fully booked. But I would definitely recommend Motel By The Sea for anyone planning on stopping for the night (or longer) in this area. (Just a note....... they don't take credit cards.)

Amazing experience. Hotel is right in the Salton City 7min far from main intersection with gas station, small plaza with kfc, jack in the box, subway and store. Owners are very friendly and knowleadgeable. Gary gave me bunch of maps and recommendations about activities around the salton sea ..etc.. so cool. I was at "Wheel House" with small private deck.. i would sit there nonstop, beautiful sunset and sunrise, relaxing and peaceful. I just regreet I ddint have much time, as i stuck in the traffic. Already planning to come for longer stay and explore more places around the Salton Sea

If you're looking to be close to the Salton Sea, this is a perfect spot to stay. The rooms are casual and offbeat, clean, large, and functional - and the photos of Salton Sea sights in the room are amazing. Comfy beds, huge, accessible bathroom, and a fenced in outdoor area with patio. Owners are super friendly, helpful, and responsive. The motel is pet friendly (with some extra dogs to love on if you didn't bring your own) and walkable to Johnson's Landing and Bar (and restaurant) across the street, great burgers. We'll be back soon!

Weirdest location ever, but you're here for a reason, right? This hotel was terrific. The owner Gary is friendly and very knowledgable about the area. The room was newly remodeled, big and very clean. Bed was comfortable and the air conditioning worked great. There's a bar/restaurant very close. Recommended if you're in the area.

What an amazing first time impression, I've never stayed at a motel so walking into this I didn't have very high expectations but rather just a place to lay my head and take a shower. Although there is only small availability in rooms I somehow got lucky and was able to snatch a room up for Thanksgiving. From the beginning the current owners have been very responsive in communications on all my questions and showed patience. Upon arrival I was met with a handshake from Gary and he walked me through the layout of the motel. He has been renovating all the rooms and they look amazing and you wouldn't expect this when you think of a motel. I hope I have the opportunity to snatch up another room for the family and myself again in the near future as it was a very pleasant stay.

A caveat before I start, I stayed here 5 years ago, but was left with quite the impression, and according to the reviews things sound like they've only gotten better. We rolled in pretty late and found the place online, we got in touch and they had a vacancy. We weren't sure we had the right place because it's definitely not your run of the mill motel. I talked with the gentleman owner and told him we were in the area to do some urbex/rurex and he told me to settle in and come back down. When I came back down he handed me a map of the area and marked down exact areas to go and look for bandos, slab city, and Patton's training areas. Which was beyond helpful. The room was very nice and clean with awesome views of Salton Sea and comfy beds. A perfect spot for a young couple to recharge after a long day of driving, and novel to boot. The owners were hanging out around a fire pit and we felt more than welcome to join but by no means pressured. Very nice people. A very belated thank you to the owners.

Great place to rest for an evening my wife and I stayed one night they were closing for the season getting ready to film a documentry. Very clean rooms the tour given during the remodel cool photos in presidential suit with the lighting effect. Having a closed gate and compound felt secured I would go back friendly environment.