San Luis Obispo is a great half-way point between Napa and Los Angeles. The modern Hotel San Luis Obispo is conveniently located in the heart of the coastal city with easy access to Avila Beach, the hiking and biking trails of the Seven Sisters volcanic mountain ranges and the many wineries in Paso Robles and adjoining neighborhoods.
Stay
The 78-room resort is modern, bright and airy. Rooms reflect the young beachy vibe of the city and are decorated in a boho chic style with white oak floors, hand-made rugs and original artwork. There are also pretty balconies and tall floor-to-ceiling windows letting in lots of natural light. Some rooms boast stand-alone bathtubs, spacious patio sitting areas and separate living spaces. You can also bring your pets for an additional $50 per night with the hotel providing treats, a food bowl and a bed. Throughout the resort are water filling stations with still and sparkling choices and guests are provided a reusable water carafe. The resort also offers free bicycles to ride to the beach, restaurants or local hill trails.
Relax
Outside is the huge 50-foot terrace heated swimming pool and separate Jacuzzi housed in a pretty courtyard while relaxing on wooden loungers. Next to the pool is the on-site Sol Spa where you can create your own scrub blend with fresh ingredients and enjoy facial and massages.
Explore
Head to SLO for their SLO Film Fest, a 6-day annual event in the heart of SLO. Hotel SLO is offering a special film fest see + stay package with a 10% discount on a two-night stay with 4 free movie passes for regular film festival screenings and access to special events. The SLO Film Festival takes place April 25-30 with Encore May 1-5.
Guests can also visit close wineries including Tolosa Winery, Chamisal Vineyards and Sextant Wines for local wine tasting.
Take a Hike
Just 20 minutes north of downtown SLO is Harmony Headlands, a 4-mile trail with views of coastal hills and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Guests can also visit Cerro San Luis, Reservoir Canyon, Johnson Ranch Loop Trail and Bishop Peak for more hiking trails.
Head to Hearst Castle
Located a short 40-minute drive from the resort in San Simeon, Hearst Castle offers a glimpse into William Randolph Hearst’s huge castle built from 1919 to 1947. The site is now a museum filled with beautiful tile, antique furniture, paintings, rugs, sculptures and artwork and is surrounded by stunning grounds with beautiful views.
Dine
High Bar
Located on the rooftop and offering stunning views of the mountains and downtown SLO, the High Bar has great cocktails and small plates as well as a pretty bocce court. Their signature cocktails include the Bream’s Blueberry Mojito with rum, blueberry, cream of coconut, mint, lime and soda and their High Bar Lemonade with vodka, lemon, lavender and prosecco. They specialize in pizza from Piadina’s pizza oven including Maui Wowie with pepperoni, pineapple, pickled jalapeno and red sauce; a smoked salmon and caviar pizza; the Finocchiona & Egg pizza with a sunny side up egg, finocciona, tomato sauce and chili and their Blue Cheese and Brussels Sprout pizza with bacon and white sauce, among other options.
Piadina
Located on the main floor just past the lobby is Piadina offering farm fresh fare inspired by Italy and the Central Coast. Seasonal starts include a local beet salad with goat cheese and berries; asparagus with lemon aioli, pomme frites with lemon aioli; a chopped salad and a Kale Caesar with lemon parmesan dressing. Pizzas include the same options as High Bar. Entrees include a Kobe burger, herb roasted chicken with Brussels sprouts, grilled swordfish with couscous, crab salad with avocado, steak frites, buttermilk fried chicken club sandwich and an Ahi tuna sashimi. The restaurant is also open for breakfast.
Ox + Anchor, Hotel San Luis Obispo
Located next to Hotel San Luis Obispo, modern steakhouse Ox + Anchor elevates traditional salads, steaks, seafood and side dishes with California farm fresh ingredients. Chef Ryan Fancher worked at Auberge du Soleil, The French Laundry, Thomas Keller’s New York Per Se and Healdsburg’s Barndiva before heading up the kitchen at Ox + Anchor. The hotel also recently appointed Lannon Rust as new manager at Ox + Anchor, bringing his experience as a sommelier, entrepreneur, wine director and manager to the property. Diners can indulge in goat cheese croquettes, bone marrow tator tots, crab cakes, a variety of signature steaks and sauces, mac and cheese, lobster risotto, grilled lobster, crispy duck, halibut and other seasonal dishes.
Hotel San Luis Obispo is located at 877 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, reservations at https://hotel-slo.com.
