SLO hotel finishes major overhaul. Take a look inside the $6 million renovation
A San Luis Obispo hotel has completed its first major renovation after nearly two decades in business.
The Courtyard by Marriott San Luis Obispo, at 1605 Calle Joaquin, celebrated its grand reopening April 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony including state and local representatives in attendance.
The year-long project cost more than $6 million and touched every part of the property, according to owner Dilraj Bhadare, the owner of the Courtyard by Marriott San Luis Obispo.
“We went above and beyond because we felt like it was just a much better brand experience than just going with the bare minimum,” he told The Tribune. “We take a lot of pride in everything that we own, so we want it to be as nice as possible, even if that might not make financial or economic sense.”
The updated hotel contains 135 guest rooms, six meeting spaces, a full bar and an on-site bistro serving breakfast and dinner to patrons.
In the aftermath of the massive remodel, the exterior has a fresh coat of paint and the lobby is decked out with modern furniture and warm lighting where families can gather for breakfast or friends can socialize over an evening cocktail, a Courtyard by Marriott news release said.
SLO hotel undergoes massive $6 million renovation
Billa Management, a Sonoma County-based, family-run real estate development firm, acquired the San Luis Obispo hotel in late 2023.
Bhadare, the company’s president, said the Courtyard is the fifth hotel his family has invested in. They decided to jump at the opportunity to buy the property due its friendly staff, central location and surrounding natural beauty.
“It’s near the freeway, it’s near a lot of amenities — shopping, restaurants, beach — it’s backed up into the Irish Hills Reserve,” Bhadare said. “It sort of felt like I was at a resort in Hawaii, just very light and calming.”
About a year after acquiring the property, Billa Management launched an extensive overhaul to the aging hotel. Some of the renovations were required to remain in compliance with Marriott’s standards, Bhadare said, but added that many other updates were completed to create “the nicest place possible for guests.”
“Guests will see things that they love and look for when they stay at a Courtyard, but then they’ll see that this particular Courtyard has a lot more,” he said.
Following the extensive renovations, he described the hotel’s updated aesthetic as clean and modern while still maintaining a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors.
What’s new at the Courtyard by Marriott SLO?
The hotel’s renovated interior includes a completely revamped lobby with an inviting open floor plan and an all-new carpet, furniture and front desk, Bhadare said.
Here, guests can check in, grab a glass of wine from the bar or a bite to eat from the bistro. Families can dine in booth seats, play games at tables, or rest in cozy chairs and couches that cover the rest of the main area.
Just beyond the lobby’s back doors, there’s a spacious outdoor lounge area featuring a fire pit, tables, cushioned chairs and a covered gazebo. Lush plants and palm trees frame the pool and hot tub as well.
Upstairs, guest accommodations are outfitted with upgraded door locks that visitors can open using their phone.
In the rooms, “everything is new,” Bhadare said, pointing to the furniture, carpet, artwork and beds, as well as the bathrooms, that contain updated tile, vanities, sinks and showers with glass sliding doors. The accommodations also contain plush bedding, lounge seats with ottomans and mini-refrigerators and microwaves, according to the release.
Many rooms also offer views of the Irish Hills Natural Reserve or face the courtyard’s interior which “really makes you feel like you’re in a resort,” he said.
The hotel’s fitness center was also doubled during the renovation and equipped with new cardio and strength-training equipment.
The Courtyard was never fully shuttered during the year-long facelift, according to Bhadare, instead half a floor of the hotel was renovated at a time to ensure guest rooms were always available.
“ I don’t think there’s a section of the hotel that we didn’t improve,” he said.
So far, Bhadare said the revamped quarters are getting rave reviews from employees and guests
“The No. 1 thing is we want people to feel relaxed and like they’re at home”
