Get an inside look at the new Hotel SLO, where rooms are $400 and the bar is classy
Hotel San Luis Obispo is now open downtown, and at least for now, its luxury amenities and potential to become a new social gathering spot make it unlike anything else in SLO.
The hotel held its grand opening festivities Sunday, offering tours of the new property and tastes of some of its pastry chef’s sweet treats.
The property brings 78 high-end rooms, two new restaurants, a sophisticated bar, banquet facilities and a spa to downtown San Luis Obispo.
With room prices starting at around $400, overnight stays cater to a tourist clientele with money to spend, but many of the hotel’s other features will be enjoyed by locals and travelers alike. Starting Monday, the hotel is offering a special discounted “SLO Life” rate that also includes a bottle of Edna Valley wine and a $50 spa credit.
While Hotel SLO is accepting guests, all of the amenities (including the SOL Spa and the Ox + Anchor steakhouse) won’t be open until Monday.
Here’s an inside look at some of the highlights of SLO’s newest destination.
Rooms with mountain views
Looking for a swanky staycation in downtown San Luis Obispo?
You might like Hotel SLO’s corner suite, which offers panoramic views of Cerro San Luis and has a veranda with a huge round sofa loaded with pillows.
But save up your pennies, because the room lists at $600 a night.
Stop by for a drink
As a college town, San Luis Obispo has plenty of bars aimed toward the Cal Poly crowd. Hotel San Luis Obispo’s S.low bar is not one of those places.
It’s more notable for its comfortable seating and fireplace lounge than for the two modest TVs on either side of the bar. In other words, it’s not exactly a place to watch sports.
But if you’re looking for a cool spot to hang for a classy cocktail after work, check it out.
New dining spots downtown
Hotel SLO’s two restaurants occupy the street-facing corners of the building on Palm Street.
The more casual Piadina offers “a fresh California take on Italian cuisine” and features a wood-fired oven. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Ox + Anchor steakhouse is a dinner spot with views looking out at Cerro San Luis.
The coolest thing about this restaurant is the roll-up doors on two sides that open the space to the street. If it gets a little chilly, there are ceiling-mounted heaters above the window-side tables, or staff can lower a screen with big windows to cut the draft while preserving the view.
Looking for wedding venue?
Hotel SLO’s grand ballroom and accompanying rooftop terrace can accommodate up to 300 people.
It’s got lots of room for tables and a dance floor. The outdoor space is covered from the elements with bistro tables for conversation and mingling.
Don’t forget the history
The hotel was built atop the parking lot in San Luis Obispo’s Chinatown district, and designers have made a concerted effort to honor that legacy.
The most notable nod might be the chop suey sign attached to the outside of Piadina.
Other design elements include the hotel’s entrance sign, which represents a Chinese Moon Gate, and Chinese-inspired terra cotta baguette tiles in the entry.
Pamper yourself
The SOL spa is located adjacent to the garden courtyard and “provides a sophisticated bohemian atmosphere designed to help visitors unwind.”
The spa is inspired by San Luis Obispo’s coastal location and offers various sea salt treatments, including a salt sauna.
The spa is right next to the pool, which is lined with lounge chairs to soak in the Central Coast sunshine.
Admire the art
At various spots round the hotel, works created by regional artists are featured, including one geometric display that runs up a multi-story wall next to a stairwell, by artist duo t.w.five of Palo Alto and San Francisco.
The rooms feature wood steamed and bent into knots and squiggles by Bay Area artist Katie Gong, and Marin County artist Leo Bersamina’s collection of found driftwood painted in a variety of colors and patterns decorates a hallway on the second floor.
Original artwork from Cal Poly Professor Sara Frantz depicting some of the city’s most iconic sites is also showcased in the guest rooms.
And, it’s eco-friendly
Of course, the hotel has charging stations for electric vehicles, but it’s also doing its part to keep our environment free from plastic bottles.
Rooms are supplied with reusable glass bottles that can be filled at water stations around the property.
One of the options? Chilled sparkling water.
To find out more about Hotel San Luis Obispo, visit hotel-slo.com.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 12:40 PM.
