New art deco, jazz-themed boutique hotel opens in SLO County. Take a look inside here
A longtime San Luis Obispo family that sings, dances, cooks and builds together has set their hospitality dream to music in Morro Bay at the new Rhapsody in View boutique hotel.
An open house was held for the new hotel over the weekend.
The theme that resonates throughout the upscale Central Coast lodging is melodic — starting with the play-on-words name that honors the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s legendary Jazz Age composition for piano and jazz band, “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Names and subtle art deco decor of the five large rooms and two suites follow that refrain, including “Shall We Dance,” “I Got Rhythm” and, of course, “An American in Paris.”
That’s appropriate for people who met while pursuing their passions of swing and Lindy Hop dancing, Gilbert and Sullivan light operas and music of the ‘20s through the ‘50s. The younger family members, especially, love and perform in musical theater, dance events and other public performances that tie into their love of the genre.
.jpg "02-12-24 rhapsody in view entrance morro rock (1).jpg")
Longtime area geologist Tim Cleath, and his wife Allie Cleath financed the project, and collaborated with son Bobby Cleath and daughter-in-law Kezia Cleath as they coordinated every aspect of the hotel that replaced a spa at 2790 Main St.
The work is reflected in sophisticated decor and detailing, customized for each of the five large rooms and two suites, each which has a private balcony and a view of the marine terrace, Morro Rock and the Pacific coast.
Tim Cleath’s geology background shows up most obviously in an entry paved with stone from Lompoc.
“We wanted to use as many local products as possible,” Bobby Cleath said Friday at the hotel, “so that was an obvious choice.”
There’s even a herring fossil embedded in the entry design.
The stone sets the tone for a strikingly dramatic entryway that greets guests.
Jazz singer Kezia Cleath did much of the decorating for what had been a “pie in the sky dream” for years, her family said, selecting unique lighting and color schemes, creating the subtly hand-stenciled accent walls and even selecting customized sconces, bedside tables and throw pillows for each room.
The hotel’s large, certified commercial catering kitchen will provide each guest with an “elevated” hot breakfast, which can be customized for guests’ special diets or desires.
The Cleaths hope to expand the kitchen’s uses in the future, they said Friday, maybe even providing baked goods for the community.
Customizing extends even to the fresh hot cookies offered to guests, which range from the classics to Allie Cleath’s almond torte and purple ube crinkle cookies.
The large adjacent Harmony Hall common room is available for more than breakfast, they said. Uses can include coffee by the fireplace, game playing, reading and even special events such as movie nights, game nights and musical events.
About 300 people who attended introductory open house festivities on Feb. 10 and 11 got to sample some of Cleath’s delicacies while touring the new lodging.
For details about the hotel, go to rhapsodyinview.com, call 805-771-5055 or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
This story was originally published February 14, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
