Historic Paso Robles hotel reopens after massive 8-month renovation. See what’s changed
After eight months of construction, the historic Paso Robles Inn has completed a sweeping $25 million renovation.
The 135-year-old inn now boasts 98 updated rooms with new floors, furnishings and high-end luxury products.
Every room was remodeled over the course of the eight-month project, with many areas built up from the studs, said Erika Fryburger, general manager of the Paso Robles Inn.
The hotel’s suites, pool, gardens and meeting rooms were redesigned to blend “historic charm with contemporary elegance, drawing inspiration from Victorian, Mission-style and ranch aesthetics,” the Paso Robles Inn said in a news release.
The hotel at 1103 Spring St. is in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, a short drive away from Michelin star-recognized restaurants and award-winning wineries.
“We really wanted to elevate,” Fryburger said. “We really wanted to bring the property to a level that really matches what’s happening here in Paso, with the wine and the culinary, but also with guest expectations.”
On Sept. 20, the Paso Robles Inn officially wrapped up the finishing touches on the project that launched in February.
It is the inn’s largest facelift since 1999.
Why did SLO County hotel get remodel?
In 2023, Martin Resorts Collection sold the Paso Robles Inn to KSL Capital Partners, LLC.
In the aftermath of the sale, Fryburger said it was evident that the hotel needed a fresh look that catered to future generations of guests.
“We’re kind of the new Paso, and it was time to really update everything,” she said.
In the lead-up to the renovation, hotel staff combed through history books to preserve the hotel’s century-old charm.
Staffers landed on a “California western” aesthetic that incorporated Paso Robles’ past into the design of each room, Fryburger said.
The Paso Robles Inn didn’t renovate all 98 rooms at once. Instead, staffers sectioned off rooms to be remodeled for three to four months at a time.
This allowed for travelers to continue staying at the hotel throughout the entire renovation project, Fryburger said.
“It’s hard to imagine, when you’re hearing and seeing all the designs and then the drawings, but man, it really turned out great,” she said. “It came out just like the drawings. It’s been really well received by guests.”
What is the Paso Robles Inn?
The Paso Robles Inn first opened in 1891.
Daniel Blackburn and Drury Woodson James built the hotel and health spa as a destination resort for wealthy travelers attracted by the restorative powers of nearby hot springs.
James’ nephew, outlaw Jesse James, hid out in the hotel and its underground tunnels in those early years.
Designed by architect Stanford White, the downtown landmark frequently welcomed U.S. presidents, sports stars and the Hollywood elite, including John Wayne and Clark Gable.
In 1940, a major blaze swept through the hotel, destroying everything but the grand ballroom.
The inn was eventually rebuilt in 1942, with many of the original bricks salvaged for new structures. The ballroom lives on as a conference and event venue.
Fryburger said the $25 million renovation aimed to restore, rather than just renovate, the only part of the inn that remains from the 1800s.
This section of the Paso Robles Inn, called the 1889 House, includes the ballroom and 12 upstairs rooms.
During the remodeling, the ballroom’s original flooring was left intact but new lighting, chairs, tables and wallpaper were added.
The rooms above the ballroom feature high ceilings, updated carpets, high-end bathroom products and large soaking tubs that hearken back to the town’s history as a hot springs mecca.
“We really kept a nod to a lot of this history, which really gives it a lot of its charm,” Fryburger said.
Framed photographs in these rooms depict Paso Robles’ first Pioneer Day parade and Thanksgiving celebrations held in 1912.
What’s new at historic hotel after renovation?
The property’s main guest area has an array of studios and garden suites that feature new laminate flooring, rugs, furniture, air conditioning and artwork.
Inside, the spaces are decorated with details from Paso Robles’ winemaking and cattle ranching legacy.
Pictures of an oak tree, symbolizing the city’s full name — El Paso de Robles, or, pass of the oaks in Spanish — hang in every suite.
Outside, guests have a private balcony or patio with comfortable outdoor seating overlooking landscaped gardens and a new koi pond.
“Guests can revel in stunning garden views from one of 98 elegantly designed California country-style rooms, and lounge poolside in the private cabanas after a day of wine tasting at the expanded pool deck,” its news release said.
For the first time, hotel guests can rent e-bikes, lounge around fire pits in the courtyard or rest on hammocks in the garden.
At night, two heritage oak trees sparkle with lights wrapped around their trunks.
Fryburger said she hopes the redesigned gardens will be a prominent place for weddings and high schools senior photos.
“Being a lifelong resident of the area, it’s very exciting to see this new chapter come to life,” she said. “A lot of great work was put into this to make sure that not only visitors but locals could enjoy the Paso Robles Inn.”
Along with major renovations, the Paso Robles Inn worked on enhancing the level of service for guests, Fryburger said. It added bell and valet services and conducted an extensive training program for all hotel associates.
The hotel has two onsite eateries for hungry travelers: the Coffee Shop, which has breakfast options, and The Steakhouse, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Fryburger said restaurant renovations will be next on her agenda.
How much does it cost to stay at Paso Robles Inn?
Rooms at the Paso Robles Inn start at $259 per night and can be booked at pasoroblesinn.com.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 2:21 PM.
