How 5 historic hotels in SLO County have been renovated into new, modern uses

Stories by The Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Several historic San Luis Obispo County hotels have undergone significant renovations to blend their storied pasts with modern amenities, ensuring their appeal to today's travelers, or converting them to other uses.

In Atascadero, the Carlton Hotel, celebrating nearly a century of history, has introduced a new restaurant and plans further expansions to reinvigorate its local charm. In San Luis Obispo, the Anderson Hotel's renovations aim to continue its legacy as a key affordable housing provider while maintaining its Spanish-style architecture.

Similarly, Paso Robles Inn's extensive updates, costing $25 million, focus on preserving its historical essence while enhancing guest experiences with luxurious amenities.

Here's a look at five:

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The Carlton Hotel is undergoing renovations through spring 2025. A current view of the Carlton Suite on April 12, 2024. The new renovations will include a new restaurant, revamped rooms, a distillery and a speakeasy.

NO. 1: HISTORIC SLO COUNTY HOTEL OPENS NEW RESTAURANT, PREPS FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

The owner of the nearly 100-year-old hotel said he hopes the changes will help make the area even more of a destination. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anna Armstrong

The Anderson Hotel at the corner of Monterey and Morro streets with bustling traffic between 1923 and 1930. An addition with tower was added at left side of Monterey Street side, an extension to Court Street and 40 new rooms were added in 1930. Barber shop, tailor, lunch room, optometrist, shoe shine business and a drug store were all on the ground floor.

NO. 2: SLO’S TALLEST DOWNTOWN BUILDING IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION — AND IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME

The building has towered over downtown SLO since 1923. | Published April 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Middlecamp

A Residence Inn by Marriott is slated to join a renovated Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott on the former Best Western Plus Colony Inn property in Atascadero. Rendering shows the proposed Residence Inn.

NO. 3: 2 NEW HOTEL BRANDS COMING TO SITE OF OLD SLO COUNTY INN. HERE’S A LOOK

Marriott is transforming the 38-year-old hotel into two new spaces. | Published April 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kaytlyn Leslie

Larger rooms are in the 1899 house, the building with the Grand Ballroom. Tour of the newly renovated Paso Robles Inn on Oct. 9, 2024.

NO. 4: HISTORIC PASO ROBLES HOTEL REOPENS AFTER MASSIVE 8-MONTH RENOVATION. SEE WHAT’S CHANGED

The $25 million remodel included everything from new floors to poolside cabanas. | Published October 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hannah Poukish

The Osos Street side of the Andrews Bank building was being sand blasted to remove paint May 7, 1974. At far left across Monterey St. a corner of the Obispo Theater shows. The movie palace burned down in Dec. 1975. The lot at far right is now the City/County Library.

NO. 5: LANDMARK BUILDING CHANGED THE WAY DOWNTOWN SLO WAS BUILT — AND IT STILL STANDS TODAY

Parts of the historic downtown building are more than 130 years old. | Published May 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Middlecamp

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.