San Luis Obispo hotels

Serving up plenty of old-school wine country charm with a splash of modern luxury, the Apple Farm Inn is one of the cosiest boutique hotels in San Luis Obispo. Each room comes with its own fireplace, private seating nooks and garden views. I strongly recommend not missing the breakfast served at the Apple Farm Restaurant, which focuses on homestyle dishes made with local ingredients from surrounding farms.

Head back later on to indulge in fresh pies for afternoon tea after a day exploring the vineyards. Peruse some of the artisan crafts and products in the neighbouring boutiques before checking out the hotel’s very own gift store, showcasing goods from 40 local makers and creators.

For a relaxing weekend away among the beaches and vineyards of the central coast, Apple Farm is hands down one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Creek Lodge is amongst the first hotels awarded a Michelin Key Award in the US and is known for being one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo. Conveniently located in SLO city centre, the Lodge channels a contemporary farmhouse-chic vibe.

I love it for its combination of modern interior of bright white walls with bohemian touches like rattan chairs and indoor plants – it’s clearly influenced by the nearby wine region and breezy California beaches.

Select from king or queen rooms, with the premier offerings including gas fireplaces, oversized walk-in showers, spacious living areas and complimentary local coffee and pastries. Despite having few additional amenities, San Luis Creek Lodge is one of my favourite hotels in the area for its flair and convenient, central location.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott is one of the best hotels to stay in San Luis Obispo for those mixing work and pleasure. As an extended-stay hotel, you can book a room here for as long as you like, from a handful of days to several weeks.

Choose from spacious studios and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and workspaces to provide the ideal daily routine in a new location. Each day begins with a buffet breakfast in the dining area, with a rotating menu of various hot meals on offer.

Take a break and enjoy the outdoor pool, the well-appointed fitness centre and the spacious shared patio areas, which come with heaters to keep you toasty in the evenings. It’s also one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for location, with Avila Beach, Chamisal Vineyards and the Irish Hills Nature Preserve just minutes from the front door.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham is one of the best luxury hotels in San Luis Obispo, with a range of amenities to help you unwind. The king and queen rooms offer plush beds and designated workstations, while some also have simple kitchenettes with microwaves and mini fridges.

For those visiting for leisure, I can’t recommend the rooftop plunge pool enough, offering a place to cool off with views of the surrounding hills. Business travellers, meanwhile, can make use of the work centre, with high-speed internet and co-working desks for productivity and networking.

Focusing on farm-to-table fare inspired by the nearby wine region, the on-site 1865 Craft House and Kitchen is open all day and is home to a well-stocked bar, too. Whether you’re planning a family getaway or a work trip, this is undeniably one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo.

Located near the Old Town Historic District, Hotel Cerro is one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for those wanting to be close to the action. The rooms are simple in décor and style, with crisp white walls and linens combined with light grey accents offering a modern touch.

It’s worth splurging on the deluxe rooms here, which have private outdoor patios and views over the garden and the surrounding city. The signature restaurant, Brasserie SLO, continues the cool, urban design theme, with exposed brick walls and comfortable dining booths.

On warmer days, you can find me at the outdoor pool, thanks to its a blissful escape – it’s located on the rooftop with views over the hills and down into the bustling streets below. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Hotel Cerro more than lives up to its high standards.

Hotel San Luis Obispo is perfectly located just a block from the historic Mission and surrounded by the town’s best restaurants and shops. It’s one of the top fancy hotels in San Luis Obispo, yet never feels overstated. It has an incredibly warm and welcoming vibe, drawing inspiration from the surrounding wine and coastal regions.

The 78 luxurious rooms are light and airy, with large windows overlooking the hills, hand-woven rugs and bright pops of colour in the furnishings. When it comes to dining options, executive chef Ryan Fancher serves casual American-Italian fare in Piadina Restaurant, or you can head to Ox + Anchor for a modern twist on the classic American steakhouse.

The outdoor pool is bordered by sun loungers – perfect for soaking up the Californian rays – or head indoors to the Sol Spa, where you can rejuvenate yourself in the salt sauna, meditation room and spa treatment area.

The Garden Street Inn, now part of the Kirkwood Collection Hotel group, offers a completely unique stay. Housed in an 1887 Victorian home on land that was once part of the Mission Vineyard, this bed and breakfast is steeped in history and character.

With just 13 rooms to choose from, each space is decorated in a farmhouse style, with earthy tones and dark timber furniture. Guests also have access to the Goldtree Library and the McCaffrey Morning Room, where you can enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast made with local produce.

With the historic Mission and local restaurants and galleries all within walking distance, the Garden Street Inn is one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for those who want to stay close to town while enjoying a more intimate atmosphere.

At the base of the Irish Hills Nature Reserve and minutes from San Luis Obispo city centre, Madonna Inn is a longstanding favourite on the hotel scene in the Central Coast Wine Country. It’s perhaps best known for its distinctive rooms – there are over 100 of them, each uniquely decorated in a different theme.

In my opinion, this is definitely not a hotel to miss if you’re into outlandish, one-of-a-kind design! From the bright pink Madonna Suite to the all-stone bathroom in the Yosemite Rock Suite, you’ll find something to suit your mood. The outdoor pool and two spa tubs are perfect for hot summer days, with a poolside bar for refreshments.

The hotel also features two restaurants and a cocktail lounge, each lavishly decorated in bright colours and clashing prints, while the on-site day spa is the place to come for massages, facials and body treatments using the latest skincare products. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most unique hotels in San Luis Obispo.

Bringing a sense of European charm to SLO, this cosy bed and breakfast is one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for a more intimate staycation, with just 17 rooms and a fireplace suite to choose from.

Each room is individually decorated, with varying colour schemes and patterns paying homage to old-world Europe, while state-of-the-art amenities keep things modern. The warm country hospitality is one of my favourite things about staying at the Petit Soleil.

I love the complimentary house-prepared farmer’s breakfast, made with local produce, as well as the daily aperitif hour, which offers a taste of local beers, wines and ciders in the lush, fire-warmed courtyard. Located within walking distance of the Mission and many great restaurants and boutique stores, Petit Soleil is one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for a weekend away amongst the hills.

Designed to allow guests to enjoy the best of the region, the Best Western Plus Royal Oak Hotel has a prime location close to the Mission, several beaches and some neighbouring vineyards. It’s considered one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo for its amenity-heavy offerings and a wide variety of rooms, which suit everyone from families to business travellers.

Each room comes with its a private balcony overlooking the inner courtyard and outdoor swimming pool. For those planning to be productive during their stay, there’s a fitness centre and a business space with meeting facilities, along with high-speed internet.

The first meal of the day is covered, with a breakfast buffet served every morning in the lobby. Whether you’re planning a family holiday or a quick business trip, you can’t go wrong with the Royal Oak Hotel, one of the best hotels in San Luis Obispo.