TAKE IT SLO
Picture this: a modern urban resort that embodies the essence of SLO. That’s the Hotel San Luis Obispo. As alluring as the surrounding hills and as easygoing as the quintessential California beach towns just up the road, this boutique lodging is as much a destination as it is an experience. Located in the heart of one of California’s most beloved college towns, for which it is named, it reflects the spirit of youth while embracing the timelessness of coastal living in an accessible yet upscale manner.
The bright and airy atmosphere is enhanced by welcoming touches, such as hand-woven rugs, custom built-ins, and natural woods. The rooms and suites exude modern simplicity, making it easy to forget your cares and simply enjoy the view. The resort gently rises along the SLO skyline, offering impressive outlooks throughout the property. As you settle in, it becomes clear this that is a place that prioritizes the experience as much as the people, pieces, and surroundings that make it.
Hotel San Luis Obispo proudly celebrates creativity and culture through its contemporary art collection, featuring site-specific pieces created exclusively for the hotel by California artists. Various mediums—ranging from paintings and works on paper to large-scale installations, and murals—are displayed throughout the hotel in public areas (lobby, stairwell, spa, restaurants) as well as in each guest room and corridor. Each work has been thoughtfully selected to reflect the cultural history and natural beauty of San Luis Obispo.
There is a suite to suit every style at Hotel San Luis Obispo. A total of 78 spacious light-filled guestrooms exhibit a playful, modern aesthetic that helps guests unwind. Special touches—like white oak floors, colorful hand-made Nani Marquina rugs, and original artwork—capture the area’s iconic architecture, which reflect SLO’s laid-back style: a fusion of ranch and beach. Ultra-comfy beds draped in down comforters and deluxe linens, sunny bathrooms, high-tech amenities, and cozy slippers and bathrobes invite guests to linger all day. There are five types of accommodations to choose from.
The Morro Suites feature over 800 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space. Each suite includes spacious closets and a full bathroom, complete with a private soaking tub and shower. A separate living area boasts a large pull-out sleeper sofa, refreshment bar, balcony or terrace, and a small powder room for entertaining.
Another indoor-outdoor option is the Tolosa Studios, which range from 619 to 669 square feet. Each studio comes with its own lounge and a large terrace, complete with a seating area that offers expansive views of SLO’s tiled rooftops and nearby mountains.
If group travel is more your style, the Mission Double Queens are perfect for gatherings with friends and family, offering a roomy 495 square feet. The floor plan is ideally set up for enjoying conversation or coffee on the couch or balcony, while select rooms provide the option for a solo soak in the tub.
The Tolosa Terrace Kings make the most of SLO’s sunny weather, featuring 450 square feet of indoor-outdoor space, highlighted by spacious, full-size terraces. Each room includes a sitting area for two with a dining or work table, a comfy sofa, and a refreshment bar.
The Paseo King, despite being the smallest offering, packs a big punch. It also features a sitting area for two with a dining or work table, and guests can enjoy tea on the balconies overlooking tiled rooftops, nearby mountains, or downtown SLO.
Finding a place to dine on-site is easy, thanks to Executive Chef Ryan Fancher, who leads the culinary department at Hotel San Luis Obispo with an innovative and thoughtful approach to cooking. He shines a spotlight on local ingredients sourced from the hills and sea surrounding SLO. Guests and town residents can choose from two bars and three dining options. Whether you’re looking to grab a bite or sip and stay for the night, you’ll find it at Hotel SLO.
Two watering holes are available on-site: in the lobby and on the rooftop. The S.Low Bar welcomes patrons downstairs with airy charm, serving as a vibrant social hub. This bar pays homage to the former Shanghai Low restaurant, part of SLO’s historic Chinatown, with its iconic “Chop Suey” sign hanging outside. Stop by for a craft cocktail and small bites, with courtyard seating available daily from 11:30AM to 9:00PM.
High Bar is located as far up as one can go at the top of Hotel SLO, where cocktails and light bites are served amidst lush greenery and stunning views over the rolling hills. Self-explanatory menu categories (High Bar Specialty Cocktails, Booze O’Clock, Margaritas, and Mocktails) make it easy to prioritize your drinking choices. Bites are sourced from neighboring Piadino’s pizza oven, and Monday features half-priced pizzas. If you’re in the mood for more than lounging, gather some friends for a round of bocce ball. The space is open daily from 2:00PM to 9:00PM.
Hotel San Luis Obispo offers a great grab-and-go selection to start your day at Daily Bread. Located in the lobby, it features artisan breads, pastries, breakfast burritos, and both espresso and matcha beverages, all of which can be enjoyed on the sunny and spacious Garden Courtyard terrace from 7:00AM to 2:00PM. Daily Bread also creates the beautiful fresh breads, delectable pastries, and desserts found at Piadina and Ox + Anchor.
Piadina serves up a casual vibe with farm-fresh fare inspired by Italy and the Central Coast for dinner, lunch, and Sunday brunch. Here, Chef Fancher highlights local ingredients from the hills and sea surrounding SLO. Outdoor dining on the garden patio makes this restaurant a truly delightful experience. It’s open daily for breakfast from 7:30AM to 10:00AM, except Sundays when brunch is served from 11:00AM to 2:00PM. The “All Day Menu” is available from 11:30AM to 9:00PM.
For a more upscale experience, Ox + Anchor showcases Chef Fancher’s modern take on classic steakhouse cuisine, inspired by SLO’s nearby terrain. From plate to glass, a carefully curated list of the Central Coast’s best wines keeps the menu rooted in local terroir. In June, the restaurant was honored as one of Tasting Table’s 14 Best Steakhouses in California and has received recognition from the Michelin Guide more than once. Enjoy dinner there Wednesday through Sunday starting at 5:00PM.
Hotel SLO’s Sol Spa is another amenity worth exploring. It offers a gateway to rejuvenation and restore in its indoor-outdoor lounge, salt sauna, pool, jacuzzi, and meditation room. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and ready to get back to life, thanks to their spa menu, which includes massage and facial services. Summer specials are available, in addition to lashes and brows, skincare, body polishing, and waxing. Upon arrival, guests receive a robe, slippers, and a locker, granting access to the pool and hot tub. Just call or click to book daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM.
The Hotel San Luis Obispo is also a picturesque venue for memorable occasions. With nearly 10,000 square feet of unique, naturally lit meeting and event space, it’s ideal for team meetings or wedding celebrations. A welcoming modern aesthetic, state-of-the-art A/V capabilities, and catering from Chef Fancher set the bar for successful gatherings. From intimate boardrooms and wine cellars to grand ballrooms and rooftop terraces, Hotel San Luis Obispo has the meeting space you need.
Innovative options allow event planners to think outside the box. The Seven Sisters Ballroom is the main event hall. The Ah Louis Terrace is a covered open-air space perfect for break-out meetings or alfresco dining. The Bishop Peak Boardroom comes with a conference table, executive seating, hospitality bar, and a Bluetooth TV at the ready. The Wine Library features a beautifully displayed collection of Central Coast wines just off the Ox + Anchor dining room. The Rooftop Terrace and High Bar can host guests for cocktails, craft beer, and light bites. The Garden Courtyard is a centrally located outdoor venue with casual spaces and fire pits situated near the S.Low Bar.
Like the town itself, Hotel San Luis Obispo is a cultural crossroads. Here, discovery becomes innovation, experience becomes wisdom, and adventure becomes a life well lived. Located just a block from the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Hotel San Luis Obispo is steps from downtown and serves as the perfect launching point for countless Central Coast adventures. Hotel SLO is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Hearst Castle, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Cal Poly, Montaña de Oro, Avila Beach, and Pismo Beach. With so many choices, they even offer custom itineraries to make exploring the beaches, hill country, wine scene, and day trips a breeze.
In every corner and experience, Hotel San Luis Obispo captures the soulful, sun-drenched charm of the Central Coast with a sense of purpose and play. It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a reflection of San Luis Obispo’s creative spirit, natural beauty, and relaxed pace. Whether you’re soaking in the view from a private terrace, savoring a locally inspired meal, or unwinding in the serenity of Sol Spa, the hotel invites you to immerse yourself in the region’s rhythms. So next time you’re looking to slow down, reconnect, and indulge in thoughtful luxury, remember to take it SLO.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographers Tanveer Badal & Ryan Gobuty
