Hotel San Luis Obispo Officially Opens Its Doors (With a Deal)

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Piazza Hospitality’s newest boutique property, Hotel San Luis Obispo, has officially opened its doors, and it’s already transforming the historic Central Coast town. Located steps away from SLO’s restored mission, Hotel San Luis Obispo combines luxury accommodations, dining, and wellness in a sophisticated package that simultaneously embodies the laid-back California attitude. And from right now through May 31, 2020, the hotel is offering “The SLO Life” rate, which features 10 percent off the hotel’s best available rate, a welcome bottle of wine from the Edna Valley, and a $50 credit at SOL Spa, the hotel’s full-service spa (some blackout dates may apply).

With thoughtful interior design by Gensler, Hotel San Luis Obispo offers guests a unique luxury experience. The bohemian chic lobby is topped with a warm wood ceiling and features a cozy S.low Bar fireplace lounge.  A large custom-made three-dimensional cut paper piece by artist and anthropologist Matthew Picton greets those entering the property and intricate artwork incorporates several findings from the hotel’s own site excavations.

The ground floor is divided into a reception area and a bar lounge, separated by several rusted steel columns and the lobby features polished concrete floors, a blackened steel reception desk, fireplace, and a granite topped bar. Live edge walnut slab coffee tables with brass “SLO” inlaid letters are also a major entrance attraction while soft, handwoven, vintage Moroccan-inspired rugs, and woven leather lounge chairs add warmth. The ceiling’s floating, triangular oak panels reference the ridge line of the Seven Sisters Peaks to the west of town.

The hotel also features an array of Chinese influences which are incorporated into the modern and eco-friendly design, paying homage to the property’s historic location which served California’s largest Chinese community beginning in 1870. The entrance sign represents a Chinese Moon Gate passage and features a living wall by Cal Poly alumnus and famed living wall artist David Brenner of Habitat Horticulture, whose work is also featured in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.  Guests will also find an original, recently restored Chop Suey neon sign from the Shanghai Low restaurant that occupied part of the historic site for decades. Those arriving on Morro Street will be greeted by a cobble-and flagstone-paved motor court landscaped with olive trees, native grasses, and succulents. Exterior materials include stucco, Chinese-inspired terra cotta baguette tiles, and Corten steel that has been fabricated in a traditional Chinese cracked glass motif encasing the glass bridge between hotel wings.


Outdoorsy guests can enjoy the hotel’s public courtyard, teak chaise lounges, and firepits by Harbor Outdoors. A public terrace adjacent to the meeting and event spaces overlooks the courtyard and includes comfy and colorful KETTAL lounge furnishing. The walking pathways and San Luis Obispo’s signature paseos bisect the property’s garden courtyard and connect the hotel to shopping and dining destinations on Monterey Street.

Drawing inspiration from the local beaches, vineyards, ranch lands, and volcanic mountains, Gensler called upon a palette of rich, natural colors and materials throughout Hotel San Luis Obispo. The property’s 78 rooms and suites include relaxed furnishings and artwork from regional artists. The guest room balconies offer views of the downtown buildings, hotel gardens, and surrounding Seven Sisters Peaks.

The hotel’s spacious, modern guest rooms feature white oak floors and headboards, leather and brass sconces by Lostine, mustard-colored throw blankets up-cycled from t-shirt trimmings, hand-woven Nani Marquina rugs, and pouffe ottomans by Donna Wilson for SCP.  Bathrooms feature glass walk-in showers, with select rooms offering freestanding soaking tubs. Several pieces of custom art adorning the rooms include molded wood sculptural knots and squiggles above each bed by Bay Area artist Katie Gong, and a variety of original artwork from Cal Poly Professor of Art, Sara Frantz.

Foodies can indulge in two onsite restaurants: Piadina and Ox + Anchor, located on either side of the entrance. Piadina offers a California take on Italian cuisine, with an interior design that draws inspiration from local beach bonfires, mixing shades of light ash wood and terra cotta. The restaurant provides seating for up to 112, comprised of a combination of generous wooden booths and banquettes upholstered in Colorfield Textile by Hella Jongerius from Maharam and four tables joined into one expansive communal table in the entrance. Circuit Board, a large woven and knotted rope piece by Windy Chien ornaments the main dining wall, while a sculptural light fixture, Palindrome, designed by Rich Brilliant Willing emits a warm glow over the banquette seating. 

Ox + Anchor is an updated interpretation of the classic steakhouse, providing a relaxed fine-dining experience for up to 124 guests. The main dining area features earth tones and textures like brick, white oak tables with brass inlay, chairs and booths upholstered in rich saddle leather, hints of muted teal and lighting in polished brass invoking comfort and approachable luxury. Ox + Anchor also boasts outdoor teak furnishings by Andreu World and the Wine Library that’s adjacent to the main dining area provides an intimate space for private dining featuring a custom white oak table designed to seat 14.  A custom iron wine storage displays the unique collection of wine, while the Forchette 12 ceramic and brass chandelier by Materia provides warm lighting in the space.

Anyone in need of some serious R&R will want to hit Hotel San Luis Obispo’s SOL Spa, adjacent to the garden courtyard. The entrance of features encaustic sea portals made by local artist Julie Brookman while the Relaxation Lounge is adorned with an installation of custom glass vessels in pale hues, a hand-woven rug from ABC Carpet & Home and Vitis 7, a draped modular chandelier by Rich Brilliant Willing.  The spa also provides a serene outdoor space surrounded by billowy sheer curtains, seating by KETTAL and Harbour Outdoors, and an outdoor woven rug by Perennials.

Hotel San Luis Obispo offers nearly 10,000 square feet of modern indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces. Options range from fully equipped board rooms and the Wine Library for smaller gatherings to the grand ballroom and the Rooftop Terrace for groups of up to 240 people for meetings and up to 300 for events.  The main event hall, The Seven Sisters Ballroom, boasts tall French doors that open to an outdoor terrace with stunning views of Mission-style rooftops, native pines and San Luis Mountain.  The ballroom features a refined pre-function space that opens onto the hotel’s garden courtyard with a variety of modern leather and fabric lounge seating from Herman Miller Collection and Patricia Urquiola for Sancal.  Hung at different heights, are a grouping of impactful and poetic white Flamingo Pendant lights by Vibia. A nine-foot original painting by Sarah Winkler featuring the surrounding Seven Sisters mountains, commands attention at one end of the room.

Hotel San Luis Obispo is located at 877 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. For more information, call 805 235 0700 or visit hotel-slo.com.