The First 'Bed and Beverage' Hotel Offers a Chance to Slow Down in San Luis Obispo

The boutique property, with rooms around $213 per night, feels like a trip to Southern Europe, with its picturesque decor, sun-soaked courtyard and open patio space (adorned with a cozy firepit) — boasting the best of the Central Coast’s fresh air and friendly atmosphere.

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Upon checking in, you’ll step inside a warm and welcoming space that feels more like a friend’s living room than a hotel lobby. Behind the welcome desk, there’s a fully stocked bar (it’s open until 11 p.m.) and a smattering of seating, including rich blue velvety couches with marble-topped round tables. The hotel still uses real, metal keys — a small but powerfully charming detail that makes the visit feel more like a trip back in time.

Other quaint design elements within the common spaces include textured fabrics, enchanting artwork, and lush greenery that make the spaces feel fresh.

We hope you love Petit Soleil! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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The in-room experience at Petit Soleil

There are 17 rooms spread between two floors, each with its own unique European-inspired flair and details that pay homage to the local flavors of San Luis Obispo.

I stayed in the Herb de Provence room, which was bright and clean. The nature-inspired wallpaper seemed to bring the outdoors inside, featuring a collection of bees, butterflies, and birds on the surfaces behind the bed.

The green tiles of the walk-in shower in the remodeled bathroom were clean and modern, and the shining gold tones of the sink and lighting fixtures added an air of upscale flair.

Dried flowers, herb-inspired art pieces, soft yellow-tan velvet chairs surrounding a marble sitting table, hardwood floors, a dedicated workspace with a real telephone (bright yellow, resembling the traditional rotary style where you’d have to turn the wheel to dial and make a call) and green velvet textured made the space feel homey and elegant. But I might be biased — because green and yellow are my two favorite colors.

Other in-room amenities included plush robes, access to Apple TV and Wi-Fi, and access to the specially handcrafted mini-bar, which boasted a collection of special spirits, custom-made bottled cocktails and even real bar tools for those who want to create their own concoctions. As “masterful cocktail bar creators,” the founders of Good Lion Hospitality have opened five bar concepts — and are passionate about offering excellent beverage and culinary offerings (with as many as possible sourced locally).

Breakfast and beverages

One fabulous benefit of staying here I personally enjoyed was the complimentary daily breakfast, which was cooked to order. I also appreciated partaking in the nightly “aperitif hour” sitting alfresco in the garden amongst the cozy decor and fire pit — perfect for a night of settling into relaxation.

Breakfast offerings from 8 – 10 a.m. include fresh-baked pastries and croissants from Front Porch Bakery (a local favorite), farmer’s market produce and fruits (San Luis Obispo is famed for its over-the-top, year-round farmers market) and Cal Poly-produced cheese (I tried to take the “cheese” class and “chocolate” class myself as a Cal Poly student—but they always filled up too quickly). There’s also pour-over coffee from locally sourced coffee beans by Coastal Coffee Collective.

During the aperitif hour starting at 5 PM, guests can indulge in a selection of Cal Poly cheeses, cured meats, house-made baked goods, fruit, wine, and local beer options — in addition to a selection of craft cocktails on the menu for purchase.

On the second morning on-site, I indulged in an Aperol spritz alongside my oatmeal breakfast, and I honestly think it was one of the best Aperol spritzes I’ve ever had (including during my time traveling across Southern Europe).

Other things to note about Petit Soleil

Petit Soleil sits on the edge of downtown SLO, making it walkable to some of San Luis Obispo’s best restaurants, bars, and attractions (but is a quiet place to rest after a day and/or night of fun).

It’s within close driving distance to the top wineries in the area in Edna Valley, and just 15 minutes from the coast (Pismo Beach and Avila Beach are two of my favorite beach destinations nearby — and it’s even better there’s no need to worry about dealing with pesky SoCal or San Francisco traffic on the Central Coast).

Plus, I think it’s neat you could stay at this hotel 17 times and, in theory, have a new experience each time by spending the night in a different room. Also, I love the little touches you can appreciate here that make it a truly “local” property — like the fact that the napkins you’ll use at breakfast are sourced from a San Luis Obispo quilting and fabric shop owned by two sisters (and no two napkins are the same, either).

The hotel staff is comprised of knowledgeable and friendly “SLOcals” who can offer you insight into the best things to do around town (many of which are local secrets that can’t be found in any official city guidebook).

San Luis Obispo itself emits a special sort of relaxed and naturally happy charm that, from my experience, can’t be found in many other places in the world. It’s a special place to be — and Petit Soleil is a great spot to stay to experience some Central Coast magic.

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