Joanna KalafatisFull disclosure: I received a free stay at Petit Soleil in exchange for coverage of this San Luis Obispo boutique hotel. However, as always, I don’t accept free stays or press trips unless it’s a hotel that’s right up my alley. Most importantly, I still give honest and fair reviews.
After ten years in LA, San Luis Obispo had somehow evaded me, despite my many road trips across the state. I briefly stopped for lunch there a few years ago on my way up to Oregon, and remember dining on the creek. I found the center of town lovely and inviting. So I vaguely noted SLO down as a place to visit in the future, and kept going.
When spring came to California and I started thinking of road trips, an email popped up from Petit Soleil. I looked at the hotel and it looked exactly like a place I would love. Centrally located, charming decor, independently owned. So I happily replied and started arranging my long weekend in San Luis Obispo.
In the meantime, here is my review of the hotel (and why I think you should check it out). With a rating of 4.5 on TripAdvisor, and 10/10 on Hotels.com, I don’t think I’m the only one who enjoyed Petit Soleil.
Petit Soleil: A Touch of the French Countryside in California
From the decor, it’s clear that Petit Soleil derives inspiration from rural France. And not only from the name, which translates to “little sun”.
“Little Sun” is actually a perfect way to describe the atmosphere here. The second you enter the hotel, you immediately see through the bistro-inspired breakfast area to the open rear patio. Everything is light, airy, and inviting, making this one of the most charming hotels I have visited.
This French inspiration is also apparent in the hotel’s other offerings. The owners of Petit Soleil want you to not only see the sights, but also slow down and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life.
Cheeses, Wines, and Aperol Spritz
This welcoming San Luis Obispo boutique hotel offers its guests a complimentary aperitif every evening. After I spent a long day walking around SLO, I enjoyed coming back to the hotel and resting in the sunshine-soaked patio with a refreshing drink for a while.
You can order local and French wines, or if you’re feeling extra European, an Aperol Spritz. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable about the wines. They somehow translated my ignorant ramblings about what I thought I like into a great selection I loved. Considering my knowledge of wine ends at “white” and “red”, that was quite the feat.
Nibble on the many delicious foods that arrive on the charcuterie board here. It includes cheese, fruits, cured meats, and baked goods on the side.
The Rooms: Warm, Chic, Welcoming
My room had a great combination of modern decor with warm, rustic accents. I think a lot of modern hotels have leaned too hard into a minimalist, harsher, colorless, aesthetic; while I do enjoy some minimalism modern industrial design elements myself, it’s nice to feel a sense of ease and comfort when you’re staying far away from home, something a lot of hotel rooms rarely provide anymore.
The beds were plush and comfortable, with colorful accent pillows. I had a room with two queens, and one was set up in front of a cool accent wall. Each room was individually named, seemingly all in French, which I always love. It really creates a sense of personality in a hotel.
Features like hardwood flooring, and a tasteful rug added to the charm of the room. I also appreciated small touches like a vintage-looking phone and alarm clock. Best of all, I think my picky over-30-year-old-back got one of the best nights of sleep ever. So they’re doing something right with the pillows and mattresses.
Since I’m always working on the road, I appreciated the little desk and reading nook the room provided as well. As well as the great Wi-Fi. I still had things to write and emails to ignore, after all.
A Pet-Friendly Paradise Among San Luis Obispo Boutique Hotels
If you follow me on Instagram (and if you don’t…why not? Come on over and follow some crazy trips and backstage experiences), you’re probably aware that I have a five-year-old dog named Zoe. And I love, or some might say, have an unhealthy level of obsession with her.
Though I take her with me for longer stays – when I’m visiting New York or Athens, for example – I often have to leave her behind on shorter trips. Her guilt trips really get to me when this happens. I frequently wish I could take her on at least some excursions. However, it usually creates a massive issue for hotels and transportation.
When Petit Soleil emailed me and highlighted that it is pet-friendly, it was one of the primary reasons I decided to drop by. And, I should emphasize, they’re not pet-friendly in a “ugh, we’ll tolerate it but we’d rather not” kind of way. Not at all.
The only rule in place was that pets weren’t allowed on the furniture, which seemed very reasonable to me. Otherwise, they offered Zoe treats, and the staff was incredibly friendly and affectionate towards her every time they saw us. She clearly enjoyed that stay quite a bit.
Walk Anywhere In Town
One of the greatest things about Petit Soleil is the location. I firmly believe in booking affordable, friendly, and independently-owned accommodation. As one of those freak travelers who likes walking over 15-20k steps daily on my travels, I also appreciate a central location.
For a small city like this, being near or in the center is great, as downtown San Luis Obispo is easily walkable. I was just far enough removed from the dead center of town to have some peace and quiet, but close enough to make accessing everything I wanted a 10-15 minute walk.
Saunter on down to the amazing restaurants on San Luis Creek, check out the retro and surf-inspired San Luis Obispo shops, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
The Price: Small-Town Luxury For Decent Prices
I didn’t pay for the stay, but the prices for this comfortable, central, and chic hotel are pretty reasonable (unless you book last minute). For example, I looked at a room three weeks in advance, and found availability for $213 a night during the week. The price tends to go up on weekends.
For a stay in the stunning nature and sought after wine country of Southern California, trust me when I say that, that’s not bad at all. Especially in a hotel that’s as unique and hospitable as Petit Soleil.
After all, the best thing about Petit Soleil is the location. And I don’t just mean in town; I mean in California. You can drive to wineries in Paso Robles and Los Olivos. You can spend the day down at Pismo Beach or Avila Beach.
If you even get to everything San Luis Obispo has to offer first, from dining and hiking to art museums and sightseeing. In fact, I wrote a guide on how to spend a weekend in San Luis Obispo.
Personally, I would recommend taking a long weekend and getting there on Thursday. That way, you can enjoy the weekly downtown SLO Farmer’s Market, which is so much more than just a produce market. There’s music, dining, games, and a whoooole lot of people from the area coming in to have a good time.
Visit Petit Soleil in San Luis Obispo Soon!
If you want to check out this amazing mountain town on Southern California’s central coast (just a half hour from the beach as well), get to San Luis Obispo soon. It’s one of the state’s best towns – and for a place as beautiful as California, that’s a huge claim.
You can book through Petit Soleil’s website and booking platform.
Experience a truly rejuvenating, fun-filled weekend in one of the state’s many lesser-known destinations, with a stay at one of the best boutique hotels in San Luis Obispo.
Have you found a luxury boutique hotel (or just any cute hotels) you love? Tell me in the comments below; I always appreciate new finds!