La Cuesta Inn

Located in a Mediterranean-inspired building with a textured facade, individual balconies, and a terra-cotta roof, the La Cuesta Inn has a well-kept exterior surrounded by a parking lot and manicured plantings. Much of the hotel was renovated in the summer of 2015, and the interior feels fresh, sophisticated, and modern with light brown walls accented with dark brown wood beams and pillars and a white ceiling. In the lobby, a small sitting area is set with large armless chairs and a tree-stump coffee table for an overall relaxing look. Large canvas-mounted photographs of the coast add color to the scene. Lobby amenities like free coffee, a guest computer, and DVD rentals show off the property’s hospitable spirit. La Cuesta’s proximity to businesses, leisure attractions, and Highway 101 makes this spot host to a range of guests, from families to business travelers. 

La Cuesta is located in San Luis Obispo on a pleasant and mellow main road off of Highway 101 that's in close proximity to other hotels. A gas station sits across the street, and there’s a trolley stop right in front of the hotel. It’s about a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive to Cal Poly as well as to the beginning boundary of downtown San Luis Obispo. The area has a movie theater, ample restaurants, bars, and individually owned shops. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a five-minute drive, Morro Bay is a 20-minute drive, and Hearst Castle is a 50-minute drive from the property. Guests can drive from the San Luis Obispo Amtrak to the hotel in six minutes, and the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is an 11-minute drive.

Each of the 70 rooms were updated in the summer of 2015 and feature sophisticated, modern decor in muted tones. In a Standard Queen, for example, wall-to-wall carpeting meets cream-colored and blue accent walls. Rich, dark wood furniture provides a polished feel, and white bedding and silver accent lamps add chic contrast. While stylish, the rooms are a bit generic and look fairly similar from room to room. Each room is air-conditioned and includes a desk, armchair and ottoman, wardrobe space, and a pillow-top bed. Many have balconies or terraces. Bathrooms feature exterior sink areas in addition to a small bathrooms in neutral colors with vanity sinks (including magnifying mirrors), toilets, and shower/tub combos. All rooms have Eco Essence individual toiletries, hairdryers, and irons. They also include flat-screen HDTVs with cable channels (including HBO) and DVD players, mini-fridges and microwaves, coffee and tea service, and iHome MP3 clock radios. None of the rooms allow smoking or pets. 

The hotel has a concrete patio with a kidney-shaped heated outdoor pool and small hot tub. While the area is not particularly stylish, it's well-maintained and cordoned off from the parking lot by a greenery fence. Several lounge chairs and a patio table with chairs offer guests a spot to sit. A pleasant breakfast area offers up a free continental breakfast which has standard fare like cereals and juice along with more substantial waffles and pastries. During the day, the lobby offers free coffee, tea, and cookies, in addition to free DVD rentals (a DVD player is available in each room). A computer is available for guest use, and the hotel can provide photocopy and fax services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.