Family Fun at the Apple Farm Inn, San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, California— is a member of California’s Boutique Hotel Collection and a family friendly gem in Central California. Situated conveniently right off the 101 freeway the quaint Victorian-style hotel offers primarily Inn rooms (large rooms, suites, and indoor corridors) and trellis-court rooms. Smaller rooms and exterior corridors with newly renovated mill suites are also located on the top floor of the building. Many of the rooms also come furnished with private hot tubs located on their balconies.   Our family got to enjoy the hotel’s unique flavor when we stayed for the night on our way to the  BlogHer 2014 Conference in San Jose, California. What is strikingly different about this hotel in comparison to its competitors is the focus on the smallest of details that make the guest feel comfortable. For instance, from the moment, you check-in, the hotel and its staff strive to create a welcoming atmosphere. When we stayed over this summer, we encountered in the evening several families and couple enjoying the pool and spa next to the mill outside. Our son especially loved the rocking chairs placed at the entrance while we checked in. The Victorian-themed lobby is decorated in a soft palette of yellows and neutrals with natural woods, rattans, velour and flowered wallpaper.  

Our Welcome

Upon arrival, we were greeted with warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of wine from the local wineries. In the charming lobby area, they also offer free hot cider, coffee, refreshing lemon water, and select mini appetizers. As we walked down the corridor to our room (we requested a quiet room facing the back area) our son with autism liked looking and touching the different displayed decorative house ornaments.    

Our Room

As we opened our room door (yes, with an old-fashioned key) we were delighted to find that housekeeping followed our request for feather-free bedding and pillows. Our squeaky clean room with two queen-sized beds (they make a point of cleaning under the beds and leave a note to that effect) also boasted a spacious seating area with a gas fireplace, a desk to work at, a chest of drawers, a television stand, and mini-fridge.     The limestone bathroom was quite large and featured a tub-and-shower combination (which was separated by a curtain and contained an anti-slip separate bath mat.) Also, the bathroom came equipped with extra plush towels, bathrobes, and an amenity kit of apple-scented soaps and hair products. An interesting feature of the restroom was that, unlike many other hotels you throw your used towels on the bathroom floor, the Apple Farm provides woven baskets to hold soiled towels. Finally, another great touch that we appreciated were the eco-friendly trash can and  separated paper, glass, and regular garbage.        

Amenities

Like in the Apple Farm’s lobby, the hotel spares no expense with its attention to detail in its array of hotel rooms. The room’s sitting area had wine glasses with a bottle opener, a CD player (with a romantic music CD included), free water and apple cider bottles, vases, area lamps, and even a delightful Innkeeper’s wooden apple gift to take home.   The hotel also offers breakfast-in-bed (upon request), a wine tasting reception every afternoon, turndown service, and free, fast, and surprisingly reliable WiFi (while some hotels charge you for almost any amenity.) Lastly, the property’s restaurant, bakery, and adjacent stores are true must see. If you’re a fan of country-style cooking or assorted fruit jams, you’ll fall in love the great food and scrumptious pastries. Our family enjoyed a delicious dinner and returned the next day for their iconic breakfast muffins (with their boysenberry jam) and tasty country omelets. To complete your experience be sure to buy a couple of jams, muffins, and apple bars for the road home. We sure did!  

Autism Travel Tips

The hotel has the best night light we’ve seen in hotel rooms anywhere. Ask for a newly renovated room if any family member suffers from allergies. If your kid chews on non-food items, you might want to ask for the room plant and other decorative breakables to be removed. [mappress mapid=”44″] https://youtu.be/L83U1DNd-Pg]]>