Background & Booking
I was taking a road trip to visit Hearst Castle. In the past, I have popped by Hearst Castle along the way to Monterey/San Francisco, and one time the tickets were sold out, and the other time inclement weather canceled the tours. This time, I got my tickets in advance and booked a night at the Vespera Resort Pismo Beach the day before my visit, which is about a 1-hour drive to Hearst Castle. I’ve been keeping my eye on this four-star property since it opened in October 2019, and was excited to give it a try.
Cash rates were high during my weekend after Christmas stay, so I used an 85k Marriott Bonvoy Certificate that was expiring soon. Typical rates at Vespera start in the $200s during off-season, while going up to $700s during summer weekends & holidays.
Pismo Beach is a laid-back Central Coast town, sitting about 12 miles south of San Luis Obispo, roughly 90 miles north of Santa Barbara, around 180 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and about 230 miles south of San Francisco, which makes it convenient for a California road trip.
Travel Agency Benefits
I work with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays. Fora is part of Marriott Luminous. This partnership gives you special perks when booking with me. The Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection comes with the following:
- Daily complimentary breakfast for 2, per room
- Early check-in & late check-out (upon availability)
- Upgrade at time of check-in (upon availability)
If you are interested in staying at The Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, feel free to email me at takeofftotravel@fora.travel, and I would be happy to help you plan your trip.
Takeoff Points for the Vespera Resort Pismo Beach
Pros: Great beachfront location, walking distance to town, standard room had a dual vanity.
Cons: Additional fees (resort fee + valet parking), some room views are very close to a building.
Takeoff Point: Overall, the Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach offered a comfortable stay for my road trip and is centrally located in Pismo Beach. The rooms are comfortable, but could use some updates, and the extra fees are a bit of a nuisance.
Arrival
I arrived around 7 pm, and the property is valet only ($45 a night). For a small beach town, it seems a bit pricey, but there aren’t really any parking alternatives, as most of the beach lots don’t allow overnight parking.
I was quickly checked in by a friendly associate, and he apologized for no upgrades being available with my Platinum Status due to the holiday weekend. No worries at all.
The lobby is quaint and cozy, and with the hotel offering only 124 rooms and no spa, I don’t believe it really is a “resort”, but closer in style to somewhat of a boutique hotel.
Room: Classic Two Queens
Our room was located on the top (3rd floor). The hallway didn’t have the best smell, but thankfully, once we entered our room, it smelled much better.
The room featured two queen beds with a nightstand in the middle. There was an armchair next to the window, and also an armoire to serve as the closet space. The armoire needed some fixing as the door couldn’t stay open and kept slamming. But at least the beds were comfortable.
Additionally, the room featured a large TV, a Keurig coffee maker, and an empty mini-fridge for personal use.
I did find it a bit annoying that the two water bottles were $4 each, and it wasn’t complimentary for even elite members.
The bathroom was quite large and featured a nice double vanity. It had a large stand-up shower as well, with a wand function as well as a standard showerhead. Interestingly, there were no amenities offered (cotton swabs, etc). At the sink, there was just hand wash and body lotion in the refillable containers. And in the shower, shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.
Some quirks I had with the bathroom were the fact that the sink hardware needed some WD-40, as the knobs were so tight, and the soap didn’t wash off easily.
Our view was of a building that was pretty up close, so we didn’t really have a view. A little funny, they provided the stargazing guide with a telescope for our room, but it was probably geared more to the rooms with a patio/views.
Amenities
Resort Fee
The hotel charges a $45 Resort Fee, which includes:
- Daily 1-hour Electric Bicycle Rental for 2 guests
- Daily Resort Shuttle Service around the Pismo Beach city limits
- Daily Beach Chairs and Umbrellas for 2 guests
- Daily Beach Equipment: Boogie Boards, Kites, Fishing Equipment for 2 guests
- BONVOY Elites – Daily Rod and Hammer’s Whiskey Tasting Experience for 2 guests
Unfortunately, during my quick winter stay, I didn’t have time to utilize any of the inclusions.
Fitness Center
On the 2nd floor, there is a fitness center that also includes 2 Pelotons.
Pool & Beach
The hotel offers a pool and hot tub, and is beachfront as well.
Dining
The Pequin Coastal Cantina is the hotel’s main restaurant, featuring Baja Coastal selections, open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. It offers indoor & outdoor seating.
We had breakfast at Pequin, and the food was solid, but their hot tea brand could be more elevated for the price charged (Bigelow tea).
For Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Members and above, the breakfast benefit is either $15 to any menu item, or a choice of 2 of the following: seasonal fruit plate, steel cut oatmeal, or breakfast pastry, plus coffee, tea, or juice. A bit on the limited side.
The Verdict
Overall, the Vespera Resort Pismo Beach was a very comfortable road trip stop on my way up California’s Central Coast. Depending on the price, I would consider staying here again, or I might want to try the Curio Collection property next door.
Have you stayed at the Vespera Resort Pismo Beach before? How was your stay? Comment below!
Cheers,
Ty
Have any questions? Comment below or email me at takeofftotravel@gmail.com. You can also view all my other posts here! Thanks for stopping by!
