Hotel Cheval

We came away unimpressed, especially considering the nearly $700 a night for a basic room in Paso Robles. The hotel didn’t have the attentive check-ins or warm greetings I expect from a luxury stay. At reception, the person wasn’t welcoming when we arrived a couple of hours before the room was ready. We weren’t offered water or reassurance about timing, and she dismissed us without even asking for a cell number to contact us when the room was ready. We’d heard a lot of praise before our weekend at Hotel Cheval, so expectations were high, particularly at that price. When we got the room, we found it was a handicap room, with no advance warning. We would have asked for another room if we’d known, especially since we booked months ahead. Breakfast was another letdown. The food is prepared off site and was lukewarm, and the coffee service the website promotes meant a 40-minute wait for cappuccinos that were 90% milk. Staff were inattentive, so we had to get up and look for them when we needed something. The stay didn’t meet the expectations set by the praise we’d heard.

The staff made my wife and me feel at home from the start. It’s right in downtown Paso Robles, and I enjoyed reading and relaxing in the common areas by the fire. There’s a library with candy, too. Stay into the evening and they make complimentary s’mores!

The employees were wonderful and so helpful, and we’ll come back. The bedrooms are cozy, clean, and have the amenities you need. Breakfast at the Pony Bar is made to order, and you can request custom coffees. There’s a beautiful courtyard with little sitting spots, plus nightly customized s'mores. The library has books and a candy bar too. A hidden gem!

We had a great time here on a romantic getaway. The courtyard has fireplaces and is a nice place to hang out, and the morning breakfast is one of the better hotel breakfasts I’ve had. It’s especially convenient if you want to walk around downtown Paso Robles. Highly recommend.