La Cuesta Inn, BW Signature Collection

We had a nice stay. The room was great, everything looked and smelled clean, and the beds were soft and springy. I didn't see a single pest. The workers were kind and helped us find our way around. If you're visiting from out of town and want a cozy, clean room, this is a great place.

I'd loved staying here for years and had visited many times, but this time I felt like an easy target for an extra charge. They accused me of smoking in my room, which I didn't do. I explained repeatedly that I smoked outside in my vehicle and asked them to check the cameras, but she refused and told me to take it up with Booking. I called Booking, and the hotel hadn't reported it to them. It felt like an easy way to make $250, and I'll dispute the charge so the transaction is properly reported if they're audited. The whole exchange was strange, hostile, and aggressive. The staff member, kalee, emailed me over and over to argue about it, even though the fee had already been charged to my card. She was combative, and only changed her tone to defend herself after I said it was sad to prey on people during the holidays. I stopped responding. $200 won't break me, but I think it's sad they're doing this to people, especially at this time of year. After reading other recent reviews, which you have to scroll way down to find, I don't think I'm the only one treated this way. Read the owners' responses too, they tell a lot. I'd suggest another hotel off Los osos. The courtyard Marriott is much nicer and costs the same or less. I also learned not to stay at the same hotel every time I visit my elderly family members.

The rooms are spacious and clean, with the usual amenities, good beds and bedding, and a large bathroom with two sinks and a nice shower. The shower head seems to be in water-saving mode. Breakfast was good, with scrambled eggs, sausages, orange juice, bagels, and good coffee in the lobby. The parking lot has plenty of spaces, and the landscaping is nicely done. It's a nice place overall, though a bit far from downtown for anyone who wants to walk. Noise was the main issue, which may affect only some rooms. Outside noise was minimal, but indoors there was a lot coming from different places. The elevator rumbled like heavy machinery in a machine shop, and every few minutes the plumbing made a Niagara Falls-like roar. People also gathered in the corridors for long, animated conversations. The elevator, plumbing, walls, and doors all seem poorly soundproofed, so I'm giving it four stars instead of five.

The room was spacious, and the location and breakfast were good, with a great view. But the shower flow was terrible and very weak. The water is soft, so I wasn't sure I was getting clean. A shower that usually takes me 10-15 minutes took over an hour because I had to rinse off the soap and make sure I was clean. The bathroom light runs on a sensor, and while I was soaped up under the weak shower, it switched off. The sensor didn't seem to recognize anyone was in the shower. One other thing to know: the downstairs lobby has regular coffee only, no decaf and no hot water for tea.