The rush that courses through me when some gifted geography (read: Paso Robles) fashions an outpost worthy of its grounding, it’s a little ridiculous, the thrill. When homespun hybrids hospitality and style sizes up the senses, I am so smitten. Stables Inn has accomplished such with full envisage and intention.
Once a mid-century roadside inn, owners Robert and Sherry Gilson have reinvented the wagon wheel in Paso Robles. Whitewashed wood and western whimsicality, a fireside festival of cozy and casual, this bespoke blend of barn and beauty should be a wine region pre-requisite. It’s small size (just 19 rooms) is fitting with its quaint and curated feel. Every nook is nested in equine inspired décor; sliding barn doors open to stovepipe furnaces, freshly picked blooms and campy enamelware; an empyrean feast. A little vintage in vision, a little modern where you want it. They just did such a great job with the place.
The Tack Room, a wood beamed collective of communal invitation, replete with a galvanized metal windmill from the 1900s, is both welcoming and styled to the nines. Stay for coffee, tea, or Covid friendly individually packaged pastry.
We stayed in a California King room, which was awesome. Wood floors, an iron bedframe plucked right from my franco-fantasies, a retro mini fridge, apple green end tables, wine glasses for fireside sipping, original artwork all against a splash of white. The light fixtures are fun, and the flowers are for real (they’re so bodacious they’re easy to doubt). The space is not enormous, but it is glorious.
And there’s a bunkhouse. If you’re traveling with up to six, this situation will make you so happy. Beneath an A-frame ceiling, a delightful set of barnwood bunkbeds, a California King, an armoire and a communal table that seats six… girls weekend, families, bridal, bachelorette, you name it. This bunkhouse is answer brilliant.
Double rooms for parties of two to four, too. Told you, small place, but it all works.
Especially with the city square a very walkable three blocks away. If you’ve ever been to Paso Robles, this is probably the part you remember. Ice cream shops, boutique shopping, and lots and lots of places to taste wine. All situated around a vast green patch of nowhere else to be.
To the square, to the Stables Inn, you can bring your dog, you can bring your six string (there’s a shared firepit that beckons for some strumming). There’s even a plug-in for your electric vehicle if you happened to have brought that too. (Horsepower has evolved and they have readily accepted this). Giddy up my friends. This is place is charm runneth over and a delightful dance in the celebration of this midcoastal moment. For a stop on your way up the coast, or one that definitely dignifies a destination unto itself, be on your way. Chaps optional.
The Details
Stables Inn, 730 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California 93446, United States.
Tel: +1(805) 296-3636
Website: www.stablesinnpaso.com
Email: info@stablesinnpaso.com
Stables Inn is located three blocks from historic downtown Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County about halfway between San Francisco to the north and Los Angeles to the south. If driving from the north via Highway 101, take Highway 101 South to the 17th Street Exit (#231A), turn left onto Riverside Avenue, then turn right onto 13th Street, left onto Spring Street and you will see Stables Inn on the left hand side just after you cross 8th Street. If driving from the south on Highway 101, take Highway 101 North to the Spring Street Exit (#229), then drive straight to get onto Spring Street and you will see Stables Inn on the right hand side between 7th and 8th Streets.
Type of Hotel: Boutique Inn
Number of Rooms: 19 rooms and dog friendly with complimentary Wi-Fi and complimentary parking.
Price Band: Medium
Insider Tip: Paso Market Walk is a five-minute drive and a really sweet collective of mercantile, bakery, brews, and gelatiers. It’s worth noting that the bathrooms are pretty tiny with a pedestal sink and rain shower. I recommend you save the spa jacuzzi for another trip.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8.5/10
Author Bio:
Jolie Loeb is a Luxury Lifestyle columnist based in Los Angeles.
Photographs by Jolie Loeb
How perfect! It’s my favorite look: rural rich. 🙂 And near a couple of my favorite wineries in the world. I think I know where I’m going for my anniversary this fall…
Ooh Ooh! Tell me the wineries!
During Covid, we discovered that Paso Robles is such an easy drive from Los Angeles that we have been there twice already. We will have to check out Stables Inn on our next outing.
What a wonderful little find. Your second this summer…Cambria being the first…
Small intimate inns, like Stables Inn, provide an excellent respite from the hassles of the big city and only a relatively short drive.
Completely! And I have to say this trend of upscaling the roadside motel, I’m really enjoying it. A Rosebud Renaissance. I hope it continues.
After this fantastic review, I can’t wait to go!
This place is so adorable. I saw it when I was in Paso earlier this summer! Definitely want to stay there next time I go & I wouldn’t mind a ride in that cute green Chevy!
When I read these posts, I always feel like I’m on holiday. Always good to know of places where we can take our pup! Looking forward to a weekend away at the Stables Inn.
Thanks for another great review, love that area!!!
Looks adorbs! I’ll add it to the list.
Looks like a fun place to hang for the weekend!
Looks adorable! We love Paso!
Love it. Bringing the dog!
Great review, it makes me want to go back to Paso Robles. I recently went to Avila Beach, and we went to Sensorio, a light show in Paso Robles, which is beautiful.
Oh, this place looks fabulous! I love the rustic farm-y vibe! We will put this on the to-do list. Thanks for another enticing review!
What a fantastic adventure awaits us all here in So CA! Really close and really fabulous. Thank you for always whetting our appetite for the gems that abound…
Sounds like a super charming spot for our next visit to Paso
Huge fan of Paso, but don’t want to celebrate it too much because it’s already becoming too popular. So I’ll say this: this place seems great but don’t go visit the town. (Wink,wink)
Love this, looks so cute!! Thank you for sharing and always showing us the coolest Cali places to visit!!
This sounds so lovely!! Definitely peaked my interest with the wine. 😉
So many places we need to go! Thanks for always being an inspiration. Can’t wait to check out all the places you recommend. This one is right ip my alley… just missing the horses!
Looks like an excellent spot for doggy travel too. People are always asking me to recommend spots I like that allow dogs.
So many places we need to go! Thanks for always being an inspiration. Can’t wait to check out all the places you recommend. This one is right up my alley… just missing the horses!
Nice little cute place.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know when we travel to that area.
My girlfriends and I love Paso Robles but was very disappointed in our last accommodations – Already sent the link to everyone and we are staying here on our next trip – Thanks for sharing
I had the same experience! That’s why I was so psyched about this place. Finally! Paso’s been crying for you! You and your crew will have a great time. Report back!
Looks cozy
Wow!!! Looks like such a cute place!! Definitely need to check it out!
What a nice write up Jolie! We definitely love going north, but have never been in Paso Robles. Thanks for the tip!
How adorable and charming. Have yet to visit “Paso”, but sounds like a cozy place for us to try !!! Thank you once again for the inspiration!
Thanks for recommending another great looking place. Totally enjoy Paso Robles!!!
This inn looks quaint and inviting. Can’t wait to try it!
Perfect timing, Jolie Loeb! We were just thinking about going up there before school starts. We’ll have to check it out. Thanks so much as always!
Will certainly file since we love coastal getaways
This is a great find in Paso, which we’ve really come to love as a destination over the years. It’s a 5 minute walk from the downtown square and a cozy getaway from exploring the town and countryside. The room is definitely on the cozy size and the bathroom could use a little more counter space. But, they really did wonders with the space and make it feel luxurious and modern, but with an homage to the rustic. Definitely worth a stay!
We love the wineries in this area but haven’t found a place to stay that we love. We look forward to checking this place out next. Thanks for the find!
Great to know! Being from LA people from out of state tend to ask me from time to time where to stay in wine country and now I know a great hidden gem! I’m def bookmarking this review to send out to friends who have asked me about this in the past. Thank you Jolie!
Love this review! I can’t wait to check this place out!
“A little vintage… a little modern…” Sounds perfect!Great recommendation.
Sounds like a fun little getaway! Hmmm… Labor Day???