Avila La Fonda Hotel — Hotel in Grover Beach

This hotel establishes local partnerships, like California-based company Lather for fantastic, all-natural skin and body care products and a local bakery for their delicious baked goods. I loved how homey and warm the place was. Staff is attentive to the utmost. We parked in the garage and took the elevator up. When we checked in, we received flowers, there was a basket of snacks waiting, and charcuterie in the refrigerator. Sodium nitrate in cured meats is a migraine trigger for me, so I didn't help myself to any. I wasn't sure if it was nitrate-free.

The pastries for breakfast and the evening are so delicious. They don't just give you croissants, they give you warm croissants! Warm butter and ooey melty chocolate croissants. We tried eating breakfast and coffee out on the balcony but were chased back in by a yellow jacket that was attracted to our orange juice and sweets, yikes! Our balcony was overlooking a parking lot but we didn't mind. And fresh pies in the evening. You can try the local ollalieberry. There's a variety. All very, very delicious. I really liked the peach-blueberry and the pecan. You will be STUFFED with treats. They have such a nice touch with their amenities. I really loved seeing their little supply room with a DVD library, extra toiletries, snacks, and drinks. Their souvenirs are tasteful and nice too, candles and sundries, and such. They sent us home with a couple of thoughtful gifts.

There were many positive entries in their guest book. We read through and took up a tip to take beach chairs to the beach, which was a very short, pleasant walk away. We sat them down at sunset and watched as seals bobbed around in the waves. Close proximity to Avila Valley Barn to see the sunflower fields and farm animals and downtown San Luis Obispo for farm-to-table fares, have brunch creekside at Novo, and dinner at Koberl at Blue or Mistura. We found some DVD's at Phoenix books and brought back a few to contribute to the DVD library.

The rooms are so nice. Everything from the warm reddish brown of their glazed tile floors to their gorgeous textiles and art on the walls is so well done. I love the calla lilies in the artwork. I was so impressed to have such a well-appointed room with a full kitchen stocked with all the utensils and dinnerware you could need, the beautiful stained glass on the bathroom wall, and the soaking tub with jets! Bathrobes and a fireplace! We took a bath every night. It was great. We checked into a four-star hotel some time later and it was like a dreary grey dorm room from the days of the Bolsheviks, no jetted tub, no DVD player, no delicious pastries and treats, no snacks, no barefoot walk to the beach, no short stroll to Hula Cafe.

The ONLY thing is the beds are super firm. We did read about this from reviews and were thinking to drive up with a mattress topper we have that we use for our guest room. We wished we had. I have a neuromuscular disorder that affects my spine and right shoulder, I was in a lot of pain and hardly slept during our stay. I was super irritable after we checked out. Still, it was a very...

This is the automated response from La Fondas reservation system. Re: Thank you from Avila La Fonda Hotel

Your automated online reservation system needs some updating. We never got to stay at your hotel.

We showed up on Monday, Dec 28th Reservation# 7012234, with no more rooms available. Apparently, whoever handles reservations failed to input my online reservation into the system. This was my wife's birthday, that was ruined thanks to your hotel failing to properly book our room. The front desk girl who handled us, was mediocre at best in handling the situation. She offered us the Best Western in Pismo or the Holiday Inn in slo. Very unapologetic. To go from the La Fonda to the Best Western, I thought was an insult. Just matter of fact, told us there was no reservation and that was our only option. BTW, we found rooms at the Avila Lighthouse Suites and the Avila Village Inn 5 minutes after we left.

Yes, your hotel is beautiful. My wife and I have wanted to stay there for the past 4 years. When i finally booked a room and wanted to surprise my wife for her birthday, La Fonda dropped the ball. Perhaps, in the future you could spend a couple of extra dollars on software that integrates your online reservation system with the in house reservation system. After all, what's the point of booking through your website, if reservations aren't properly put into the system.

A disappointed would be customer.

P.S. As of Jan 6, still have had no response from La Fonda management after I have sent 2 emails.

This is an updated review. This is a long over due follow up the initial review I posted above. I do apologize to La Fonda for taking so long. After a couple of weeks, a manager by the name of Angela called me. She explained that at the time of my booking, La Fonda was integrating a new online reservation system with the existing system. Somewhere during that system integration, my reservation was lost. She was very apologetic and wanted to make it up to my wife and I. We were offered a complementary nights stay for our trouble. We stayed on a Sat night in March. This was our 5 year anniversary. Angela did remember that I mentioned that in our phone conversation. The room had rose petals on the bed and throughout the room. Their was a bottle of champagne and a snack basket also for us. As I mentioned in the initial review, the hotel is beautiful. The ambiance is very romantic. There's a manager's reception in the late afternoon with wine and hors d'oeuvre. We made it down for that and had a great time chatting with other couples staying there. The room was great which also had a spa tub in the room. In the morning, there's a continental breakfast, coffee and juice. Overall our stay was very relaxing, and worth the wait. My thanks to Angela and the hotel for making it up to us. We will stay...

4-star lodging with a very friendly and personal atmosphere. Contrast that with larger hotels of the same caliber that also have professional service but feel disconnected, impersonal. The several receptions throughout the day was a great place for the guests to mingle with each other and also with the staff. It reminded me of the time I stayed at a hostel, but more upscale. Cozy.

First, you're welcomed with a gift basket. Then in the early evening there is a wine reception with crackers, cheese, salami, and pasta salads. At 8pm there is a dessert reception of various fruit pies and vanilla ice cream. For breakfast there are croissants, chocolate croissants, and hot chocolate. Then from noon to 2pm all you can eat nachos and Mexican Coke. And 24/7 there are freshly baked cookies for the guests on the reception room. However, if you so bring kids, they're not allowed the reception from because of the alcohol availability. No problem, as we brought out the items a few steps to the adjoining lobby to enjoy.

I booked a family room with two queen beds. It was spacious. My family was impressed. Inside was a basket of drinks and snacks, all complimentary. There is a pantry on the first floor where you can trade for other items, or purchase more.

The location is also perfect: one walkable block from the beach, amidst all the little stores and restaurants. Knowing that, La Fonda provides complimentary beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas to take to the beach. Delightful! And with that in mind, they toss in complimentary use of the laundry machines (finish by 10pm to observe quiet hours).

For all the positives, I only have two negatives. First, the shower stall, while looking great, isn't well maintained along the bottom edges and corners of the door. Second was a personal experience of food poisoning. I threw up a bag of non-expired beef jerky, which was part of the room's snack basket, around 5am followed by diarrhea. Not a negative on La Fonda but unfortunately affected my otherwise positive memories of the visit.

Would I stay again?...