As the Mini Cooper rolled down Morro Bay’s Main Street, the ocean sea breeze spilled into my open sun roof. It had been three years since my last road trip to California Wine Coast Country in San Luis Obispo County. That trip was for our teenager to check out Cal Poly as a potential college. This road trip found me footloose and fancy free as a solo boomer traveler – my husband is saving his vacation time to help our senior move to Oxford, Mississippi in the fall. After three plus hours of easy driving from San Francisco, I was ready to stretch my legs. My Morro Bay lodging for the next three days would be Estero Inn.
Waterfont Estero Inn hotel
If you think the Mini Cooper had a nice view of Morro Rock, wait until you see the view I enjoyed from my queen bed. The owner of this four year old boutique hotel is a building contractor; clearly he put a lot of thought into the building of each of the eight hotel rooms. As the Kelp Forest Suite was on the first floor, I worried that I would have to close the blinds in the evening for privacy. Turns out, the windows looking out to the waterfront are one-way windows allowing me to enjoy the water views, while protecting my privacy from the outside of the hotel.
Another feature that I enjoyed at Estero Inn was the in-room gas fireplace. While many hotel guests don’t travel with laptop computers, those of us who have to work on the road appreciate a comfortable desk, bathed in natural light and the shimmering water from Estero Bay, the fireplace radiating heat on a blustery day. And did I mention fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the property?
Estero Inn amenities
The Estero Inn is a romantic hotel designed with couples in mind. From the pillowtop king and queen beds, to the soft linens and welcome package of salt water taffy left on the bed, guests are meant to feel right at home. The in-room coffee maker features SLO Roasted Coffee from Central Coast Coffee Roasting Company.
The rooms include flat screen tv’s, granite vanities with combination tub and shower, hair dryer, mini fridge and microwave. Also included in your hotel stay is a complimentary breakfast buffet available from 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. The sparkling clean breakfast room offers yogurt with local farmers’ market fresh fruits, bagels and cream cheese, mini cinnamon rolls and muffins, as well as SLO Roasted Coffee, orange juice, hot cocoa and make your own waffle station. Estero Inn also offers complimentary parking on site, but street parking was not an issue during my April stay.
Estero Inn specials & packages
If your stay in Morro Bay is a romantic getaway, Estero Inn offers specials and packages from champagne and chocolates to a boating or fishing trip on the bay. I rented a kayak in Morro Bay and went horseback riding on Morro Strand State Beach in Cayucos during my visit. Estero Inn offers a great location on the Embarcadero with most of the restaurants within walking distance.
Estero Inn offers discounts to hotel guests for the on-site Awaken Harmony Massage and Spa treatments. I headed up Main Street to Serenity By the Sea day spa and thoroughly enjoyed 60+ minutes of serenity with a deep tissue massage following my horseback riding outing. Sweet!
Hotel room rates at Estero Inn range from $129 – $329 depending on the room and time of year. There is not a two night minimum on the weekends at Estero Inn. Sorry pet lovers, dogs are not welcome at Estero Inn.
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m.
Insider tip
The 8 room Estero Inn is geared to couples, but there is one family-friendly room (The Marine Suite) with one king bed, one queen futon and a single futon for families.
For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow @MorroBayTravel on Twitter.
If You Go:
Estero Inn (805) 772-1500
501 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, California 93442
Article written by, video and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Morro Bay Travel. All opinions are my own.
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