The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

Pismo Beach, California

Virgin rating

Aerial view of hotel and pool
Hotel exterior
Classic King Room
Clasic 2 Queen Room
Hotel exterior
Pool
Shell Beach
Beach/Pool sign
Hotel sign
Hotel Lobby
Spa
Ocean view
Aerial view of hotel and pool
Hotel exterior
Classic King Room
Clasic 2 Queen Room
Hotel exterior
Pool
Shell Beach
Beach/Pool sign
Hotel sign
Hotel Lobby
Spa
Ocean view

The hotel

Its spot on its own bluff doesn’t just provide The Cliffs Resort & Spa its name; it gives it incredible ocean views, a perfect setting for its heated oceanfront pool, and the inspiration for the splashes of coastal blues that brighten its earthy toned guest rooms. Laying its claim to the beach below, you get direct access to the sands. On scenic Highway One, it’s just a drive from San Luis Obispo County’s championship golf, wineries and dining. But it would be hard to top the hotel’s own Marisol restaurant, with its ‘market-driven’ menu supplied by local farmers and fishermen, its bar winning accolades like ‘best drink with a view’ and hosting seasonal cocktail specials and a weekend brunch, a local favourite! And make sure you listen out for the daily ring of the bell to toast the sunset.

Amenities

  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Free Parking
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

Overlooking Shell Beach, it is 10 min drive from San Luis Obispo, in a region home to top-notch beaches, championship golf courses and more than 200 wineries. The boutiques and weekly farmer’s market of San Luis Obispo, the surf and seaside shops of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach, and the antique and speciality shops of The Village in Arroyo Grande are also just a drive away. 

Hotel information

160 rooms and suites. All with private balcony or patio, views of the ocean, coast, pool or mountains, Italian marble bathrooms, spacious work stations, fireplaces on request (dependent on availability), in-room safe, flatscreen HDTV, tea and coffee station, beverage cooler, and complimentary WiFi access. 

Classic Rooms have either 1 king-size or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 people.

Coastal/Partial Ocean View Rooms have a quiet setting by the beach pathway, with coastline and Avila Bay views, and 1 king-size or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults. Non-Ocean View Rooms have mountain views, and 1 king-size or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Complimentary shuttle service to and from San Luis Obispo Regional Airport & Amtrak stations are available with prior reservations. Complimentary self-parking a short walk away, or valet parking onsite for $20 plus tax per night (payable locally, fee subject to change).

Marisol bar and restaurant (casual Californian menu and cocktails, oceanfront setting, indoor and al fresco dining, 8 HDTVs in bar, open for all-day dining). Seasonal poolside bar and pool service. Fresh coffee served in the lobby each morning. In-room dining*.

Regular events schedule including fitness classes and live music.

Heated oceanfront pool. Hot tub (adults-only). 24-hour fitness centre. Spa*.

WiFi. Laundry service*. Computer access in the lobby. 24-hour front desk. Gift shop/Boutique.

There is a daily resort fee of $40 plus tax per room (payable locally, fee subject to change). 

Resort fee includes:- Access to the fitness centre –  Use of the outdoor pool and hot tub – WiFi access – Computer use in the lobby. Resort fee and inclusions are subject to availability and change. 

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: The beach access is down four flights of stairs. The trail should be entered at the guest’s own risk as the stairs are uneven and subject to the elements. The beach is not accessible by wheelchair.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (873)
  • Very good (377)
  • Average (142)
  • Poor (78)
  • Terrible (71)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Superb hotel situated in beautiful setting, Pismo Beach.Fabulous wedding venue

Dec 10, 2024 Blueskye70 London, United Kingdom

We stayed at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa and Pismo beach for a family wedding. What a beautiful location. Room was well appointed, great space snd furnishings. Restaurant and bar were great good food , excellent drinks. I want to commend the excellent customer service from all staff. Friendly and professional. I particularly want to mention Aaron … Read more
We stayed at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa and Pismo beach for a family wedding. What a beautiful location. Room was well appointed, great space snd furnishings. Restaurant and bar were great good food , excellent drinks. I want to commend the excellent customer service from all staff. Friendly and professional. I particularly want to mention Aaron Connor for his warm personable service. He was welcoming from the moment we arrived and was accommodating when we had a problem with the corners of out bed . I want to add that this is a perfect wedding venue. Thanks to all who made our stay so great! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful property ! Five stars!

Dec 5, 2024 Lori S San Ramon, California

This is a great hotel to chose for staying in Pismo Beach. I highly recommend The Cliffs. It’s right off 101 you have access to everything here. The parking is either free or valet on site The front lobby staff are warm, welcoming, very helpful, they have the best staff here! You are greeted as soon as you arrive at their glass doors with… Read more
This is a great hotel to chose for staying in Pismo Beach. I highly recommend The Cliffs. It’s right off 101 you have access to everything here. The parking is either free or valet on site The front lobby staff are warm, welcoming, very helpful, they have the best staff here! You are greeted as soon as you arrive at their glass doors with cheerfulness and kindness. My reservation was made on their website, I highly recommend taking a look at it, lots of choices, and different packages to choose from. You can call and speak to Lin if you have questions, she’s amazing and will take great care of you! This is a beautiful resort to have a wedding / honeymoon with the ocean right at the hotel’s edge, there are different locations on the property to chose from for wedding locations plus a beach you can walk down to right next to the property as well. On the lawn by the pool the hotel has many concerts which are well attended with food from the Marisol which is ocean front with outside amazing views or inside the dining room which is Spanish feel, they also have a beautiful fireplace. The servers are very friendly and attentive , the food is huge portions and delicious. The pool and jacuzzi are right outside the Marisol patio so you can enjoy the ocean views and swim. They also have a SPA and gift ship you don’t want to miss, the services like a facial, foot bath and massage is a great way to spoil yourself or a friend during your stay ! We loved our room on the 5 th floor, ocean front, clean, quiet with a fireplace and the entire property smells so good! Everyone here is super nice and welcoming I can’t wait to return back to The Cliffs! Pismo Pier is a short bike ride or drive away, Grover Beach and Avila Beach are also easy to reach as well for more exploring just ask the Cliffs front desk staff if you need anything, they are all super ! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very good experience

Dec 2, 2024 ryanpb199 Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Very nice and clean hotel, when we arrived and checked in, the lady working on reception (sorry I can’t remember her name) noticed it was my partners birthday and offered us an upgrade for a small fee which we did, we had a beautiful sea and pool view with a balcony. The bed was comfortable. They had robes and towels to use when you use the pool… Read more
Very nice and clean hotel, when we arrived and checked in, the lady working on reception (sorry I can’t remember her name) noticed it was my partners birthday and offered us an upgrade for a small fee which we did, we had a beautiful sea and pool view with a balcony. The bed was comfortable. They had robes and towels to use when you use the pool and hot tub which are also nicely heated! There is free parking off site about a 3 minute walk away but also a valet service if you wish to use that at an extra cost. We also ate at the marisol restaurant which is onsite and the food in there was excellent too and the waiter JD was very good too! Wish we were staying here a few nights instead of the one. Would definitely recommend this hotel. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Could do better

Sep 21, 2024 Climber02402240911 Los Angeles, California

I guess the price is all about the location but charging $300+ per night for a room without a view and without even windows / patio doors that you can open is pretty OTT. The room and bathroom were not even as nice as a Best Western to be honest. Couldn’t use the pool area because no dogs allowed which is always bizarre to me if you say you’re a… Read more
I guess the price is all about the location but charging $300+ per night for a room without a view and without even windows / patio doors that you can open is pretty OTT. The room and bathroom were not even as nice as a Best Western to be honest. Couldn’t use the pool area because no dogs allowed which is always bizarre to me if you say you’re a dog friendly hotel and charge a resort fee on top. The grassy area, fire pits, walk down to the beach were lovely but they don’t offer anything beach-oriented for travelers like towels, chairs, picnics…and it’s a public access beach. A lot of missed opportunities to make this an experience that matches the cost. I wouldn’t choose this hotel again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating They lie to book

Sep 17, 2024 Ed M Menifee, California

I called the reservations line for The Cliffs Hotel and Spa to ask questions before I booked. My wife has physical limitations and I wanted to know the difficulty in accessing their beach. I had already eliminated two other hotels because access would be challenging. I asked the Cliffs reservation lady, Lynn, about the access to their beach. She… Read more
I called the reservations line for The Cliffs Hotel and Spa to ask questions before I booked. My wife has physical limitations and I wanted to know the difficulty in accessing their beach. I had already eliminated two other hotels because access would be challenging. I asked the Cliffs reservation lady, Lynn, about the access to their beach. She told me that it is not that difficult. In the back of their hotel, there is a small dirt decline and then only about 12 steps to the beach. I also asked if it was a sandy beach or a rocky beach. She lied again and told me that it was a 'sandy, sandy' beach with no rocks. ALL LIES! After booking a room and then checking in, I checked out the access. The access is dirt and rocky and very steep and very treacherous. There are even posted warning signs advising of the difficulty of going down and coming back up. The sign also advised of sea lions on the beach and warned not to approach them. Sure enough, there were a couple fairly large sea lions on the beach and the beach was mostly rocky and rough. This was afternoon and I did not see anyone on this 'beach'. I am upset because we had to leave the hotel to get to a decent beach. I do not like dishonest people and am disgusted that the hotel doesn't take responsibility for their dishonest tactics to book a room. There are other hotels in Pismo Beach at beach level like Sea Venture. Won't stay or recommend The Cliffs to anyone, except maybe a sea lion. Read less