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The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

3.6 (857 reviews)
PriceyHotels
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Paul M.

Since we live practically next door, up Shell Beach Rd. a bit, we often stroll by here, when we go for an extended walk. It is inevitable to somehow cross paths with Cliffs, when one wants to walk down to the ocean....or cruise the promenade. On one recent walk we just happened to wander into their cute little boutique shop. It is not merely a pedestrian gift shop, but it is a rather classy shop in this hotel. My wife found herself buying a nice 100% cotton sweater & I found a bargain Pumpkin scented hand soap for our home. The lady who helped us was wonderful & we had a nice pleasant time in the store. We brief check out the grounds & reviewed the current menu. The Spa & pool looked appealing. As far as the shop is concerned, here is what they have to say online about it:" "....BOUTIQUE A bit of fun, and a bit of magic, find the perfect gift, or treat for yourself at The Boutique at The Cliffs. What You Will Find... Several well known brands, as well as specialty items from local crafters and boutique brands. We specialize in skincare lines, women's clothing, earth conscious products, unique jewelry, specialty home goods, and thoughtful gifts." Thanks Cliffs..... for having a cool little shop for us to stop by at.

sign
Ernesto P.

Booked a couples massage here & was blown away by how amazing the experience was! Major shoutout to Larry & Monique, who gave us our massages. Originally, the massages were set to be performed outside by the cliff, but depending on the time of year & weather, they switch it to inside. Which was fine since it was a little chilly outside anyways. The outside scenery was absolutely beautiful since after our massages, we were able to roam the ground & use the pool/facilities if we wanted to partake. When you first get there, there is complimentary valet, & after going through the process, you are given robes & a locker to change into for your massage & then you get to the lobby where you're greeted with snacks/coffee or tea. After, you may sit in the steam room to start decompressing before your massage. My wife added on the back, hand & foot scrub which she says was perfect. After completion, we then added on the champagne & foot bath which you may soak in for 10 minutes. Even after paying & checking out, everyone there was just so pleasant that we would do it all over again!

Views from our room

My wife and I stayed here for our anniversary and we couldn't have had a better time. When we arrived our car was valeted and we were greeted with complimentary champagne. Then as we got to our room they had a handwritten anniversary card, chocolates, and more celebratory beverages waiting for us. The room was clean and cozy with a balcony over looking the pool and ocean where we were able to enjoy our champagne and extraordinary views! Big shout out to Paulina for helping us book our stay to celebrate our first anniversary. We later went for a stroll on their stunning bluff with gorgeous ocean views. It is some of the prettiest coast line in the world and the fact that it is so close to home shocked us. There is also beach access from the hotel which was a huge plus. The beach is beautiful with tide pools, cool rocks, and some surfers. We dined at Marisol, which is their restaurant, and the staff was incredibly nice, all weekend. Everyone kept asking if we were celebrating anything and on multiple occasions were offered complimentary deserts. We had the best oysters we have had on the central coast! The pool was so fun, and we honestly hung out there most of the time. Owen was amazing and made sure we had the best time, always checking on us and bringing us drinks and snacks. Even on our last day they gave us key to get into the pool so we stayed for one last pool day. My wife scheduled a treatment at Dia Feliz Spa and she had a wonderful massage with Monique! The Cliffs Hotel and Spa is by far my favorite hotel in the Central Coast and we will be coming back every year.

Do not stay here. This place is not worth your money. The valet took our bags and it took them 20 minutes to bring them into our room. I went into my room and there were skittles all over the floor by my bed. The rooms are dusty and there's a nasty shower curtain. The rooms smell musty. The beds are bouncy and not comfortable. There's no outlets by my bed. Overall a very bad experience and way overpriced.

View from lobby
Carolina S.

Beautiful large room, decorated nicely on the first floor making it easy access to walk to the beach and pool. Bathroom could be upgraded a bit. Cute boutique on the property. Line for check in with 1 person was a bit long and slow. Lounge area in the hotel elegant with a fireplace overlooking the ocean. Easy access to Marisol, their restaurant. A beautiful, relaxing few days and would stay here again.

Outdoor area
Janet Z.

We had a staycation at the Cliffs for our first time and our family loved our stay. I will definitely stay again and also recommend this hotel if you are looking to stay in the shell beach area. The views were spectacular, honestly my favorite part. We stayed on a Mother's Day weekend so it was a was busy weekend but overall just an amazing stay.

The Edgewater suite
Jen A.

Love love this place!! Gorgeous rooms and suites are spectacular!! The food at Marisol's is hit or miss, burger is great and the steak breakfast burrito was very good too. Coziest beds ever!!! We visit a few times a year!!

Us

Last day here and it has just rushed passed while we melted into this luxurious resort. Upon arrival our bags being sent to the room lacquered with rose petals. Thank you Carlos and Makennia for setting that up! Eric eith those well balanced cocktail.Maria has made sure our room is spotless whenever we are out and are super thankful! This stay has been amazing with a perfect view, great food and drinks, and a wonderful memory to look back on. Thank you from the Molloys!

Bluffs
Susanne M.

We stayed here because they are a pet friendly hotel. This was our first stay here and it was very pet friendly. When we arrived they offered our dog a treat and treated her so sweetly. There was a food and water bowl in the room and a pet bed. The room was very nice and comfortable. Lots of pillows and comfortable bedding. The location was gorgeous. We could walk down to the beach or walk along the bluffs. There is a restaurant on site and all the staff were very friendly. Highly recommend this hotel especially if you have a dog.

Spacious bathroom with bidet.

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Ask the Community - The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

Is your in-room beverage cooler the size of a mini-fridge or smaller? We need to refrigerate a birthday cake. Thanks

Hello Kip! Our beverage cooler is the size of a mini-fridge. We do have access to a bigger refrigerator if you would like to drop the cake off with us at the Front Desk. Thank you!

Is there a place to wash off your dog after the beach?

We don't have a dog wash for after the beach, sorry!

Hello! What is the name of the shampoo and conditioner in your suites? I always forget to take a picture when I visit. Thanks!:)

Unfortunately I did not use their shampoo or conditioner - sorry

My question would be, can we use the pool and can we access the beach trail If our check-in isn't until 4pm? Or do we have to wait until 4?

As long as you are a guest of the hotel, you can use the pool. Just check in with the Front Desk, so we know you're here and we can inform you when your room is ready, and as long as you're due to check in, we will have your name on our list for the… Read more

Do you have a gluten free menu?

Hello Emma! We do not have a specific gluten free menu, but we have many items on our menu that are gluten free (and are noted on the menu). You can find our current menu… Read more

Do I need a reservation for brunch this Saturday for two?

Hello Kathy ~ we don't require reservations, but it is a good idea. You can reserve here https://www.opentable.com/r/marisol-at-the-cliffs-hotel-and-spa-pismo-beach… Read more

Can anyone comment on the spa services in general? And anyone have opinions on the various massage techniques they use and how good the masseuses are?

Hello Curtis! For an overview of our Spa Services, please see our menu here ~ https://cliffshotelandspa.com/relax/spa-menu/ You can make an appointment from this page as… Read more

Are dogs allowed?

Yes you can bring your furr baby

Is there a fitness center?

Yes, we have a Fitness Center. Thanks!

Is there direct beach access from the hotel and many pools does the hotel have?

Thank you for your answers, Rachelle! Yes, we have a staircase from our property, down about 100 ft to the beach below. We have 1 heated pool in the center of our property,… Read more

R u dog friendly?

On the patio, yes!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - The Cliffs Hotel and Spa

The food at Marisol's is hit or miss, burger is great and the steak breakfast burrito was very good too.

Mentioned in 100 reviews

Read more highlights

Hilton Vacation Club San Luis Bay Avila Beach - Guest room amenity

Hilton Vacation Club San Luis Bay Avila Beach

(14 reviews)

On the Hilton/hotel website it's called the Hilton vacation club San Luis Bay Avila Beach, but…read moresignage on grounds say San Luis Bay Inn Avila Beach. There are two yelp pages for this business. Photos on the website are dated, as the building used to be pinkish in color. It is now white and appears bright and modern. Stayed here only one night, on New Year's Eve, but will definitely be back for an extended stay/vacation. Apparently this is a popular (timeshare) destination for families; with beautiful suites & fully equipped kitchens. The $30 daily resort fee included access to common areas with bbq grills, game room, pool, spa, tennis courts, etc. There are a few shops and restaurants a short drive away; but I recommend doing a quick grocery run prior to checking in so you won't have to leave and you can enjoy all the great things this property has to offer.

We have stayed here before, and while I can say, the new renovations are nice, all of my good…read morecomments end there. During the 10 minutes it took me to check in, I witnessed a woman come in at 4 PM and be told her room would not be ready until 5 PM no apology given just told "housekeeping has a lot of rooms to clean." I also witnessed a man come in visibly frustrated, saying that maintenance had knocked and requested entry multiple times when he had a do not disturb sign on the door. Another guest came in and was requesting sheets because the sheets that had been left for the pullout couch were not the right size and she had called the evening before multiple times and nobody ever brought her a sheet. Keep in mind those are three instances that happened just while I was standing there for check-in. I can only imagine the other issues that were had. Personally, I called multiple times for pool towels and other towels and was told that the housekeeper was busy and she'd be there with they could. I got the stuff I needed only half of the time. I asked for our trash cans to be emptied, and only half of the trash cans in the room were emptied. The door to our room would not open unless you gave it a good kick or threw your shoulder into it, which is absolutely ridiculous. Empty Vending machines, subpar service to say the least. No one who worked there was incredibly welcoming, and overall they claimed to be short staffed, but we had issues and throughout our entire stay. Incredibly uncomfortable couch bed too. This stay was absolutely horrendous and disappointing.

Spyglass Inn - Spyglass Inn Ocean View Rooms & Garden Path

Spyglass Inn

(482 reviews)

$$

Exceptional Stay -- Trinity Made the Experience…read more Spyglass exceeded expectations in every way. The property itself is beautiful, peaceful, and perfectly located -- the ocean views are incredible and the atmosphere feels relaxed but still refined. Everything was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully maintained, making it an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the Central Coast. What truly made the stay stand out, however, was the service -- specifically Trinity at check-in. She was warm, professional, and genuinely welcoming from the moment I arrived. Trinity went above and beyond to make sure everything was smooth, answered questions thoughtfully, and made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. It's rare to encounter someone who so naturally elevates the guest experience simply through professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail. Trinity is exactly the kind of team member who creates loyal returning guests, and I sincerely hope management recognizes what an asset she is. Employees like her are a big part of why places like Spyglass stand out. Highly recommend staying here if you're visiting the Pismo Beach area. Beautiful setting, comfortable rooms, and exceptional hospitality. Thank you again, Trinity -- you made a great stay even better.

They advertise firepits for people staying here. When you check in at 4pm, the firepits are all…read moretaken by locals who are having parties. To top it off, you pay for these amenities with your room, and you also have to pay a parking fee, even though the same people are using all the spaces for free and blocking paying customers. If you are going to allow outsiders to park without paying, don't add an additional fee to your customers if you want them to return. Regulate the parking and the patios we pay for. We even listen to this guy brag to his friends that he does this all the time, especially on the weekends. Guess what, weekend customers of the Spyglass Inn, we pay more on the weekend. I would give negative stars if I could. I'm very disappointed.

Avila Lighthouse Suites - View from room 200

Avila Lighthouse Suites

(204 reviews)

$$$

Attention: The last two times we stayed here, there were group events/people booked there that were…read moreloudly religious and during our most recent stay, a few of the members were wearing pro-MAGA shirts/hats. When they had something going on in the event room, the doors were open and it was loud. If this doesn't bother you, this hotel is absolutely perfect. Clean rooms, AMAZING staff, perfect location.

Stayed here for two days during my time at Avila Beach. First time at Avila as I've been to Pismo…read moremany times before. This is one of the few hotels right next to the beach so it's very convenient for those that want to go surfing and enjoy the time at the beach. However there were couple of problems with the hotel itself. 1) Lack of security I noticed that the gates to the swimming pool and rooms were all unlocked. Even though there's a "key pass", you can simply push the gate and open things. When we told the people at the front desk, they merely acknowledged it and didn't do anything about it, saying that this is a known fact for a couple of months now. This is concerning because anyone can basically walk inside, regardless if they are staying there are not. 2) Lack of direction for EV charging My family and I wanted to charge our Tesla before heading back home. While EV charging was free, there were only two ports available and both were occupied. However we noticed that one of them, the car was fully charged already but didn't move their car out. As such, this was hard because we didn't know the owner of that car and we wanted them to move so we can charge. It would be great if the owner can provide clarity to EV chargers on ensuring that people comply with moving their car once they are done charging. 3) Bathroom amenities In the shower room, there is no ventilation so when showering, the air gets congested and the mirrors become blurry because of the heat. Another thing I didn't appreciate was how high the bathtub was. As someone who's 5' it definitely felt like a huge jump. Additionally the location of the amenities were located super high up in the shower. I had to tippy-toe to get the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. They should move it down or put it somewhere else, easier for people to grab. For the high price per night, these things need to be reevaluated and considered by upper management.

Shell Beach Inn - Room 9 with King Bed

Shell Beach Inn

(146 reviews)

$$

The location was good, room was clean, and I enjoyed the heated pool. I stayed in room 9 and the…read moreworst part of the stay was the lumpy mattress. It was even slanted downward on the right side to the point of almost rolling out of the bed. The room also needs an average size chair not bar stools for a place to sit and put shoes on. Lastly, a dresser or table over the fireplace would provide more counter space.

On our road trip back to Southern California, we made Pismo Beach our overnight rest stop. This Inn…read morehad great rates and from the reviews posted, it looked clean and updated. At around 4:30pm, on check in day, we received a call asking if we'd be there by 5pm. The office closes at that time, leaving no staff onsite. We arrived around 7pm and retrieved our keys from a lock box. We were given room 9 with a king size bed. Being an end room, only one wall is shared. The room was clean, updated and pretty spacious. A refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and two water bottles, along with a small cooler were available in the room. The bathroom area is spacious and has a separate area to get ready as well. Although the shower was large, the water pressure was horrible. The earplugs next to the bed scared me that this place may be loud. We were exhausted and happy that it was initially quiet. However, around 11pm, the guests next door arrived and it was as if they were in our room. I could here every cough, step, conversation, and the loud thuds of luggage hitting the ground. Those earplugs did not help in drowning out any of the noise. Also, this Inn is small, maybe 10 rooms and the parking lot is in the center, with some spots backed up to a room. Great if it's your car, not so much if it belongs to someone else. If you can tolerate noise, then this spot works. It's walking distance to Shell Beach, which is great for a morning walk, and it's near the freeway. I Personally would never stay here again. I was exhausted the next day.

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel - Christmas 2025

SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel

(1.1k reviews)

$$

My husband and I just came back a week ago from spending our 42nd anniversary here. What a fabulous…read morebeautiful happy wonderful hotel! The staff.. the grounds and the room was perfect and the breakfast food too! Everything was absolutely top-notch! We will be back again often. Thank you to this wonderful hotel for making our 42nd anniversary absolutely wonderful.

Overall, this hotel has a lot going for it, but the customer service completely changed my…read moreexperience. The positives first: the property itself is really nice. We stayed in a first-floor ocean view room since we had a service animal, and the room size was great. The grounds are well-kept, there's convenient beach access, and I loved that they have an adults-only hot tub--that was a nice touch. The person who checked us in was also very kind and welcoming, which set a great first impression. Unfortunately, things went downhill that night. Our upstairs neighbors were stomping loudly for hours. Around 8 PM, I called the front desk to let them know, and I was told they would reach out to the room--but nothing changed. By 10 PM, the noise was still going, so I called again. This time, instead of resolving the issue, I felt like we were being questioned. We were told the guests upstairs said they were already in bed, which didn't line up with what we were clearly hearing. The situation was frustrating enough that I tried to get their attention by tapping on the ceiling, which then got turned back on us as a complaint. When we asked about switching rooms, we were told the hotel was sold out and we'd have to wait until the next day--which I understand--but the way it was handled by the manager was disappointing. There was no apology, no empathy, and the tone came off dismissive and rude, which made the situation worse. I really wanted to love this place because the location and property are great, but customer service matters, especially when issues come up. Because of that experience, I'd think twice about staying here again.

The Cliffs Hotel and Spa - hotels - Updated May 2026

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