For my Wife's Birthday this past November, we booked our first trip to Paso Robles…read more
To be perfectly honest...
I don't know why, but I always thought that Paso Robles or "Paso" as it's referred to, was some Podunk town that just wasn't worth stopping for.
Yeah, I've passed it so many times while traveling North on "THE 101" or simply "101" as they refer to it in NorCal.... ;) (IYKYK)
And all those times I've passed through, I've never once thought about pulling off the freeway to see what Paso was all about.
Well, just like Julia Robert's character said in Pretty Woman while shopping on Rodeo Drive....
"Big Mistake. Big. HUGE!"
Yeah, just like that sales clerk in Pretty Woman
I too made a HUGE mistake!
Plot Twist: I am the Good Looking Not Quite the Silver Fox Richard Gere of this story. =)
----So let's break down Paso & The Ava Hotel----
For my wife's Birthday Weekend, we made reservations at...
The Ava Hotel Paso Robles.
Mind you, we left mid-day from our home and by the time we arrived to Paso and pulled into the Hotel parking lot, it was already dark, but right away I could tell that the Hotel my wife booked us was Top Notch.
First Impression: Sheesh, my wife sure knows how to spoil herself for HER Birthday weekend. Haha.
Once parked, I had my wife and 3 girls head into the lobby out of the cold while I lugged what felt like 12 suitcases...
We were only there for three nights; do you really need a suit case just for your change of shoes??
Gotta love Girls...
Plot twist: The suitcase with the extra shoes....
WAS MINE!!!!!!
Jk, maybe, not really, I'll never tell... =)
Upon checking in, I immediately noticed how Great the staff was; Kind, Welcoming and from the looks of the place, even at night, I just knew we were going to enjoy our weekend stay here.
----The Room----
Everything you'd expect, but More!
We had 2 comfy Queens, a large screen TV, a mini fridge, a clean bathroom and a Great standalone shower!
Being that this hotel is Brand New, everything was clean and felt nearly unused which really made for an enjoyable stay.
The next morning, my wife's actual Birthday, we got dressed, headed downstairs and celebrated with a Birthday Mimosa from their Lobby Bar.
It was the perfect start to our day and to my wife's Special Day
From there we headed out to explore Downtown Paso Robles which BTW, The Ava Hotel is what I would call the start of the Downtown area so it's literally the PERFECT place to stay if you, yourself come to Paso Robles one day.
And to those still with us, Remember earlier when I said I made a "Big Mistake. Big. Huge!" By simply thinking that Paso Robles was some Podunk, no-nothin town that wasn't worth exiting the freeway for??
Well, I'll be the 1st to admit. I was wrong!!!
Paso is one of my new favorite Central Coast towns that I can't wait to come back to.
The fun little shops, the great eateries, Wine, more Wine, Did I mention there's Wine?
Yeah, loads and loads of world-renowned wineries specializing in French Reds, but they've got whites too so don't stress.
Not a wine person? More of a beer drinker?
Paso's Got You!!
Come check out Firestone Walker Brewing Co., home of the "805" beer; the regions Phone Area Code.
Yeah, drink local baby!!
So after enjoying breakfast at the Cowgirl Cafe (Epic Review coming soon), we went to the downtown park at let our kids play with the locals.
We then hit several of the eclectic shops, including a local bookstore where my wife was like a kid in a candy store and The Spice of Life Tea Shop which I fell in love with (reviews of everywhere we went NEXT, so stay tuned) and finally made our way back to The Ava to take a break and rest our pups (our feet).
Upon walking back to The Ava Hotel, I couldn't help but be in Awe of this well manicured, architecturally forward, beautifully designed building.
To be honest, It looks and it feels more like a Resort and I felt so spoiled to be apart of its beginning days and I'm proud to give it the 5 stars it deserves.
So...
What have we learned??
Step 1: Book a room at the Ava Hotel.
Step 2: Put your wife's name on the luggage tag of your suitcase for the extra shoes you really brought.
Step 3: Bring one empty suitcase for all the Romantasy books your wife's gonna buy at Spare Time Books!
To Paso.... To The Ava Hotel...
I can't wait to come back!