We spent a night at the Apple Farm Inn over the Memorial Day weekend. The decor of the rooms and the inn in general are a little over-the-top but this adds to the charm of the stay. The bathroom was large and clean and the room was spacious with a confortable canopy bed. We have stayed here before and would stay again if in San Luis Obispo.

This was my first stay at the Apple Farm Inn. I expected the country style surroundings, and I was very happy to see the way everything was presented. The check-in was quick and the service at the front desk was very good. Our room was very spacious and extremely clean, and I really enjoyed the fireplace. I also really appreciated all the little extras, such as the chocolates, sparkling cider and fresh flowers in the room. We did go to the Welcome Reception and enjoyed the patio, the beautiful Blue Jays, the snacks, and the hostesses were friendly and helpful. The gift shop was quaint and carried some unique items. The only drawback to our one day stay there was at dinner. The service was good, the food was tasty, but my dinner was served cold. Our breakfast was delicious, especially the muffins. I would definitely stay there again.

March 9-11, 2008 -Stayed at the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo, CA package deal "Bounty of the County" arriving Sunday after checking in we were invited to the "Reception" at 3:30-5:00 met several couples that had the same package deal. We stayed in the best room (100) you have access to the pool/spa especially nice because you have it all to yourself after hours (9:30) which was lovely. The next morning was eventful starting out with a delicious box lunch sending us along the trip to see the Lavendar Farm, Olive Oil Farm, and four wineries driving directions was to a tee except for one error on the direction they gave us, sending us in the wrong way, but we figured it out and found it. We continued on to the next winery all very good choices and educational, the scenery was so beautiful with the green hills. Ending at the last one in Paso Robles, we went to town driving around to see what other hotels they had stopping at Paso Robles Inn. We asked to see a room with the spa in the patio w/curtains for privacy. We were surprised how awful it looked compared to the Apple Farm we were so glad we didn't stay at this hotel. Drove back to our hotel and was excited to be back to our beautiful room, resting for a bit before dinner at their beautiful restaurant. My favorite dish was their homemade vegetable soup. We will diffeniently come back to the Apple Farm.

My boyfriend and I had to stay in San Luis Obispo unexpectedly this past weekend because our car broke down on the way back from a trip to Big Sur. We decided to try the Apple Farm just because it looked different, and I couldn't bear the thought of a dull chain hotel. Well, we couldn't have asked for more different. The Apple Farm is without a doubt, the most committed to a theme than any hotel I have ever stayed in, and it's quite impressive. Unfortunately, I would characterize that theme as "Contemporary Grandmother's Teaparty", which is really not a style I'm into, but aesthetic tendencies aside, it was a very pleasant overnight stay.

Our room was a large deluxe king in the main inn building ($129 a night instead of $229 because it was last minute), with a gas fireplace, a sitting area and an enormous canopy bed. All the fabric in the room from the curtains, the upholstery on the furniture to the drapes and linen on the bed were the same "country floral," which kind of gave me a headache, but again, it's just not my thing. The bathroom was very big (although the shower was on the small side), very clean, and what do you know? Adorned with the same fabric. The television was equipped with some sort of WebTV-type thing as well as an ethernet cable. The room also came with two huge, scratchy robes; complimentary Martinelli's sparkling cider, and, bizarrely, a painted wooden apple for us to take home.

Out in the public areas of the inn, every inch of space is decorated/showcased with various teaparty/country kitchen items in a way that was actually quite well done. But less is definitely not more at the Apple Farm. All of the stuff is probably for sale in the very elaborate gift shop across the parking lot in the restaurant building, which also houses the bakery, or in the Apple Farm Mill (with its giant water wheel). Lest you feel pressured by all that merchandise, the lobby offers complimentary coffee, cider and cookies, and the staff was very, very nice.

All in all, it was quite an experience. My mom would have loved it. I'll probably never stay there again. But for what it was, I really have no complaints. It certainly was different.

(sidebar: I DO have a complaint: the restaurant is mediocre at best although we had no problems with the service.)