Get Free Domain & Web Hosting - RAM 8GB - CPU priority 8x - SSD Storage 750 GB - Unlimited data traffic

Nearly 80-year-old historic Paso Robles motel reopens with new look. Take a peek inside


The River Lodge motel has sat at the intersection of Highway 46 and Highway 101 for close to 80 years.

Passers-by and locals have long grown accustomed to the lodge’s eye-catching sign and its mid-century architecture that beckoned weary travelers into its modest and homey rooms. But today, if you peer past the sign you will find something that looks more like a Wes Anderson movie and less like a 77-year-old roadside motel.

The hotel recently underwent a major renovation, updating the property for modern visitors.

What is that in SLO County?

Ever wonder what that construction is in your town or what happened to that local business? We’re finding out the answers. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.

• • •

Read More

• New SLO County cafe serves up American breakfasts with a Mexican flair

• SLO County bar closes doors after 5 years. ‘I think that’s all folks’

In a statement to The Tribune, hotel owner and creative director Lindsey Walker said the entire property was updated in the renovation rather than just the basic architectural structure of the buildings because of the state of the Lodge when the latest owners acquired it.

Prior to the renovation, the hotel stood vacant for nearly a decade before changing hands in a land ownership dispute involving the city of Paso Robles and another hotel group, Pacific West.

In 2018, it settled under the control of the Nomada Hotel group, the company that recently flipped the Farmhouse Motel in downtown Paso Robles. The group has directed the renovations.

Ciao Papi restaurant has opened next to the pool at the River Lodge near the corner of Highway 101 and Highway 46. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Nomada Hotel Group owner and creative director Kimberly Walker told The Tribune her goal with the River Lodge was “to preserve a piece of Paso Robles history by creating a space that can be enjoyed by both the community and travelers to the region.”

After nearly three years of work, the River Lodge reopened to the public in May.

The River Lodge is near the corner of Highway 101 and Highway 46. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947, but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge is near the corner of Highway 101 and Highway 46. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947, but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

What has changed at historic Paso Robles motel?

San Luis Obispo based Campfire Construction broke ground on the renovation in August 2021. Room design and landscaping were done by architect Tom Jess of Arris Studio Architects.

Drivers used to be able to see straight into the hotel from the road. Now an 8-foot-tall wall jets out of the ground shielding newly renovated grounds and rooms from the roar of the highway.

Where the parking lot previously was is a brand-new in-ground pool surrounded by landscaped sidewalks that criss-cross the lawn and connect furnished rooms to a new restaurant, fire pits and patios with striped cushioned seating.

The River Lodge pool has been modernized with tile. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge pool has been modernized with tile. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Travelers of legal drinking age are able to access the adults-only pool with a pool-side bar. Those under the age of 21 are not allowed in the pool.

The project added three guest rooms, bringing the total number of rooms to 28.

Each room has been furnished with bespoke local furniture, according to the hotel’s website. A hammock also hangs on the front porch of each enclave and books cover the coffee tables and shelves.

The original sign for the River Lodge was restored and a view through the gate shows the pool area has been upgraded. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The original sign for the River Lodge was restored and a view through the gate shows the pool area has been upgraded. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Guests can check into their stay in a lobby that doubles as a local market selling artisan goods from local vendors.

The hotel also offers bikes for rent and dog-friendly accommodations for additional cost.

Locals and travelers looking to explore the hotel’s new grounds are able to book newly refurbished rooms starting at $189 a night for two adults.

Artwork in the lobby has a mid-20th century vibe at the River Lodge, a Paso Robles mid-century modern hotel built that was recently updated. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Artwork in the lobby has a mid-20th century vibe at the River Lodge, a Paso Robles mid-century modern hotel built that was recently updated. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s patio area outside the office features the sound of a fountain. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s patio area outside the office features the sound of a fountain. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 but recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Shower and baths have been renovated with new tile at the River Lodge, a Paso Robles mid-century modern hotel built in 1947. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Shower and baths have been renovated with new tile at the River Lodge, a Paso Robles mid-century modern hotel built in 1947. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s rooms have books and have been completely renovated. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 that was recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s rooms have books and have been completely renovated. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 that was recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Each room at the newly renovated River Lodge in Paso Robles has a patio and hammock. Car parking has been moved to the outer perimeter. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Each room at the newly renovated River Lodge in Paso Robles has a patio and hammock. Car parking has been moved to the outer perimeter. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Books are available to read in the lobby of the River Lodge in Paso Robles. The mid-century modern hotel recently underwent a renovation, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Books are available to read in the lobby of the River Lodge in Paso Robles. The mid-century modern hotel recently underwent a renovation, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The lobby of the newly renovated River Lodge in Paso Robles has comfortable chairs and books. The mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 and recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The lobby of the newly renovated River Lodge in Paso Robles has comfortable chairs and books. The mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 and recently updated, as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s pool has been upgraded with lounges, umbrellas and plants. It features a bar and restaurant and is an over-21 amenity. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The River Lodge’s pool has been upgraded with lounges, umbrellas and plants. It features a bar and restaurant and is an over-21 amenity. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The pool at Paso Robles’ newly renovated River Lodge has been modernized with tile. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

The pool at Paso Robles’ newly renovated River Lodge has been modernized with tile. Seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Ciao Papi restaurant has opened next to the pool. The River Lodge is near the corner of Highway 101 and 46. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 recently updated as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Ciao Papi restaurant has opened next to the pool. The River Lodge is near the corner of Highway 101 and 46. The Paso Robles property is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1947 recently updated as seen in these photos June 7, 2024.

Signup bonus from $125 to $3000 | Signup now Football & Online Casino

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

You Might Also Like: