We stayed one night at Hampton Inn & Suites San Luis Obispo towards the end of December 2025, as part of our road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.
After starting the day in Los Angeles and driving north, this hotel was exactly what we needed. It offered simple access with hassle-free parking, a comfortable bed, and breakfast included in the rate.
The location was convenient too, with plenty of local amenities nearby. Trader Joe’s and Costco are both a short drive away for food, drinks, and any essentials you might have forgotten.
In this article:
Location
The hotel is in San Luis Obispo, right off Exit 200A of U.S. Route 101 and Highway 1. This is very much a “road trip” part of the town, with a bunch of inns and motels nearby, including a Courtyard by Marriott.
We picked the Hampton because it was cheaper on our dates, and because breakfast is included for all rooms (compared to the Courtyard by Marriott), which makes it a good value for a one-night stop.
Here’s a daytime view of the entrance, given that we arrived pretty late the previous night.
Check-in
Parking was free, and there were plenty of spaces when we arrived, which made check-in feel much less of a hassle.
Right by the entrance, there were a few parking spots reserved for Hilton Diamond members. This was our first proper road trip in the United States, so I am not sure how common this is, but it was interesting to see it called out so explicitly.
Check-in itself was smooth. Hilton Gold and Diamond members get to pick two drinks and two snacks at the desk, which is a small perk. It’s a useful perk when you are arriving late and are feeling peckish.
The room
We paid around US$125 for the night and booked a 2 Queen Beds Non-Smoking Room. For some reason, this was cheaper than the king rooms on our dates, so we went with the cheaper rate.
We were assigned a room on level 3. As with most hotels in the United States, an ice machine can be found near the lift lobby of every floor.
The room was large, at around 33 sqm, and it felt spacious for a Hampton. With two queen beds, it can sleep up to four adults without feeling too cramped. We had plenty of space for opening our luggages too.
There was a built-in wardrobe with extra blankets, plus an ironing board and decent storage space.
The beds were comfortable, and there was also a small sofa by the bedside, which was nice to have.
A work desk was also provided, which is handy if you need to catch up on emails or plan the next day’s drive. Coffee pods and tea were available, along with takeaway cups.
A fridge and microwave were also in the room. I wish more hotels have a microwave oven somewhere in the hotel, because it is genuinely useful for heating up your food. This is one of those practical details that fits the Hampton roadside vibe perfectly.
The bathroom was large, and it came with a bathtub.
Toiletries were from Zero% by Gilchrist & Soames, with hand soap at the sink and shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel in the bath area.
We were able to select our room in advance, so we chose one facing the front of the hotel.
Ours looked out towards Los Osos Valley Road and the hills of the Los Padres National Forest, and it was quiet. Rooms at the back face U.S. Route 101, so I would avoid those if you are a light sleeper.
The facilities
Gym
There is a small gym on the first floor with a decent spread of equipment, enough for a basic workout. It is not a destination fitness centre, but it is more than adequate if you want some cardio before getting back on the road.
Business centre
There is also a small business centre. I agree it is not something most people will use, but having a printer can still be useful if you need to print a tour confirmation or last-minute paperwork.
Pantry
Next to the reception is the usual snack pantry, with drinks, ice cream, and some wine. Prices are what you would expect from a hotel pantry, so we treated it as a backup option rather than something we would actively buy from, especially with Trader Joe’s and Costco so close by.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included for all rooms, and you can tell. The space gets busy in the morning, and it has that familiar Hampton breakfast energy, where everyone is trying to get fed and back on the road. One thing we like about such hotels is that you can bring your food back to your room if there aren’t any space to sit.
The spread was standard Hampton fare: scrambled eggs, sausages, and potatoes, plus oatmeal with toppings like dried cranberries. There were also the usual juices, and coffee, hot chocolate, and tea.
The waffle station was the most chaotic part of the buffet breakfast. The line moved slowly, batter was strewn everywhere, and it felt like a mini sport watching people attempt to pour waffle batter neatly before the next person reached for the batter dispenser.
Still, it was worth it if you have the patience, and our waffles even came out with the Hampton logo stamped on it.
One thing I appreciated is that coffee and hot chocolate are available in the lobby outside breakfast hours as well. It is a small thing, but it is nice to be able to grab a warm drink after checking in, or before heading out.
Concluding thoughts
For a one-night road trip stop, this Hampton works well. The location is convenient, parking is easy, rooms are spacious, and having a fridge, microwave, and included breakfast makes life simpler.
Breakfast is not the reason you stay here, but it is a solid start to the day, and if you want waffles, just budget extra time for the line.
If I were doing this road trip again and wanted a simple, reliable night in San Luis Obispo, I would happily stay here again!
