1. Carlton Hotel

1. Carlton Hotel

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Atascadero, CA

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Carlton Hotel

4.0 (302 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

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Tami W.

I chose this hotel because it was pet friendly. Fortunately, I found someone to keep my dog, so he didn't come. The closest green space is in front of a capitol looking building with lots of people hanging out. My dog wouldn't have done well there. The hotel was built in 1925 and it's undergoing a major renovation. There's a bakery next door, but no restaurant in the hotel yet. The hotel looks old world charming, with freshly painted spaces, but it's still old. The light fixtures are large and ornate and have a yellowish glow. The FD clerk, Angela, was lovely. My room was a very nice size with windows that actually open, which I loved. There's also a huge full length mirror on the bathroom door. That's a nice touch. The fixtures in the bathroom are a gaudy gold and the lighting in the room is that same eerie yellowish glow, like the lobby. There's a cute little courtyard on the second floor. Super comfortable seating, plenty of shade and it's decorated so tastefully, it's perfect for recording content. However, the hallways were really dark. My room was 206 and it was at the far end of hall. All the way at the end, right next to a LOUD ice maker! However, I couldn't hear it inside my room and later that night I appreciated it being so close, so I could run out to it in my jammies . It's clearly an old hotel and new furniture and paint can't cover that fact. However, the location is perfect! I walked to everything! Restaurants, wine tasting, grocery store, bank, everything. The hotel has a very small parking lot across the street. Very small. Renovations don't continue on the weekends. I contemplated giving them three stars for this reason: They have a no refund policy. You have 24 hours after you make your reservation to cancel. That is freaking diabolical! That's why I'm saying "maybe". I paid just under $650 for two nights.

Gorgeous restroom. Ignore the mess!
Lara F.

Can I live here? Our stay at the Carlton was top-to-bottom perfect. The staff was so friendly and sweet-- special shout out to Kira, who booked our room over the phone. She was so kind I booked immediately without really looking at photos and was so pleasantly surprised when I arrived. They just recently renovated and everything looks incredible. Would love to come back and highly recommend.

No bed skirts, awkward floor space, uncomfortable beds, no A/C
Teresa F.

This Hotel is in such disrepair, do not stay here. We used to stay here all the time 10+ years ago and loved it. We just passed through town and couldn't wait to see it again. We had no A/C almost no furniture in the room and couldn't sleep with the windows open because of constant sirens. I will never stay there again.

Spotted and dirty carpet.

This is not the review I expected to leave for The Carlton, and I am disappointed that I am writing it. My husband and I are local to Atascadero, and we decided to take advantage of one of the local staycation packages offered for our anniversary. We had always wanted to stay at the Carlton but never got around to it, so we were really excited to finally pay this local gem a visit for a one-night stay. First, the pluses: The Carlton is a grand old lady, first opened in 1929. While she fell into disrepair in the 1980s, she was extensively remodeled and brought back to life in 2004. Much of her old world charm still exists, from the wood paneling, grand staircase, and stone floors in the lobby, to the adorable central outdoor patio on the second floor. The place has old world class with modern convenience. The afternoon/evening front desk clerk Cole gives A+ service. The lobby was still beautifully decorated for Christmas, which made it extra special. More pluses: The Carlton is conveniently located right in the old part of downtown, next to the sunken gardens (where we were able to see a launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base) and quite a few shops. We stayed on a Saturday night, and the hotel was quiet and our bed comfortable. The heating worked well and kept us nice and cost. Our second-floor room overlooked El Camino Real, having a fairly nice view. While there was some traffic noise with the windows open, once we closed them, the room was nice and quiet. The minuses: Housekeeping and general maintenance is lacking, which makes it impossible to give an entirely positive review. Our room had been freshly serviced, as evidenced by fresh sheets and towels, plentiful toilet paper, coffee pods, etc., but overall the room was in below-average condition, especially considering the facility is advertised as a "luxury" hotel. The furniture was worn, large paint chips were missing from the vanity in the bathroom, there was a large drink ring stain on one of the bedroom end tables, and the surface of the writing desk looked dirty from wear. The overhead attic access panel in the bathroom was covered with grimy smudges left behind by workers who had never bothered to clean up after themselves. While the room offered some bottled water and wine, these were not gratis. At $5 each for small bottles of water, this seemed like an expensive asking price given the cost of the room. Since the safety of Atascadero's municipal water source is debatable, as the local water company issues advisories concerning the presence of PFOAs "forever chemicals" in the supply, these bottles should have been offered free or at cost. By far the worst problem, which is why we can't leave a positive review, was that our room had a strange odor, and the carpet and upholstered furniture were desperately in need of steam cleaning. The carpet was literally covered in spots and dirt to the point that I didn't want to walk around the room without my shoes. Sadly, the grungy carpet was not confined to our room, but pretty well throughout the hotel common areas and even the staircase. The Carlton would do well to have Stanley Steamer come in and give the entire place a scrub down, because the hotel looks like this hasn't been done once in the 20 years since the hotel was renovated. I have stayed in "cheap" motels that have been far cleaner, so this was indeed a huge disappointment. We had looked forward to soaking in the jet tub as part of our stay, but given the poor condition of the room, we opted not to do so as we were put off by the dirt. We didn't bother to complain about the cleanliness to the daytime front desk staff person as her professional presentation and demeanor was lacking. Her way of communicating was unfriendly and unhelpful. We had been told there were extra goodies offered as part of our staycation package that we expected to find in our room that were not present. When we returned to the front desk after check in to inquire she acted like we were an inconvenience. If I was a schoolteacher giving letter grades, all in all, the experience was not what we had hoped for or expected. If our room had been spotless, I would give the hotel a solid A. With the grungy room, the best we can give it is a generous C-, and that's a bit of a stretch. I love old hotels and I want to see the Carlton do well, but it is clear this grand old lady is struggling from a general lack of care.

Stephen S.

This hotel had excellent customer service and was very quiet. After the renovation, you definitely don't feel like you're staying in an old hotel but you definitely feel like you are staying in a classy from the roaring 20s. My room was clean, and I really enjoyed having a keurig in my room so I could brew my favorite Kcups before work. I am definitely going to stay here again.

Mike O.

This weekend was our third stay at Carlton and each time was just as good. An older hotel, built in the 1920s this hotel has a lot of charm. The wooden warmth of the lobby greets you as a guest and if you wish you can walk up the wide staircase to your room or take the elevator. When you arrive you will find open rooms with wood furniture throughout the room and not the cheap furniture of newer hotels. The bathroom had pocket doors instead of doors that open, marble flooring and a huge jacuzzi tub and separate huge shower. Due to covid we only saw one employee when we checked in who was very nice. I would definitely recommend the Carlton for its unique charm and also location.

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3 months ago

. Currently waiting for over an hour so far for our room. Standby. Room is cute. I like the furnishings

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11 months ago

I would wait until construction/remodel is completed. Starting hammering/working at 720

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2 years ago

Gorgeous room and facility! Exceeded my expectations by far. Will definitely be back. Cole the night attendant was very kind and helpful.

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Close to freeway entrances and just a few miles from Morro Bay, Templeton, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, etc.

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