Tl;dr – The Ava Hotel Paso Robles will join Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Any wine fans that also happen to be Hilton Honors loyalists – this one is for you. Hilton is set to open a new hotel in downtown Paso Robles, the heart of the Central Coast AVA (American Viticultural Area). The Ava Hotel Paso Robles will join Hilton’s Curio Collection, one of the chain’s growing soft brands. I appreciate it when new points-ready accommodations open up in wine country, so this one is exciting. Let’s jump into it!
The Ava Hotel Paso Robles
A 151-key outlet, The Ava Hotel is located in Paso Robles’s downtown, steps from over 20 tasting rooms and less than a 20-minute drive to some of the region’s premier vineyards.
This reel from the hotel’s Facebook page indicates the hotel will open its doors in July, though reservations are available starting late September, just after summer turns to fall. (There’s likely a lengthy soft opening period). In addition to standard one and two-bed guest rooms, the hotel will offer a handful of deluxe rooms with a patio and gated pool access.
The hotel’s suites don’t look too shabby either.
For amenities, guests can relax by the hotel’s rooftop pool and stay active in the on-site fitness center. Though there’s no word of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a daily happy hour featuring one (or a few) of the region’s local pours.
You can expect a few dining outlets: EMRE, the hotel’s more upscale offering; Pine Street Bistro, a casual eatery; and a rooftop bar (to go along with the pool). I believe a casual coffee/lobby spot is also in the works.
We’re still working from renderings, and you can view more images on Ava’s dedicated website here.
Cash rates at The Ava range between $225 and $375 throughout the year (though they stay closer to $250), except Paso Robles Wine Week (spring release), where rates skyrocket to over $4000 per night.
A night on points will cost you anywhere from 52,000 to 95,000 Honors points.
My Take
I’m excited for this property. I’ve visited Paso Robles twice and enjoyed my time tasting wine in the Central Coast. I wouldn’t necessarily label Paso Robles as under-the-radar. However, it’s still very much underrated, and more set-it-and-forget-it lodging options can help incentivize more folks to travel to the region.
From upstart smaller wineries in Tin City to old-guard mainstays like Eberle or J. Lohr to established brands like Justin, Daou, and Austin Hope, you have a lot of great wine to choose from. I tend to lean toward the more boutique shops like Brecon Estate, Benom, Hammersky, Caliza Winery, Epoch Estates, Pelletiere Estate, Clos Selene, and Linne Calodo, as well as specialists like Rava (sparkling).
Just this year, I unexpectedly got off the waitlist at cult producer Saxum Vineyards, a winner of multiple 100-point awards over the years. Sadly, I was not fast enough to submit my payment info online and failed to secure a spring allotment. Fingers crossed for July.
On one of my visits, I stayed at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Paso Robles Atascadero, which, while conveniently located off the highway and spacious, isn’t the most upscale. From the looks of things, The Ava should strike the middle ground of offering refined rooms at an accessible price point, right in the heart of downtown Paso Robles. It also allows for easy excursions to night meals and entertainment. Other current upscale options in the area include The Piccolo, Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles, and Hotel Cheval.
Lastly, for those who do drink but don’t drink wine, Paso Robles is home to a number of breweries and cider houses, with Firestone Walker and Tin City Cider being some of the more prominent names.
