Santa Barbara and the Central Coast Hotels

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Dolphin Bay

Exterior

At a Glance

    Pros

  • lavish apartment units
  • as upscale as you can get
  • killer views
  • walking distance from the beach

    Cons

  • hefty price tag
  • upper-crust vibe

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Dolphin Bay Review

Perched on grass-covered bluffs overlooking Shell Beach, this luxury resort looks and feels like an exclusive community of villas. Choose among sprawling one- or two-bedroom residences, each with a gourmet kitchen, laundry room with washer and dryer, and contemporary Mission-style furniture. Many have ocean views. Two-bedroom units include either a spa tub or fireplace; penthouse units have both. Rejuvenate at La Bonne Vie day spa, lounge by the infinity pool, or stroll down a short path to the beach to gaze at the sea—this place was made for upscale escape and relaxation. At Lido ($$$-$$$$), the fancy yet casual restaurant (no flip-flops), chef Evan Treadwell presents an impressive menu of California wine country cuisine with an international flair; favorites include Morro Bay black cod with scallions, bok choy, and udon noodles and slow-braised lamb shank with couscous and Moroccan spices.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 2727 Shell Beach Rd., Pismo Beach, CA, 93449 | Map It
  • Phone: 805/773--4300; 800/516--0112 reservations; 805/773--8900 restaurant
  • Website: www.thedolphinbay.com
  • Location: Pismo Beach

    Hotel Amenities

  • 62 suites.
  • Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa, beach, children's programs, laundry facilities, business center, parking, some pets allowed.
  • Rooms have: no a/c, safe, kitchen, Internet, Wi-Fi.
  • Credit cards accepted.

Member Reviews

  • mollymartin, from Durango, Colorado
    11/1/08

    My husband and I wanted to escape the fall doldrums of our Colorado home. We wanted a 2 bedroom place with a kitchen right on the ocean. Dolphin Bay fit the bill perfectly. We were treated like royalty by the staff, and the setting was beautiful. I would highly recommend this resort. The rooms are well-appointed and have lots of room.

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • frankie, from orange county, ca.
    10/5/08

    The rooms at this hotel are the nicest I've ever stayed in; they're faultless, but you pay a lot extra for an ocean view room and partial ocean view rooms often have a better parking lot view than the ocean. Still, if I could afford it, I'd stay here often -- all rooms are nice and the rooms with good views are just fantastic.

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 3 | Value: 2
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