Santa Barbara and the Central Coast Hotels

Guidebooks

Fodor's Southern California 2013

Dolphin Bay

$$$$ |
Pismo Beach

At a Glance

Pros

lavish apartment units
killer views
walking distance from the beach

Cons

hefty price tag
vibe too upper-crust for some

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Fodorite Reviews

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Dolphin Bay Review

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. Lido ($$$-$$$$), the fancy yet casual restaurant (no flip-flops), serves impressive farm-to-table cuisine inspired by the California Wine Country.

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 Details

60 suites.
Rate includes no meals.
Credit cards accepted.

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Fodorite Reviews

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Room

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perfect stay

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.

by mollymartin, 11/1/08
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Nicest rooms I've ever stayed in...

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.

by frankie, 10/5/08