ALONG COMES MARY

Summer 2021 is nearly upon us. Slowly but surely, things seem to be going more back to “normal.” Many are returning to air travel, but I plan to hold off a bit longer. That’s not a huge problem for me given I love the open road.

Last year as I awaited the arrival of Baby Mabel, I took a wonderful trip to Paso Robles. I adore driving up the California Coast, and a highlight was staying at the newly opened Stables Inn. Since then, Stables Inn has taken off as one of the top hotels to stay at in Paso Robles. Don’t trust me? Just ask Travel and Leisure. Read on to learn a few of the reasons why I recommend a stay at Stables Inn.

Hospitality

It can be easy to choose an “old reliable” hotel chain. You want to know what you’re pulling up to. I get it. But at Stables Inn, you’ll immediately feel at home. General Manager, Lindsey Sparkman, made me feel like I was an old friend when I arrived. With its Western vibes and horseshoe driveway, I instantly knew this would be a “Mary” kind of place.

One of the accents giving Stables such charm is their Tack Room. Guests can kick back in a cozy chair and get work done, or simply enjoy the tranquility and view. A coffee, espresso, and tea station were extremely inviting when I arrived. Since it’s open all day, I made quite a bit of use of the Tack Room in between my comings and goings. Grab water and tea and you’re good to go. In the AM, you can grab a pastry (or two) before you begin your day.

Since we are in Wine Country, another place to enjoy yourself is on their veranda in the center of the driveway. Here, you can sip a glass of wine and watch the sunset. Or, if you’re like me, enjoy people watching and the cars driving by along Spring Street.

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Location

A huge factor for me when deciding where to stay is the location. I love parking my car and using it as minimally as possible while away. That’s easy to do at Stables Inn. They’re just a few blocks away from downtown Paso Robles. While once a bit of a “sleeper” community, Downtown Paso has blossomed into an adorable downtown mecca with wineries, restaurants, and shops. Even if you do drive over, you’ll be less than 10 minutes from home.

Since I was pregnant and feeling a bit all over the place, I loved that chain stores were also nearby. Target, Walmart, Jamba, and other “reliables” are just down the road. This came in handy as we love to walk around Target when we travel. You just never know what deal you’ll find, am I right?

Price

Staying in any of the California Wine Countries can get costly. This was taken into consideration when Stables Inn was being planned. Many hotels and resorts can easily set you back three or more hundred dollars a night. At Stables, visitors can still get an incredibly unique experience with rates starting at $155 a night. With a baby in tow now, this is one of the top reasons I can’t wait to return. The word “budget” is suddenly at the top of my vocabulary.

Speaking of kids, Stables is certainly a child-friendly option. Book yourself one of their Double Rooms and the youngsters are sure to get a kick out of the Western atmosphere. If you have a large party joining, young or old, check out their Bunkhouse.

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Go Beyond Wine Tasting

If you’re thinking, why would I take kids to Wine Country? I hear you. If you are looking for a spot for the whole family, Paso Robles is your gateway to a wide range of fun activities. There’s horseback riding, hiking, biking, and of course, the nearby beaches. My personal favorite is Moonstone Beach in Cambria, but Cayucos offers beach-side restaurants, shops, and the Brown Butter Cookie Company. We all know that’s a bakery I cannot stop talking about. I even got Mike sold after this visit!

Also happening in Paso is Sensorio. A one of a kind lighting exhibit that comes to life each night. Read more about my experience on Sensorio HERE.

Travel and Leisure Loves Stables Inn

I’m thrilled that Travel and Leisure just named Stables Inn as one of the Best New Hotels in the World. Honoring the best new hotels of the year. The 2021 It List celebrates 73 of the most impressive openings of the past year, including 30 hotels in the United States.

I knew Stables Inn was something special when I stayed last year. I’m glad I was among the first to arrive before the secret got out. I can’t wait to return and stay one day with Mabel. As a kid who grew up on John Wayne movies, I have a lot to pass onto her! xo