This past summer, we embarked on an amazing Pacific Coast Highway coastal road trip that took us from Los Angeles, California, to Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, and back.
Our first stop on this road trip was the Central Coast enclave of Pismo Beach, where we stayed at Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection.
Review: Vespera Resort On Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection (California)
At A Glance
- Official Website: Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay (When Booked): $618
- Loyalty Program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Loyalty Category: N/A (67,000 Points)
- Discount Applied: N/A
- Room Type as Booked: 1 King Bed, Classic Room
- Room Upgrade: Boardwalk Suite 1 King Bed ($1,111 per night) – [Bonvoy Platinum Upgrade]
- Resort Fee: N/A
- Parking Fee: $45
Booking/Redemption Rates
Room Upgrade: Boardwalk Suite, 1 King Bed
Location & Parking
Located about 3 hours north of Los Angeles, Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach was located literally on the beach in the prime part of town right by the Pismo Beach Pier and Boardwalk.
Image: marriott.com
As the resort was located beachfront, street parking was scarce (read: impossible), so we opted to use the valet service at $45 per night.
Lobby
Upon entering the lobby, it was clear that the Vespera was an elegantly decorated, airy, oceanic-themed property that was both upscale and laid-back.
Front Desk & Check-In
Check in at Vespera was quick and easy thanks to the excellent service we received from the staff at the front desk.
I was recognized for my Bonvoy status, and informed I’ve been given a room upgrade to a room with one of the best views of the beach in the hotel.
It turns out Bonvoy Platinum status is worth something at Vespera, as our room upgrade to a Boardwalk Suite, 1 King Bed, was worth about $1,111 (bringing the total upgrade value to $493).
Welcome Package
As a Bonvoy Platinum Elite, I was given two coupons to the Somerset Grill, each for a complimentary alcoholic drink, as well as two cards for complimentary Continental Breakfasts at the Somerset Grill.
Free drinks!
Room Key
Hallway
Walkthrough Tour: Boardwalk Suite, 1 King Upgrade
Room Entrance
As we entered the room, it was clear we had received a “real upgrade” as our Boardwalk Suite featured a large bathroom, large kitchenette, full sized refrigerator, a Lavazza coffee machine, a living area with a convertible couch, a roomy balcony with an incredible view of both the swimming pool and the ocean, and even a handheld telescope and an evening sky map for viewing the stars above.
Overall, the room was very clean, well-lit and elegantly appointed with smart and luxurious design and amenities.
Kitchen Area
Bedroom Area
Saltwater Taffy!
Living Area
Closet
Bathroom
Balcony
Image: marriott.com
View From The Room
Room Condition
The one imperfection I found with the suite was the cleanliness of the shower, which seemed to have been overtaken by a nasty soap scum and was in need of a thorough cleaning.
Dinner/Menu At Somerset Grill
For dinner we headed downstairs to exchange our free alcoholic drink tickets for a pair of red and white wines.
We went with the Vespera Burger ($21) and the Grilled Halibut ($36) [Recommended].
Image: marriott.com
Image: marriott.com
Vespera Burger
Grilled Halibut
Breakfast/Menu At Somerset Grill
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Complimentary Bonvoy Platinum+ Elite Breakfast
For breakfast, we returned to the Somerset Grill where we opted to try the complementary Bonvoy Continental Breakfast.
I can easily say this was one of the better Bonvoy Continental Breakfasts I’ve had, as the breakfast pastries were outstanding (moist and crumbly), the steel cut oatmeal was hearty and delicious, and the fresh fruit parfait was hands down the best parfait I’ve ever had.
Property Interior
Somerset Grill Bar
Image: marriott.com
The Property Exterior
Swimming Pool
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Fitness Center
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What’s Nearby: Pismo Beach Boardwalk
What’s Nearby: Pismo Beach Pier
Summertime rolls
The Bottom-Line Review: Vespera Resort On Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection
Outstanding. that’s the word that comes to mind when I think about our stay at Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection.
The resort was located on likely the best property in town, nestled right up along the boardwalk and the beach, and next to the Pismo Beach Pier.
The Vespera staff was standout in almost every interaction, from the upgrade at the front desk to the guys working in the valet – the service was first-class all the way.
Our room upgrade to the Boardwalk Suite was wonderful and impressive, the Bonvoy benefits were meaningfully tangible, And the food at the Somerset Grill was amazingly delicious at every level (although I understand the Somerset Grille has recently been rebranded as “Pequin Coastal Cocina”).
I can easily recommend Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection, for couples, families, weddings, surfers, and road trippers.
Final Rating: 9 out of 10
