550 Front Street, Avila Beach, California, United States | (888) 708-2081
Beachfront heated pool with hot tub
All rooms are two-room suites with kitchenettes; some have fireplaces
Every room has a balcony or patio with at least a partial ocean view
Beach across the parking lot
Family play area with ping-pong table and a putting green
Free hot continental breakfast
On-site spa facilities
Free Wi-Fi and free parking
Conference room
Uncomfortable mattresses on the pullout couches
There can be a lot of noise from adjoining rooms or the pool area
Lots of kids, especially in the summer months (pro for some)
Somewhat sparse furnishings for the price
The upper-middle-range, 54-room Avila Lighthouse Suites exclusively offers two-room suites, making it a good getaway choice for families and groups. Located directly on the beach and within easy walking distance to the town's shops and restaurants, this hotel also features a pool with a hot tub and on-site spa facilities. The roomy suites fit multiple people (though the pullout couches aren't the most comfortable). Because the walls are a little thin, this might be too noisy of an option for businesspeople or older couples. The Inn at Avila Beach, located a few blocks away with similar room rates, is probably a better choice for those who need a quiet atmosphere.
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Scene
Playful maritime decor fits the hotel's family atmosphere
The beachfront Avila Lighthouse Suites takes the nautical theme and runs with it. The outside of the hotel, with its white railings and peaked roofs, looks like an overgrown lighthouse. Inside, there is a large stone fireplace for guests to enjoy, with couches and chairs placed around it. The hallways of the hotel are open-air and a bit labyrinthine, but they are clearly signed and allow guests to get a whiff of that fresh ocean breeze while walking to their rooms. Watch out for kids, though! There tends to be a lot of them because of the spacious suite rooms and pool, which is why this hotel is best suited to large groups and families.
Location
Beachfront property close to town's limited stores and restaurants
The hotel is located right on an expansive sandy beach that is popular for sunbathing and swimming. It's also next door to a small park with an aquarium and basketball court. Avila Beach is a tiny town with only a few blocks' worth of restaurants and shops, but that means everything is within easy walking distance. For golfers, the Avila Beach Golf Resort is less than a mile's drive away. The more bustling town of Pismo Beach takes 12 minutes to drive to if guests tire of small-town life and want something a little more exciting.
Rooms
Spacious suites with plain interiors, kitchenettes, and balconies
Every room at the hotel is a suite, and each has a separate living room with a 37-inch flat-screen TV; a kitchenette with a fridge (usually compact, not full-size), coffeemaker, and microwave; a bathroom with a full-sized bathtub and Bath and Body Works products; and a private balcony or patio. Many rooms also have gas fireplaces. The furnishings of the suites are somewhat sparse and basic for the high room rates, but they seem to get the job done, except for the mattresses in the pullout couches, which are extremely uncomfortable for sleeping. The rooms are decorated with the same beach kitsch as the lobby and noise can sometimes get through the walls from particularly loud neighbors.The smallest units, the Master Suites, start at 550 square feet, and all units have at least a partial ocean view. Upgrade to an Owner's Suite or Villa for more space and a better outlook.
Features
Multiple free features to keep guests entertained
Features abound at this hotel. In addition to the beach, there is a palm-tree-lined beachfront heated pool with a hot tub (though it is sometimes overrun with children) and a family play area with life-sized checkers, a ping-pong table, and a putting green. There is also an on-site spa (an unexpected extra for this caliber of property), and a conference center. Wi-Fi and parking are free and a hot continental breakfast (included in the price of the room) is served every morning, which guests can enjoy in the breakfast room or on the breakfast room balcony.
