Petit Soleil, a completely renovated boutique bed, breakfast and beverage property bringing a touch of European charm, is now open in the heart of San Luis Obispo, from award-winning hospitality group, Good Lion Hospitality. The first boutique hotel property from the Santa Barbara-based hospitality brand, relaunched in February 2024 with a complete remodel and rebrand. Located in downtown San Luis Obispo, the 17 room bed, breakfast and beverage features elevated mini-bars in the rooms including house-made Good Lion Hospitality bottled cocktails and local wines and a cozy Parisian-style courtyard where guests can enjoy a complimentary house-made breakfast and curated aperitif hour, as well as a cocktail garden and fire pits to enjoy at night.
Petit Soleil was built in 1952, and has been continuously operated as a bed and breakfast. The Good Lion Hospitality team tasked MN Studios with providing a thoughtful and welcoming design direction for the renewal of this beloved location. The seventeen-room boutique property exhibits the distinctive character, local flavor, and strong community that defines Central California with an undercurrent of European charm.
“Brandon and I have desired and dreamed of opening or acquiring a boutique hotel with a focus on cocktails since before we opened The Good Lion together in 2014. We fell in love with San Luis Obispo, just as we fell in love with Santa Barbara,” said co-founder Misty Orman Ristaino. “SLO has been one of our favorite California cities to get away to. Nestled in wine country with the ocean nearby and mountain views; it is a special little town. We stayed at the Petit Soleil some years ago and fell in love with its European charm and quaintness. We enjoyed getting to know the previous owners John and Diane, and building upon their legacy and success felt like a perfect opportunity for us to bring our dream of a bed and beverage concept to life,” said Orman Ristaino.
An intimate experience, centered around world-class hospitality, Good Lion Hospitality group (The Good Lion, Shaker Mill, Test Pilot, Strange Beast and Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust), purchased the Petit Soleil in early 2023 and has been remodeling the property room by room with vibrant fabrics and European touches. Each individual room boasts a distinctive design of varying colors, patterns and textures with a nod to nostalgic European charm paired with modern day amenities including Bellino Fine Linens and fully updated bathrooms. A signature scent, “Garden of Earthly Delights” by Sangre de Fruta can be found in the organic bath products, along with plush robes in all the rooms.
As masterful cocktail bar creators, founders Brandon Ristaino and Misty Orman have opened five bar concepts, three in Santa Barbara and two in Ventura, anchoring Petit Soleil with excellent beverage and culinary offerings, many sourced locally. The elevated mini-bars feature a collection of local spirits, custom made bottled cocktails and the finest bar tools to give guests an opportunity to play bartender while relaxing in their room. Complimentary breakfast includes a rotating menu of house-made favorites from blueberry pancakes to seasonal veggie fritatas, fresh baked pastries, croissants from Front Porch Bakery, farmer’s market produce and fruits, Cal Poly produced cheese and pour over coffee from locally sourced coffee beans by Coastal Coffee Collective. Guests can also take part in the complimentary aperitif hour including Cal Poly cheeses, Alle-Pia Cured meats, savory house made baked goods, seasonal fruit, house-made spicy nut mix and local and French ethically grown and minimal intervention wines selected by Master Sommelier Lenka Davis. The central dining and cocktail area features navy velvet banquettes, wall-papered ceilings and French doors, to let the sunlight stream in creating a welcoming and warm atmosphere for a leisurely breakfast or evening cocktail. The reinvigorated patio is reminiscent of the French Riviera, continuing the European aesthetic and making for an ideal gathering place to host a private event or simply to enjoy an evening Spritz paired with great company.
Just a 10 minute beautiful stroll to downtown San Luis Obispo, Petit Soleil invites guests to easily explore the charm of the Central Coast and will soon be offering bike rentals for guests. A second stage of the renovation, including a new cocktail bar and restaurant is slated to open Spring of 2024, and additional new rooms to launch in Fall 2024.
Rates starting at $209 weekdays, $299 weekends and Holidays.
1473 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, CA. https://www.petitsoleilslo.com