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Inn Check-in 16:00 · Check-out 11:00

Olive Tree Inn San Luis Obispo

Relaxed inn near Cal Poly with a restaurant, outdoor pool, free parking, and kid-friendly amenities. Easy access to Madonna Inn and local attractions.

1000 Olive St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, United States View on map
6.2/10
Average Based on 437 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Breakfast Free parking Accessible Outdoor pool
What recent guests emphasize

Guest feedback highlights a budget-friendly stay with convenient location

Visitors appreciate the clean, spacious rooms and friendly service, while noting the hotel's age and simple amenities. The inn’s proximity to highways and local attractions makes it an accessible option for travelers.

Guests often praise

  • Clean and spacious rooms, including suites with separate living areas and balconies
  • Friendly and efficient staff, especially at the front desk
  • Convenient location near highways, downtown, and Cal Poly campus
  • Quiet, safe environment with ample free parking
  • Included amenities like free Wi-Fi, mini fridge, microwave, and breakfast pastries

Worth knowing

  • The property is older and shows signs of age, with dated decor and some firm beds
  • Basic continental breakfast with limited options; some guests missed shower toiletries
  • Rooms and facilities have been refreshed in parts (e.g., laminate flooring) but remain simple
  • No airport shuttle or fitness center available on site
  • Not pet-friendly, but kid-friendly and smoke-free

Best for

  • Budget-conscious travelers looking for clean, comfortable accommodations
  • Visitors needing easy access to Highway 1 and Highway 101
  • Guests attending events at Cal Poly or exploring downtown San Luis Obispo
  • Families seeking kid-friendly lodging with a pool and free parking
  • Travelers prioritizing a quiet, no-frills stay over luxury amenities
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About this property

Welcome to Olive Tree Inn San Luis Obispo

Situated near the intersection of Highways 1 and 101, Olive Tree Inn San Luis Obispo offers a casual and laid-back atmosphere in a low-rise building. Its location provides easy access to California Polytechnic State University and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, both about a mile away, making it convenient for visitors to local attractions and the historic district.

The property operates as an inn with extended stay options, featuring amenities such as free Wi-Fi, free parking, an outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant. Rooms include air conditioning and some suites resemble converted apartments with added living space and private balconies, offering a practical choice for travelers seeking comfort without luxury. The inn maintains a smoke-free environment and caters to families and guests requiring accessibility features, though pets and airport shuttles are not accommodated.

Guest reviews highlight a range of experiences, noting the property's age but often appreciating its cleanliness, quiet setting, and straightforward service. While some find the facilities modest and the décor dated, others commend the affordable rates, well-maintained rooms, and helpful staff. This balance indicates the hotel suits budget-conscious travelers or those looking for basic accommodations in a convenient location.

Nearby points of interest include unique local spots such as Madonna Inn, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and Gum Alley, providing a variety of options for visitors. With the SLO County Airport just minutes away by car, the inn serves as a practical base for exploring the area or attending local events.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast
Free parking
Accessible
Outdoor pool
Air-conditioned
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Golf course
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pet-friendly
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

CP
Collin Parker Apr 05, 2026
8.0

Perfectly good little motel. Not a 5 star resort, but for a low price at last minute it was surprising nice. I stayed in a regular King bed room, some friends of ours had the suite. The suites look like converted one bedroom apartments with a second bed put in part of the living room, but they're cozy. The motel does show its age, but hey, it's an older motel so... that's kind of how things work.

R
Ryan Mar 31, 2026
8.0

Nice Place. We stayed in one of the suites in the back. I think they used to be apartments, because that what it felt like. Had a nice back porch area. It was clean. I couldn't find any shower shampoo though. Basic continental breakfast, but pastries were good.

NP
niranjay pandey Feb 09, 2026
10

Clean and spacious room. Checking in was easy and fast and staff at reception was very friendly and nice!!!

RG
Ryan Glass Feb 04, 2026
8.0

So many bad reviews, but I had a great time. Front desk manager was kind and efficient and she made sure to let her know if I needed anything while I was there. The room smelled and looked clean. Shower pressure was great. This was the cheapest hotel in the area and it had a mini fridge and microwave in the room! Quiet and safe location; I had no complaints. For a similar price, I’ll take this over a Motel 6 any day. There is also on-site laundry, pool, and vending machines. There’s a breakfast room, but they weren’t serving when I stayed, so that’s the only bummer. All in all, it was an affordable and safe stay.

AF
Angela Ford Jan 30, 2026
10

Staff super friendly. Great location to downtown without being in the middle of everything easy walking distance. Room was great. Got a suite for not much more had a living room and bedroom and private balcony with great view. Older hotel but in great shape clean and the towels were even soft. I’d definitely stay again.

MF
Mer Forristal Jan 28, 2026
8.0

Affordable hotel in a convenient location for historic district and Cal Poly. Plenty of parking, reasonable sized rooms, decent water pressure, nice but smallish pool. Staff was effective but not the friendliest, check in and out were easy. Rooms have had a refresh with laminate flooring but the buildings are still a bit dated and the beds and pillows could be better. For the price I was pleased. Only real complaint was that I'm allergic to most fur and I'm guessing someone with a service animal had stayed there recently. If you have allergies take your meds!

DC
dack canales Jan 17, 2026
10

For the price this was a good stay. Very Good location to both the 1 and the 101. Both just a block away. Food nearby. Room older, but clean and comfortable. 2 things didnt like so much. Bed way too firm and toilets really low to the floor, but have found that is common in these older hotels around here. Would def come back.

GTC
Griffin Tile Company Jan 03, 2026
8.0

Quiet little cozy hotel . My uncle will rest and take off back to the east coast from this little hotel.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Olive Tree Inn San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, California, USA

At the intersection of Highways 1 and 101, this casual hotel in a 2-story building is 1 mile from both California Polytechnic State University and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

  • San Luis Obispo 24 min Walk
  • Government Center 12 min Walk
  • Santa Rosa & Murray 8 min Walk
  • SLO County Airport 9 min Car · 34 min Transit
  • Santa Maria Airport 39 min Car · 2 hr 16 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in California. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Madonna Inn 8,644 reviews

Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, United States

4.5 · Inn
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa 1,232 reviews

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

751 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, United States

4.6 · Catholic Church
Gum Alley 150 reviews

Gum Alley

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, United States

3.9 · Tourist Attraction
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