Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort

Birthday June 8 2016 Travel Adventure
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
Birthdays are always like a new year for me, a chance to reflect rejoice and rejuvenate especially now that my goals and priorities have shifted over the years.
Anyway, we drove up tuesday headed to Sycamore Mineral Springs Spa and Resort of Luis Obispo where we stumbled upon a gorgeous lookout at Laetitia Vineyard & Winery in Arroyo Grande. Had a very generous tasting of some of there best reds and ended up buying a bottle of this lovely Cabernet.
Once into town we ended up at Avila beach this gorgeous nook where we found an amazing drum circle on the beach a group of wanderers who united together through music namely drums all types of drums and the played exquisitely into the night while we strolled the beach lit a nice bonefire snuggled up and let the night escape us as we gazed at the stars.
Once checked into our hotel the next day we took a stunning hike up the Sycamore Trail with views that take your breath away, just watch out for poison ivy and oak it was everywhere along the gorgeous landscape which no one warned us of we just took notice on our own.
After taking wayyyyy to many photos we wound up at a Tai Chi class offered by the resort, it was a first for both of us but it was wonderful and relaxing. We both were clear and peaceful and it was included free with our stay.
We soaked in the outdoor pool area (which was dated and in need of some reimagined décor and also poolside service would have been expected for a resort but none in sight) though it was still peaceful and soothing.
We proceeded into our room with its own private sulfur mineral spring tub that we were able to self fill to set our own temperature.
Cracked open the Cabernet and soaked for a good hour and when I tell you we felt amazing that would be an understatement, we had the heat up a tad too high but it was just incredible and our balcony overlooked a gorgeous hillside with trees and shrubs in full bloom. It was sooo quiet… a nice escape from the noisy congested LA.
Our room was OLD definitely needed an update or 3… a transition unit I’m guessing because they are undergoing quite a few renovations which is why I think we got such a good deal… The ax/​heat unit was leaking all over side table, shower head rusted and décor dates, though it was clean and had everything we needed. They did greet us with chocolate Truffles for my birthday plus two complimentary wine tastings in the local town which was a nice touch.
They do have some suites that are insanely gorgeous that after seeing we plan on splurging next time and we’ll stay longer than a night.
All in all this will be a 4 even 5 star experience when they complete the renovations and if they were more honest about the outdated rooms as everything pictured online lead us to believe otherwise. They did help us with an early and late check out which was a plus and morning coffee was a nice touch but it was cut off too soon, should be all day it doesn’t cost them anything to supply coffee and tea all day.
I’ll be back but once they step it up here and there … But it’s on the right path to greatness.

Just spent two nights here after finding a great deal on Groupon. First, the resort is beautiful. Second, having a mineral spring-​fed spa in even the cheapest rooms is awesome. While we didn’t spend a ton of time there, coming back there each night to spa was great. The sulfur smell wasn’t all that great, but the waters did absolute wonders for my wife’s dermatitis. Skin issues resolved in one day! Wish we could be closer to help out her skin issues more.
The only drawback is in the cheaper rooms we were in, we could hear every footstep of the person above us in the morning.
Other than that, we had a great time and would love to return here on a yearly basis.

This place sucks so bad. I haven’t even checked in yet. l and they just left a bad taste in my mouth. The stupid ladies at the check in desk can’t do their job. We been waiting like 4 hours for our room to be ready. Management hasn’t even done anything to accommodate us at all. Don’t waste your time. Stay someplace else.

I absolutely love this place! I enjoyed my honeymoon here a few years ago and recently enjoyed another visit. The grounds are so tranquil and relaxing; I love the healing mineral hot spas and the spa is absolutely divine. I love the fact that there are so many hiking trails around the area; you can trek all the way up to see Avila Beach or walk the Bob Jones trail passing a beautiful golf course to Avila Beach itself. There is a gazebo and many tranquil places to sit and read. Love, love, love this place!

The pools were absolutely filthy, complete with rust and grime lining the rims, but nothing compares to the HORRIBLE customer service, specifically by the outdoor hot tub cashier named Michelle. She claimed to be a «supervisor,» which only makes this more terrifying having them allow such incompetent and condescending staff rise in ranks. Zero customer service skills, rude and overall patronizing. *Visitors beware!* Her attitude alone is enough to discontinue our patronage and ward off friends, family, and fellow Unilocal users to do the same.

Horrible experience. Three star hotel which does not provide proper service not the romantic experience they advertise online. Hotel room was dirty, service sucked, and the hot tub they advertise you with look nothing like a dirty green tub that was abandoned years ago. They have a restaurant which closes at 9 pm and offers no options for vegetarians.
I had to do an early cancelation because the whole experience was so bad.
If possible avoid at all cost staying the night there. Oh and don’t even consider taking a date there, you’ll regret it.

We stayed there in February of 2015 & it was wonderful, 5 stars! We lived in our hot tub! So saw a special so bought it for a night with a dinner. We bought 2 of them as wanted to sit in the hot tub soaking & going for walks. Now that I’ve mailed them the letter below & then emailed it last week & this week and they are so rude to not even answer I’ve decided to post it here!
I felt so strongly that I sent the letter below to you via snail mail. This was back in February. Now it’s almost the end of May and not so much as an acknowledgment that it was ever revived. So NOW sending it to you this way!
Disappointed VERY much so with our two-​day stay! But having stayed at you’re resort on 2÷8÷2015 during the «Nifty 50» deal we fell in love with the in-​room mineral spas! We booked 2 days, Febuary 23^rd & 24^th, with the intent on enjoying your luxurious sulfur/​mineral hot tub and walks & dinner as we purchased your deal with the dinner. When we arrived the tub was full of cold water with the smell of SCENTED CHLORINE! My husband went immediately to the desk and someone was sent out. He gave us a hose to refill with hot water plus showed us how to drain and increase the heat. He even walked down to see if there were any rooms still open in the building to the immediate left side of the lobby. He said guests still could fill the tubs and the water quality (sulfur) was better. No rooms available in that part of the hotel.
We sat in it and our skin didn’t feel soft like we had put on lotion as it did the time before. Once out & my silver toe rings did not turn black like they did on our first stay, or when I had rented a hillside hot tub a few years back, as another sign that our tub did not have the sulfur/​mineral content as advertised. We honestly felt ripped off, as this trip was a soak in the tub & walk as it was suppose to be just a kick back & relax trip. On our second day walking past our old room even by the parking lot, you could smell the sulfur. The woman at the lobby tried to explain the water has less sulfur but more minerals and that some rooms have more sulfur than others. But even with no smell, skin not soft or toe ring not black she assured me I was still getting lots of minerals. This obviously makes no sense and I suspect these are excuses given to guests who are disappointed like us.
She said we could book the other room next time but unless we get a better explanation as to why the water has completely changed, I doubt there will be a next time.

A hidden gem. Stayed in their 2 bedroom renovated suite with my little family. I just had a baby a couple months ago and this was a perfect get away. Private, clean, and reasonably priced. I was able to manage the temperature for my littles. Mineral spring water and room service was excellent. Went on a busy weekend and still had the warm pool to ourselves. Excellent weekend get away.

We rented the large home for 8 girlfriends. The home was nice, comfy rooms and beds but nothing worked — we had to call staff (who were very nice) to get the stove, hot tubs, TV’s to work. Perhaps, no one had stayed in the home for a long time and they forgot to check to make sure things were in working order before we came. The road noise is also a bit annoying for light sleepers so you may need to bring ear plugs.
Room Tip: Bring ear plugs because of the road noise. Check to make sure everything is working

Loved the spa services, very professional and relaxing. The hotel suite was so nice and our hot tub was perfect. Would defiantly return again!

Stay was great as usual… but as usual i ended up saying wtf when i got my bill. Resort fees… Hate it wholeheartedly. There should be a law banning resort fees. Is so bs and makes me feel scammed. Besides the resort fee. Staff was friendly and courteous. Sulfur spring is great. Bike ride to avila beach is highly recommended.
Great place to stay with family or loved ones. But beware of the resort gees and taxes. You will end up spending around $ 220 or so for the night stay for rooms with private hot spring Jacuzzi.

Wow is how I would start this review. We stayed in a Queen Suite and it was beautiful! Wine cooler and mini fridge in the room (separate cooler and fridge).
The website states the hot tubs are empty upon arrival, but ours was full and waiting for us. I could hear staff in other rooms emptying, cleaning, and refilling the tubs. So rest assured yours will be clean too.
The dual shower heads and huge shower is really comfy and the chairs out next to the hot tub allow for some relaxing star gazing.
The bed was the only thing I didn’t 100% like. The sheets and duvet is great, but just the mattress didn’t work well for me.
We did not eat at the hotel as we wanted to eat in Pismo. But the restaurant looks nice.
All in all, 5 out of 5 review. This is an amazing getaway location!

My husband and I just love this place. We have been coming here for over 25 years.
Took my hubby there today for a surprise birthday massage. You get a 30 minute hot tub soak before the massage and I was able to join him for the soak, complimentary.
You can take beverages to the tub but no alcohol or glass containers. If you are just having a tub soak, take your own towel or you can use theirs for $ 2.00.
Hubby’s 80 minute massage was one of the best he has had. We will always come back to this hidden gem in our own backyard.

So the hook for this place is that it is built on or near a natural sulfur hot spring. All the rooms have hot tubs that you can fill with the very warm spring water. My wife and I live in the area and have been here multiple times you use the hot tubs that you can rent for an hour or two. That part is super cool and I really recommend it as long as you are not bothered by the natural sulfur smell. Staying here not so much.
I stayed here with my wife on a surprise «staycation» for a night. I am writing this review in the room now because the restaurant does not open until 8 am. At a hotel. That’s fairly isolated. Bummer. Might be a good thing because the dinner we had last night was not great. The burger was fine but we were served the worst «cheese plate» I have ever seen in a restaurant. Not good. However I did overhear that a Chef who was formerly at Robin’s in Cambria (which is excellent!) is taking over tomorrow so it might be worthwhile to retry eating here at some point. Also there is no corkage fee for local wine which is great.
The room we stayed in is the Mystical Suite. Not so Mystical. The hot tub situation is janky at best. Room is dated and not in great shape but not terrible. It has a really old tv in the bedroom if you are worried about that type of thing and has an old school cable setup where you have to cycle through all the channels one at a time. Plenty of room though and the bed was fairly comfortable. The tree sculpture on the wall in the living room area looks like the God’swood tree from Game of Thrones so that is cool I suppose.
Bottom line, rent a hot tub for an hour or two (the rental tubs are much nicer than the one in our room, old school wooden type) but eat and stay somewhere else.

We decided to try this place out because the hotel we were staying at was redoing their pool and hot tub so it was unavailable. When we called they told us they were fully booked but they said we could try to come by for a walk in because some people don’t show for their appointments or cancel. So we tried our luck and we went in. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a friendly employee and she told us they actually had a hot tub available! We got lucky! It was very relaxing and enjoyable. Next time we are in town, we will definitely come back!

This was a great place for a getaway. The big trees and foliage make it very quaint and secluded. Pathways for hiking, walking a biking under shaded trails invited us to explore the area upon checking in. We even enjoyed the welcome of some local birds and animals on the way to the room. not all parking is close to the room so you may have the walk uphill to the room. We stayed over 1 night in a double bed suite. I would suggest to stay longer as we were not able to enjoy all of the features available to us on site.
Because we scheduled ahead and mentioned that we were celebrating my wife’s birthday, truffles were waiting in our refrigerator when we arrived. A welcome note with the truffles was a very nice touch.
The double full-​size beds in the room are very comfortable and clean. Towels and robes are plentiful. The bathroom area is clean but a bit dated also. Ceiling fans are a nice touch to the rooms for ventilation.
The private hot tub was a nice feature. The minerals in the water is very much evident as the water is not crystal clear and the smell of sulphur can at times be a bit strong. I would like to see the hot tubs updated as ours was a bit worn. The fencing gives the hot tub area privacy but not totally covered and our next door neighbors were loud in conversation and we felt at times that we were intruding. We were in the lower half of a two story and did hear the neighbors walking above us but all is quiet after 11PM — 7AM.
I think we will go back again.

Five star relaxing experience here!
Everything was perfectly heavenly from the amazing comfortable room… to the awesome in-​room hot tub… to the beautiful grounds with hiking trails… to free yoga sessions… oh yeah! This is the place to come to DE-​Stress.
The room was clean and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Ahhhhh…
Note: I was in Adventurous. It was quiet. The TV was clear/​worked fine. The service was great throughout my stay.

Situated conveniently almost halfway between San Francisco and the drive to Los Angeles, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is located in the town of Avila Beach close to Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo.
The calling card of the area besides the nature hikes and coastal access is the mineral springs. There are a handful of resorts that have sprung up by the hot mineral spring sources but Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is by far the largest and nicest.
While they have community and private mineral spring tubs to rent by the hour, they also offer overnight accommodations in comfortable rooms featuring soft beds, down blankets and pillows. Rooms with tubs are offered as is even a 3 bedroom house with all the accommodations for larger groups.
While the facilities are nice, some areas are well worn upon further inspection (the heating units, bathrooms) but nothing really detracts from the excellent mineral tubs.
Overall, it’s a great stop along the coastal drive and be sure to stop by the lobby for some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and apple cider if you’re lucky.
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort accepts credit cards including American Express.

I came with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend for two nights.
My dad reserved the queen suite which had a queen bed (4 feet off the ground, super high up) in its own room, and a sofa bed as well, in the living room. The room was about $ 350 – 400 a night, so it’s not the cheapest place to stay. Our room came with our own special sulfur water spa, which fit all four of us (you can refill and drain the water as you please between 7am and 11pm).
It was a nice, relaxing place to stay, but there isn’t a whole lot to do around there, other than the beach. I would visit if I were in the area, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here again!
Btw, check in time is 2pm!
Also, if you don’t want to book a room, you can actually go to just the spa, which is ~$ 18 per person, per hour! (After 15 minutes, you get pretty exhausted so an hour is definitely more than enough time)

Tucked away in the trees off the 101, this retreat offers an escape from the busy Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo life.
In both my stays, I’ve booked the queen suite with a separate den, fireplace, foldout sofa and wet bar with a «private» patio and hottub. The room was ample size for a couple or even two. French doors open to the patio that I say is private but can be looked down upon from the rooms directly up the hill. A tatted patio umbrella does offer some protection from prying eyes should you want to soak in the buff.
The staff is polite offering spa services at a reasonable rate. I’ve enjoyed a facial and massage but some here for the soak. There is natural sulphur in the water and it may be strong to the nose at first but you go deaf quickly and after a few minutes, don’t notice it.
The downside to this lover’s rendezvous is the food. Both the bar and restaurant laughingly serve up mediocre dishes at hotel prices. It’s slow, boring and not worth the time at the table or the money. You can read more about that in my Gardens of Avila review.
But even with the lack of cuisine, I like coming back to SMS. It’s a perfect spot for a surprise date night or better yet, a get-​a-​way for the girls OR boys to enjoy local Rose’ and float. Relaxing in the sulphur spring fed hot tub.