Last Updated on January 28, 2025
It’s hard to believe that this three-acre property sat vacant for years and was at one time slated for demolition. Thankfully, it was saved and its history preserved through a true labor of love.
River Lodge, built in 1947, was once known as the Suburban Lodge, a popular stop-off place for travelers given its location on a busy stretch of highway between Templeton and Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast region. The location on Theater Drive is reflective of a drive-in theater on the stretch of highway just off Highway 101.
Nomada Hotel Group had previously lovingly renovated another historic property, Farmhouse Motel in downtown Paso Robles, and took on this restoration project as well, attempting to bring River Lodge back to its glory days while adding more modern technology and features. The result? An absolutely beautiful mid-century motel that’s turned into a retro-chic oasis for guests 21 and over.
River Lodge Rooms
Each of the lodge’s 28 stylish guest rooms are uniquely furnished and decorated and offer queen or king beds with premium bedding and down duvet comforters. The bar suite provides more space and the deluxe two-bedroom suite even features a living room with a pull-out sofa.
All rooms have a cozy fireplace, ideal for warding off the cool Pacific Ocean nights of Paso Robles, club chairs and a partitioned front-yard porch with seating and Bolivian hammocks. Some rooms include a private backyard with a firepit along with a private shower and wrap-around porch.
All accommodations are dog friendly with only a $50 total fee for each pup for the stay.
The hotel décor is inspired by art, objects and souvenirs from travels linking the past to the present in an absolute charming, relaxed and homey manner.
Each room includes a mini fridge, curated mini bar, Keurig coffee maker, signature bath products, bathrobes, private shower and a selection of curated reading.
River Lodge Resort Amenities
The 21-and-over pool is spacious with ample cushioned seating and umbrellas and also includes a separate hot tub. Guests can order drinks and snacks at the poolside cocktail bar.
The lobby sports a blazing fireplace along with a guest lounge area filled with art, music and books. A lovely selection of local products and resort-labeled products are available for purchase.
Of particular delight, two firepit areas are located near the pool, one more private and the other, a U-shaped seating area around a larger rectangular fire pit that encourages fireside chats and mingling among guests.
My husband and I visited in the off season and had the fire pits to ourselves, enjoying a lovely bottle of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon under a gorgeous star-studded sky.
Should you want to venture out from the resort, Linus bikes with front baskets are available at no additional charge to guests. For those with electric vehicles, there are plenty of charging points.
River Lodge Signature Restaurant
Ciao Papi, an Italian-inspired Diner’s Choice restaurant, offers weekly specials that include dinners for two and cocktail specials on select nights. Brunch is available on weekends and the seasonal dinner menus feature a selection of starters, salads, soup, pizza, pasta and dinner mains.
Because the restaurant was not open on the days of our stay, my husband and I didn’t have the opportunity to try the offerings, but I can say that friends in Paso Robles have dined here and deemed it “a unique and fun dining experience.”
River Lodge is definitely a place that will attract the traveler who revels in the history of the motor hotels that once dotted the California coast and inland cities.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once said, “If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future. I care desperately about saving old buildings.”
We’re sure glad the Nomada Hotel Group, passionate about old buildings that have been forgotten or overlooked, had the wherewithal to renovate this incredible piece of history we can all enjoy. And boy, did they get it right!
