Before & After: River Lodge
Originally built in 1947 as The Suburban Lodge, the Motel features distinctive Googie architecture, known for its futuristic designs and bold angles, popular in the mid-20th century. Over the years, the motel changed its name to ‘River Lodge’ then eventually fell into disrepair and was vacant for decades. At one point, there were plans to demolish it to make way for a new Hyatt hotel, but the Paso Robles Historical Society opposed it, citing its historical value to the city.
By the time we toured, it had been used as a homeless camp and was loaded with junk and trash throughout. We then acquired the property in 2022 and embarked on our most ambitious renovation project yet. The renovation included a complete site overhaul, modernization of guestrooms, a new lobby (surrounded by the original fireplace in the center of the space, restoring the iconic sign, and adding a central pool and restaurant/bar.
This was my first attempt at creating a collection of bespoke furnishings throughout the property. For the exterior pathways and pool area, we sourced zellige tiles and created an assortment of shapes and patterns. We sourced original art and objects to adorn the common spaces throughout and enlisted Carol Paulson & Stephen Ploughman, the artists who created the fire tree for Granada Bistro, to creat awnings for the entrances into Ciao Papi, the poolside café.
We debuted this new chapter of River Lodge in June 2024. The re-imagined Motel now features 28 stylish guest rooms with private patios, a vibrant courtyard with rose gardens, grassy lawns, fire pits, and a 21-and-over-only swimming pool and hot tub. An on-site Italian restaurant, Ciao Papi, offers a menu of signature pizzas, pasta, and craft cocktails, all served poolside.
