Celebrating our Birthday's my husband, our Vizsla (Registered Service Animal) and I spent a week in el Paso de Robles.
After spending a few delightful days at Cass Winery and The Geneseo Inn (will review separately). On a whim, I decided to extend our birthday trip by staying closer to West side vineyards and DT Paso where we were encouraged to stay at The Piccolo.
I made our reservation via Booking.com as I usually do indicating we have a service animal. I received an email from Booking stating I need permission for my Service Animal and needed to contact the property directly- an 805 area code number was embedded in the email from Booking.com.
I rang the digits, to which a gentleman said "hello." I inquired if I had reached The Piccolo, when a totally odd conversation unraveled as I was informed I had NOT reached The Piccolo. The kind gent answering the digits provided by Booking via email spent significant time on the phone with me- Martin Beckett the FORMER Director of Hospitality of The Piccolo.
Mr. Beckett, arranged our stay at The Piccolo despite no longer formally an employee of the property.
He advised the front desk that I was INFORMING them of my Service Animal- NOT seeking permission from The Piccolo. This was my first impression of the property- but please hold as I will share my second impression.
Despite the time and effort extended by Martin Becket to accomodate (sp) my written requests to the property via Booking- upon arriving, none of the written requests tendered via Booking AND then further communicated to the property by their FORMER director of Hospitality.
Our Family was given a room on FL 2 ( I had requested a specific floor level) overlooking 12th street. IF you have never been to Mardi Gras and stayed in the French Quarter - you might not find ROOM 20 at The Piccolo problematic.
Clearly, we had.
No one slept at all the day prior to my Birthday on the 27th. Further, we had NO cold water and therefore, no one was able to wash their face, shower or drink H20 from the faucet (novelty to Angelenos). Further, the electric was more fussy than I- and each time the door of Room 20 was shut the lights went out.
On the am of the 27th, kind concierge Alyssa, filled a LARGE vessel of H20 and ice for us so we could hydrate.
Upon arrival, there were two (2) property concierges- the one greeting us (Annabelle maybe) informed me that I could not leave my Service Animal in the room for an hour (not in accordance with Letter of the Service Animal Law)- the interaction with this particular concierge was AWFUL.
We later met Teddy the second concierge - who was extraordinarily professional and accommodating, despite splitting her responsibilities between two (2) properties now part of the same "hospitality" group.
Most annoying, and this is seriously problematic for SEASONED professional expats and mad globe trotters was the PRICE of Room 20 at The Piccolo.
In defense of the Property, kind concierge Teddy several times offered to move us- despite our traveling history- we pack everything but the kitchen sink and we do this WELL. So ofcourse, moving everything but our Kitchen sink was not interesting or an option to us at that point.
How could this property NOT KNOW how late night Red Neck drunken ...would be heard in Room 20 with the Windows SHUT? Ask them and they will say "wow, this never happens." Ask anyone in a 2 block radius of 12th and Spring- they will tell you it is a Saturday Night Especial.
Returning to price of lodging..., on their website on the 25th- a room at the Piccolo was OVER 800 USD for two nights (a Saturday and Sunday). Considerably less on Booking plus my loyalty discounts via Booking. However Room 20 at The Piccolo was STILL not worth 700 USD (rounding this out).
I mean this is OUTRAGEOUS for a property with NO or LITTLE BRAND ETHOS or IDENTITY- I mean, they still have (although now course corrected across 3rd party platforms) their FORMER Director of Hospitality assisting new guests...If a room at The Casa Del Mar sitting on the Pacific Ocean in beautiful Santa Monica CA is substantially less (ocean view too) than Room 20 at The Piccolo...perhaps el Paso de Robles needs to take their "heads out of their ass," and then deflate that ego a bit.
All that said, the property does sit proximately to a very nice park, the two (2) best kitchens in town brought to you by the LPC Hospitality Group- folks who scream the Hospitality in Foodservice + Hospitality. Le Petit Canaille + S'Aranella (sp on both) other little gems also walking distance from The Piccolo like "TASTE!" With extraordinarily reasonable price points and a truly fun menu and bar- eat at the bar if Samuel G (Sam) is working.
The Valet Attendants are kind, and knowledgeable especially Isaiah whose family has heritage in Guadalajara and is very well traveled himself.
Cammie (sp) another concierge is very kind, Miss Alyssa and Miss Teddy were 5 star and in totality, the only reason I tendered an "average" rating was because of the few folks mentioned by name who tried desperately to course correct the stay, AND the GM on premise the day of check out 04_28_2025.
When checking out, I saw no adjustment made to my folio- and insisted to speak to the property GM. Alexis, sat with me and while I felt- I did not need to present her verbally with my case- I did and she immediately offered to remove one night from our two (2) night stay at The Piccolo. Now- night one was 680.30 USD and night two was 456.86 USD- you can guess which night was "compensated."
Her gesture was appreciated so I did not belabour the above- but honestly- TACKY IMHO. We were wonderful guests- we provided cash gratuity to everyone assisting us, even at breakfast in the lobby as I eyed the empty tip jar- I saw that we were the only ones recognizing the effort of folks providing a nice warm morning breakfast from 7:00 am - 10:00 am and it really us a lovely breakfast.
Communication or lack there of is another miss at The Piccolo. No one advises that guests staying at The Piccolo may also enjoy ammenities at the Sister Property- The Inn at Paso Robles which is nice considering they have a lovely landscaped yard with a lap pool and fabulous Jaccuzi.
If one would like a pedestrian downtown experience, I would endorse The Piccolo- but I would only book through the property and INSIST the match the Booking Rate, insist the room assigned is checked prior for electric and plumbing (maybe Ted Plemmons- co-owner of Cass Winery and plumber extraordinaire can help)...?
Do not stay in Room 20 however, unless you find Fat Tuesday in the Orleans Parish- charming. The red neck dive bar next door (practically- separated by one sub-standard Italian restaurant) I believe it is called "The Rodeo," is ridiculous and something one would expect to find in DIXON CA; not charming Downtown el Paso de Robles.
Sandra's Suggests Include but are not limited to: n
1. Only deal with the property (The Piccolo) when booking
2. Speak only with certain concierges: Teddy; Alyssa; and Cammie (sp)
3. Both Valets were great but try to spend a little time with Isiah he is very kind and informative (eg. get the Salmon Sammie at TASTE et al- that kind of thing and he loved our Vizsla always a bonus point)
4. Plan a dinner at Le Petite Canailles- always do your Champagne Service with Deyton- sp and do the Tasting Menu at the Bar sit with anyone they are all great especially Kirby and if you have the chance to chat it out with Chef Julien- you must...,
(check out the mad crazy art in the WC's- especially the Anthony Bourdain prints) and sister concept S'Aranella where Chef Justin will wow you with some of the best PINXTO-. This is the BASQUE word for "SPIKE" the toothpick used to fish, seafood or meat to bread/olives et al- lovely pickled pepper + oil cured Anchovy and Manzanilla Olive hailing from San Sebastian- Ribera y Rueda!
5. People seem to enjoy the light installation called SENSORIO- to be reviewed seperately, I personally would not throw time or money at this "installation."
6. If your not a native of the Central Coast and planning a trip to el Paso de Robles- get a sense of the local colour with a cocktail in DT Paso at The Pine Street Saloon (Cash only).
7. Regardless of what side of town you are staying and tasting in- do make it to a little town called CRESTON (sp) 3 miles North of Cass Winery .
There you must check out The Longbranch Saloon 6258 Webster Road - Creston- (FYI- the town is one street).
These guys are amazing and welcoming.
Solid kitchen- seriously- the bar stools communicate the brand ethos (DON'T TREAD ON ME) and either Candido (not the fungus- the man) or the nice chap from Seattle (ok not from but he did live there for 17 years) will make you a dry London Gin Martini "to go..., " YAAS! The pastrami sandwich is utterly delicious and if you have the chance do chat with Ben the Pit Master (previously was the Chef at Cass Winery prior to Chef Charlie Palladin Wayne and between Chef Charlie's catering gigs.
The little Leather Shop across the street from The Longbranch Saloon is cool, you can customize your Equestrian needs and find some fun cookbooks (eg., how to win the heart of a Cowboy) clothing et al.
8. For wineries- get to EPOCH ASAP- make an appt with Liz in the Tasting Room- have her explain the winermaker Jordan's palette sketches (commensurate art with the palette experience) of course do not miss CASS - which will have a separate review that is going to be a pleasure to craft.
US
IE