Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great Vacation w/o a CAR

Guest: Oregon Girl (La Grande, OR)
Date of Stay: 12/11/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/12

We wanted a car-less vacation and the Chapek House fit the bill perfectly, given its amazingly close proximity to the train station (yet still quiet!), and walking distance to the center of downtown. We were easily able to rent bikes in the area and had Enterprise Rentals drop off a car for the one day we wanted to head north on a drive to Big Sur/Carmel along the coast. The house had everything we needed to cook/eat in, but yet well located to a number of very good restaurants. The gardens surrounding the house were very peaceful and we loved the french doors that opened onto the deck, even though we were there in December. We will definitely consider returning in the future.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Chapek House Review

Guest: Glen (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 10/30/11 Review Submitted: 11/16/11

We have stayed at Chapek house twice, the first time in August of 2011 for five days and the second in October/November 2011 for six days . This is now definitely our residence of choice when we come to SLO to visit our daughter at Cal Poly. The cottage is very nicely decorated and has a lot of light, with views of three small garden areas and therefore it is a cheerful place to be. It is a small and compact cottage but has plenty of closet and drawer space and a comfortable bed and is perfect for two people. It has the added bonus of having a washer/dryer which is in a small area off the kitchen area. It is very close to downtown and Cal Poly but what we like best about the location is at the end of the short block where Chapek House is located are a couple of nice breakfast restaurants as well as our favorite Italian restaurant in SLO called Cafe Roma - all in the old railroad district. Also a great wine bar/restaurant newly opened very close by. We walk around the neighborhood quite a bit when visiting the cottage. Very clean and well-maintained cottage and gardens. The owner is very nice and helpful. Highly recommended.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Awesome Place to Stay!

Guest: Diana J. (Three Rivers, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/27/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

This is the palce to stay if you are going to San Luis Obispo. We visit the area often and will definitely stay here again and again. The pictures don't do the home justice. Upon arrival, the walk to the front door is magical. Once inside, the attention to detail is quite apparent. The home is spotless and the owner has thought of every comfort. My husband ( who by the way is not too expressive) stated multiple times that he 'loved this place and could sit in the living room and enjoy the gentle breeze and sunshine all day long'! We walked downtown every night and also enjoyed exploring the whole area on foot and bicycle. It was really nice to have a kitchen and other conveniences. This vacation rental is the way to go!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a wonderful cottage!

Guest: Texas Travelers (Southlake, TX)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/14/11

My husband and I stayed at the cottage for a few days after our son's Cal Poly orientation. We absolutely loved it! Very cozy and charming. Great location and lots of privacy. Highly recommend!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place to stay in SLO

Guest: Gene (Sedona, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/30/11

My wife and I stayed here for six days in August. We absolutely loved the accommodations.The cottage is everything the website says and more. The rooms are well appointed and have a charming atmosphere. We found the rooms to be exactly as they were depicted in the photos on the website and the kitchen was well equipped. Having a washer and dryer is really a plus on a longer stay.The owner was friendly and provided a wide variety of SLO and Central Coast guides and information. We used the SLO hiking guide to plan daily hikes and had a great time exploring the region. The location is superb. You are only blocks from downtown yet the neighborhood is quiet and residential. It is truly the best of both worlds. You are only a short drive to the coast and the wine country. Wether you want a quiet and relaxing trip away from a busy life style or you are looking for an active and fun vacation this is a great place to stay. We will stay hear on our future trips to SLO as long as it is available. No more motels!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best Little Cottage Ever

Guest: Lisa (Marin County, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/03/11

Chapeck Cottage exceeded all our expectations. The photos online are dead accurate; no trickery! It is bright and sunny with dappled sunlight through all the wonderful landscaping. It was hot when we stayed, but the breeze flowing through the cottage kept it from ever being stifling. One of my favorite things...it was SPOTLESS upon arrival. We spent two full days meandering through the neighboring beach towns of Pismo Beach, Avila Beach (sunny but crowded!), Los Osos, Cayucos (delicious Brown Butter Cookie Co.) and Cambria. After a little down time and shower at the cottage we could walk to any number of delicious restaurants for dinner. The owner, Gloria, is available for anything you need but is never looming. So much better than any hotel!!! We will be back!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Charming Romantic Cottage - Loved Everything About it!

Guest: Buggs (El Dorado Hills, CA )
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

My husband and I usually stay at a local hotel close to downtown because we enjoy walking and not driving to restaurants and shopping. I surprised my husband with romantic get away at this beautiful little cottage. It had everything we needed and more. It is close to the Railroad district which we had not explored before and found excellent restaurants for breakfast lunch and dinner within a few blocks. We decided they were in fact better than those we normally frequent so this was an added bonus. We also walked to downtown several times and did lots of shopping. It was a pleasure doing business with the owner. What a treasure - we will be back!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

J&K Gilbert, AZ

Guest: Jeanne (Gilbert, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

My husband & I had the pleasure of staying at Chapek cottage for a week in late September, 2010. The owner, Gloria, has created a delightful self-catering establishment with great attention to all details. We did not lack for anything from literature on SLO to plush bath towels. The patio and deck with French doors adds just the right touch. My husband is quite the cook and enjoyed having everything he needed to create his dinners. I thoroughly enjoyed its location and appreciated how close it was to be able to walk into the heart of SLO and discover its charms. The cottage also made for a romantic getaway for the two of us with Victorian charm. If we find ourselves headed to SLO again, I would check its availability first. Delightful!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

J&K Gilbert, AZ

Guest: Jeanne (Gilbert, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

My husband & I had the pleasure of staying at Chapek cottage for a week in late September, 2010. The owner, Gloria, has created a delightful self-catering establishment with great attention to all details. We did not lack for anything from literature on SLO to plush bath towels. The patio and deck with French doors adds just the right touch. My husband is quite the cook and enjoyed having everything he needed to create his dinners. I thoroughly enjoyed its location and appreciated how close it was to be able to walk into the heart of SLO and discover its charms. The cottage also made for a romantic getaway for the two of us with Victorian charm. If we find ourselves headed to SLO again, I would check its availability first. Delightful!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a great place!

Guest: Chris (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

We stayed at the cottage for two night while in SLO for a friend's wedding. It's in a delightful neighborhood full of charming vintage houses. The main house is one of those charming vintage beauties. Big and blue, surrounded by a white picket fence, entrance arbor, a welcoming fountain and beautiful flowers everywhere—it definitely stands out on the street! The cottage is the perfect size for two and the decor is charming and romantic. The path to the front door is loaded with flowers and winds around to the back of the lot which gives the feeling of being at a private hideaway. We opened all the windows, the front door, and the french doors over the little balcony so the breezes could blow through while we ate our lunch and watched hummingbirds rest in the tree outside. The bath was great, with perfect water pressure and great, big, soft towels. Unlike usual, we didn't do much cooking because we wanted to try the restaurants in town. But the kitchen was well stocked with cooking supplies and when we did cook, we had everything we needed. Most important for me was the fact that everything, including the fridge, was super clean. In fact, the whole cottage was spotless, which was lovely. FYI, the little sofa in the living room is a recliner, which makes lounging super comfy. We enjoyed reading the books on historic SLO and local hiking trails that Gloria had on the side table. We also enjoyed just relaxing/reclining in front of the TV after a long day. On our last day, Gloria stopped by to tell us to take our time since no new guests were coming after us. We asked if we could enjoy our lunch in the big backyard that's behind the main house and she said absolutely. I'm so glad we had the time and opportunity to hang out back there as the garden is really gorgeous and Bobby the cat came over to make friends. He was one of the sweetest cats we've ever met and he made it even harder for us to leave the Chapek Cottage. There is a great new Thai restaurant at the end of the street, next to the train station. I highly recommend trying it. Oh, and the neighborhood was great. It was really easy to get right down to the main drag(s). You should stay at the cottage, or main house, if you're heading to SLO and you like beautiful, clean, charming surroundings, and a gracious host. We will certainly go back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peaceful, Great Location, Beautiful Furnishings...Must Stay!!

Guest: TheBrian (Foothill Ranch, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/07/10

I had the privilege of staying at the cottage over the always busy Memorial Day weekend. When I was originally planning my trip I searched for rooms at almost every hotel in town. Most seemed overpriced, and poorly located for my needs (downtown). As a result, I started searching for available rentals, and came across this gem. Situated just behind the main house, whose distinct archetype I still remember from my college days in SLO, the cottage enjoys a peaceful patio and deck. That, however, is only the beginning. Once inside the cottage, the French Country decor is well-conceived, but not over the top. The hand-scraped wood floors (in my estimation) lead you throughout a small living room, dining nook, kitchenette, sunroom, and bedroom. The bedroom is connected to a small yet smart bathroom that boasts a great claw-footed tub. There is ample storage throughout, and a ready supply of glass/dinnerware. Internet and cable TV were just icing on the cake. I was extremely happy with the accommodations, care taken by the owner, cleanliness, and price! I was so impressed, that I brought several of my in-town friends over to check it out. They were equal parts impressed and jealous. If it's available when you need it...book it...no questions asked. I will stay again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/02/10 Review Submitted: 02/02/10

We stayed in the Chapek guest cottage for three weeks in January 2010 and will definitely go back. The cottage looks as if it was remodeled yesterday and was more spacious than we had expected. We found everything we needed for our mini- sabbatical. The setting is beautiful and relaxing and the location can't be beat. We could easily walk just about anywhere we needed to go, including the Thursday night Farmers Market, many wonderful restaurants, downtown shopping, the grocery store, and great hikes in the peaks surrounding SLO. El Nino appeared the last week of our stay, making for rainy days, but the cottage was cozy while big enough to stretch out for reading, relaxing, and even catching up on work back home. Gloria is helpful but respects your privacy. She's a gracious host and was there whenever we had a question. Don't hesitate. If your travels take you to SLO and you're looking for an adorable place to stay with a fantastic location, look no more!

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