When I first came to Pismo Beach in 1956, there were small hotels and diners catering to the economical tourist. This funky town was described by Jack Benny in the 1940s as "Pismo Beach: where the debris meets the sea." In the early sixties, the more upscale Sea Crest was built, and the seventies welcomed the Kon Tiki Inn along with the Shore Cliff and Spyglass Inn in neighboring Shell Beach. The local joke back then was that the Pismo tourist brought a five dollar bill and a clean shirt -- and didn't change either one. I remember my wonderful father-in-law, a lifelong Arroyo Grande resident, saying that the owners would never fill those rooms at those prices.

Well, my father-in-law was wrong. The Kon Tiki was expanded in 1984 and it has been joined since by many higher end competitors. Pismo does still have its funky side, but it is clearly going in an upscale direction, and the visitors from Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley, and the Bay Area keep streaming in.

The Kon Tiki is owned by the same person who owns the adjacent Pismo Beach Athletic Club. I have spoken with a few people who stay at the Kon Tiki and then come over to use the gym, to which they have complete access at no additional cost. Here is what I have heard: "I've stayed at many places in Pismo, and this is the best one." "It is so nice and so clean." "Every room has a great ocean view." "It is so well run." Really, I have never heard a negative comment about it; I have heard only praise. I knew I wanted to write a Hub about it, but I wanted to give the reader something beyond what is on the official website, so I spent about an hour with the owner, went through a number of rooms, and have come back even more impressed.

All of the rooms have king size beds. Half of the rooms have a loveseat, both sides of which recline, and the other half of the rooms have an additional bed, full width, queen length -- for families. The owner explained that comfort for the guest is his guiding principle. That is why the loveseat reclines, why the television swivels, why the bed is a newer Serta Presidential Suite bed, and why the two upholstered chairs by the round table tilt back. Everyone remarks how spacious the parking places are. In fact, the overriding feeling is one of spaciousness -- in front of the building and in back with a generous lawn area, sparkling pool and the Pacific Ocean.

Recently, I stayed at a hotel that had a window on the same wall as the door, which opened to the exposed walkway. I heard people walking, talking, and I was a little concerned about leaving the window open. The design of the Kon Tiki is different. There is no window on the door wall, so there is less noise coming through. The walls are thick and sound deadening: 5 1/2 inches of concrete, and on both sides of this an air space, 1/2 inch of insulation, and then 5/8 inch of drywall. The floors are also concrete. It is very quiet in the rooms. You do not hear any freeway noise. What you do hear is the ocean.

All the bathrooms have been recently upgraded with new Kohler tubs and curved shower rods. The new sinks are smaller, allowing for larger counter top space. An empty refrigerator is provided. New carpets and draperies are coming soon although they both looked fine to me. The two color schemes, green and blue, are restful and calm. The continental breakfast is served in the adjacent Steamer's Restaurant.

While I was there yesterday, I heard people as they were checking out tell the clerk, "Everything was very nice." When I asked the owner if I could find his hotel on the internet, he told me that he does not deal with any third party reservation sites such as hotwire or priceline. On the official website of the Kon Tiki Inn, the customer is directed to call for rates and availability. There is a midweek discount during the off season, and the higher floors are a little more expensive. Those are the rates, and they must be on target because when I was there, Tuesday, October 3, (definitely off season) at 1:00 pm, the "no vacancy" sign was turned on. And while I am exercising at the gym I have often seen that "no vacancy" sign.

Why is this place so successful? Although there is a manager, the owner is often visible, and it seems to me that he has his hand on the pulse of what is important to his clientele: the comfort, the view, and the quietness. He has been able to hire the right people to help him provide those qualities consistently. This is definitely not the most expensive accommodations in this area. Hotels with shiny marble, polished brass, and more impressive facades are right around the corner, but in the end, it is the Kon Tiki that is the class act in Pismo Beach.

Now may be a terrific time to visit the Central Coast, so check out the Pismo Beach weather forecast to be sure, and call the Kon Tiki for your room.