Hospitality Plus
Nomada Hotel Group founder Kimberly Walker ushers properties into their next chapter
Kimberly Walker at the transformed and revitalized River Lodge in Paso Robles, which is Nomada Hotel Group’s newest property. Photograph by Anya McInroy
Written by Jessica Ritz
Photographs by Anya McInroy, Karyn Millet, Jessica Sample
“I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had while traveling,” says Kimberly Walker, founder of Nomada Hotel Group. Remembering what it’s like to be a guest motivates her work. “I love seeing people in our spaces having a great time,” she says. Over the past decade the San Luis Obispo native has helped put Central Coast destinations on the map, thanks to the way she has reimagined existing properties with a design-forward, story-driven ethos. “We’re so passionate about these older buildings that already have a soul and a history.”
“We’re passionate about these older buildings that already have a soul and a history.”
At the 17-room Granada Hotel and Bistro in downtown SLO, she created a hub in a building that once hosted artists and performers, establishing a vibe inspired by “Paris in the 1920s.” She then set her sights on the Skyview in Los Alamos, which she describes as “this midcentury hotel on the hill” above wine country, mixing period-appropriate aesthetic elements with the town’s ranch heritage. In 2020 Walker took on the Hotel Ynez in Solvang, utterly transforming the low-slung buildings around the “center garden, [which] felt like a place where you can sleep in a hammock all day long.” At the Farmhouse in Paso Robles, she used a soft pastel palette infused with floral and citrus motifs that added charm to the red-roofed bungalows. This year the River Lodge adds another stylish hostelry to Paso Robles, complete with the Ciao Papi restaurant and a lively pool scene.
To accomplish these projects, Walker established an in-house interior design team that allows her freedom to exercise her creative touch, whether she’s hunting for vintage treasures; collaborating with artists such as Carol Paulsen, Stephen Plowman, and Adriana Lemus; or developing the custom furnishings and accessories that are then offered on the Nomada Deco platform.
Revitalizing the legendary Pozo Saloon in Santa Margarita is Nomada’s next effort. “If you live in San Luis Obispo County, you have a Pozo story,” Walker explains about the remote venue. “We want to continue to have those same Pozo moments that everyone has.” Branching out into producing live music events at Pozo is a fitting opportunity, too. As she observes, “The beauty and the hard part of hospitality is it requires an orchestra of people playing in concert. When it works, it’s incredible.” nomadahotelgroup.com
Must Do
Excuse this shameless plug, but after a long week, there’s nothing better than sipping a Grey Goose martini with a lemon twist to the sounds of Chet Baker in the back booth at Nightcap in the GRANADA HOTEL & BISTRO.
NATE’S in San Luis Obispo for a welcome hug from Nate followed by lemon mafalde pasta and key lime pie.
Dinner at THE RANGE in Santa Margarita for a stinkin’ rose pizzette, wedge salad, and a filet mignon.
Sundays in the Santa Ynez Valley call for a “Bang Bang,” essentially a two-stop meal: Start at NELLA for a pinsa and a cocktail, then head to BAR LE CÔTE for paella or a fried-chicken sandwich.
For live music the BARRELHOUSE BREWING CO. in Tin City is incredible. The outside venue lined with ancient oaks is the perfect spot on a warm fall night.
Must Have
Candlelight is a must at any table or gathering, and the traditional CERAMIC CANDELABRA ($72) is made exclusively for Nomada by artisans in Michoachan in a custom blush color for River Lodge. The Hernández family workshop in San Jose de Gracia upholds the craft traditions of the pastillaje technique, with its intricate detail and rich glaze, while creating this unique design.
Inspired by the setting of the Farmhouse in Paso Robles, the Yuzu & Heirloom Leaf APOTHECARY COLLECTION ($35 each) was created in collaboration with our friends at Fable Rune. Handcrafted in small batches on the Central Coast, each cleanser and lotion was formulated with the utmost care and intention, using natural ingredients and native botanicals derived from the local landscape.
The Nomada TRAVEL SKIRT ($120) represents our first dip into travel apparel. I designed this skirt with the endless summers of California in mind, while ensuring it was also comfortable enough to wear on a long flight (even a red-eye) and versatile enough to wear day or night. It has deep pockets, of course.
The beautiful BOLIVIAN HAMMOCKS ($540) featured at Hotel Ynez, River Lodge, and Skyview were made for Nomada by Laura Aviva and her incredible team of artisans. Delicately detailed yet strong and supportive, the handwoven hammocks are made by the Guarayos Indians. Over the centuries women of this remote community have preserved the intricate craft in which hand-spun cotton thread is woven on horizontal looms and decorated with crocheted lace patterns and tassels.
CUSTOM HATS by Sebreena are incredible (starting at $500), and we’re working with her to create a capsule collection of hats for the hotels. You can visit her shop in Atascadero (stellarandsun.com) for your own creation.
All available at nomadadeco.com
