Best Luxury Hotels in California

The stylish Kodō Hotel is a serene sanctuary, located in the heart of the Los Angeles Downtown Arts District and perfectly contrasting its busy city surroundings. The hotel is housed in a more-than-100-year-old firehouse and its interior is inspired by Japanese essence and design. There is a collection of simplistic yet luxurious guest rooms offering every contemporary comfort and a private space to unwind and recharge. The hotel’s largest offering is the Superior King Plus Room, spread over 556sqft and providing guests with California king beds and amenities unique to each room. Guests are welcome to dine in Michelin-recommended Kodō Restaurant where bistro-style Japanese American cuisine is served. There is also a quiet tea garden within this sanctuary, Kodō Café. Guests will receive a complimentary welcome drink upon check in and the hotel’s convenient location allows for easy exploration throughout your stay.

Stretching across two-and-a-half city blocks in downtown Palm Springs, Thompson Palm Springs brings modern elegance, artful expression, and culinary vibrance to the iconic Palm Canyon Drive. With 168 bungalow-style guestrooms, including 18 suites and private balconies, the hotel blends desert tranquillity with mid-century architecture and bold, curated interiors. A separate adults-only enclave, Upper Stories, is set to debut later this year, offering 42 premium rooms, private pool access, and exclusive lounge space.

Anchored by Lola Rose Grand Mezze, a Levantine-inspired rooftop restaurant led by Chef Quentin Garcia, the hotel also plans to introduce Bar Issi and a HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room in 2025. Cultural immersion continues with an on-site gallery of contemporary works curated by Shore Art Advisory, featuring installations by renowned Native American artists such as Jeffrey Gibson and Gerald Clarke. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop pool with San Jacinto views, a boutique fitness studio, and 20,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space—all thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit of Palm Springs.

Part of IHG’s Vignette Collection, Hotel Spero mixes Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with contemporary elegance in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square. Originally built in 1924, this 236-room boutique hotel celebrates its rich history while offering modern comforts, including a 24-hour fitness centre, co-working space, and pet-friendly amenities. Guests can experience the hotel’s Memorable Rituals, such as writing a postcard to their future selves, and its ‘A Means For Good’ initiatives, supporting local charities and sustainability efforts. Dining at Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen features gastropub classics with a rotating selection of Bay Area craft brews, while 3,000 square feet of meeting space caters to events of all sizes. Just steps from the theatre, shopping, and iconic attractions, Hotel Spero offers an authentic San Francisco stay with timeless charm and modern luxury.

Hotel Paradox, located in Santa Cruz, California, combines modern comfort with eco-conscious design in a boutique setting. Established in 1967 and recently renovated, the hotel features 170 rooms, including suites with private balconies. Guests enjoy amenities such as a restaurant with organic cuisine, a full-service spa, an outdoor heated pool, a hot tub, and a well-equipped fitness centre. The hotel’s commitment to sustainability and its central location offer easy access to local attractions like the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travellers.

Indulge your inner Willy Wonka when you stay in this former chocolate factory. One, two and three-bedroom apartments are offered within the building, with round-the-clock butler and concierge services on hand. These come with fully equipped kitchens and entertaining areas, ideal for an extended stay. Decor is US loft-style, with polished wooden floors and internal brick walls. Guests can enjoy a drink on the terrace warmed by the glow of a fire pit while looking out over the city. There’s a trolley stop right opposite and direct access to the buzzing Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront area of San Francisco.

This LEED Silver Certified European-style hotel has 188 guest rooms and suites spread across seven floors. Its meeting rooms, 24-hour fitness centre with Peloton bikes, clutter-free sleeping areas, sleek in-room workspaces and on-site parking make it popular with business travellers. Similarly, the ample alfresco socialising space, restaurant ‘kitchen’, swimming pool, outdoor fireplace, lounge seating, curated library and welcoming pet policy make it appealing to leisure visitors. Bedrooms are comfortable, practical, functional and elegant. This is one of 150 properties in Marriott’s AC portfolio and is found in the city’s downtown area across from the Sunnyvale Ponds.

For more than 90 years, this iconic hotel with its vibrant turquoise exterior on Ocean Avenue has been a crossroads of exceptional art, music, design, and gastronomy. Constructed in 1933, it quickly became a favoured haunt of Old Hollywood luminaries such as Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin. The renowned design firm, Fettle, has thoughtfully and innovatively revitalised the building, preserving its original Art Deco elements. Its 84 rooms, adorned in subtle yet elegant coastal hues with distinctive Deco features, offer guests breathtaking views of the ocean. The hotel boasts two exquisite dining establishments that delve into Italy’s opulent culinary traditions: The Georgian Room, an Italian steakhouse combined with a cocktail and piano bar known for its intimate ambience, and The Restaurant at The Georgian, managed by Chef David Almany, a beloved spot for brunch that features beautiful sea views.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles’ vibrant arts and entertainment district, Conrad Los Angeles is a 305-key urban retreat blending refined luxury with creative energy. Designed by the legendary Frank Gehry with interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners, the hotel is part of The Grand LA complex, steps from landmarks like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, and The Broad. Rooms and suites offer expansive city views, curated art, pale oak floors, and luxurious Byredo amenities. Dining is led by Chef José Andrés with three distinctive venues: San Laurel, a Spanish-Californian fine dining experience; The Beaudry Room, a stylish cocktail lounge with terrace; and Airlight, a rooftop bar and poolside escape. The hotel also houses the 7,000 sq ft Conrad Spa Los Angeles, offering advanced treatments, wellness technologies, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Art, architecture, and gastronomy converge here, offering guests a sophisticated take on modern LA living.

Displaying a slightly bohemian, artistic flair, the Parker Palm Springs takes on Morrocan, maritime, pop art and retro American influences in its styling. The design plays beautifully with colour in the spaces and bedrooms are filled with unique, eclectic collectables. Guests can find nooks and crannies among the two swimming pools (one for families) croquet lawns, bocce courts, fruit trees and herb gardens; lie in a hammock, play ping-pong, play tennis, sip on boozy fresh lemonade and dine in the two restaurants. Those arriving at the wellness centre – The Palm Springs Yacht Club – are furnished with white cotton terry robes, flip flops and a thimble of cucumber-infused vodka.

Previously named the best hotel in Los Angeles by readers of Travel + Leisure, this is the only hotel in the region to have received an AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star accolade every year since 1993. Offering an enhanced level of flexibility, check-in (and out) can be arranged at any time of the day or night as part of the brand’s Peninsula Time experience. Accommodating 195 rooms, suites and villas, it’s nestled in lush tropical gardens, with an additional rooftop garden home to a pool and dining area. The Peninsula is on Santa Monica Boulevard (an address made famous by Sheryl Crow’s song All I Wanna Do), which is a short walk to Rodeo Drive.

A four-star property situated on Sunset Boulevard’s lively strip, the Mondrian received a trendy makeover to the tune of 19 million dollars in 2019. Concrete and glass contribute to Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz’s bold design aesthetic, alongside whimsical features like the indoor swing and mushroom style reception desk. 237 soundproofed contemporary rooms are spread across 12 floors and a sleek swimming pool area is surrounded by teak decking. Seafood is the speciality at the hotel’s Herringbone Restaurant. Pets and children are welcome to stay here too.

For incredible views over Beverly Hills, head to the Altitude Pool and cocktail bar – in the summer, guests can take part in calming rooftop yoga by day and party with the Sounds Like Summer weekend DJ sessions by night. Seven categories of room are available in this large establishment (comprising a total of 297 bedrooms, 61 of which are suites). All of them come with a fully stocked minibar and Philippe Starck designer features. Its Ciel spa is one of the few in the city to offer the Biologique Recherche facial and anti-ageing treatments.