Best Luxury Hotels in California

The rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel envelop you in the beauty and charm of the San Franciscan Bay Area, with a palette of blue, grey and white bringing to mind the fog over the sparkling ocean. The Four Seasons Hotel is truly a sensuous oasis in the middle of busy San Francisco. Treat yourself to classic cocktails with a twist at the MKT Restaurant-Bar or take an exhilarating class in the superbly equipped fitness centre.

Voted the number one resort in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Pelican Hill has welcomed the likes of Kate Beckinsale. 332 bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom Tuscan-style villas (the latter provide access to a Villa Clubhouse) are set within over 500 acres of manicured grounds, boasting rattan furniture, wood-beam ceilings, deep soaking marble baths and limestone fireplaces. Guests can sun themselves on private cabanas beside the Roman-inspired Coliseum Pool, where 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles glow beneath the waters. All of this is surrounded by serene and protected green space.

Lido House, Autograph Collection occupies the site of the former City Hall and is now a beautiful boutique hotel which perfectly encapsulates an authentic beach house experience. It has a Cape Cod meets nautical feel, designed by Los Angeles-based architect Rob Sinclair and a five-storey lighthouse as part of its makeup. Comprising 130 stylish guest rooms, including five unique cottages with private roof terraces with BBQs. Dining takes place at the Mayor’s Table restaurant with its open kitchen, bar and glass-walled wine room, while outdoors guests can enjoy drinks at Topside, the only Newport Beach wine bar with a rooftop, it’s a sophisticated space with celebration-worthy views. Leisure facilities also include an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness centre and a Spa.

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.

Surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards and a backdrop of forests and mountains, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences offers a supreme location. It’s set on a highly esteemed vineyard in Calistoga and is brand new for November 2021. The resort has 85 bedrooms and suites and a stone spa sanctuary with the option of alfresco treatments using local mud. The dining offer includes Truss, with its signature farm-to-table dishes, a Californian-Mexican open-air eatery and a wine tasting room. There are two outdoor pools one of which is adults only and a programme of activities for younger guests, making it ideal for families wishing to relax together.

First imagined by the French restauranteur Claude Claude Rouas in the 1980s, this was the valley’s original fine-dining destination. Here hotel guests get a taste of Provence, surrounded by US wine country. There are 50 bedrooms at the property ranging from private Maisons to classic rooms. But of course, it’s the culinary offer that is the highlight at Auberge du Soleil. Three and four-course set menus are offered alongside five and six-course tasting menus – these are sensory experiences that excite the pallet. Meals are accompanied by French-inspired cocktails, bubbles from the tableside champagne cart and of course the extensive wine list. There’s also a bistro and bar for a more relaxed approach to mealtime, with stunning sunset views at the end of the day. Auberge du Soleil has been in receipt of a Michelin star for 14 consecutive years.

Palm trees stand sentinel at the end of the pool, with neatly arranged plush sun loungers and angular parasols in front of a mountainous backdrop creating an aesthetic that wouldn’t be out of place in – not so far away – Los Angeles. There are another six pools at Solage – one for kids and five geothermal pools in the spa. Rooms here have a calming, minimal feel and botanical toiletries, while some have outdoor patios with sofas, fire pits and hot tubs. Farm-fresh fine cuisine is served in the restaurant, with snacks and drinks available on the terrace during the day.

Housed in a range of what were originally farm structures, Carneros rocks a kind of sustainably-minded agricultural chic. The spa carries this theme, with earthy natural ingredients, as does its lounge-style restaurant, The Farm. An infinity pool provides a wonderful spot to soak in the countryside (it’s adults-only, so you can enjoy some peace and quiet – there’s another pool for families). Choose to stay in one of 86 cottages on-site, all with their own gardens, patios and decks with gas heaters and outdoor showers.

Located in St Helena, a stroll away from shops and restaurants, this Hyatt hotel is linked via a wooden footbridge to the prestige Beringer Vineyards. Book a room on one of the upper floors to take advantage of the best views over the winery and a suite, if you want a space the size of an entire apartment (with an expansive terrace). The gym has Peleton bikes, or you can use one of the hotel’s Trek bikes to get outdoors and there’s a small outdoor pool, set into a sleek terrace. Acacia House is Alila’s restaurant and it’s open to the public. Order small plates like burrata and tuna tartare, with mains including diver scallops with smoked pork belly, local McFarland’s spring trout and California burger.

Opened in 2009, this 62 room boutique hotel and spa are set on a five-acre site in Yountville. The brand is committed to sustainability with reusable materials, including salvaged wood, found throughout the property. Bardessono Hotel may be eco-friendly, but it’s nevertheless extremely luxurious. The rooms teem with natural light thanks to large picture windows, fountains bubble outside and art adorns the walls. It has a heated rooftop pool with a hot tub and gym, yoga classes and complimentary bike hire for those who wish to get active. Guests seeking the VIP treatment can book a steam spa suite with champagne soaking tubs and massage tables. Many rooms offer 100% Egyptian cotton linens, gas fireplaces, REN toiletries and iPads for use during the stay.

For a full-on beach (or boating) holiday, choose this 439 room resort on the Coronado Peninsula. It has its very own full-service 80-slip marina offering gondola rides, surf lessons and sunset cruises. And there’s a beach shuttle – although it is just a five-minute walk along a private path from the resort to the sandy shores. This location does mean it’s a little further out from San Diego, but still within a 20-minute taxi ride. Pet and family-friendly, the hotel has a programme of events for kids, a teen lounge, three pools and a global fusion restaurant to keep all palates happy.