Best Luxury Hotels in California

Found in the Montecito area of the city, this is a five-star hotel situated right on the beach — a rarity in Santa Barbara. Guests can arrive in the Rosewood’s chauffeur-driven open-top Rolls Royce — it has a personal touch, as indeed does the entire experience of staying here. The hotel looks more like a lavish New England home than a hotel and the service adds to this vibe. Both adults-only groups and families are catered for, with pools for each. There are outdoor hot tubs, a kids club, beach butlers, ball courts, shuffleboard games, two boutiques (including Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop) and a Sense Spa using local ingredients. Dining options include the popular Malibu Farm.

Run for the hills and you’ll find this Forbes Five-Star luxury hotel up there. It has 92 rooms, including private bungalows. The heated infinity-edged saltwater swimming pool is the ultimate in serenity, with stunning Pacific views (take a look through the hotel’s terrace-based telescope to spot whales and dolphins). An indoor-outdoor restaurant uses fruit, herbs and veg grown in the on-site kitchen garden, cheese made from the resident cow and home-brewed beer and coffee, as well as locally-sourced Santa Barbara delicacies. El Encanto also has a spa, is child and pet friendly and boasts artworks from creators such as Damien Hirst.

Holiday in 78-acres of Pacific side resort, at the Ritz-Carlton’s Santa Barbara address. The hotel has two beaches, three infinity-edge pools, a 42,000-sq-ft spa and five places to eat and drink; Angel Oak serves aged and prime steak cuts and has the deepest cellar in the city, ‘O’ Bar + Kitchen features Latin style sharing plates and market specials, while The Bistro (the hotel’s third main restaurant) focusses on sustainable seafood, with a terrace overlooking the adjacent ocean. Rooms come with sea or garden views and upgraded versions have their own patios complete with fires, private luxury poolside cabanas and two bedrooms.

Stars who’ve stayed here include Eva Longoria, Fearne Cotton, Julia Roberts, Christian Bale, Jennifer Aniston and Brangelina. Known as Hollywood’s Beach House, it was also used for scenes in the movie Something’s Gotta Give. Inside, there are artworks by the likes of Hockney, balconied bedrooms with four-poster beds and airy, barefoot luxury decor by one of the Obamas’ favourite designers. Outside, the pool faces directly onto the ocean, with a waterside cafe and bar. Guests can take private yoga classes, borrow bikes, book surf lessons, dine, sip cocktails in the Living Room and indulge at ONE spa.

Found on Wilshire Boulevard, this hotel is a short schlep to the beach. The rooftop pool deck (the only one on the Westside) is a feature, along with the Ayurvedic Surya Spa, lush garden terrace and the Balearic outdoor restaurant and bar with its chic cabanas. Earthy tones blend with a Scandi meets mid-century design vibe, that’s accented by creative artworks, murals and indoor palm trees. The Proper Hotel is deeply fashionable, with sushi, oysters, organic juices, biodynamic wines and small-batch mezcals found on the menus. Here you can start the day with a Greek Goddess yoghurt bowl and end it with prime flat iron steak.

An in-house Sisley Spa and prime waterfront setting will ensure you won’t want to leave the confines of this lavish Marina del Ray Ritz hotel. The pool – open 24 hours a day – looks out onto the wharf. For those wishing to stay active, there’s a gym and two tennis courts, with energetic kids occupied by dedicated children’s activities. The AAA Four Diamond resort contains 304 bedrooms (with the top two floors of Club Level rooms proffering the best views) and a restaurant with a trendy terrace area. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey is just 5 miles from LAX, so ideal for a pre or post-flight stopover.

Rising six floors (very high by Palm Springs standards), this artful Kimpton hotel has a rooftop pool area – which feels a little like a cruise liner – with a view of the downtown area. On arrival, guests are greeted by a double-height light-filled lobby, with huge windows and a huge macrame owl. Beyond this, there’s the orange celinged Juniper Tree restaurant, the top floor 4Saints dining room, a fireside Window Bar and a poolside High Bar. Valet parking, a house car for short journeys, free bicycle hire and use of yoga mats are all included in your stay.

Stay among the gated communities of Rancho Mirage, in this Ritz-Carlton property overlooking Coachella Valley — the hotel’s Edge Steakhouse offers some of the best vistas. The hotel opened in 1988 but has been modernised many times since. It has two restaurants serving seasonal dishes, two pools surrounded by plush exclusive cabanas and a high tech fitness centre. Its spa treatments take their inspiration from the surrounding land, using indigenous botanicals within the treatments. And guests can join yoga classes or request personal training sessions. Bedrooms exude a typical Palm Springs feel, with polished dark wood, offset by light-coloured soft furnishings.

With just 23 one and two-bedroom suites, The Clement offers a more intimate experience, but with resort benefits; most notably a gorgeous rooftop deck with a lap pool (seductively underlit after dark), a hot tub, cabanas and an open fire, overlooking the downtown. It’s all been arranged with impeccable taste; there are paintings by the likes of Emil Lukas, Frette robes, Nespresso machines and organic ODE bath products. Guests have access to a cosy living room with a stone fireplace, a business centre and a fitness room — and don’t worry if you forget your sunscreen, it’s complimentary here.

Occupying 16 acres, this 2009 build (renovated in 2020), has a more resort feel, with sprawling grounds incorporating courtyard gardens, a chic pool terrace and low-rise accommodation. It has 121 bedrooms and a Forbes Five Star rating. Guest amenities include a Sense Spa, an Alex Chases Salon and meeting rooms including a glittering 2,800-square-foot ballroom. Madera is the hotel’s signature restaurant, with a wood-burning kitchen cooking up Bay Area favourites and private dining areas. Additionally, there’s The Library & Bar for cocktails and light bites and The Pool Bar & Grill for snacks, sandwiches and smoothies.

Walking distance to Stanford and the station, and a short ride from the airport, this eight-storey hotel offers California-cool bedrooms with Italian linens and balconies, proffering views over the Santa Cruz mountains. Its construction includes the local redwood, with nature-themed interiors and suitably mod cons such as an onsite media lab. Nobu of course is internationally renowned for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, incorporating subtle South American flavours. And here you can devour its signature dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a boutique property with a more intimate feel, but guests can access the health club next door.

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.