The upscale Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa is renowned for its natural mineral springs and glamorous Hollywood past (it was a rumored hideout of Al Capone's). Originally built in 1930 as a private, gated resort on 77 acres, the current owners completed a multimillion dollar renovation in 2014 that gutted the 70 rooms, refreshed the grotto and pool, and brought a farm-to-table restaurant. The Grotto rooms still maintain some of their vintage details, notably in the bathrooms, while the Solstice rooms are modern and sleek. The spa has everything from mud baths to watsu pools. Grounds include hiking trails, lakes, and a walking labyrinth. A dedicated yoga dome, tennis courts, lap pool, and fitness center highlight the resort's emphasis on a healthy Californian lifestyle. Watch out for a daily resort fee and remember that bug sightings come standard with any natural, outdoor property. Signs asking guests to speak in a whisper and no kids allowed add to the overall zen-like quality of this eclectic and relaxing resort.
The upscale Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa is renowned for its natural mineral springs and glamorous Hollywood past (it was a rumored hideout of Al Capone's). Originally built in 1930 as a private, gated resort on 77 acres, the current owners completed a multimillion dollar renovation in 2014 that gutted the 70 rooms, refreshed the grotto and pool, and brought a farm-to-table restaurant. The Grotto rooms still maintain some of their vintage details, notably in the bathrooms, while the Solstice rooms are modern and sleek. The spa has everything from mud baths to watsu pools. Grounds include hiking trails, lakes, and a walking labyrinth. A dedicated yoga dome, tennis courts, lap pool, and fitness center highlight the resort's emphasis on a healthy Californian lifestyle. Watch out for a daily resort fee and remember that bug sightings come standard with any natural, outdoor property. Signs asking guests to speak in a whisper and no kids allowed add to the overall zen-like quality of this eclectic and relaxing resort.
A popular ocean-front hotel in La Jolla Cove, Pantai Inn is a beautiful Balinese-themed property right across from the boardwalk. The upper-middle-range hotel has 30 rooms, with atmospheric touches like floral couches, carved headboards, and bamboo chairs. In-room amenities include sea-facing balconies, mini-fridges, microwaves, and fireplaces. The inn's free breakfast earns good reviews from guests, and there's a free laundry service. Guests can also make use of an outdoor space with barbecue grills and a fireplace. But apart from that, there aren't many on-site features. Travelers looking for more features should check out the San Diego Marriott La Jolla, which has an outdoor heated pool, three restaurants, and a bar with an outdoor patio.
A popular ocean-front hotel in La Jolla Cove, Pantai Inn is a beautiful Balinese-themed property right across from the boardwalk. The upper-middle-range hotel has 30 rooms, with atmospheric touches like floral couches, carved headboards, and bamboo chairs. In-room amenities include sea-facing balconies, mini-fridges, microwaves, and fireplaces. The inn's free breakfast earns good reviews from guests, and there's a free laundry service. Guests can also make use of an outdoor space with barbecue grills and a fireplace. But apart from that, there aren't many on-site features. Travelers looking for more features should check out the San Diego Marriott La Jolla, which has an outdoor heated pool, three restaurants, and a bar with an outdoor patio.
This 300-room Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, literally an L.A. landmark, combines the shimmer of silver-screen history with a cutting-edge party scene centered around its multiple bars and massive pool. A terrific casual restaurant is open 24 hours, and service is surprisingly good. The rooms, though well designed, are smaller than average for L.A.
This 300-room Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, literally an L.A. landmark, combines the shimmer of silver-screen history with a cutting-edge party scene centered around its multiple bars and massive pool. A terrific casual restaurant is open 24 hours, and service is surprisingly good. The rooms, though well designed, are smaller than average for L.A.
Located steps from Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is a quirky, unpretentious 40-room hotel with simple, spacious rooms, an exhaustive list of free perks (Wi-Fi, breakfast, minibar treats), access to the exclusive Magic Castle club next door, and exceptional service. Overall, it's a terrific value and one of L.A.'s hidden gems.
Located steps from Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is a quirky, unpretentious 40-room hotel with simple, spacious rooms, an exhaustive list of free perks (Wi-Fi, breakfast, minibar treats), access to the exclusive Magic Castle club next door, and exceptional service. Overall, it's a terrific value and one of L.A.'s hidden gems.
Nestled on 160 acres of thick redwood forests abutting the ocean, the adults-only Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort looks like a rustic cabin -- yet it features luxurious, streamlined rooms and impressive facilities. Chic rooms have wood and leather accents, upscale bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, and high-end amenities. All units feature spacious balconies or patios with views, and many have fireplaces, creating a cozy retreat vibe to fit with its surroundings. Glamping facilities are also available here, complete with high-end canvas tents, luxe shared showers with heated floors, and fire pits. The overall goal of the hotel is to create a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two heated outdoor pools (one of which offers ocean views). The restaurant offers local cuisine with a view, but some guests have complained that portions are small and overpriced. Overall, this is one of the area’s most impressive properties, with only the Post Ranch Inn surpassing it in terms of luxury.
Nestled on 160 acres of thick redwood forests abutting the ocean, the adults-only Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort looks like a rustic cabin -- yet it features luxurious, streamlined rooms and impressive facilities. Chic rooms have wood and leather accents, upscale bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, and high-end amenities. All units feature spacious balconies or patios with views, and many have fireplaces, creating a cozy retreat vibe to fit with its surroundings. Glamping facilities are also available here, complete with high-end canvas tents, luxe shared showers with heated floors, and fire pits. The overall goal of the hotel is to create a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two heated outdoor pools (one of which offers ocean views). The restaurant offers local cuisine with a view, but some guests have complained that portions are small and overpriced. Overall, this is one of the area’s most impressive properties, with only the Post Ranch Inn surpassing it in terms of luxury.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
It's no wonder royalty, A-list celebrities, and athletes keep returning to the luxury Calistoga Ranch: It's in a class all by itself. Guests rent exquisite private lodges, set on a private 157-acre park-like property complete with hiking trails and a top-of-the-line restaurant and spa. Attention to detail carries over from room design to landscape planning -- all modules for the lodges were flown in by helicopter to minimize impact on surrounding trees and to maximize privacy. The property boasts plenty of activities, including outdoor yoga, a beautiful heated outdoor pool, a bocce court, a fabulous fitness center, and wine tasting seminars. If guests decide to venture out for some reason, they can easily access downtown Calistoga and other towns with not only loaner bikes, but loaner Mercedes-Benzes! This property stands out as one of the most remarkable not just in Napa Valley but in the entire country.
It's no wonder royalty, A-list celebrities, and athletes keep returning to the luxury Calistoga Ranch: It's in a class all by itself. Guests rent exquisite private lodges, set on a private 157-acre park-like property complete with hiking trails and a top-of-the-line restaurant and spa. Attention to detail carries over from room design to landscape planning -- all modules for the lodges were flown in by helicopter to minimize impact on surrounding trees and to maximize privacy. The property boasts plenty of activities, including outdoor yoga, a beautiful heated outdoor pool, a bocce court, a fabulous fitness center, and wine tasting seminars. If guests decide to venture out for some reason, they can easily access downtown Calistoga and other towns with not only loaner bikes, but loaner Mercedes-Benzes! This property stands out as one of the most remarkable not just in Napa Valley but in the entire country.
At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.
At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.
This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.
This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.