With businesses and hotels beginning to reopen their establishments, people around the world are excited to return to their life of leisure and travel. Anyone sensible, though, will want to choose their destinations carefully. In particular, places offering the safety and privacy necessary for these trying times.
If you’re still in the planning phase of your trip and prefer to stay somewhere a little more luxurious, we’ve got the selection for you. Live your California dream with these eight high-end accommodation options.
1. Ventana, Big Sur
Ventana combines everything you want out of Big Sur in one neat package. This retreat has a convenient location where you can discover the area’s famous redwood forests, beaches, and mountainsides.
The rooms are all decked out with fireplaces and hot tubs for guests to enjoy. What’s more, the private balconies and patios provide a secluded place to take in the natural scenery to your heart’s content.
For those who prefer a more outdoor feel, the hotel offers camping accommodations. The resort has 15 private tents set in a wooded canyon, but don’t let the “camp” part of the name fool you. The hotel outfits each one with fire pits, lighting, and plush beds. It comes with a daily turn-down and housekeeping services, much like their indoor accommodations.
Anyone looking for rejuvenation will likely enjoy the Japanese baths or the Spa Alila. Art enthusiasts should visit the Glass House Gallery, which showcases work done by local artists. The Sur House restaurant offers guests local ingredients from nearby fisheries and farms.
2. Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai
The Ojai Valley Inn spreads across 220 beautiful acres of the coastal valley. This mission-style establishment, with its terra-cotta roofs and white stucco walls, creates a dreamy environment of isolated relaxation.
Guests have a wealth of room options from which to choose. Those going on a romantic date will appreciate the privacy provided by the hotel’s luxurious penthouses. These accommodations are right inside the Spa Ojai, where guests can try the sound therapy treatments or the Himalayan salt stone massages. The Wallace Neff Rooms are some of Ojai Valley Inn’s oldest lodgings, and they offer the relaxed, classic glamour of a bygone era.
3. Quail Lodge, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel’s Quail Lodge is a golfer’s dream, but you don’t need to be a golfing enthusiast to enjoy this luxury hotel. The establishment hosts an impressive 18-hole golf course that features short grass areas, grass swales, and flat greens. Beginners can take classes at the golf academy to hone their skills with expert help. The hotel itself features 93 rooms with beautiful designs inspired by a combination of Spanish colonial and old California ranches.
Take a break from golf and have a go at the bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and a heated swimming pool. Guests who want a bit more action can sign up at the Off-Road Land Rover Experience Driving School. After partaking in all that physical activity, wind down at sample the local restaurant’s dishes or drink at the Waypoint Bar & Deck.
4. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, Palm Springs
Like a hidden oasis in the middle of the desert, the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel combines urban comforts with nature’s charm. Guests can take their pick of the available 152 suites and rooms, most of which have a fireplace and a minibar.
The rooftop bar and pool are a great place to enjoy the view with a drink in hand. This establishment has two on-site restaurants that feature seasonal dishes inspired by local ingredients. Those who need a good workout can visit the 24-hour fitness center and use their spa service to unwind afterward.
5. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
The Post Ranch Inn lets Big Sur’s natural surroundings shine, with its organic architecture and rustic-luxe themes. The spacious rooms that overlook the mountains or ocean come equipped with in-floor heating, wood fireplaces, hot tubs, and outdoor showers.
The activities offered by the hotel are also nature-inspired. From daily yoga and outdoor spa treatments to horseback riding and stargazing, there’s plenty to do while enjoying the open air. Those who love a good view will appreciate the establishment’s clifftop restaurant and pools. Golfing enthusiasts, on the other hand, will have a great time at the Ojai Country Club.
6. Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, Rancho Santa Fe
Travel back in time to the Spanish Colonial era in Rancho Santa Fe. This hacienda-inspired hotel offers individually cooled and heated rooms, complete with fireplaces and spacious patios. Everything overlooks the 45-acre land teeming with citrus groves and lush gardens.
Amenities include pools, restaurants and bars, and a whopping 15 tennis courts for guests to enjoy. The resort activities are numerous, but the trip won’t be complete without visiting the nearby beaches less than 20 minutes away.
7. Inn Above Tide, Sausalito
The Inn Above Tide is a luxury retreat that provides a magnificent view of the San Francisco Bay. These hotel rooms feature decks, fireplaces, and panoramic bay views (with in-house binoculars). Guests receive a daily wine and cheese reception and an expansive continental breakfast.
A ferry ride showcasing the beauty of San Francisco is just a short walk from the establishment. With such a convenient location, guests can easily stroll through Sausalito’s many shops, restaurants, and galleries. Anyone staying at Inn Above Tide can also add Napa or Sonoma to their itinerary, both being a short drive north.
8. Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara
This hotel is rightly named “Encanto,” which is Spanish for charm. Despite its nearby proximity to the downtown area, this upscale resort provides an isolated feel that’s perfect for anyone looking for a peaceful getaway.
Love to work out? The establishment’s fitness studio comes equipped with Technogym exercise bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills. The hotel also offers cardio classes each day. Those who want to relax can hang out by the infinity pool overlooking the beautiful Santa Barbara coast.
With two on-site restaurants, guests have plenty of dishes from which to choose. The Terrace and the Dining Room both showcase the local ingredients, which include cheese and herbs obtained from the hotel’s garden and resident cow.
