Best Luxury Hotels In California, USA 2024- The Luxury Editor

Best Luxury Hotels In California

The glamorous vibes of California attract the rich and famous, not least as this state is home to the international capital of movie-making, Hollywood, Los Angeles. The state manages to be simultaneously laid-back and perfectly polished, depending on where you choose to go. Come here to walk the steps of celebrities, get the Baywatch beach experience, enjoy a near-perfect climate, observe the latest trends in wellness, lifestyle, food and fashion, or to road trip the epic California coastline. Here are the hotels we recommend for your next west coast adventures.

Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms123 Rooms & Suites
MoreSituated in the Heart of Downtown Los Angeles

A brand that needs no introduction, The 123 bedroomed Ritz-Carlton offers a British touch. This family-friendly property stands on the edge of the city’s downtown district. An in-house WP24 Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck serves fancy Chinese cuisine – and is one of the places to be seen in the l...

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The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms395 Rooms & Suites, Including 137 Luxurious Suites
MoreSituated in Beverly Hills, Close to Rodeo Drive

In possession of a salubrious address, this hotel is found right across the road from Rodeo Drive. At the centre of the property, is the hotel’s Mediterranean-styled heated pool and dining terrace, providing an opportunity to quaff cocktails and soak up some rays from your own comfy cabana. Michelin-starred cuis...

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Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms170 Elegant Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated in the Heart of Beverly Hills, Close to High-End Shopping & Dining

Towering above the neighbouring properties with its 12 floors, the Waldorf Astoria cuts a striking presence on Beverly Hill’s Wilshire Boulevard. As you may expect, this means it has the most breathtaking views around. Seek out its rooftop deck offering 360 degrees vistas – it has a hot tub, bar, a saltwater pool and a restaur...

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Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

The West Hollywood EDITION

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms190 Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated in the Heart of West Hollywood Offering Easy Access to Sunset Boulevard

Located on Sunset Boulevard (a setting used by Billy Wilder for his 1950 movie by the same name), this glass-fronted hotel has a tiered, eco-friendly greenery-clad exterior. This was Edition’s first property on the West Coast, having opened in 2019 in collaboration with the Marriott group. It has 190 loft-like rooms w...

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The West Hollywood EDITION

Pasadena, California

The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms383 Rooms & Suites
MoreSituated in Downtown Los Angeles, Close to Major Attractions

A veteran of the LA hotel scene at over a century old, this grand hotel was rebuilt (to be earthquake-proof) in the 1980s. Flanked by the San Gabriel mountains, its 23 acres include Japanese gardens, a croquet lawn, a badminton area and an outdoor pool. Inside, guests can enj...

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The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms297 Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated in the Heart of Beverly Hills Close to Iconic Landmarks.

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...

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SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

Mondrian Los Angeles

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms236 Rooms & Suites, Including Skyline & Penthouse Suites with City Views
MoreLocated in the Heart of West Hollywood Near Major La Attractions

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 sw...

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Mondrian Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms195 Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated in Beverly Hills Near Rodeo Drive

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 th...

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The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Calistoga, California

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms85 Luxurious Accommodations, Including a Three-bedroom Villa with a Private Pool
AmenitiesFeatures a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, Spa with Holistic Treatments, Two Outdoor Pools, & a Fitness Centre
MoreLocated in Calistoga Amidst Picturesque Vineyards in Napa Valley

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 alfres...

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Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Rutherford, California

Auberge du Soleil

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms50 Luxurious Accommodations, Including Private Two-bedroom Maisons with Expansive Terraces
AmenitiesMichelin-Starred Dining, Casual Bistro & Bar, Full-service Spa with Soaking Pools & Hammam Steam Rooms, 24-hour Fitness Centre, Heated Outdoor Pool, Tennis Courts, & Exclusive Access to a Mercedes-benz Drive Program
MoreSet in the Picturesque Napa Valley, Offering an Adults-only Retreat with Panoramic Vineyard Views

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...

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Auberge du Soleil

Yountville, California

Bardessono Hotel and Spa

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms62 Luxurious Suites Including Private Villas with Plunge Pools
AmenitiesA Rooftop Pool, Fully Equipped Fitness Centre, Pet-friendly Amenities, On-site Organic Garden, & Sustainability Commitment with Leed Platinum Certification
MoreLocated in the Heart of Yountville, California, Near Napa Valley's Wineries & Dining

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 ...

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Bardessono Hotel and Spa

St. Helena, California

Alila Napa Valley

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
RoomsNo Data
AmenitiesNo Data
MoreNo Data

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 ...

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Alila Napa Valley

Napa, California

Carneros Resort and Spa

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms103 Private Accommodations, Including Standalone Cottages with Outdoor Showers & Gardens
AmenitiesDining Options Include a Fine-dining Farm Restaurant, a Casual Boon Fly Café, a Guest-exclusive Spa, a Fitness Centre, & Two Outdoor Pools, Including an Adults-only Infinity Pool with Vineyard Views
MoreLocated in Napa Valley's Carneros Region, Providing a Tranquil Retreat Amidst Rolling Vineyards

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 wond...

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Carneros Resort and Spa

Calistoga, California

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection

At a glance
Rooms89 Studios & 11 Suites with Private Patios
AmenitiesMichelin-Starred Restaurant, Spa with Geothermal Pools, Outdoor Pool, State-of-the-art Fitness centre

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 ...

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Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection

Rancho Mirage, California

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms244 Luxurious Rooms & Suites, Including Club Level Accommodations with Exclusive Lounge Access
AmenitiesDining Options Feature the Edge Steakhouse, a Comprehensive Spa with 16 Treatment Rooms, Two Outdoor Pools, Fitness Centre, Kids Club
MorePerched on a 650-foot Bluff Offering Panoramic Views of Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley

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 ...

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The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

Parker Palm Springs

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms144 Stylish Accommodations, Including Suites & Villas
MoreLocated on Thirteen Acres of Exclusive, Private Property

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 ...

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Parker Palm Springs

Palm Springs, California

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms153 Guestrooms & Suites with Expansive Mountain Views
AmenitiesMultiple Dining Options, Rooftop 4 Saints Restaurant, Rooftop Pool Experience
MoreLocated in the Heart of Downtown Palm Springs

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 h...

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Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

Carmel Valley, San Diego, California

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms249 Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated Near San Diego's Pacific Coast & Key Attractions Like Balboa Park & the San Diego Zoo

An award-winning championship golf course, a Forbes Five-Star spa (with its own custom organic product line), four heated pools, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor gyms and a Michelin starred restaurant are just some of the facilities you can take advantage of when checking in here. It has 249 ...

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Fairmont Grand Del Mar

La Jolla, San Diego, California

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms170 Rooms & Suites, Including the Torrey Pines Suite.
MoreSet Within the Scenic Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Inspired by the Pasedenan Gamble and Blacker houses, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is family-owned and run by locals. Leather, dark woods, crisp white linens and vintage touches play heavily in the decor aesthetic. 170 rooms include mini-bars, complimentary shoeshine service and toiletries featuring the hotel’s signature scent. The lodge is found on the 18th green of the Torr...

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The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Carlsbad, California

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms327 Rooms & Suites Including Park Suites & Ocean View Suites
MorePrime Location in Carlsbad Offering Stunning Views of the Pacific Ocean & Surrounding Landscapes

This Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond luxury resort has an enviable coastal location in a quiet neighbourhood, along with excellent amenities. There’s an 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course, first-rate tennis courts, a spa with 20 treatment rooms, an adult-only pool and cabanas, waterslides for the kid...

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Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

San Diego, California

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa

Hotel
(4 stars)

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 fro...

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The Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa

Downtown San Diego, San Diego, California

Pendry San Diego

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms317 Rooms & Suites
MoreLocated in the Heart of the Gaslamp Quarter Close to Major Attractions Like Petco Park & Balboa Park

Set downtown in the lively Gaslamp Quarter, this smart 12-storey hotel opened in 2017. Geared toward a young and trendy crowd, it has a stylish rooftop pool house (the place to party on summer nights), a chic cocktail bar, a nightclub, multiple restaurants, a beer hall, coffee bar, Moë...

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Pendry San Diego

Financial District, San Francisco, California

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero

Hotel
(5 stars)

Conveniently located just a short walk from Union Square, the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s wharf, the second Four Seasons hotel in San Francisco is a sky high urban retreat. With unparalleled panoramic views from the 11 floors of the 48-storey landmark building the hotel offers guests a choice of contemporary designed rooms and suites; from a deluxe city view room to a golden gate view corner suite. With a 24-hour fitness and business centre this hotel is as ...

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Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero

Nob Hill, San Francisco, California

InterContinental Mark Hopkins

Hotel
(4 stars)

This historic hotel boasts impressive period architecture and one of the best views over the city from its vantage point in the classy Nob Hill neighbourhood. Whilst the InterContinental preserves the luxurious atmosphere and stunning decor dating back to the 1920s, it’s recently undergone a multi-million dollar modernisation and restoration to ensure you ha...

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InterContinental Mark Hopkins

Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California

Hotel Drisco

Hotel
(5 stars)

Hotel Drisco, a sophisticated Edwardian building dating back to 1903, will impress you with its excellent service, luxury fittings and little perks like free bicycles to use during your stay. Guests have a distinctly San Franciscan experience here, staying in the friendly Pacific Heights neighbourhood nestl...

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Union Square, San Francisco, California

Hotel Zetta San Francisco

Hotel
(4 stars)

Located in the SoMa neighbourhood, the Hotel Zetta is perfectly situated in central San Francisco. This sleekly sophisticated modern hotel is the ideal place to stay while you take in the city. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, Hotel Zetta will not fail to impress with its unique blend of an elegant historic exterior and a sharp interior design showi...

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Hotel Zetta San Francisco

* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.

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