The Hotel Guru
California
The 20 Best Luxury Hotels in California

The 20 Best Luxury Hotels in California

Sun-drenched, golden California, is known for its flash, from the bright lights of Hollywood, to the drama of the Northern California Coast and the treat-yourself-to-life attitude of California’s wine country. So this state is really rife with fantastically luxurious hotels. You’re spoilt for choice, whether you’re looking for luxury amongst the bright lights and the big city, along a hip stretch of sand, to relive the Hollywood golden age in the desert, or if you just want to eat and drink incredibly well in the Napa Valley. We’ve got some great recommendations for families too, and some great spa hotels. Hopefully we’ve picked out the perfect luxury hotel for you.

California’s Special Occasion Hotels

The Beverly Hills Hotel is a Los Angeles icon, and one that has played host to countless famous faces. This is luxury of the glamorous kind, with a red carpet and a grand foyer with pillars, the option of fine dining and suites with all the comforts of a home that features on the pages of House and Garden. It sprawls across 12 tropical acres of land off Sunset Boulevard, and with the facilities on offer there’s really no need to leave if you’re worried about being papped.
The Post Ranch Inn is in an incredible spot, perched on the edge of a cliff, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean… just outside Big Sur. The award-winning hotel restaurant overlooks this one-of-a-kind view, as do many of the 39 rooms and suites, both from their private deck and their private hot tubs. The Inn has three infinity pools, two spas, an a gym as well. The surrounding countryside is spectacular, and you’re close to the beach and several galleries. Or, if you choose to hang out at the hotel, they offer morning yoga and pilates, and tai chi and stargazing…
The Paramour Estate was a grand Hollywood mansion in smart Silver Lake, owned by various Hollywood elites, until it was converted into a nine suite boutique hotel. It still feels like old Hollywood, though; its pool courtyard comes complete with statuary, and its individually decorated rooms, with their antiques, treasures, and confident design choices. There’s no restaurant, but there are plenty to choose from nearby. This is your opportunity to live like a movie star…

Luxury City Breaks in California

There’s nowhere more central than the Four Seasons San Francisco, which occupies 12 beautiful floors of a 42 storey building in downtown San Francisco, right on Market Street, just around the corner from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. This is a Four Seasons Hotel, so you can expect ti usual elegant, contemporary decoration, marble-clad bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows. There’s complimentary access to the huge Equinox health club and an impressive steak and seafood restaurant, and of course hundreds of restaurants within walking distance. This is a good spot for families too, they really know how to make kids feel welcome here.
The Battery is another San Francisco recommendation, though the feel is very different: this hotel is part of a private members club, converted from an old sweet factory on Jackson Square, and has just 14 rooms and suites. The rooms are all different, but they’re all hip and contemporary, filled with vintage and custom made furniture, and objets worth looking at. And of course you get access to the members club facilities.
The Hotel Bel-Air is an elegant 1940s era hotel, dressed up as a Mediterranean villa, and surrounded by 18 ares of tropical garden occupying prime Bel-Air real estate. This is a popular celebrity haunt, but popular because its spacious suites are private, and it’s all very low key and relaxed, from its well considered European fusion restaurant run by Wolfgang Puck, to its outdoor pool, Turkish bath, and award-winning spa. The 103 rooms and suites are modern and stylish, and there’s good access to everything you need good access too.
The Viceroy Santa Monica is a glossy boutique hotel, right by the beach at Santa Monica. As the name suggests there’s a colonial feel to the decor, but in monochrome, and blended cleverly with cutting edge design. The pool area feels especially luxurious, with a smart cocktail bar and private cabana dining. And the hotel bar and lounge are popular night spots, and not just for guests.

Luxurious Beach Resorts

Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club is an exclusive ranch on the Malibu Coast, perfect if you fancy private beach club access, and boutique features. And if you want to go the whole way and pretend you have a private beach house with a private beach, you can book a whole bungalow or cottage, with a private patio and separate living space. All together there are 56 rooms, suites and bungalows, all effortlessly, and stylishly dressed, with lots of white, wood flooring, and designer touches.
Shutters on the Beach offers classic Santa Monica service and style, promising “luxury without the stuffy”, in a really gorgeous setting. This hotel has been on top hotel lists for a long time, and is well loved by certain celebrities, to the extent that ‘The One’ spa, owned by Ole Henriksen, has such a following that it buzzes for months before the Oscars. The decor is Californian cool in a nautical colour scheme with rattan furnishings in the 186 rooms and suites, and in the three gourmet restaurants, and the spa. There’s a private beach too.

The Most Romantic Luxury Hotels

The L'Horizon Resort & Spa was built in the 1950s as a big shot Hollywood retreat, but has morphed into a small, elegant boutique hotel. The incredible Palm Springs surrounds haven’t changed, neither have the low rise, bungalow-style rooms and huge windows. And the decor still references the 50s, but with a chic, monochrome spin. There’s a picturesque infinity pool, plus a fantastic restaurant and a an equally good spa. This feels like a wealthy friend’s luxurious home. But with a spa and restaurant on site!
If your idea of luxury includes dark velvets, gilt frames and antiques, the 12 room Mansion on Sutter in San Francisco might be ideal for you. This is a beautifully refurbished and redecorated mansion, where all the details have been considered, from the gold on the exterior, to the intricately tiled floor of the smallest bathroom. There’s no restaurant, but there are plenty in the vicinity, but there is a chic bar, a breakfast room, and a little gym.

California’s Best Luxury Escapes

The Chateau du Sureau looks like a castle or chateau, surrounded by pleasant European gardens, but its setting, in Yosemite country, is just beyond the green grass and the pool area. There are nine rooms and suites in this 19th century build, and the decorations are traditional, and in keeping with the original fireplaces and hard wood floors. There’s a library as well as a spa. And some of the rooms would suit a family.
Rosewood Cordevalle is a small, elegant and secluded golf resort in the Santa Cruz foothills. There are only 44 rooms and suites, but lots of public living space, so it feels both intimate and spacious. As well as having a choice of where to sit and relax, there’s also a choice of where to eat and drink, and the cuisine in all three restaurants comes highly recommended, as does the impressive wine list. There’s a pool to relax by, but the main draw is probably the golfing facilities, including the championship course, the pro-shop and fitness centre. But it’s family friendly too.

California’s Top Spa Hotels

The Bardessono Hotel & Spa prides itself on being both luxurious and eco-friendly. Located in Yountville, in the heart of the Napa Valley, this hotel is clever. Its 62 spacious rooms and suites are designed like private spas, heated geothermally — both the rooms and the water — and there are solar panels to provide the rest of the hotel’s energy. As well as the innovative architecture and design there’s an obvious focus on wine too, with an exceptional wine list and regular tastings.
The Napa Valley’s Solage Calistoga bills itself as an ‘adult playground’, but we think it’s more peaceful than a playground, what with the huge spa with its impressive array of treatments, its pool and cool, relaxed bar, its fussy-foodie-friendly restaurants, and its saunas and hot tubs. And proximity to the vineyards, and complimentary bikes for exploring the area. The decor is simple, and lets the surrounds do the impressing, but they have everything you need. Plus family suites.

Luxurious Wine Country Retreats

The Auberge du Soleil is a fantastically rural-esque escape, deep in California’s wine country, just outside St. Helena. It’s ‘rural-esque’ because it looks wonderfully simple, like a collection of treehouses and cottages poking out over the olive trees that surround the resort, but this is just the look. Inside, as well as all the charm of rural features, these 50 rooms and suites are seriously luxurious. The best have views over the valley, and the gorgeous pool area. This resort started out as a restaurant, and the food is still one of the main draws, and the accompanying 15,000 strong wine cellar.
The Kenwood Inn & Spa is a small, romantic escape in the heart of wine country. The exterior has a Spanish vibe, though the hotel’s excellent restaurant is Italian. And the 29 individually decorated rooms and suites have an Italian feeling too, some of them Tuscan-villa chic, some contemporary-Milan. All with beautiful, designer bathrooms, and most with open fires too. This is an excellent base for exploring the region’s wineries — you can reach some on foot, and others are only a short cycle away. There’s also a courtyard with a pool and spa to relax in afterwards.
Set on 258 acres of vineyards in the Sonoma Wine Country, the Montage Healdsburg is one of this list's most state-of-the-art properties, with fresh-feeling architecture that features a lot of glass, clean lines, and clever angles that give the impression that most of the rooms are sitting amongst vineyards with only a few neighbours, rather than the 130 rooms and suites the hotel actually has. The spa is state-of-the-art too, and there’s a beautiful pool area which also overlooks the vineyards, and a French-inspired fine dining restaurant.

Luxury Hotels for the Whole Family

The Rosewood Miramar Beach is a beach resort right on Miramar Beach, in that it has terraces and balconies that hover over the sand. This hotel is simply luxurious; it has all the valuable elements of luxury, including superb service and surrounds, but none of the ‘fluff’. There are 161 rooms and suites, including family suites, and all of them are light and airy, with huge marble bathrooms — the best have private terraces and balconies too. There’s a relaxed family pool area, a private adults pool, and a choice of three innovative cocktail bars, plus the Malibu Farmer restaurant.
The San Ysidro Ranch sits above Santa Barbara, looking out over the city to the Pacific Ocean. It’s sprawling, but low rise, with a romantically rustic, traditional touch to the decor — which includes four-poster beds and private hot tubs. There are just 41 suites and cottages, all of them luxurious and intimate, with outdoor rain showers. The restaurant specialises in locally sourced produce (some sourced as locally as the hotel’s huge vegetable patch). Even though it all sounds super romantic, it’s also a great place for families, because there’s just so much space and so much to do.

Still not sure where to book?

You could browse our recommendations for California Hotels?
Or refine your search to just the best luxury hotels in San Francisco? or Palm Springs?
or check out our recommendations for where to stay in Los Angeles?
or the best hotels on the North California Coast? there’s a lot of ways you could refine this search!
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.
- Four Seasons San Francisco San Francisco (SoMa) 277 rooms from CA$1178
  
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  Total relaxation  -  With access to one of the city's most exclusive health clubs, Equinox, this is an indulgent choice
  City Style  -  A contemporary hotel offering all the usual five-star trimmings and a very exclusive feel
  Sights nearby  -  Make a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and marvel at the astounding feat of engineering
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A five-star offering occupying 12 floors of a 42 storey building in downtown San Francisco. Rooms are sleek and contemporary with floor to ceiling windows and marble-clad bathrooms. The steak and seafood restaurant is a smart spot and access to the exclusive Equinox health club is a real bonus. See More
  
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- The Battery San Francisco (North Beach) 14 rooms from CA$757
  
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  City Style  -  With designer interiors and an unbeatable location beside the financial district, book this hotel for sleek San Francisco style
  Local exploring  -  This hotel is perfecty placed for local exploring, with the city's attractions within easy walking distance
  Spa breaks  -  The club is home to a hideaway urban spa, complete with a sauna, steam room and treatment rooms
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith
  
  This exclusive hotel is nestled within a private members' club in San Francisco. Housed in a former sweet factory on Jackson Square, inside, guestrooms have exposed red brick walls styled with custom and vintage pieces by Fulk. Enjoy access to the club's first-class facilities during your stay. See More
  
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- Mansion on Sutter San Francisco (Pacific Heights) 12 rooms from CA$604
  
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  Total relaxation  -  Excellent organic wines, suites with in-room tubs, and a gym to stress bust - the perfect combination for a relaxing stay
  Luxury  -  San Francisco's only five-star Victorian mansion hotel
  Sights nearby  -  A trip to marvel at Golden Gate Bridge is a real must on any trip to the city
  
  A five-star Victorian mansion offering 12 chic rooms. Interiors are period-inspired with dark-hued velvet furnishings, intricately tiled floors and antiques. Thoughtful added touches such as in-room baths (in some suites), a smart gym, and organic wines really elevate this B&B to luxury status. See More
  
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- Shutters on the Beach Santa Monica (California) 186 rooms from CA$748
  
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  Beach Life  -  With its stunning beachfront location, you can't be better placed to enjoy both city and beach.
  Great walks  -  Grab a gelato and take a stroll down the popular Third Street Promenade.
  Sailing  -  Can be booked nearby.
  Views  -  Great views from hotel
  
  A stylish beachfront property providing the ultimate low key luxury stay in Santa Monica. With three gourmet restaurants, a spa, fitness centre, pool and private beach there is no end to the ways you can relax and unwind. Rooms are classic California cool design with nautical colours and balconies. See More
  
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- Kenwood Inn & Spa Kenwood, California 29 rooms from CA$504
  
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  Kayaking - Hot days are geared for kayaking on the Russian River.
  Romantic - Good for couples.
  Outstanding location
  Full of character
  
  Romantic getaway in the heart of Wine Country has a pool, welcoming fireplaces and spa treatments for days. Large Italian style rooms - contemporary, yet cosy, with designer bathrooms. Dine at the hotel for Italian cuisine or the many local eateries. Explore the wineries by foot, bicycle or horse. See More
  
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- Auberge du Soleil St Helena (California) 50 rooms from CA$1020
  
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  Sights nearby  -  Napa Museum is small but worth a visit - exhibits local artists.
  Local markets  -  V Market has it all - food, wine, shops & entertainment.
  Tennis  -  Tennis court in the grounds.
  Designer  -  Uniquely designed interiors.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  The breathtaking views, olive groves and outstanding restaurant are reason enough to stay but add a pool, spa and prime location and you have the perfect A luxury boutique hotel. Rooms are luxurious from the linens to the bath soaps. 15,000 strong wine cellar, a renowned restaurant across the valley See More
  
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- Rosewood CordeValle San Martin, California 44 rooms from CA$1257
  
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  Active Holiday  -  This is a golfer's resort first and foremost with a 7,169-yard championship course, but there is also tennis, biking and hiking
  Golf  -  This resort boasts a prestigious championship golf course, a pro-shop, a fitness centre and a reputaton among serious golfers
  Great walks  -  Those hoping to make the most of this picturesque scenery should hike the CordeValle trail or the Vintner’s trail
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Kiwi Collection
  
  A secluded and elegant golfer's resort in the Santa Cruz foothills. Classic luxury rooms offer wooden accents, stone fireplaces, original artworks and stunning views. The cuisine is phenomenal no matter which restaurant you choose, and the wine list is as flawless as one would expect. See More
  
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- Solage Calistoga Calistoga (California) 89 rooms from CA$1119
  
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  Great walks  -  A range of walking, jogging and biking trails.
  Sights nearby  -  Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park.
  Full of character
  Barefoot Luxury  -  For total relaxation.
  
  This 'Adult playground' is in the heart of Napa Valley with pool, spa and bicycles to explore. Rooms are modern with Italian linens and stone showers. Spa offers a wide array of treatments with sauna and hot tub. Solbar offers meals and cocktails using garden produce. Great relax spot! See More
  
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- San Ysidro Ranch Santa Barbara (California) 41 rooms from CA$915
  
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  Great walks  -  Explore the grounds.
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  Views  -  Great views from hotel
  Outstanding location
  
  This romantic ranch sits in 500 acres with Pacific Ocean views, a pool and private hot tubs. Cottages and suites are luxurious, intimate and with outdoor rain showers. The Stonehouse uses locally sourced produce. Family and pets are welcome to this adventure haven. See More
  
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- Montage Healdsburg Healdsburg 130 rooms from CA$1119
  
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  Country Escape  -  A luxury escape set in 258 acres of rolling vineyards and oak tree groves
  Spa breaks  -  The state-of-the-art spa serves up an array of nature-inspired treatments
  Families  -  Well crafted immersive children's activites
  Foodies  -  Fine dining paired with wines of the region
  
  A luxury rural escape set in 258-acres of vineyards in Sonoma Wine Country. State-of-the-art architecture is sleek and minimalist with clean lines and plenty of glass. A spoiling spa and French-inspired fine dining restaurant complete the picture at this indulgent stay. See More
  
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- The Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles (Beverly Hills) 208 rooms from CA$980
  
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  Writing a novel  -  Or a screen play... Plenty have been written here already!
  City Style  -  The most stylish address in Los Angeles
  Romantic Break  -  The perfect place to spoil a loved one
  Sights nearby  -  Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Roxy Theatre, Mel's Diner, The Chinese Theatre: all worth a visit
  
  An icon. Countless famous faces have graced its corridors; and it remains a place to see and be seen. Sprawled across twelve acres of tropical grounds guests needn't leave. From fine dining at The Polo Lounge to 1950s glamour at the Fountain Café or poolside lunches at Cabana Café. An utter treat. See More
  
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- Hotel Bel-Air Los Angeles (Bel Air) 103 rooms from CA$849
  
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  Foodies  -  The restaurant is run by Wolfgang Puck known for his European fusion dishes.
  Hideaway  -  On 18 acres of land in the heart of Bel Air district of LA.
  Spa breaks  -  The five star La Prarie spa continues to win awards
  Great walks  -  Hollywood Walk of Fame for some star spotting.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  Heart of Bel-Air in 18 acres of garden lies this 1946 Mediterranean inspired villa known for its famous clientele, spa facilities and European fusion restaurant. Rooms are modern, spacious and comfortable. Guests have access to an outdoor pool, gym and Turkish bath. A prime and beautiful location. See More
  
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- The Paramour Estate Los Angeles (Silver Lake) 9 rooms from CA$658
  
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  City Style  -  An oppurtunity to live like a movie star - home to an actor and heiress - the design is avant garde and the postcode unbeatable
  Sights nearby  -  Wander through the area and admire the modernist architecture
  Swimming Pool  -  Outdoor pool
  Adult Only
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Tablet
  
  A grand mansion, owned by Hollywood elite, offering a unique stay in a smart Silver Lake postcode. Each of the suites are individually styled, effectively mixing colours, patterns, and antiques to produce a unique and luxurious stay. There's no restaurant but there is plenty of choice nearby. See More
  
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- Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club Malibu (CA) 56 rooms from CA$865
  
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  Local exploring  -  Set in the verdant plains of the Malibu wine country, this hotel is perfectly placed for local vineyard exploring
  Romantic Break  -  Couples love the romantic private suites at this hotel; book a couples' massage for a romantic evening in
  Beach Life  -  With an exclusive beach club within the resort, this hotel is perfect for a relaxing seaside getaway
  Barefoot Luxury  -  For total relaxation.
  
  This hotel is located on an exclusive ranch on the Malibu coast in California. Guestrooms blend rustic fittings with boutique furniture for a luxury home feel; book a bungalow for a private patio and separate living space. Unwind at the VIP beach club after a wine tasting; a chic country stay. See More
  
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- Viceroy Santa Monica Santa Monica 170 rooms from CA$716
  
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  City Style  -  The chic choice- champagne upon arrival, in room spa services, avant guarde interiors, hip bar and penthouse suites.
  Chic  -  Trendy-chic with cutting edge designs.
  Swimming Pool  -  Luxury Outdoor Pool
  Lively  -  Hip and happening.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Frommers, Kiwi Collection, Mr & Mrs Smith
  
  A glossy beach boutique hotel with a colonial atmosphere and cutting edge designs. Chic white furniture and beautiful sea views. Luxury pool area with private cabana lounging. Smart cocktail bar and elegant lounge. A lively destination near the beach - the hotel bar is a hotspot. See More
  
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- Rosewood Miramar Beach Santa Barbara (California) 161 rooms from CA$942
  
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  Beach Life  -  Take advantage of the hotel's complimentary chairs & umbrellas, beach butler, beach toys and sports activity equipment
  Families  -  From children's spa services, beach games, kids menus and a special tailored program, children will not be kept busy!
  Total relaxation  -  Relax in the spa, by the pool or on the beach
  Spa  -  Sense spa the only Forbes Five-Star spa in Santa Barbara. Treatments focus on healing traditions and using native plants
  
  A luxury family-friendly hotel situated right on Miramar beach. Rooms are elegant and light with incredible marble bathrooms. Spend a day relaxing by the beach, spa or pool. A choice of three bars serve innovative cocktails and the cuisine is farm-to-table. Beach perfection. See More
  
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- L'Horizon Resort & Spa Palm Springs 25 rooms from CA$630
  
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  Total relaxation  -  A feeling of a posh friend's luxurious home, with indulgent spa treatments, a saltwater pool and beautifully arranged suites
  Great walks  -  There are loads of fantastic hikes and trails within reach of the resort, book tours through Indian Canyons Hiking Trails
  Restrictions on children  -  All guests must be 21 or over
  Swimming Pool  -  Outdoor pool
  
  A 1950's big shot Hollywood private retreat, turned effortlessly into an elegant boutique resort. Steve Hermann has worked his magic on the interior- think vintage furnishings, exposed beam ceilings and luxurious Frette sheets. With a fantastic restaurant, knockout spa and a central infinity pool. See More
  
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- Bardessono Hotel and Spa Yountville 62 rooms from CA$680
  
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  Wine tasting  -  Walking distance to a number of estates, vineyards and wineries. Complimentary wine tasting in hotel.
  Restaurant  -  Field to fort cuisine with most ingredients sourced from the property's own kitchen garden
  Private Hot Tub  -  Suites have spa baths in bathrooms
  Swimming Pool  -  Rooftop outdoor pool
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  A hotel that proves you can have luxury as well as an eco-friendly ethos. Geothermal systems heat the rooms and spa, whilst solar panels provide almost all of the hotel’s energy. Spacious bathrooms are designed as private spas and the restaurant favours organic ingredients and weekly wine tasting. See More
  
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- Post Ranch Inn Big Sur 39 rooms from CA$1086
  
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  Views  -  Over the Pacific Ocean.
  Great walks  -  Point Lobos State Reserve and others treks are trails loved treks.
  Private Hot Tub  -  Many of the suites have a private hot tub on the deck
  Surfing  -  Pfeiffer Beach is only one mile away.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, I Escape, Tablet
  
  1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean stands, a romantic getaway with modern, spacious rooms. Mind blowing views and hot tubs come as standard with access to 3 infinity pools, 2 spas, a gym and an award-winning restaurant. Big Sur is a great base for trekking and photography. The perfect intimate spot! See More
  
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