America is exceptionally good at ‘big’ and ‘luxurious’, and Southern California is a great place to prove that statement, over and over and over again. You can find it on the glamorous streets of Los Angeles; on the glorious sunny, sandy beaches of Malibu, Venice Beach and Santa Monica; in amongst the wineries and Spanish-style architecture of the Santa Barbara region; and even in the sweepingly spectacular desert regions around Palm Springs, the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, and the Joshua Tree National Park. Our Hotel Gurus have discovered luxury in both the places they expected it, and in places where they didn’t, so if you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Southern California, this list is a really excellent place to start your search. Instead of categorising by location, they’ve picked their favourites by landscape and guest type, so we have recommendations for luxury beach hotels, and family friendly luxury hotels in Southern California — plus those in urban or desert landscapes. Use our guide and start planning your luxury getaway.
For Luxury By the Ocean
- L'Auberge del Mar overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the edge of the picturesque village of Del Mar. There’s a whiff of the nautical in the creamy decor, and the best rooms and suites of the 120 have ocean views. The treatments in the spa focus on the healing power of the ocean too; plus there’s a private walking trail from the hotel to the beach, complimentary beach gear and a beach valet in season.
- Sitting very pretty atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific, Terranea is a huge resort hotel, just 30minutes from LA. The views are spectacular from pretty much every room, suite and villa — the hotel is perfectly positioned on a tiny peninsula amid 102 acres, and most rooms have a sea-facing window. Great for relaxing, but also perfect for snorkelling, diving, sailing, playing golf, horseback riding etc..
In the Desert
- La Serena Villas is a collection of just 18 stylish villas, in one of the trendiest parts of Palm Springs. Outside might be the desert and bright lights of this fun area, but inside is an oasis of calm privacy, geared up for sun-drenched relaxation. There’s a beautiful spa onsite, and the Mediterranean restaurant is worth staying in for. After which you might want to spend the evening on the roof terrace watching the rest of the world go by…
For Urban Luxury
- The name Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury the world over, but add Waldorf Astoria to Beverly Hills and you’ve got yourself and exceptionally poised hotel stay. There are 170 elegant rooms and suites, the best with private terraces, but all of them with fantastic views, and a rooftop terrace with a restaurant, bar and saltwater pool. The marrying of timeless Art Deco elegance with all the mod. cons. really defines luxury.
- For when big and grand is best, you need the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, a wonderfully grand hotel in all the senses of the word. Prestigious from the spa to the restaurant, this is a hotel that can be as lavish or understated as your tastes prefer — there are around 400 rooms and suites, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to size as well as style. The location, between Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, is unbeatable.
- Big but cool, the Pendry San Diego in the Gaslight District, is a great base for eating well, seeing the sights, and enjoying the nightlife. In luxury. The hotel has six bars and restaurants, including one on the roof — where you’ll also find a pool and spa. Expect fantastic views and plenty of space.
For Rural Luxury
- The San Ysidro Ranch is a collection of just 40 suites and cottages on 500 acres of Pacific Ocean-view land. Spacious and private, the accommodation feels intimate and luxurious, and features outdoor rain showers and four poster beds. The ranch also welcomes families — because they have enough space to give everyone the perfect holiday.
- Set on 200 acres of beautiful landscape between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Ojai Valley Inn is a large, but relaxed retreat. There’s so much space here that you might feel entirely alone as you stroll through the lush gardens of the grounds, but there are also around 240 rooms, suites and villas. That means the choice of facilities is excellent, and the cocktail bars and restaurants have a cheerful, holiday buzz. The kids club is an added bonus.
For Couples
- Santa Monica’s Casa del Mar is a stylish guesthouse-style hotel with 129 airy rooms and suites. The hotel is right up against the sand of Santa Monica Beach, so the pool, and the majority of rooms have sea views, and you’re close to the pier. Interiors feature dark wood and white linen, and there are eclectic objets d’art to make each room feel entirely original. All the suites have a spa bath with a view.
- The Chateau at Lake La Quinta is just outside Palm Springs, surrounded by enough desert to make the lake this little resort sits upon seem a positive luxury. There are just 24 rooms and suites, all of them individually styled for contemporary tastes, and featuring private patios or balconies over the lake. Adults only.
For Families
- Large and luxurious, the Montage Laguna Beach is the kind of resort you really don’t need to leave. The 30 acres of grounds are right up against the ocean, and include a stretch of sandy beach. There are two pools too — one adults only, and one for families. And there’s a kids club, and three restaurants. There’s also a spa and gym and complimentary bike hire.
- The Rosewood Miramar Beach is a large and luxurious hotel right up against the sand of Miramar Beach, Santa Barbara. The 160+ rooms, suites and villas are light, airy and elegant, with huge marble bathrooms and sea views. The beach and the ocean are the big draw here, but there are great facilities for kids, including a kids’ spa, and club. There are also two pools — one for families — three bars and a farm-to-table restaurant.
For Top-notch Facilities
- The Rancho Valencia is a country resort spread across 43 acres of beautiful groves and gardens, and featuring an impressive list of facilities, including a golf course, tennis courts, a spin studio and a pilates studio, space for Zumba classes, boxing, TRX classes and yoga. The spa has an adults-only pool, sauna and steam room too. But there’s also a kids club. The restaurant grows a lot onsite, including producing their own honey, so it’s a pretty impressive experience all round!
- The Four Seasons The Biltmore sits on 20 lush, Pacific Ocean-adjacent acres, surrounded by palms and spectacular views of the ocean or the mountains. There’s something of a Spanish Mission to the design and decor of the hotel, but then among the restaurants is an Italian option to surprise you — the other restaurants specialise in seafood. The choice of facilities might surprise you too, with everything from golf to fishing to surfing, tennis and wine tasting.
- The Fairmont Grand del Mar is an opulent resort in the foothills of Del Mar, Sand Diego, with a graceful, Mediterranean feel. Expect columns, fountains, private terraces and balconies, and spacious marble bathrooms. But that’s just for starters, because this resort also has a five-star spa, a Championship golf course, five pools, six restaurants, and a private beach.
For Style and Luxury
- Spectacularly set in Malibu wine country, the Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club also has one foot in the Pacific Ocean — hence the Beach Club! There are just 56 rooms, suites and cottages, with configurations to suit both couples and families; the bungalows have private patios and separate living space. The style offers a blend of rustic fittings with boutique furniture to create a seriously chic stay.
- If you love the glamour of California’s Hollywood heyday the Parker Palm Springs is the ideal property for you. It's a modern version of the sumptuous, classic luxury Palm Springs hotels, with great design features, three pools and two restaurants. The fact that even the spa evokes 60s cool really impresses the Gurus.
For Total Relaxation
- The Belmond El Encanto is a seven acre property with 92 stylish rooms and bungalow suites dotted around the lush, tranquil gardens. Despite being only minutes from Santa Barbara and the beaches of the Pacific ocean, this is a serene, as well as luxurious choice. All the rooms feature private balconies, patios or terraces, and elegant fabrics. There’s an impressive spa, exceptional serve and an excellent restaurant with unobstructed ocean views.
For Great Value
- The Langham Huntington is a classic five star hotel in a peaceful Pasadena spot. The hotel is large, there are almost 400 rooms and suites, and the country club-style facilities are excellent. Expect dark wood antiques, high ceilings, leather furnishings, lush gardens and lots of space offered at very reasonable rates.
- Surrounded by its own vines, the Ponte Vineyard Inn is a monastery turned boutique resort, with 90 spacious, contemporary rooms and suites. The large private balconies with their incredible views of the valley, and the pool terrace with the same view, really steal the show. As will the wines. Excellent value for money!
Still not sure where to book?
