NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Beyond Healdsburg Wine Country
Healdsburg hotels reveal experiences beyond wine and dining, from The Ruse’s championship putting green to Grape Leaf Inn’s hidden speakeasy. Montage Healdsburg invites guests into nature with a honeybee log nest and truffle foraging adventures, while SingleThread pairs its Michelin three-star restaurant with a rooftop garden for aperitifs, breakfast and sustainable farming immersion.
Hidden Treasures in Napa’s Wine Country
Downtown Napa hotels hide unexpected delights, from Chardonnay Lodge’s English Rose Tea Garden to Archer Hotel’s rooftop bar with a secret Lobster Hot Dog menu. At The Meritage Resort, Spa Terra delivers luxury treatments in a serene 22,000-sq foot underground wine cave, blending wellness and vineyard heritage.
A Tech-Playful Stay in San Francisco’s Union Square
Axiom Hotel surprises guests with Astro, its friendly robot butler who delivers items straight to rooms. Between exploring Union Square, guests can play vintage arcade classics in the Cloud Lounge or relax at the Turn Café.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece at Nakoma Resort
Set in Plumas County, Nakoma Resort is home to the only Frank Lloyd Wright–designed lodge ever built, making it a rare architectural treasure. Originally conceived in 1923 and realized in 2001 by Taliesin architects, the Lodge embodies Wright’s signature design principles with octagonal ceilings, stained-glass windows, a soaring 60-foot fireplace, and Native American–inspired friezes. Certified by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, this one-of-a-kind structure isn’t just a backdrop for the resort’s Fifty44 Restaurant & Bar and spa — it’s a living piece of design history, anchoring the resort as a luxury mountain retreat.
Historic Charm at Thatcher Hotel in Hopland
The historic Thatcher Hotel in Hopland blends Victorian elegance with creative modern spaces, anchored by its signature library. Paying homage to the building’s rich history, this welcoming hub invites locals and guests to connect through books, magazines, art, and culture, while little ones delight in a dedicated kids’ corner filled with stories and art supplies. Built in 1890, the property also showcases natural wine, local food, an iconic bar, and expansive lounge spaces.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Playful Luxury at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort in Tuolumne County
Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, Tuolumne County’s largest hotel, infuses playful charm into every corner. Guests discover AI art in guest rooms, chicken-themed designs and a speakeasy hidden behind a bookshelf. With rooftop cocktails, an egg-shaped pool and a lively nightclub, the property blends farm-to-table dining with whimsical design for a stay full of surprises.
San Luis Obispo County’s Hidden Hotel Escapes
SLO County hotels feature hidden gems, from Allegretto Vineyard Resort’s international art collection and sonic labyrinth to Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa’s tucked-away hillside hot tubs. At SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel, a standout feature is its rooftop terrace, a rare perch on the Pismo Beach bluff where guests can take in uninterrupted ocean views, perfect for whale watching or sunset toasts.
Santa Maria Valley – The Historic Santa Maria Inn’s Speakeasy Cellar
At the Historic Santa Maria Inn, guests can slip into The Barrel Room, a hidden speakeasy-style cellar bar featuring local vintages, international whiskeys and signature martinis. Open since 1984, it keeps its vintage charm while offering a unique way to sample Central Coast wines before retreating upstairs.
Artful Design at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur
Perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn is as much an architectural experience as a luxury escape. Its unique and iconic treehouses and organic, sculptural forms are considered works of art in themselves, blending seamlessly into the cliffs and redwoods of Big Sur. Guests enjoy infinity pools, stargazing, and glass-walled dining, while each accommodation, whether a cliffside suite with a soaking tub or a mountain-view house, celebrates the surrounding landscape as part of the design.
Santa Barbara’s Riviera Beach House Art Gallery
Riviera Beach House surprises guests with an on-site art gallery curated by the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara. Rotating exhibits and occasional artist events turn the hotel into a cultural hub, offering guests a deeper connection to the city’s creative scene.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Wellness Immersion at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is defined by its extraordinary collection of more than 50 geothermal pools, each naturally fed by mineral-rich waters long celebrated for their healing qualities. From tranquil adults-only soaks to family-friendly pools and immersive aqua yoga sessions, the variety allows every guest to find their own rhythm of renewal. With 24-hour access for overnight guests, plus saunas, wellness programs curated by naturopathic doctors, and a whole-food restaurant, the resort offers a holistic retreat centered on the restorative power of its springs.
La Quinta: A Desert Oasis of Pools and Sports
La Quinta Resort & Club in the Coachella Valley is a desert oasis where guests can do more than swim in 42 pools or tee off on five golf courses — they can step onto the same courts once played by legends Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova. With professional trainers offering lessons on these storied courts, the resort gives tennis enthusiasts a rare chance to sharpen their game where world champions have trained. Evenings wind down with stargazing, private patios, and outdoor fireplaces, rounding out a luxurious balance of recreation and relaxation.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach’s Artistic Legacy
The Ranch at Laguna Beach celebrates the area’s art heritage with works by impressionist John Cosby displayed throughout the lodge. Guests can join the unique “The Painter” experience, creating their own plein air masterpiece alongside Cosby himself.
San Diego’s Historic Hotels with Artistic Flair
San Diego’s hotel scene mixes history and art in surprising ways. The Granger Hotel, set in a Romanesque building, features an exclusive Open Art Studio with artist Walter Redondo, alongside vintage décor and custom art. The Lafayette Hotel, once a Hollywood hotspot, underwent a $31 million restoration adding unique restaurants, a retro bowling alley and a pool designed by Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa adds tranquil surprises like a wishing tree, butterfly sanctuary, chef’s garden and a hidden apothecary-style lounge serving botanical cocktails.
Unexpected Experiences by Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica hotels surprise with hidden spaces and wellness retreats. The Georgian Hotel hides Gallery 33, a modern art salon, and the exclusive Georgian Room speakeasy once favored by Old Hollywood stars.
The Maybourne Beverly Hill’s Exclusive Whisky Bar
The Maybourne Beverly Hills hides a reservation-only Whisky Bar featuring rare international whiskeys and over 1,000 premium cigars. With intimate banquettes and balcony seating, it’s a refined hideaway for an elevated nightcap.
Los Angeles’ LINE Hotel’s Secret Speakeasies
The LINE LA in Koreatown surprises with two immersive speakeasies. Break Room 86, entered through a vending machine, recreates an authentic 1980s arcade and karaoke lounge. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang transports guests to a 1970s disco with LED dance floors and Studio 54 vibes, offering nightlife unlike anywhere else in LA.