“California, you’re so… nice. California, you’re paradise!” The Runaways said it first, but it still holds true almost 50 years later: California is a paradise for those wishing to explore the best of the United States. It’s one of the most visited states in this enormous, beautiful, and vastly diverse country; the weather — if you could call it that — lends itself to exploration and exciting experiences, and the people couldn’t be nicer! There are many reasons that so many songs were written about this naturally gorgeous state: it’s one of a kind. California can offer you luxury stays like you’ll experience nowhere else. If you like creature comforts and living the high life, these are the hotels you should consider staying at.
Canyon Ranch Woodside
16350 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, USA
One of the most wonderful things about traveling through California is that exquisitely preserved nature seems to surround you wherever you roam. If you’re outdoorsy or a nature lover who also loves a well-fluffed feather pillow, Canyon Ranch in Woodside is the perfect place to spend a few nights. Nestled on a wooded hillside, this escape is all about downtime and looking inward as well as outward. As the redwoods sway around you, you can experience health and fitness programs, luxury spa treatments, and even spiritual wellness coaching from well-educated staff. Choose from group or private settings, express yourself through art, take guided walks through the forest surrounding the property, or attend lectures on a variety of topics.
There’s no shortage of things to experience and enjoy at Canyon Ranch, but what about the accommodation itself? Well, the lodge has 38 rooms, each a sanctuary for guests who come here seeking peace and quiet or a change in direction. The Retreat rooms are specifically designed to invite the outdoors in, while the Treehouse rooms offer the most exquisite views.
Jet charter services can get you very close to your final destination (wherever you’re flying from), as San Francisco International is a mere 16.50 miles away. The hotel can help you arrange a luxury car service to get from the airport to the hotel, if necessary.
The Madrona
1001 Westside Road, Napa / Sonoma Valleys, USA
Healdsburg
The Madrona is a stately lady perched on a hill and looking out for miles over her surroundings. The mansion at the center of this hotel is an ornate bouquet of Aesthetic Movement details and has stood there since 1881. It’s an unusual place, structurally and aesthetically speaking, for its location, as it’s surrounded by Tuscan and Provençal wine-country hotels everywhere you look — and this is just one of the things that make it so very special. The facade itself is stunning and unique, but it’s what’s inside the hotel’s doors that will really take your breath away. The combination of modern and period pieces of furniture, an excellent art collection ranging across a host of periods and styles, and an assortment of excellently curated antiques make this hotel an eclectic home away from home for those with incredible taste.
The rooms are spread across the original mansion, its carriage house, and a few wonderfully restored and maintained bungalows, which means there’s something for every kind of guest who checks in here. There is an aura of romance about the whole place, and it feels like anything could happen here, which makes it a destination worth exploring. Wherever you choose to lay your head, all rooms and guests have access to all the amenities at the Madrona: a fitness center complete with Peloton bikes, an outdoor pool where you can take in the stunning views, a fleet of electric bikes for exploring the surrounding countryside and an all-day restaurant that uses local, seasonal ingredients to their best possible advantage.
North Block
6757 Washington Street, Napa / Sonoma Valleys, USA
Yountville
A certain feeling of nostalgia washes over you when you step through the gates of the North Block in Napa. The facade of the entrance, with its stonework, regal arch, and classically Spanish terracotta roof tiles, takes you back in time to somewhere you’ve never been. Stepping into the courtyard, you feel a calm wash over you as the greenery all around you seems to bend towards you in welcome.
The Napa location was no accident for this stunning boutique hotel — this is a place with an incredibly high number of fine dining options, and still, the North Block manages to stand out from the crowd with its in-house restaurant. Chef Juan Cabrera plies his trade with flair and finesse, serving unique California coastal cuisine that will blow you away.
The culinary and wine-based foundation of your experience at this hotel creates a fantastic starting point for your stay, encompassing a wellness-focused approach to wine-country luxury. Though the hotel is technically in town, the feeling of privacy inside the compound is almost absolute. The 20 rooms are spread out across several villas — each replete with luxurious details that make all the difference. The blend of contemporary and classic styles makes any kind of traveler feel welcome, as do the espresso bars and weighted blankets in each room. Looking for some relaxation? Book yourself into the spa or have a soak in the pool or hot tub.
California Dreaming
Choosing your dream Californian stay is made challenging by the sheer number of incredible locations in the state. From city experiences to coastal and country escapes, California will reel you in and set up a spot in your heart for good- we promise.