Best Hotels & Resorts in Northern California: 12 Amazing Places to Stay
Natasha Kayes
Author
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Northern California has so many wonderful things to offer, including pristine beaches and a rugged coastline, beautiful lakes, wine country, spectacular National Parks, charming small towns, and bustling cities. Whatever you have in mind for your next getaway, we have found the best hotels and resorts in Northern California. From unique and intimate boutique stays to incredible pools to world-class luxury accommodations, these highly-rated properties will take your vacation to a whole new level.
Best Unique Hotels to Stay in Northern California
Looking for something a little out of the ordinary, a place to stay that doesn’t feel like any place you have been before? We have just what you need. Among the nicest hotels in Northern California are these properties, highly rated not only for the level of comfort and service they provide but for the details that set them apart from the crowd and provide a truly unique experience.
- Address: 807 Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
- Price: $322/Night
- Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Facilities, Turndown Service, Free Parking, Wifi
- Ratings: 9.8/10 Exceptional
The Rose Hotel offers a unique combination of luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and the charm of a country bed and breakfast. The elegant rooms and suites are individually decorated and feature custom robes and slippers, jetted tubs, organic bath products, scented candles, and a fresh rose on a wall sconce. The lobby exudes hospitality with a crackling fireplace, fresh flowers, and coffee, tea, and refreshments available around the clock. The hotel’s downtown location means upscale shops, cafes, salons, and more are within walking distance. The Rose Hotel also offers special packages to make your stay even more unforgettable.
- Address: 3287 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
- Price: $369/Night
- Amenities: Pool, Sauna, Spa Service, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Fitness Center
- Ratings: 9.2/10 Wonderful
Located near the center of the San Francisco Bay Area, the incredible Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa is a romantic escape that is anything but cookie-cutter. In fact, it feels more like a chateau in the French countryside than a California hotel. Guests are immersed in European charm and luxury with beautiful courtyards, rolling green hills, and grand oak trees. Unwind by the pristine pool, take a relaxing walk, or schedule a deep-tissue massage and feel any tension melt away. One of the best restaurants in the area, The Park Bistro and Bar, offers European-inspired farm-to-table cuisine, an outdoor terrace, Wine and Beer Maker Dinners, and room service. Lafayette Park is one of the best-rated hotels in Northern California, and it offers endless options to create your ideal vacation.
- Address: 555 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
- Price: $325/Night
- Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Free Wifi, Free Parking
- Ratings: 9.4/10 Exceptional
It may be hard to find a more unique stay than Seven Gables Inn on Monterey Bay. The historic inn was originally built in 1886 and encompasses seven Victorian-style houses on the waterfront in Monterey. The rooms are light, airy, and elegantly appointed, with some rooms offering fireplaces, sofas, and spectacular ocean views. This property is ideally located for enjoying all that Monterey has to offer, including the famous Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, the beautiful 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. Up for a little more adventure? Within an hour’s drive along the coast, you can explore Big Sur and the coastal redwoods of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Best Hotel Pools in Northern California
There are many beautiful hotels in Northern California, but for some travelers, the perfect vacation means a truly amazing or unique pool. These hotels are each remarkable for several reasons but are especially notable for their epic pools.
- Address: 4048 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559
- Price: $902/Night
- Amenities: Outdoor Pools, Hot Tubs, Poolside Bar, Spa, 24-hour Fitness Center, Wine Tasting, Restaurants
- Ratings: 9.0/10 Wonderful
Who says you can’t have it all? Carneros Resort and Spa is a luxurious retreat in Sonoma County with not one, but two outdoor pools with hot tubs - one for the whole family and one for adults only. Swim, float, or soak with expansive views of Napa Valley’s vineyard-covered rolling hills, or reserve a poolside cabana for the day. Between sessions at the pool, enjoy the tranquility of your own private cottage or residence. Cottages and homes feature premium bedding, private porches, gardens, sun decks, and fire pits, as well as in-room wine dispensers. The on-site spa at Carneros Resort offers massages, body treatments, hydrotherapy, and a steam room.
- Address: 1712 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515
- Price: $699/Night
- Amenities: Pool, Yoga Classes, Wifi, Bicycles, Spa
- Ratings: 4.5 Excellent
Calistoga and, in fact, this resort have long been sought out for the healing qualities of natural thermal waters. The main Olympic-sized mineral pool at Indian Springs Calistoga was built in 1913. A poolside fireplace and lounge, umbrellas, floats, and pool noodles are available for guests of any age to enjoy. The adults-only pool is smaller and more intimate, a quiet retreat with beautiful landscaping and night lighting. The pools are open until midnight so guests can enjoy a long soak under the stars. The pools are kept at a temperature ranging from 92 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the season, and are fed by natural underground springs that surface through four thermal geysers on the property. In addition to the swimming pools, guests can lounge around the tropical Buddha Pond.
Of course, Indian Springs Calistoga has far more to offer than incredible mineral pools. Accommodations, which include bungalows, historic cottages, houses, and The Lodge with its adult-only rooms are situated throughout the 17-acre property and each offers a unique vibe and view. The full-service spa offers facial and body treatments as well as mud rooms, infrared saunas, and a Himalayan Salt Room, all of which add to the healing benefits of the pools.
Best Luxury Hotels in Northern California
If what you are looking for is not simply one of the best hotels in Northern California, but an unmatched level of luxury, these hotels provide an atmosphere, experience, and service unparalleled by other properties.
- Address: 180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford, CA 94573
- Price: $1,125/Night
- Amenities: Pool, Poolside Bar, Restaurants, Spa, 24-Hour Health Club
- Ratings: 9.6/10 Exceptional
Inspired by the South of France, Auberge du Soleil envelopes guests in luxury, tucked within a large olive grove in Napa Valley, reminiscent of the Mediterranean landscape of Tuscany. Everything about this resort is designed for relaxation in an atmosphere of elevated sophistication and elegance. Exceptionally comfortable rooms offer amenities like indoor or outdoor deep soaking tubs, fireplaces, private garden areas, outdoor showers, stunning views, turndown service, and Champagne service. Two heated pools are surrounded by lush greenery, comfortable lounges and cabanas, and a wooden boardwalk-style pool deck. The high-end spa offers facials, body treatments, Thai massages, and hydrotherapy together with stunning views. The luxury of Auberge du Soleil is an unforgettable experience.
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- Address: 9215 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644
- Price: $395/Night
- Amenities: Seasonal Pool, Communal Living Room, Spa, Restaurant/Bar, Wifi
- Ratings: 9.8/10 Exceptional
Chateau du Sureau is a 5-star luxury hotel that provides outstanding service and a romantic, fairytale-like ambiance. Four-poster beds with down comforters, fireplaces, high ceilings, jacuzzi tubs, and luxurious furnishings in individually decorated and furnished rooms whisk guests away to another world. Erna’s Elderberry House, with its intimate dining room and candelabra-style chandeliers, serves classic French cuisine for brunch and dinner. Indulge your senses in the spa with aromatherapy, hot stone massages, and body treatments. Stay close and relax in the onsite pool and gardens, or step out to enjoy a day at nearby Yosemite National Park, Fresno Flats Historical Park, or Bass Lake Recreation Area. This hotel is pet-friendly so even your fur-babies can enjoy a luxurious vacation.
Best Boutique Hotels in Northern California
While larger chain hotels can certainly provide consistency and a wonderful vacation experience, perhaps you prefer a smaller, one-of-a-kind hotel. If so, these hotels definitely belong on the list of the top hotels in Northern California, as they offer exceptional service and excellence in a more intimate, unique setting.
- Address: 1780 Springvale Rd, Placerville, CA 95667
- Price: $229
- Amenities: Spa Services, Complimentary Breakfast, Shared Guest Kitchen, Picnic Areas, Free Wifi
- Ratings: 9.8/10 Exceptional
Eden Vale Inn is a luxurious seven-room bed and breakfast retreat with amazing amenities including private outdoor soaking tubs, in-room fireplaces, and special packages such as champagne and spa tub essentials to accompany your private tub. Each day starts with a complimentary, seasonal breakfast that celebrates locally-sourced ingredients. At Eden Vale Inn, priority is given to elegant details and guest accommodation, including catering to individual dietary and scheduling needs. Eden Vale is also the perfect venue for an intimate wedding with a gorgeous pavilion and an experienced on-site staff that can make your day everything you want it to be.
- Address: 30 El Portal, Sausalito, CA 94965
- Price: $455/Night
- Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Ocean Views, Boating, Bicycles, Concierge, Free Wifi
- Ratings: 5.0 Excellent
The Inn Above Tide in the charming fairytale-like town of Sausalito is an intimate waterfront retreat with stunning views of San Francisco. Every luxurious room or suite at The Inn Above Tide has a furnished deck with panoramic views of the bay, including the city skyline, Alcatraz, and Marin. In-room fireplaces, complimentary breakfast served in the Drawing Room or delivered to guests’ rooms, and a nightly wine and cheese reception add to the quiet luxury of the inn. The shops, restaurants, and galleries of the Sausalito village are practically next door, and the scenic wine country areas of Napa and Sonoma are just a short drive away.
Best Beach Resorts in Northern California
Northern California is known for its dramatic coastline and stunning, rugged beaches. Each of these extraordinary resort properties provides an unforgettable beach vacation and allows you to enjoy the California coast like never before.
- Address: 2700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
- Price: $920/Night
- Amenities: Golf, Restaurants, Spa, Boardwalk, Private Club, Wine Cellar and Shop
- Ratings: 4.5 Excellent
The Inn at Spanish Bay is all about relaxation, surrounded by a Scottish-style golf course, pine forests, and the beautiful California coastline. Every room at the resort features stylish furnishings and a private fireplace, and most have private balconies or patios with a view of the Inn’s pristine surroundings. Explore a variety of award-winning dining options from Hawaiian-fusion to Italian cuisine, or visit the upscale yet cozy Stave Wine Cellar to enjoy local wines, craft beers, small bites, and charcuterie. Become a member of The Spanish Bay Club and gain access to even more amenities, such as the tennis pavilion, fitness center, 25-yard heated pool, whirlpool spa, and private events. Play a round of golf, take a walk at Pebble Beach, shop at the onsite retail arcade, or sit by one of the fire pits and listen as the Inn’s famous bagpiper play as the sun goes down.
- Address: 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
- Price: $780/Night
- Amenities: Spa, Golf, Tennis, Fire Pits, Fitness Center, Restaurants, Business Center
- Ratings: 9.0/10 Superb
Situated on a scenic bluff along the Pacific coast, roughly centered between San Jose and San Francisco, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is one of the most stunning beachfront resorts in Northern California. This 5-star luxury resort marries a grand presence with outstanding service and meticulous attention to detail. Everything from the championship golf courses to the Ocean Lawn fire pits to The Conservatory and Navio restaurants - even the 24-hour fitness center - overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Local wines are served at the Club lounge. Rejuvenating spa treatments that follow the changing seasons are designed to relax and nurture. Guest rooms and suites feature luxury bedding, deep soaking tubs, and views ranging from the ocean to the mountains to the golf course. The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is truly "Luxury without limits."
- Address: 4104 Lakeshore Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Price: $489
- Amenities: Pool, Hot Tub, Spa Services, On-Site Dining, Beach Towels, Wifi
- Ratings: 9.0/10 Superb
Not every one of California’s beaches is on the ocean. The Landing Resort and Spa is a spectacular beachfront vacation of a different kind, situated on the southern shore of the sparkling blue Lake Tahoe. The resort offers a different, but equally wonderful, experience with each season. The resort specializes in a secluded, laid-back atmosphere with an attentive, friendly staff and fabulous amenities. Lakefront rooms and suites are diverse, featuring chic and lavish furnishings, and appointed with luxurious amenities such as stone fireplaces, heated toilet seats, pillow-top beds, and plush terry robes. Jimmy’s Restaurant serves wood-fired dishes freshly prepared with locally-sourced ingredients and offers cozy private dining spaces, a spacious patio, and an onyx bar in Jimmy’s Lounge. It is a short walk to the renowned Heavenly Village where guests find a massive array of activities.
A stayed at any of these highly-rated properties is unforgettable. Have you ever stayed in one of these phenomenal hotels or resorts in Northern California? Do you have a favorite luxury hotel in the state? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments. Need a little more inspiration? Check out these 12 magnificent escapes in Northern California.
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More to Explore
Best Hotels & Resorts in Northern California: 12 Amazing Places to Stay
What are the best hotels for couples in Northern California?
Here are a few of the best hotels for couples in Northern California:
- Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa, Lafayette
- Kenwood Inn and Spa, Kenwood
- Augerge du Soleil, Rutherford
- Eden Vale Inn, Placerville
- Alila Napa Valley, St. Helena
For a slightly different experience, take a look at this article on romantic cabin getaways in Northern California.
What are the best kid-friendly hotels for families in Northern California?
Some of the best kid-friendly hotels in Northern California include:
- Safari West, Santa Rosa
- Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite, Groveland
- Cedar Glen Lodge, Taho Vista
- Carneros Resort and Spa, Napa
- The Landing Resort & Spa, South Lake Tahoe
For a different take on a family vacation, check out some of the best vacation rentals in Northern California.
What are some historic hotels in Northern California?
Here are some historic hotels in Northern California:
- Indian Springs, Calistoga
- Inn at 2nd & C, Eureka
- Abbey House Inn,
- Hotel La Rose,
- The National Exchange
If you are looking for a truly unique stay, here are a few unforgettable inns in Northern California.