Grownup Accommodations
Boutique Accommodations in California
From the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and its historic hotels like the Beverly Hills Hotel, to lesser-known hippy-dippy accommodations near Joshua Tree National Park, whatever style of lodging suits you, California has you covered.
CAMBRIA
CAMBRIA PINES LODGE, Cambria
If you are planning on visiting the artsy town of Cambria and surrounding area, Cambria Pines Lodge makes an excellent base for your adventures. The Lodge is set amidst acres of gardens (the owner loves gardening and also owns a nursery) and the overall rustic cabin vibe fits in well with the laid-back SLOCAL attitude. Rooms are huge, especially in the standalone buildings around the property, and there’s even a pool. For more photos, read our article about Cambria here.
LOS ANGELES
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, Downtown Los Angeles
This super-stylish downtown hotel is the tallest building on the West Coast, so even their modern, elevated lobby design can’t compare to its killer views! Located downtown and not far from the Convention Centre and Crypto Arena, it’s ideally suited for business travellers and sports fans, but there is plenty nearby for all types of visitors. Definitely check out the rooftop bar (Spire 73), the tallest open-air bar you’re ever likely to visit. At least in the Western Hemisphere.
One thing to note: the lobby is actually not at ground level, but on the 70th floor, and it’s a bit of a pain to travel up and down between floors since you have to switch elevators on ‘crossover floors’, but once you get the hang of it, it’s all worth it for the views.
PALM SPRINGS
ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB, Palm Springs
California always sets the trends, and the ACE hotel is a perfect example. Years before other cities adopted the idea, the ACE demonstrated how to modernize a 1960s-era motor hotel into something that is truly Instagram-worthy. From colourful murals on the exterior walls to room decor that relies heavily on natural materials and funky accessories (guitars, cow-skin rugs, etc), the ACE has even converted former parking areas in front of the rooms into intimate patio spaces with fireplaces. Coachella attendees love this place because it’s the perfect backdrop for their own stylish festival attire, but grownups love it too, if for no other reason than its style and creativity. Oh, and the pool, of course!
LA QUINTA, near Palm Springs
LA QUINTA RESORT & SPA, La Quinta
La Quinta resort grounds spread over 1400 acres
Just outside of Palm Springs is the La Quinta Resort & Spa, a Waldorf Astoria property that is NOT to be confused with that ‘other’ chain of modest hotels – this luxurious resort is one-of-a-kind and has been the ‘Queen of the Desert’ since 1926.
Hollywood royalty has been coming here practically since it opened its doors, and even today, the 1400-acre property has been the site of modern-day pseudo-celebs (the Bachelorette was shot here during Covid in 2020 because the lavish resort offered plenty of variety re: locations with 41 pools, 53 hot spas, 5 golf courses, 7 restaurants and more).
There are more than 700 rooms here including private casitas spread around the property, one of which was regularly booked by Frank Capra and where he wrote the screen play for It’s a Wonderful Life. So if you’re looking for inspiration, reserve his San Anselmo casita (Capra’s typewriter is still there for guests to use!)
TWENTYNINE PALMS/JOSHUA TREE
For anyone heading to Joshua Tree National Park who isn’t planning on camping (we’re glampers not campers), the town of Twentynine Palms is where you will want to stay. There are familiar hotel brands here like the Fairfield Inn and Suites, which are perfectly fine, but why not go for something that is more reflective of the vibe in this part of California…
HARMONY MOTEL, Twentynine Palms
This property is exactly what the name suggests, a motel, with origins that date back to 1952. Much has changed since then, obviously, including updates that reflect today’s clientele (think free wifi, for one). What hasn’t changed is the motel’s sign with its musical notes, which actually drew the attention of the band U2 who stayed here when they were in the area shooting their Joshua Tree album cover in the 1980s.
The rooms are good-sized and some even offer kitchenettes (way better than camping), and the rates are very affordable. Henk stayed here when he was shooting the night skies in Joshua Tree National Park, and it was a perfect base for both daytime hiking and nighttime photo shoots.
SPIN & MARGIE’S DESERT HIDEAWAY, Twentynine Palms
“Quirky desert chic” is how Spin & Margie’s owners describe their property, and it’s absolutely what you can expect to find here. Visitors can choose from a few cozy, colourful rooms in bungalow-style buildings, and enjoy access to the amenities provided on-site. Yoga pavilion? Check. Outdoor pool? Check.
Just don’t expect daily housekeeping or hotel pluses like restaurants or fitness rooms: this is a laid-back stay that expects you to act like grownups (no loud partying) and follow common-sense rules when using the facilities. I’m okay with that.
DEATH VALLEY
THE OASIS INN AT DEATH VALLEY, Death Valley
A luxurious 4-diamond resort in one of the most remote and desolate places in California? Yes! That is the Inn at Death Valley, which is the kind of lush, palm-tree filled oasis you would never expect to find here. Drawing on a natural spring that runs underneath this part of the Valley, the Inn has been a beautiful bit of green here since 1927 and is one of the most unique properties in California, if only for its unexpected location. There’s no more luxurious place to stay if you want to explore Death Valley.
The Inn offers everything you want in a boutique luxury property: in addition to the well-appointed rooms in the main hotel, there are 22 private casitas scattered under the date palms, a large spring-fed swimming pool, tennis courts, a spa and more. The rooms and amenities are top-notch, but it’s waking up to views like this that make this hotel so special.
Death Valley morning views from the Inn at Death Valley
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