Today’s travelers are looking for more than just a bed and a place to shower while globe-trotting, with many individuals seeking memorable experiences, including everything from excellent bars to luxury spas.
Recently, USA Today researched ten hotels with the “best features and amenities,” asking an expert panel to nominate their top choices in five categories: best eco-friendly hotel, best hotel bar, best hotel pool, best hotel restaurant, and best hotel spa.
While no California hotel took first place, USA Today readers, who voted and determined the winners, heavily favored California hotels, with nine placing in the top ten in nearly all of the categories. Take a look at which hotels stand out in The Golden State below.
Best Eco-Friendly Hotels:
Despite the top eco-friendly spot going to the Cliffs at Princeville in Hawaii, four California hotels made the USA Today 10Best list for the best eco-friendly hotel, which includes:
- Hotel West Hollywood: Identifying as a sustainable luxury hotel, Hotel West Hollywood describes itself as “among the most energy-efficient hotels” in the Los Angeles area. The hotel has a LEED Silver certification—Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, which is recognized globally and was created by the U.S. Green Building Council to rate buildings for their sustainability. This sustainable sanctuary’s practices include its water irrigation system and its meal ingredients.
- The Stanford Inn & Resort in Mendocino: Showcasing sustainability in numerous ways, from its vegan restaurant, Ravens Restaurant, and cleaning supplies to its composting and recycling programs, this California resort is a truly sustainable destination for the eco-friendly traveler.
- Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey Bay: Also a LEED-certified hotel, the Portola Hotel & Spa keeps the environment in mind through various features and practices, including using a system to clean and disinfect guest rooms without harsh chemicals to its bath amenity products that are made from renewable and biodegradable materials.
- Bardessono Hotel and Spa in Yountville: Another California hotel recognized for its eco-friendly efforts, Bardessono Hotel and Spa, states they are “taking care of our environment.” This LEED-certified hotel focuses on energy efficiency, using solar panels to provide “significant amounts” of its electricity and an underground geothermal system to heat and cool guest rooms and the spa, among its other practices.
The Best Hotel Bars
While New Orleans may be home to the best hotel bar, the Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone, three hotel bars in California were also recognized:
- Top of the Mark at InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco: Head to the 19th floor of this hotel to enjoy “sweeping city views,” as well as a lounge and bar that turn 85 this year.
- The Pied Piper at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco: Another Frisco city hotel bar is highlighted and appreciated for its “refined ambiance that combines vintage charm with elegance.” The Pied Paper was established in 1909 and got its name from the mural located inside—famed painter and illustrator Maxfield Parrish’s “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”
- Grant Grill Lounge at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego: What is better than a delicious cocktail while traveling? Some tasty cuisine to go with it! This hotel bar was praised for both its mixology and food menu “that elevates traditional bar fare with inventive twists,” according to the 10Best.
Best Hotel Pool:
Unsurprisingly, Hawaii took the top spot in this category as well with Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, but Villa Royale in Palm Springs, the only California-based hotel to make the top 10 in this category, was recognized for its three pools, poolside bar, and “grown-up” vibe due to the hotel’s 21-and-up policy for guests.
Best Hotel Spa:
Joining the list at number 9, Sunny’s Spa & Beauty Lounge at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside was highlighted for its “majestic California ocean views and the sound of rolling waves,” according to 10Best.
