Big City Hotels & Lodgings

Opened in 1907, this grand lodging perched above bustling downtown harkens back to an opulent era in San Francisco history. But stodgy? Not a chance. With its commanding views of the city and bay and restored lobby, uncovering original marble floors and other details created by famed architect Julia Morgan, it’s still an unforgettable luxury lodging—the kind of place where dressing up makes sense.

Things didn’t start so smoothly for the hotel. When the 1906 earthquake struck, construction was already finished but the hotel hadn’t quite opened. The building survived yet suffered considerable damage in the inferno that consumed much of the city. Repairs were made, and, from those fiery beginnings, the Fairmont emerged as a hub of posh city life, and hosted a string of American Presidents and other A-list guests. For a retro-hip diversion, hang out with tiki statues and Mai Tais at the hotel’s Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.

Talk about an icon: Opened in 1875 and rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake (legendary opera singer Enrico Caruso was a guest that night), the Beaux Arts Palace Hotel has hosted its share of notables, including Mark Twain, American presidents and European royalty. It certainly takes a special hotel to draw both titans of industry (John D. Rockefeller) and a Soviet prime minister (Nikita Khrushchev).

While an overnight stay is the best way to experience the landmark, you can also get a look inside on a free walking tour, with a chance to learn about historic features such as the Maxfield Parish Pied Piper mural in the restaurant bar. Or relive the city’s most elegant period while brunching beneath The Garden Court’s soaring stained-glass dome. Your eggs Benedict will probably get cold with all that looking up to take in this unparalleled ceiling in one of the prettiest hotel spaces in the state.

Bright and white, with an iconic tower and elegant roofline, the sprawling Claremont, in Oakland’s luxury Claremont district, stands out against the forested East Bay hills like a wedding cake. This 1915 landmark feels removed from the urban bustle, even though it is only a few minutes from Oakland’s mega hot dining and arts scene and the urban cool of Berkeley. 

The Claremont has some lovely perks, including flawless panoramas of San Francisco and the bay. You can hit a ball around the tennis courts, or do some laps in the pool. Meritage, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers fine dining in appropriately elegant surroundings. Or head to the outdoor deck at Paragon Restaurant & Bar for hand-shaken cocktails and gastropub specialties, plus live jazz on weekends.

When you stay at Chateau Marmont, you’ll probably think, “If only these walls could talk…” But maybe it’s better that they don’t. This infamous hotel near West Hollywood, with its vintage rooms and luxe bungalows, gets much of its mystique from the privacy-craving celebrity guests who know their secrets are safe here.

Although the architecture is based on a castle in France’s Loire Valley, Chateau Marmont is Old Hollywood through and through, even as new generations of stars have discovered its discreet charms. Stay in one of the 63 rooms, cottages, or bungalows, many of which boast formal dining rooms—perfect for entertaining—and private terraces with spectacular views. Enter the locked gate for a dip in the guests-only pool, a cerulean oasis framed by tropical greenery.

You never know who might show up for lunch on the leafy garden terrace. In true Hollywood fashion, the menu includes a choice of six different salads. Dinner at The Restaurant at Chateau Marmont requires a reservation (or a hotel key), and serves new American fare and exceptional cocktails to be enjoyed under expansive chandeliers. (Insider tip: Walk-ins are welcome at the adjacent Bar Marmont for those who don’t spring for a stay).

For an even more exclusive experience, try Chateau Hanare, an intimate hideaway, which opened July 2018 in one of the hotel’s previously vacant bungalows. Chef Abe Hiroki offers elegant sashimi and Japanese small plates. After a meal or a late night out, enjoy a nightcap—thanks to the 24-hour room service—as you stand on your private balcony and survey the Sunset Strip and the twinkling lights of Hollywood below.

From hosting the first Academy Awards presentation in 1929 to serving as the go-to hot spot for A-list gatherings today, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has always been a destination for the stars.

This landmark across from the famous TCL Chinese Theatre (still a big spot for film premieres) offers a unique combo of film history and contemporary elegance. Party by a fire pit at the Tropicana Bar, overlooking a pool sporting a mural painted by modern master David Hockney. Sip craft cocktails created by mixology wizards in the exclusive-feeling Library Bar, and settle into a tufted leather booth beneath crystal chandeliers for the most glam burger you have ever had at the restaurant 25 Degrees.

Kick back in the Spanish Colonial-style lobby for a spot of people-watching, and keep your eyes open for Marilyn Monroe. She lived at the Roosevelt for two years, and some visitors swear they have spotted her ghost. You can even stay in the Marilyn Monroe suite by the pool.

Originally opened in 1907 and redesigned in 1914 by renowned Southern California architect Myron Hunt (he also did the Rose Bowl), The Langham Huntington, Pasadena evokes the ambiance of a grand estate.

With the San Gabriel Mountains rising in the distance and 23 acres of lavish grounds, the Langham blends modern luxury with romantic elegance. Stroll through the historic Japanese garden and across a redwood footbridge overlooking what was the first Olympic-size swimming pool in California. Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge, and dine on prepared steaks and seafood at the contemporary Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse. 

The hotel is nestled in a particularly luxury neighbourhood. Take a walk or jog to see meticulously restored Craftsman-style mansions, including the Gamble House, open to the public for tours. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Library is also in the area. If you play tennis, bring your rackets to the hotel’s three courts, then treat yourself to a massage inspired by traditional Chinese techniques at tranquil Chuan Spa. Just walking there through the hotel gardens gets you in a Zen-y mood.

Steps from vibrant night-life and dining of the Gaslamp Quarter, and easy jaunt from other San Diego attractions, this hotel offers a tranquil, modern retreat. Gaze out at San Diego Bay and the lights of the city from contemporary rooms and suites accented with natural wood and stone. Relax next to the outdoor pool, or, for the ultimate in pampering, try a hot lava shell massage at the hotel’s Pure Body Spa. And if you want to catch the local scene, you don’t even have to leave the hotel: the Westin’s Pinzimini restaurant is a buzzy magnet at night, keeping people happy with small plate dining and inventive craft cocktails.

Lavish and elegant, Riverside’s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa combines Old World romance with the splendour of Southern California’s citrus-growing era. From its modest start in 1876 as an adobe guesthouse, the Mission Inn grew into a veritable castle of turrets and ornate tile domes, archways, and lush garden courtyards. For more than a century, its grandeur has drawn glitterati and big names, from Hollywood royalty (Cary Grant and Barbra Streisand) to Albert Einstein and American presidents. In fact, Richard and Patricia Nixon were married at the inn and Ronald and Nancy Reagan honeymooned there.

For all of its grand architecture and history (which you can learn about on walking tours), the Mission Inn has plenty of contemporary comforts too, with a full-service spa and several restaurants. And its downtown Riverside location puts you within easy reach of art museums, galleries, and events at the Fox Performing Arts Center, located in a restored 1929 theatre.