Local Haute Hotels

CordeValle Resort & Golf Club

Experience championship golf, wine tasting, and inspired dining under the leadership of Executive Chef Nicola Cavicchini at one of the best resorts in Northern California.

Lovely Kenwood Inn & Spa Receives a Refresh

My first visit a few years ago to Kenwood Inn & Spa left me charmed. This second visit left me enchanted. The lush gardens and lived-in Tuscan vibe of this Sonoma County…

Hiking along the Pacific coastline at Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Lunar Yoga and Luxury in Half Moon Bay

Himalayan-born Yogi Rakesh Thapliyal leads an afternoon Lunar Rejuvenation Yoga session, the opposite of a sun salutation in that it is based on calming and balancing rather than warming up and rejuvenation.…

Carmel’s La Playa Hotel Stages a Hollywood-Worthy Remodel Debut

Carmel’s La Playa Hotel recently debuted its $15 million makeover during a weekend long celebration of red carpet events attended by notable locals and some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. The spirited…

Mountain Moments: Where to Ski in 2024

Nothing says winter like slipping inside a snow globe at a ski resort. Draped in warm, stylish clothing you’ll s-turn down powder-packed inclines or snow plow with your kids on the bunny…

A Little Bit of North Pole Magic in California Wine Country

Discover Merry Meritage at The Meritage Resort & Spa For those dreaming of sugar plum fairies, magical white snow flurries and colorful holiday cheer, look no further this season than The Meritage Resort…

Ideal Urban Resort: Mountain View’s Shashi Hotel

Mountain View might not be the first place one considers when planning a weekend getaway. But this tech industry town holds a few R&R surprises, such as the Shashi Hotel and its…

San Francisco’s Beacon Grand is Exactly That

Those who well knew Beacon Grand’s former life as The Sir Francis Drake will likely not recognize the Union Square hotel in its current incarnation. Gone is the red and gold color…

Indulge at the Inn Above Tide

Get acquainted with the Sausalito hotel’s latest guest culinary experience, a worthy splurge for an extra-special getaway.

Live Like a Vintner with Skipstone 

A wine lover’s dream come true in Sonoma County.   Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own a winery? To live among the vines, taste-test the latest vintages,…

Solaire Terrasse Pops Up at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco

Due to overwhelming popular demand, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, has reopened its festive Solaire Terrasse, in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot. Open through October 1, from 1-6 p.m., the venue is located in…

The Laura Dave Experience

The Last Thing He Told Me At The Inn Above Tide Laura Dave’s novel The Last thing He Told Me and its recently released screen adaptation starring Jennifer Garner, brings thrills, suspense,…

Mercedes-Benz Test Drive Experience

Thunder and comfort at Auberge’s Stanly Ranch Nothing brings a smile to my face like driving through the emerald leafed vineyards of the Napa Valley on a bright spring day. So, when…

Treat Yourself: These Spa Treatments Combat Sun Damage

No matter how wide-brimmed our hats and shadow-seeking our intentions, most of us will have managed to get more sun this summer than anticipated. Cumulative over our lifetime, sun damage takes a…

Reset for the Soul: The Inn at Newport Ranch

As a travel writer, I’ve grown accustomed to the “reset:” adjusting to different time zones, changing normal eating habits, sleeping in strange beds, and getting up and moving for jam-packed itineraries. It’s…

So Close, So Far Away

Taking time-out at the Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa  Remember when you were a kid (or you have kids) and were told (or you tell them) “take a time-out?” Well,…

Union Square in Bloom: A Budding New Tradition

In a city filled with colorful traditions, the newest one is also the prettiest. Now in its second year, Union Square in Bloom is a springtime floral initiative by the Union Square…

Ridiculously Luxurious Hotels in Northern California

Upgrade your extravagance when visiting Napa and Sonoma wine country. May is here and summer is just around the corner. This is when the desire to travel peaks for many looking for…