Book four new California hotels now

Stay in SoCal’s “Other” Wine Country

Despite a star turn several years ago in a film directed by Alexander Payne, the Santa Ynez Valley is still sideways, a relatively off-the-radar destination for most people beyond the borders of the Golden State. It shouldn’t be: It’s charming, far less subscribed than Napa or Sonoma, and the landscape is proto-California—rolling yellow hills dotted with grapevines and broad oak groves, the occasional border— Breaks from the era’s downtown (usually with some clapboard façades still gratifyingly intact).

Auberge Resorts, which has a corner on the market for West Coast hospitality, recently opened The Inn at Matei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, one such town. It is itself simply established, operating its restaurant and bar in the original tavern house (which dates back to 1886), its rooms and suites in early 20th-century cottages, and a new two-story building (some of which have gardens) and have balconies) are scattered throughout. , The food is clean, downright Californian—ranging from Central Coast abalone, to a robust kale salad—and good enough that Tavern Restaurant has become a popular stop on the SoCal-to-NorCal Highway 101 route. aubergeresorts.comfrom $950

Iconic Architecture in Western Sonoma County

Sea Ranch Lodge is a little legend of Northern California: a pioneer architecture and community model of the ’60s on a stunningly beautiful, 53-acre piece of Sonoma County coastline. For the past two years it has been undergoing a Quiet-Revolution renovation involving local artists and artisans that has brought it back into the attention of tastemakers. First, in 2021, came its public spaces: a dining room, open to the public and serving casual classics (chowder, smash burgers and grain bowls), a cafe and general store. Earlier this month, 17 rooms of the original 1968 hotel reopened for bookings after a gentle, minimalist renovation that privileged the original vision of the architects and landscape designers who worked on the project Lets, among them Charles Moore, Joseph Esherich, and Lawrence Halperin.

There’s lots of local wood and local stone (hard to find these days), hand-knotted rugs, custom beds, closets and desks. Santa Cruz Woodworks, and built-in window seats that take full advantage of the ocean-to-horizon views. The next phase of the project offers seven renowned Sea Ranch residences for short stays, operated by the hotel (its brilliant GM, Christina Jeton, is one of California’s finest). For now, however, grab a room to yourself, light a fire at the groovy Camini, pour a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, and enjoy a time before tech billionaires and property wildcatters when Sonoma’s landscape was the preserve of dreamers. thesearanchlodge.comRooms from $500

Twi Carmel got a makeover in style

Central California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea has a more familiar name to most people—it’s long been a destination for its restaurants, shops, music festivals, and two long and beautiful beaches (not to mention the annual It is a tourist destination. Concours d’Elegance A bunch of vintage cars and world-class golf courses, both of which are next door to Pebble Beach). Paleocity, a micro-chain of small and nice design-forward addresses, has opened the first two properties in its new spin-off brand, Le Petit Palee, here. One, on the corner of Ocean Avenue – the village’s bustling high street – puts you in the heart of the action, with 34 rooms in several bungalows.

the second, a 24-room hotel conversion in the local Craftsman style, is a few blocks away on Eighth Avenue; A little quieter, but excellent pizza at Bottega Veneta, La Bicicleta, and almost as easy to walk to Carmel State Beach, where you can (and should) bring a picnic south of 13th Avenue. cheese Shop Head down to the sand to watch the sunset. Le Petit Palee style English country cottage meets West Hollywood: All wainscoted walls are painted pistachio or cream, vintage wicker (or midcentury oak) furniture, and aubusson or Persian rugs mixed with jute matting. Their welcome to a place that could use a few more such addresses. www.lepetitpali.comfrom $350

San Diego’s got a grand dame back

Far south in San Diego, where the multistory Del Coronado has (rightfully so) dominated as a place to live for years, another historic space is just emerging from a complete and eye-catching renovation. The 1946 Lafayette Hotel, once a favorite spot of the likes of Ava Gardner and Lana Turner, was acquired a few years ago by CH Projects, which owns and operates some of the city’s best restaurants.

Its 139 rooms have been redesigned by regular CH associates post companyThe Brooklyn-based boutique firm has long held on to wallpapered ceilings, skirted lamps, and jewel tones for a look that stays just the right side of over-the-top. Some of the rooms are in the main hotel, while suites are filled in the townhouses that surround the original pool (and it’s pretty old California glam pool). A full eight bars and restaurants are offered, including an Oaxacan taqueria-mezcaleria whose interior was salvaged from a derelict church in the Mexican state. www.lafayettehotelsd.comfrom $299

Stay in SoCal’s “Other” Wine Country

Despite a star turn several years ago in a film directed by Alexander Payne, the Santa Ynez Valley is still sideways, a relatively off-the-radar destination for most people beyond the borders of the Golden State. It shouldn’t be: It’s charming, far less subscribed than Napa or Sonoma, and the landscape is proto-California—rolling yellow hills dotted with grapevines and broad oak groves, the occasional border— Breaks from the era’s downtown (usually with some clapboard façades still gratifyingly intact).

Auberge Resorts, which has a corner on the market for West Coast hospitality, recently opened The Inn at Matei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, one such town. It is itself simply established, operating its restaurant and bar in the original tavern house (which dates back to 1886), its rooms and suites in early 20th-century cottages, and a new two-story building (some of which have gardens) and have balconies) are scattered throughout. , The food is clean, downright Californian—ranging from Central Coast abalone, to a robust kale salad—and good enough that Tavern Restaurant has become a popular stop on the SoCal-to-NorCal Highway 101 route. aubergeresorts.comfrom $950

Iconic Architecture in Western Sonoma County

Sea Ranch Lodge is a little legend of Northern California: a pioneer architecture and community model of the ’60s on a stunningly beautiful, 53-acre piece of Sonoma County coastline. For the past two years it has been undergoing a Quiet-Revolution renovation involving local artists and artisans that has brought it back into the attention of tastemakers. First, in 2021, came its public spaces: a dining room, open to the public and serving casual classics (chowder, smash burgers and grain bowls), a cafe and general store. Earlier this month, 17 rooms of the original 1968 hotel reopened for bookings after a gentle, minimalist renovation that privileged the original vision of the architects and landscape designers who worked on the project Lets, among them Charles Moore, Joseph Esherich, and Lawrence Halperin.

There’s lots of local wood and local stone (hard to find these days), hand-knotted rugs, custom beds, closets and desks. Santa Cruz Woodworks, and built-in window seats that take full advantage of the ocean-to-horizon views. The next phase of the project offers seven renowned Sea Ranch residences for short stays, operated by the hotel (its brilliant GM, Christina Jeton, is one of California’s finest). For now, however, grab a room to yourself, light a fire at the groovy Camini, pour a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, and enjoy a time before tech billionaires and property wildcatters when Sonoma’s landscape was the preserve of dreamers. thesearanchlodge.comRooms from $500

Twi Carmel got a makeover in style

Central California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea has a more familiar name to most people—it’s long been a destination for its restaurants, shops, music festivals, and two long and beautiful beaches (not to mention the annual It is a tourist destination. Concours d’Elegance A bunch of vintage cars and world-class golf courses, both of which are next door to Pebble Beach). Paleocity, a micro-chain of small and nice design-forward addresses, has opened the first two properties in its new spin-off brand, Le Petit Palee, here. One, on the corner of Ocean Avenue – the village’s bustling high street – puts you in the heart of the action, with 34 rooms in several bungalows.

the second, a 24-room hotel conversion in the local Craftsman style, is a few blocks away on Eighth Avenue; A little quieter, but excellent pizza at Bottega Veneta, La Bicicleta, and almost as easy to walk to Carmel State Beach, where you can (and should) bring a picnic south of 13th Avenue. cheese Shop Head down to the sand to watch the sunset. Le Petit Palee style English country cottage meets West Hollywood: All wainscoted walls are painted pistachio or cream, vintage wicker (or midcentury oak) furniture, and aubusson or Persian rugs mixed with jute matting. Their welcome to a place that could use a few more such addresses. www.lepetitpali.comfrom $350

San Diego’s got a grand dame back

Far south in San Diego, where the multistory Del Coronado has (rightfully so) dominated as a place to live for years, another historic space is just emerging from a complete and eye-catching renovation. The 1946 Lafayette Hotel, once a favorite spot of the likes of Ava Gardner and Lana Turner, was acquired a few years ago by CH Projects, which owns and operates some of the city’s best restaurants.

Its 139 rooms have been redesigned by regular CH associates post companyThe Brooklyn-based boutique firm has long held on to wallpapered ceilings, skirted lamps, and jewel tones for a look that stays just the right side of over-the-top. Some of the rooms are in the main hotel, while suites are filled in the townhouses that surround the original pool (and it’s pretty old California glam pool). A full eight bars and restaurants are offered, including an Oaxacan taqueria-mezcaleria whose interior was salvaged from a derelict church in the Mexican state. www.lafayettehotelsd.comfrom $299