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Stylish Hotels to Start the Year Off Right
Rancho Valencia Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Whether you're after a romantic weekend retreat or a family gathering, Rancho Valencia—Relais & Châteaux's only Southern California offering—is the perfect place to escape, reconnect, and recharge. With just under 50 casitas on the property, each offering bespoke furnishings and private patios, this ultra-luxe resort strikes a perfect balance between intimate and public. After a quick dip in the pool, visit the Forbes 5-star rated spa on-site for a wide range of treatments, or take a stroll amongst the gardens and citrus groves that dot the property. Everything at Rancho Valencia is expertly appointed so you will leave feeling your best, although we're willing to bet that by the end of your stay, you won't want to leave.
A world-class hotel just the right distance from Los Angeles, The Anza Hotel is equally delightful whether you're taking a trip across the country or a staycation from the nearby cities. Its relatively small size ensures that you'll enjoy a relaxing stay while you utilize amenities like the heated outdoor pool and plush pillow-top mattresses. There's a reason celebrities flock to Calabasas to purchase their homes, as the bountiful natural beauty and proximity to the shores of Malibu always offer something to do. Our favorite part? The contactless delivery robot, which is as cute as it is convenient.
Acqualina Resort & Residences is all about ultra-luxe living, where Mediterranean grandeur meets modern refinement. The lobby is a vision in white, accented by marble floors, grand columns, and sumptuous furniture from Fendi Casa. The pool area is a sanctuary, offering guests the choice between crimson-red loveseats and private cabanas. The Forbes Five Star spa is particularly notable as well, with state-of-the-art treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, a private Royal Spa Suite for special occasions, and an outdoor terrace. When it comes to dining, the resort doesn't disappoint: Costa Grill offers ocean views right on the beach, while Il Mulino New York, Avra, and Ke-uH serve up refined Italian, Greek, and Japanese Fusion food, respectively. The rooms, starting at a spacious 750 square feet, are adorned with Italian marble floors and Vena Oro marble vanities, all while offering ocean views that make the Atlantic seem like your own private sea.
As much of a gem as its eponymous company's world-famous crystal, Baccarat Hotel offers up a similar blend of classic craftsmanship with modern flair. Everything here is unapologetically opulent, from the grand common spaces to the guest rooms that invoke private Parisian pieds-à-terre. Stressed out by the chaos on the ever-busy streets of NYC? The ultra-luxe Spa de La Mer (yes, that La Mer) is an oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation, making it a perfectly indulgent escape. Conveniently located across from the Museum of Modern Art, the Baccarat Hotel New York is the epitome of pure opulence and should be a dream stay for any discerning traveler.
Eau Palm Beach is the epitome of a rejuvenating sanctuary, set against Florida's gold coast. Upon arrival, a welcome glass of champagne in the lobby immediately sets a luxurious tone. The rooms, the most spacious on Palm Beach Island, are designed by Jonathan Adler and feature private balconies with hanging chairs for ocean gazing. Dining here is an unending culinary journey, from Bōken's sushi to Polpo Palm Beach's Italian flavors. But it's the Forbes Five-Star spa (one of only 49 in the US) that truly elevates the experience. Here, you can indulge in treatments in open-air garden settings or even customize your own body scrub at the Scrub and Polish Bar. For the ultimate in luxury, book the Eau Lanai Terrace Suite, offering a private garden and easy access to the resort's pools.
