13 New, Design-Forward Hotels in California You Should Know About
On many of my trips around California, where I stay—whether it’s a beautiful campground or a small bed-and-breakfast with a welcoming staff—has been at the center of a great trip. I love how a truly good hotel has the power immerse you in the place’s personality from beginning to end through its design and hospitality.
There’s no shortage of stunning hotels at every price point and with every personality throughout California worth planning a whole trip around. But I’m especially excited about these 14 design-forward hotels in California, all of which are new or newly reopened in the past couple of years.
Hotels are listed in no particular order.
1. The Madeira House (Jenner, Sonoma Coast)
The Sonoma Coast is one of my favorite places for a weekend getaway from San Francisco, so I couldn’t be more excited to see the Madeira House open in Jenner in July 2025, taking over what used to be the Jenner Inn.
The eight oceanfront suites feature a cozy, architecture-forward Scandinavian-meets–Northern California design. The vibe is moody—much like the fog-ridden coast outside—with wood-forward interiors and windows that frame cliffside views of the Russian River meeting the Pacific Ocean. It’s also an adults-only property, inviting guests to relax and take in the serene setting.
2. Pavilion Hotel (Avalon, Catalina Island)
Following a major design refresh, the Pavilion Hotel in Avalon on scenic Catalina Island is reopening this April. In operation as a hotel since the 1960s, this iconic waterfront property has a storied past. It was once the town’s Old Dance Pavilion back in the 1890s. Today, it’s a midcentury, island-chic retreat that embraces both its location and history. Guests can also enjoy an open-air courtyard with a fire ring, a nightly wine & cheese social hour, and a central location just steps from the heart of Catalina’s main town, Avalon.
3. Cameo Beverly Hills (Los Angeles)
Cameo Beverly Hills reopened in January 2026 after a major redesign, taking over what used to be Mr. C Beverly Hills. The 138 rooms are polished but warm, featuring natural stone bathrooms, warm wood accents, and custom Italian furnishings. The vibe is Italian Riviera meets L.A., with a sunny rooftop pool as a central feature of the property. Moody interiors and elevated Peruvian cuisine define the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Zampo, which is open to guests and non-guests alike. Hilton loyalists will be happy to know it joined the portfolio as part of the group’s LXR luxury portfolio, making it an excellent choice for earning or redeeming points.
4. Guesthouse Lake Tahoe (Truckee)
Photo Credit: Mikael Lundblad
Opened in 2026, The Guesthouse Lake Tahoe isn’t just a new hotel, it’s a new concept. t’s a members-only hospitality club designed for private group stays. The house itself is centrally located in the town of Truckee, equidistant from Sugar Bowl, Northstar, and Palisades ski resorts, with a private-club-meets–alpine-lodge vibe. Stays come with a private chef, a dedicated driver, and a 24/7 “house captain” concierge, giving guests a high-end yet residential experience. To book a stay here, though, you have to be a member, with rates starting at around $3,000 per night.
5. Mendocino Cove (Mendocino)
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I absolutely love the glamping setup at Mendocino Grove, a retreat in the woods just outside the town of Mendocino. So when the team announced they’d be opening an oceanside, sister property called Mendocino Cove across the highway in 2025, my ears perked up. I’ve yet to visit, but I’ve heard excellent reviews from others about the newly renovated boutique property. Rooms are design-forward, featuring soft woods and organic textures in a sort of Palm Springs–meets–Mendocino aesthetic (heck, there’s even a tennis court—very Palm Springs). Overall, it’s a small, welcoming property perfect for enjoying the slow Mendocino lifestyle.
6. La Bahia Hotel & Spa (Santa Cruz)
Photo Credit: La Bahia Hotel & Spa
Sorry Santa Cruz, but I’ve got to say it: your hotel scene was a little lacking until the architecturally stunning La Bahia Hotel & Spa opened in 2025. It was a landmark revival project of the historic former La Bahia Apartments, located in a Spanish Revival building that overlooks Main Beach. Each of the 155 rooms features clean, airy design and modern amenities like a smart TV and Nespresso makers. If you really want to splurge, though, book a Deluxe or Premium room for ocean views, a balcony, or a private fire pit. A pool, loaner bikes, and proximity to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk round things out at this upscale-meets-surf-culture stay.
7. Hotel Lucile (Silver Lake, Los Angeles)
In Silver Lake, a 1931 church is slated to reopen as a design-forward, 25-room boutique hotel in 2026 called Hotel Lucile. The property is part of the Casetta Group, known for its unique and artsy hotel properties throughout the West Coast, and this L.A. hotel is no exception. Expect high ceilings, original architectural elements like stained glass, comfortable rooms, and a cozy, all-day lounge—all in a central and actually walkable (rare for L.A.) location. (For a sneak peek, I recommend checking out their Instagram.)
8 + 9. Appellation (Healdsburg and Lodi)
Spa at Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
Drinks at Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
In 2025, Chef Charlie Palmer expanded his team’s hospitality empire by opening two very exciting, food-focused hotels—both located in California wine country. Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa was the first of the pair to open in the underrated wine region of Lodi, just outside Sacramento, in the former Wine & Roses Resort property. I got to check it out shortly after they re-opened and I’d confidently say Appellation alone is a reason to plan a getaway to Lodi. My favorite parts of the property on a recent stay there were the café—which has some of the best tri-tip sandwiches I’ve ever had—their creative cocktail program, spacious rooms, and an on-site spa that you’ll want to book.
Their other property, Appellation Healdsburg, is in a more classic wine country destination just outside Healdsburg in Sonoma. Unlike Lodi, this 108-room resort is a new build. I visited on a hard-hat tour prior to completion, but was impressed by the attention to detail in the room design (thoughtful lighting, shower controls away from the shower head, clever storage solutions) and the abundance of creative workshops hosted on site—such as cooking and gardening classes. Plus, the resort has two pools, a spa, and multiple restaurants to round out your escape.
10. Outbound Yosemite (Oakhurst, near Yosemite)
Just 25 minutes from the south gate of Yosemite National Park, Outbound Yosemite is slated to open in the summer of 2026. As you’d expect from a hotel so close to California’s most iconic national park, the property has a clear focus on the outdoors, with modern yet woodsy cabins and lodge rooms and windows that frame the surrounding nature. On-site, there will also be a pizza restaurant called Juniper, an outdoor swimming pool, outdoor fire pits, and a “gear garage” where guests can access essentials like Yeti coolers. While yet to open, Outbound is accepting reservations.
11. Casa Loma Beach Hotel (Laguna Beach)
Just south of L.A., Laguna Beach is one of those quintessential SoCal destinations with sunny, sandy beaches and a laid-back, artsy surf culture. So naturally, you’d want an oceanfront stay on a getaway here. Enter: Casa Loma Beach Hotel, a luxury boutique property just steps from both the beach and the village. Formerly the Inn at Laguna Beach, the hotel was completely overhauled during a major renovation and finally opened in late 2024, debuting as a tranquil haven for creatives and travelers looking for refined relaxation. Amenities include an outdoor pool, a guest-only tapas restaurant called Cecilia’s, plus beach chairs and umbrellas at the ready to borrow.
12. The Ava Hotel (Paso Robles)
It’s the public spaces that I gravitated towards with the Ava Hotel, a 151-room property in the heart of downtown Paso Robles that opened in 2025. It has a vibrant rooftop bar and restaurant, comfortable rooms with a clean, modern design, and an outdoor pool. But the best part is its location, which puts guests within walking distance of dozens of tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops. An added bonus for Hilton loyalists, it’s part of their Curio collection.
13. Terra Palm Springs (Palm Springs)
This dreamy desert property in Palm Springs just opened in early 2025. Terra Palm Springs is a small, 13-room, adults-only hotel with a focus on holistic wellness. In addition to an outdoor pool and hot tub, they also have a salt sauna, immersive rain room, yoga, as well as state-of-the-art exercise equipment. Decor is warm and inviting, featuring natural materials like wood and stone, while the buildings themselves are highlighted by the stunning backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains. It’s also centrally located and within walking distance to bars and restaurants.
In Palm Springs, where you stay is more important than usual, since it’s not the kind of destination where you’re necessarily out and about all day. On trips here, I always find myself leaning into slow mornings and retreating to the hotel pool in the heat of the desert afternoon, and Terra feels like exactly the kind of place for this.
