From the Beach to the Desert to the Alaskan Wild, These Resorts and Retreats Embody the West

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These 31 hotels, resorts, inns, and lodges are the 2026 winners of the Where to Stay: Resorts & Retreats category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

The Ranch Malibu

The Ranch Malibu

The Ranch Malibu spans 200 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains with a simple formula: 25 guests, multi-hour hikes, daily massage, and organic meals in a distraction-free setting designed for measurable transformation. It’s not a spa experience. It’s a reset built on human connection and real results.

Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel

Jeff Zaruba

Ambiente, a pioneering landscape hotel in Sedona, Arizona, enchants adults with its setting among red rock formations, its cube-shaped Atriums with panoramic views and rooftop stargazing decks. This luxurious escape combines hyper-local dining at Forty1, regionally inspired treatments at Velvet Spa, and a commitment to sustainability. 

CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa

CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa

Could there possibly be a better place for a wellness retreat than a place named Carefree, Arizona? This best-in-class holistic wellness experience integrates spa treatments, fitness programming, and nutritional guidance into a transformative, rejuvenating stay. 

Inn the Ground 

Courtesy of Inn the Ground

Built into a hillside above a working regenerative farm in Oregon wine country, this nine-room escape is where you wake to birdsong and watch cattle graze while enjoying breakfast showcasing what’s grown on-site. Eight miles of trails ribbon through the property, designed around permaculture water projects. The operation is built on deepening the connection between farms, food, and people, extending to their acclaimed restaurant, Grounded Table, in nearby McMinnville. 

Dive Palm Springs

Marco Franchinags

With just 13 rooms surrounding a sparkling tiled pool, Dive Palm Springs captures the carefree glamour of a vintage riviera escape through a distinctly desert lens. Thoughtful design, personalized hospitality, and a growing wellness program make this adults-only retreat an inviting place to slow down and settle into Palm Springs time. 

Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve

Thomas J. Story

Set across more than half a million acres on the Colorado–New Mexico border, Vermejo offers one of the most extraordinary conservation-driven travel experiences in the West. Guests can explore vast landscapes teeming with wildlife, enjoy refined lodging and outdoor adventures, and leave knowing their stay helps support the stewardship of one of North America’s great private conservation success stories.

Hotel Marina Riviera

Patrick Chin

Big Bear has long been the de facto SoCal mountain escape but until recently there weren’t many design-forward accommodations. This 1968 Viking-inspired lodge—reimagined by Casetta Group and design studio Electric Bowery—merges alpine nostalgia with louche 1970s charm. Add waterfront access, an all-day restaurant by beloved L.A. pizzeria De La Nonna, and a restored mid-century bar, and you’ve got indulgent outdoorsy escape done right.

Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp

Matt Lowber

Watch brown bears hunt salmon from your private fly-in camp on Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park, one of the world’s premier bear-viewing destinations. Handcrafted cabins overlook the beach where bears forage for clams on the tide flats right in front of you. Genuine wilderness immersion, stripped of pretense.

Outlook Inn

Outlook Inn

With 31 rooms overlooking Fishing Bay in Eastsound on Orcas Island, Outlook Inn feels lived-in with wavy floorboards, local art, and genuine island hospitality. The Water’s Edge suites sit closest to the water, and mornings happen at New Leaf Café downstairs, where the whole island seems to gather.

Romer House Waikiki

Courtesy of Romer House Waikiki

Romer House is adults-only and intentional, with design nods to Waikiki’s mid-century. What makes it feel different is that it’s truly tied to the people: a speakeasy cocktail bar where you’ll find the who’s who of Hawaii hanging out, the fridge in the lobby stocked with fresh local lei, the izakaya serving Japanese-Hawaiian dishes made with aloha, and collaborations with local surfers like Mason Ho and Auntie Meggz that weave them into the daily rhythm of the place. 

The Cottages at Little Saint

Brendan Mainini

The Cottages at Little Saint slip behind gates in downtown Healdsburg—four intimate units with wallpapered ceilings and hand-painted floors designed by Ken Fulk’s whimsy. They’re inseparable from the complex below: a plant-based restaurant, curated wine shop, live music venue, and an eight-acre regenerative farm supplying the kitchen. It’s a fully realized hospitality vision where design, food, and community actually connect.

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is a storied 85-room retreat blending vintage luxury with personalized hospitality, featuring new private villas, Mila Moursi’s first hotel spa, and standout dining at Lilian’s and Bing’s Bar. Set on lush grounds just outside San Diego, this century-old icon offers tailored experiences and timeless charm in a truly residential setting.

Thompson Palm Springs

Thompson Palm Springs

The expansive Thompson continues setting a new bar for hospitality with its modernist complex of sleek rooms, a rooftop pool, modern Middle Eastern restaurant, a HALL wine tasting experience, the breezy Italianate fantasia Bar Issi, and an extensive art collection. A chic addition to the scene. 

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

Thomas J. Story

After a major glow up, Murrieta Hot Springs reopened in early 2024 with over 50 geothermal pools at varying temperatures, plus a terra thermal mud loft. Spa treatments are inspired by the mineral-rich geothermal water, and historic touches like original Spanish fountains anchor it all in a century-plus of SoCal healing history.

Hotel Valley Ho

Hotel Valley Ho

This extensively updated and beloved 1956 midcentury Scottsdale resort embraces its roots while delivering all the amenities modern travelers expect: vibrant poppy rooms and suites, the VH Spa offering chromotherapy saunas and other treatments, and two pools with two vibes to suit any traveler.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Bernardus Lodge & Spa is a refined wine country retreat set across 28 acres of rolling vineyards and gardens in California’s verdant Carmel Valley. The 73-room resort embodies a seamless sense of place, where quiet luxury meets effortless elegance. Guests savor a thoughtfully curated experience shaped by the land itself, from seasonal, artisanal, organic cuisine sourced from local farmers at Lucia Restaurant & Bar, led by Executive Chef Gus Trejo, to an award-winning wine collection curated by the property’s master sommelier, alongside a comprehensive selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. At the heart of the property, the spa offers holistic wellness treatments, alongside tarot card readings, reiki, and crystal therapy, with estate-grown ingredients enhancing the experience. Guests can also enjoy the resort’s exclusive Mercedes fleet for scenic drives. Defined by intuitive service and meticulous attention to detail, Bernardus Lodge & Spa is a serene escape designed to inspire relaxation, reconnection, and lasting memories.

Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley, Scottsdale

Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas

Set across 40 acres in Paradise Valley, Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas introduces a fresh perspective on the Sonoran Desert experience. Nestled between Camelback and Mummy Mountains, the resort blends residential-style comfort with expressive, design-forward spaces shaped by the desert’s shifting light and natural textures. Reimagined from the former Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Miralina unfolds as a series of indoor-outdoor environments, from lush garden pathways to six distinct pools and intimate gathering spaces. At its core, the experience is rooted in connection to landscape, to culture, and to community through sensory Desert Reveries installations, chef-driven dining, and wellness programming that follows the rhythms of the desert. With thoughtfully designed guestrooms, casitas, and upcoming villas, Miralina offers a relaxed yet elevated retreat where nature, creativity, and modern hospitality come together seamlessly.

The New Inn

Dean Arendon

Located in the heart of Temecula, The New Inn offers a refined and intimate escape for travelers seeking a personalized hospitality experience. This boutique property features uniquely designed private villas, each thoughtfully curated with modern amenities, stylish interiors, and a warm, inviting ambiance. Perfect for romantic getaways, group stays, or special occasions, The New Inn blends comfort and sophistication with attention to every detail, from in-room touches to a signature sensory experience. Just minutes from Temecula Valley Wine Country, guests enjoy convenient access to renowned wineries, dining, and local attractions while retreating to a peaceful and elevated setting. With a strong focus on guest engagement and exceptional service, the hotel delivers a memorable stay that captures the essence of Southern California wine country.

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa is a mountainside escape just on the outskirts of Tucson, overlooking the saguaro cacti-dotted Sonoran landscape from every angle. A renovation completed in 2026 brings the iconic, adobe-inspired resort to new life, creating compelling reasons for golfers, wellness, family, and business travelers alike to return. The 575 reimagined guest rooms and suites and 100,000 square feet of updated meeting space now all reflect a desert-modern aesthetic that’s as light-filled as Arizona, while the revamped 27-hole golf course is back to championship-level play (alongside a new clubhouse restaurant and pro shop). Moments from Saguaro National Park, the resort expands its own desert offerings with an award-winning spa, seven diverse dining options, and a sprawling pool complex featuring southern Arizona’s largest lazy river and waterslide. Guests enjoy included amenities like guided hikes, Native American-led rituals, and nightly tequila toasts, often flavored with ingredients from the resort’s garden.

Drift Palm Springs

Courtesy of Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels.

Drift brings Baja-style to the sun-soaked desert in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Just steps from boutique shops, eclectic restaurants, and outdoor adventures, Drift Palm Springs features spacious one- to four-bedroom suites with full kitchens, stylish living areas, and stunning views of the San Jacinto mountains. Wellness is woven into every stay with complimentary Saturday yoga, and in-room access to guided workouts and meditation. Guests can rent complimentary yoga mats and bikes to enjoy the outdoors, explore nearby hiking trails, or unwind with poolside cocktails in cabanas and loungers. The hotel is also home to Maleza, a modern Mexican restaurant rooted in handcrafted flavor in partnership with local Chef Ysaac Ramirez. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, Drift offers a stylish and restorative desert retreat for travelers of all kinds.

Appellation Healdsburg

Emma K. Creative/Emma Kruch

Opened in September 2025, Appellation Healdsburg is the new flagship resort of visionary, culinary-first hospitality brand Appellation, founded by Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger. The hotel unfolds among eight-and-a-half acres of lush landscapes, designed to immerse guests in the region’s food, wine, and agriculture. Offering wine country luxury with a deep sense of place, it features 108 guestrooms and suites, thoughtful culinary concepts, two pools, a curated spa and wellness program, and dynamic experiences with local makers and growers, continuing to elevate Healdsburg’s dynamic hospitality landscape. Walking into the hotel lobby is like stepping into the open kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant: the energy, aromas, and artistry of the culinary world immediately set the tone for the stay. Designed with a culinary soul, the hotel blends the warmth of community with refined comfort through signature restaurant Folia Bar & Kitchen and Andys Beeline Rooftop Bar. 

The Lodge at Pebble Beach

Sherman Chu

Perched above the legendary 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Lodge at Pebble Beach is the crown jewel of California coastal hospitality. Blending timeless elegance with a fresh, contemporary sensibility, the historic property has recently undergone a comprehensive transformation, enhancing guestrooms and public spaces while preserving its iconic character. Guests enjoy unparalleled ocean views, world-class golf, refined dining and curated experiences that embody the spirit of Pebble Beach. Set directly along the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Lodge offers a picture-perfect setting where guests can watch players tee off and finish at the iconic 18th green against a stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop. With its deep heritage, exceptional service and renewed design, The Lodge continues to set the standard for luxury along the Monterey Peninsula.

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia is an exclusive oasis inspired by the rich heritage of Morocco and Andalusia in Southern Spain. Nestled at the base of picturesque Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona, the resort boasts 293 spacious guest rooms, including 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites, three sparkling resort pools surrounded by towering palm trees, rejuvenating wellness offerings, and award-winning culinary experiences across four dining outlets. The critically acclaimed Prado offers savory wood-fired tapas and mesquite-smoked cocktails, while Taqueria Centro elevates Arizona-Mexican cuisine with bold flavors and craft tequila cocktails, and Mbar serves Andalusian-inspired tapas alongside sangria and fine wines by fire-lit courtyards. For those seeking a transformative well-being experience, Omni Scottsdale Resort’s crown jewel, the 31,000-square-foot Joya Spa, is home to Scottsdale’s only Hammam treatment spa—a rejuvenating Moroccan-inspired hot and cold bathing ritual.

Castle Hot Springs

Castle Hot Springs

Set within Arizona’s Bradshaw Mountains, just 50 miles north of Phoenix, Castle Hot Springs is a historic, adults-only desert oasis redefining modern wellness through a deeply place-driven lens. Established in 1896 as Arizona’s first luxury wellness retreat, the 1,100-acre resort seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary refinement across 31 standalone bungalows and cabins. In 2026, the property enters a new chapter as a member of Relais & Châteaux, joining a global collection devoted to art de vivre, culinary excellence, and cultural preservation. At its core, mineral-rich hot springs feed three restorative pools, anchoring a holistic approach to well-being. The resort’s celebrated “Flavor Farming” program cultivates more than 300 varieties of produce on-site, shaping a hyper-seasonal culinary experience led by Executive Chef Chris Knouse. Paired with immersive desert adventures and a newly expanded wellness framework, Castle Hot Springs offers a rare balance of restoration, discovery, and elevated simplicity.

Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort

Perched atop coastal bluffs with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, Terranea Resort (pronounced “terra-NAY-a”) is the ultimate luxury escape on the Los Angeles coast. Set on 102 acres of stunning coastline, the Mediterranean-inspired resort blends refined elegance with the natural beauty of the Pacific. Guests relax in newly refreshed casitas, bungalows, villas, and guest rooms; savor coastal-inspired cuisine at five distinctive dining venues; or reconnect with nature at The Spa, recently revitalized through a $4.5 million refresh showcasing ocean-inspired design, serene gardens and natural materials. The resort offers endless activities, including The Links cliffside golf course, guided coastal hikes, water adventures, yoga and stargazing experiences, plus four pools and a dedicated kids’ club. Updated meeting and event spaces provide a breathtaking backdrop for weddings and gatherings. Just southwest of Los Angeles, Terranea delivers immersive coastal luxury, attentive service, and curated experiences where nature and elegance converge.

The Cloudveil, an Autograph Collection Hotel

The Cloudveil

The only hotel on Jackson’s historic Town Square, The Cloudveil brings understated luxury and a refined, yet relaxed sensibility to the valley. Rooted in the destination, people, and soul of Jackson Hole, The Cloudveil is located at the gateway to the Grand Teton National Park, one hour south of Yellowstone National Park, and in the center of the town’s boutique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Capturing a true sense of place and offering a modern sanctuary inspired by the organic elements of its locale, The Cloudveil boasts 100 guest rooms and suites; a European bistro-style restaurant and bar named “The Bistro” helmed by Gavin Fine and Fine Dining Restaurant Group; an expansive rooftop terrace overlooking Jackson’s Town Square and Snow King Mountain; a tranquil outdoor pool and garden; a state-of-the-art fitness center; and 7,500 square feet of indoor-outdoor meeting and event space featuring fireplaces, fire pits, and spectacular views.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is a desert retreat set on 53 acres at the base of iconic Camelback Mountain. Blending contemporary design with the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, the resort offers 110 casitas and suites, along with eight private mountainside villas featuring sweeping valley views. At its core is the award-winning Sanctuary Spa, a 12,000-square-foot haven inspired by desert healing traditions, complete with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a Zen meditation garden, and tranquil relaxation spaces where expert therapists offer a diverse menu of healing therapies and treatments. Guests can also complement their stay with a well-rounded fitness program including yoga, aerial sound meditation, guided hikes, as well as access to tennis and pickleball courts. Dining at Elements and Jade Bar highlights seasonal, locally driven cuisine paired with panoramic sunset views. Thoughtful service, serene surroundings, and a strong sense of place define this elevated desert escape.

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa

MacArthur Place

Nestled on six lush acres in the heart of California wine country, MacArthur Place is Sonoma’s beloved 69-room boutique retreat. Custom-designed guest rooms featuring fireplaces, outdoor showers, or soaking tubs invite deep relaxation, while the full-service spa, chef’s garden, and mid-century pool encourage leisurely exploration. An expansive collection of art from independent emerging artists adds soul throughout the property. Three distinct culinary outlets anchor the experience: Layla, spotlighting Sonoma County’s farm-fresh bounty; the cocktail-forward Bar at MacArthur, a local favorite; and The Porch coffee shop.

Grange Estate

Foley Entertainment Group

Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley region sits Grange Estate: a newly certified ‘inn’ from Foley Entertainment Group, the hospitality group renowned for its iconic wine country hotels across the world. Grange Estate is perched hillside along Dundee Hills, a living, working agricultural landscape of vineyards, orchards, gardens, and forest edges, producing some of the most distinctive pinot noir and chardonnay at its onsite Four Graces Winery. Bookable in 2026, Grange Estate offers nine thoughtfully designed guest room suites overlooking Dundee Hills’ vineyards, farmland, and the surrounding Mount Hood. Inn guests will enjoy the estate’s Americana design, plush bedding inside each guest room suite, welcoming communal spaces, and its remarkable dining experiences. Here, mornings begin with vineyard strolls and evenings settle with wine, conversation, and quiet Oregon skies.

Farmhouse Inn

Farmhouse Inn

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County and the wider Russian River Valley, this charming six-acre, 25-room hotel was originally established in the 19th century as a family homestead and now, five generations later, is decorated with luxury accommodations, chef’s gardens, an outstanding fine-dining restaurant, and a dedicated wellness barn. Each guest room is equipped with luxurious amenities including wood-burning fireplaces, deep soaking tubs overlooking oak-tree-dotted hillsides, and heated-tile flooring. Plus, turndown service features delectable, oven-fresh chocolate chip cookies. The wellness hub of this property, The Wellness Barn, invites guests in from an increasingly chaotic and over-stimulating world with herbal baths, floral readings, CBD Gemstone baths, and more. Fueled by a passion for the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms and their very own onsite Chalk Hill Culinary Gardens, Farmhouse’s on-site culinary offerings, FARMSTAND and The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn, are derived from the incredible seasonal bounty of Sonoma County.

h2hotel

h2hotel

h2hotel is LEED Gold Certified and architect David Baker + Partners design is both minimal and complex, with a light-hearted utilitarianism that make it an ideal choice for those seeking a stylish, ecologically-progressive wine country retreat with comfortable accommodations at moderate rates. The hotel features an undulating green roof, a bright and airy lobby with an all-in-one “Receptobar,” and a solar-heated pool overlooking Foss Creek. All rooms feature garden or town views, sustainable bamboo floors, king beds that convert to two twin beds, balconies or patios, glass walk-in showers, flat-panel HD televisions, all-natural bath products made from local, organic ingredients, and luxurious organic linens and robes. h2hotel guests can enjoy Spoonbar, serving dinner and drinks Tuesday-Sunday; complimentary Dutch cruising bicycles, as well as an on-site bike storage cube and service station; the solar-heated creek-side pool; and walkable proximity to the town plaza.