Your Vacation Deserves an Upgrade. These Luxury Hotels Deliver.

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These 17 hotels and resorts are the 2026 winners of the Where to Stay: Luxury Lodging 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.

Four Seasons Resort Cabo Del Sol

Four Seasons Resort Cabo Del Sol

The luxe Mexican village of your dreams: against the vivid blue backdrop of the Sea of Cortez, you’ll find whitewashed modern hacienda-style rooms and private villas; winding stone roads and paths; charming boutiques; a serene spa; pools to fit families, couples, and fitness fans; restaurants serving modern Peruvian-Japanese food (from chef Richard Sandoval); and a rooftop beach club serving up beats against the setting sun.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Lush grounds, a perfect little beach, an expansive spa, a throwback general store, a lagoon stocked with local sea life, attentive service, well-appointed rooms, and the best pool on the island make this a top-tier Hawaiian stay.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Connie Zhou

This magnificent 67-story luxury resort on the Strip, offers an exhilarating experience with expansive gaming, eclectic world-class dining, and marquee entertainment. Guests are drawn to its vibrant nightlife, luxury retail, French-Mediterranean poolside dining, and immersive wellness offerings, making it a hub for dynamic luxury living.

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Your tropical vacation fantasies are realized at this transporting Big Island resort, sited on a cinematic palm tree-lined cove with luxurious hales perched over lava flows, a bar made out of a shipwreck, and winding paths leading to cooling pools and spectacular restaurants. The pinnacle unforgettable Hawaiian resort experience to beat.

Montage Healdsburg

Montage Healdsburg

Perched among vineyards and oak-studded hillsides, Montage Healdsburg delivers a polished Sonoma County experience. Estate wines, exceptional dining, thoughtful wellness programming, and immersive connections to local artisans make it a compelling expression of modern wine country hospitality.

Nobu Ryokan Malibu

Nobu Ryokan Malibu

Perched on Carbon Beach with 16 suites, Nobu Ryokan Malibu is Japanese minimalism meeting California coast—teak soaking tubs beneath skylights, garden rooms opening onto zen gardens. Adult-only and intimate. Chef Nobu’s restaurant is steps away, or call down and they bring it to your room.

Parker Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs

For decades, the Parker Palm Springs has been the desert’s ultimate playground, blending Hollywood history, bold design, and an unmistakable sense of fun. Set across lush gardens just outside downtown, the storied retreat continues to evolve with standout dining, vibrant cultural programming, and some of the most stylish places to swim, sip, and unwind in the Coachella Valley.

San Ysidro Ranch

San Ysidro Ranch

San Ysidro Ranch sits in Montecito with the kind of quiet luxury that only happens in one of America’s most expensive zip codes. Somehow, the place feels lived-in, not precious with quirky details everywhere: wallpapered ceilings, impeccable gardens, complimentary amenities that include freshly baked cookies and lavender lemonade. It’s no wonder it’s historically the hideaway for Hollywood stars.

Sensei Lāna’i, A Four Seasons Resort

Tanveer Badal

Sensei Lāna’i is a bespoke wellness journey, not a spa retreat, and the distinction matters. Best in its class, the program wraps around your personal goals and starts well before you even step foot on the island. Think mindset training, water massage, onsen-style private baths, VO2 max assessment, and practices like fascia release that you actually carry home and integrate into daily life.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is a non-gaming, non-smoking sanctuary on The Strip with floor-to-ceiling views, an award-winning 27,000-square-foot spa, and Peacock Alley’s afternoon tea tradition to replace the casino noise. Imagine coming back from Vegas actually feeling refreshed.

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Set in the heart of Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle, The Maybourne Beverly Hills is a sophisticated escape with legendary London roots, European charm, and California flair. Its 205 recently redesigned residential-style guest rooms, including 57 suites, offer an elegant sanctuary in one of the world’s most coveted destinations.The property is home to seven culinary experiences, including the acclaimed Dante Beverly Hills, The Whisky Bar (boasting North America’s largest Macallan collection), and The Terrace, serving seasonal California-inspired cuisine in a quintessentially European setting. Guests can also unwind at The Spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, one of LA’s largest luxury spas, or take in panoramic Hollywood Hills views from the rooftop pool.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

Nestled on a palm-lined residential boulevard in the beating heart of Los Angeles, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is a premier, independent all-suite hotel celebrating understated luxury. The award-winning discreet hideaway opened in 1975 and fully renovated in 2020—holding MICHELIN Two Key status amongst other awards. A welcoming home-away-from-home for discerning travelers, the property pairs exceptional hospitality with thoughtful touches in an intimate, sophisticated setting. With 116 spacious rooms, the hotel boasts the largest and most luxurious suites in Beverly Hills, including the impressive L’Ermitage Suite. Enhancing Beverly Hills’ renowned dining scene, guests savor refined Italian fare at Costa Covo Osteria, or take in sweeping views at Poza Rooftop. L’Ermitage is also home to the L.A. studio of renowned skincare expert Joanna Czech, as well as the only Vera Wang haute showroom on the West Coast, an appointment-only bridal salon offering couture fittings in an intimate private suite.

Sensei Porcupine Creek

Chris Simpson

Nestled against the Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage, California, Sensei Porcupine Creek transformed a 230-acre private estate into an ultra-luxury wellness retreat. With 22 keys, the serene setting offers an intimate escape where guests immerse themselves in the desert landscape while embarking on a personalized wellness journey. Renowned for its private golf course, world-class tennis facilities, and exclusive clientele, Sensei offers a variety of programs, including the introductory Discover Sensei Package, which provides a taste of Sensei’s wellness offerings, and the Guided Wellness Experience, where Sensei Guides design tailored itineraries with one-on-one sessions. The Optimal Wellbeing Program delivers a highly personalized approach using advanced health technology and data analysis, with dedicated golf and tennis programs available. For those looking to improve sleep and manage stress, the Rest & Reset Program offers a comprehensive approach, alongside the retreat’s yoga and fitness pavilions, relaxing swimming pool, and dining from Sensei by Nobu.

Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley Ranch

Tucked into the Santa Lucia foothills, Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre “sophisticated summer camp” that redefines the luxury family getaway. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation of the River Ranch area, the resort offers an unparalleled hub for activity and relaxation. Guests enjoy three distinct pools—including a new children’s wading pool and splash pad—tennis and pickleball courts, and the newly debuted River Ranch Bar & Grill. This open-air culinary destination offers laid-back vibes and mountain views, serving everything from spicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches to fresh Tuna Poke Bowls. Beyond the pool, the Ranch features all-suite accommodations, a Pete Dye-designed golf course, and the serene Spa Aiyana. Whether you are meeting the adorable new resident mini horses, honey-tasting at the organic apiary, or enjoying the seamless convenience of the new Nuna baby gear partnership, The Ranch remains the West’s premier destination for playful discovery.

Cavallo Point

Cavallo Point

Set within 75,000 acres of national parkland in the iconic Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the award-winning Cavallo Point is a luxurious LEED Gold-certified lodge that masterfully blends historical architecture with exquisite contemporary design. Once an active military post, the resort celebrates its storied past through the recently renovated historic guest rooms, offering a timeless charm paired with modern eco-luxe comforts. Guests experience an unrivaled getaway featuring globally-inspired treatments at the Healing Arts Center & Spa, world-class dining at Farley and Sula, and immersive adventure opportunities. From the natural light of the Cavallo Point Cooking School to the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Lodge provides a sense of serenity and peace for multi-generational travelers. Located minutes from San Francisco and Sausalito, Cavallo Point remains a premier destination for those seeking a sustainable, sophisticated escape in the heart of Northern California’s most stunning coastal landscape.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Nestled in Mexico’s Riviera Maya just north of Playa del Carmen, Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers an unparalleled escape within a private sanctuary of serene canal waterways. The resort features 162 luxurious accommodations, including 34 beachfront suites, 121 private villas, and innovative two-story floating lagoon villas, each boasting its own private pool. Culinary excellence defines the experience across nine venues, highlighted by the signature Thai concept Saffron, the experiential Mayan dining of HAAB, and the recently debuted Sur Beach Club, the Riviera Maya’s only adults-only beachfront “chiringuito.” Wellness and adventure intertwine through the renowned Banyan Tree Spa, alongside curated activities like snorkeling the world’s second-largest barrier reef, cenote exploration, and private yacht charters. Committed to sustainability through its “Stay for Good” biodiversity program, Banyan Tree Mayakoba seamlessly blends world-class service with a deep respect for the region’s natural beauty, creating a destination for authentic immersion and deep relaxation.

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Daniel Kelleghan

Alila Ventana Big Sur is a place for seekers, visionaries, and romantics, set in the heart of Big Sur along California’s rugged Central Coast. Perched on the edge of the continent overlooking the majestic Pacific coastline, this intimate 54-room resort is nestled among towering old-growth redwoods, offering serene views of both forest and the Pacific Ocean. Spa Alila serves as a sanctuary for restoration, blending the healing elements of earth and ocean through a curated menu of treatments, including energy healing, reiki, chakra alignment, and more. At The Sur House, guests enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired, California-driven culinary experience, where locally sourced ingredients—including produce from the resort’s organic garden and the freshest seasonal bounty—shape seasonal menus best enjoyed over sweeping views of the ocean and forests that surround. The resort’s one-of-a-kind Alila Experiences provide opportunities to discover outward adventures that inspire the mind, body, and soul.