The Best Hotels to Book in Orange County, California, for Every Traveler

Enjoy an Orange County stay like no other at the Resort at Pelican Hill, which will wow you with its serene, gently Hispanic good looks comprised of red tiles and peachy facades. Your own Newport Beach bungalow or villa is your basecamp for a weekend getaway full of seaside golf, Acqua Colonnades, poolside lounging and tasting your way through seafood, pizza, pasta and more. All this in a sensational setting on the shores of the Pacific.

Stylin’ and profilin’, you’ll feel like you’re vacationing in an issue of Vogue at Fashion Island Hotel on Newport Beach. Bay, harbor or bay views from your suite equal instant likes from your envious followers, but be sure to hit up the spa and barbershop first for a fresh look if you’re a selfie-queen. Better yet, string together jaw-dropping stories as you shop your way through ultra-desirable brands purchasable from more than 100 boutiques on the island.

Your special someone deserves the specialized treatment only Balboa Bay Resort provides. You might treat them to a massage and skin treatment at the spa, an A-list haircut at Drybar, or perhaps a day messing about on the water with their own personal Duffy boat. Activities expend calories – so you’ll be more than ready for the housemade ravioli and pot de creme dessert at A&O Kitchen + Bar, before you both retreat to your dreamy platform bed.

Why stay in Newport Beach and not indulge in the ultimate Californian fantasy: your own private beach house? This Orange County stay invites you to rest and relax awhile in one of their cozy cottages, decked out in chic, beachy decor. Live the luxe beachfront life with in-cottage spa days, premium cocktails on the Topside roof deck, and a Lido Limo that takes you on a luxury shopping excursion. Or you can book a simple oceanfront guestroom and hang at the pool all day. It’s always heaven here.

Montage Laguna Beach isn’t an Orange County hotel; it’s a seaside sanctuary that will leave you floating on a cloud. Your villa feels like a home away from home, with two gas fireplaces, a full gourmet kitchen and an unforgettable apricot-colored sunset every night. A 20,000 square-foot (1,858sqm) spa has anti-aging facials, California Wildflower Massages and more on the menu. Speaking of menus, good luck resisting a private dinner at the Chef’s Table, where you’ll discover a new side of California’s coastal cuisine.

The only thing better than staying on the beach is staying perched above the Pacific on a jaw-dropping bluff at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. All five of your senses will absorb the sea in nearly everything you do, from the sea-salt treatments at the spa and the fresh seafood at Raya restaurant to the magnificent ocean views from your suite and the sweet sea breeze during a whale-watching tour. Take our advice: Vitamin Sea at the Ritz-Carlton will do wonders for your vacation.

Looking for a change of scenery? A change of pace? A change of perspective? Find all three with a transformative stay at Monarch Beach Resort. Strengthen your body and mind at outdoor fitness classes or a round of golf. Cleanse your soul and stomach with fresh ingredients and flavors at one of four on-site restaurants. Need a little solitude to clear your head? Stroll the private beach, or take a complimentary bicycle out for a quiet ride.

We’re not here to convince you that Pasea Hotel & Spa is one of the best in the nation – we’re here to convince your dog. Earning tail-wags for its pet-friendly accommodations, this place will seduce your pup with custom Frette linens and a private beachfront balcony that come with your suite for soaking up rays on. Order in-room service, and treat your four-legged friend to fresh seafood scraps from Tanner’s Restaurant, then go for a long walk on the beach. You’ll have earned your belly rub (back rub, technically) at the Aarna Spa, which has amassed countless awards.

Surf & Sand Resort on Laguna Beach really does deserve its name. Everyone is at the ready to pamper you – well, your feet – with pedicures and massages in the Aquaterra Spa. The ideal treatment for toes that have spent days buried in the sand. Morning coffee at Pacific Perk and evening cocktails at 15FiftyFive will bookend your day spent golfing, biking or surfing around Laguna Beach – that is, if you can resist the temptation to step away from the well-stocked mini-bar and steeping tub in your beachfront suite.