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The Best Hotels to Book Near Hearst Castle, California

After a day touring Hearst Castle, kick back with a glass of California wine and ocean views at Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach
After a day touring Hearst Castle, kick back with a glass of California wine and ocean views at Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach | Courtesy of Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach / Expedia.com

The coastal towns around California’s Hearst Castle offer oceanfront inns and Tuscan-inspired spa havens to ensure your weekend getaway is everything you want it to be – all bookable on Culture Trip.

Cambria and San Simeon are seaside villages just off California’s Highway 1, embodying a romantic escape. But they offer more than endless walks along Moonstone Beach. Think Hearst Castle – today’s museum was once publisher Hearst’s private villa, built on Cuesta Encantada, or “Enchanting Hill.” Even more enrapturing is the castle’s Roman pool with shimmery glass-mosaic tiles, marble walls, Greek and Roman-style marble sculptures and water refracting light to create a bright blue setting.

Oceanpoint Ranch

Hotel

Oceanpoint Ranch
Courtesy of Oceanpoint Ranch / Expedia.com

Snuggled into seaside acres amid bright green grass and fragrant California pines, this Moonstone Beach hotel has a rustic feel. There’s the lobby fireplace with its quarry stone wall, a chandelier hanging from a tin ceiling and a Chesterfield couch. Parquet floors, horse prints, leather accents and vaulted wood ceilings create a homey atmosphere – perfect for those who like their stays to be chilled out. Padded plaid headboards and bull horns complete the ranch-chic vibe, and the outdoor pool, restaurant, plus private beach trail make for an unforgettable coast escape.

Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach

Inn

Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach
Courtesy of Fireside Inn on Moonstone Beach / Expedia.com

Set on the shores of Moonstone Beach, enclosed by rolling grass hills, Fireside boasts a warm summer house look. Earth colors dominate the spacious rooms – and hardwood floors, plush beds, velvet chairs and a firepit make the place cozy. Rather than bland towel hooks, the owners have used sparrow sculptures perched on a branch, paying attention to little details to ensure your stay is memorable. Whether you sip a glass of wine on your natural stone patio or lounge at the pool, drifting off to the sound of ocean waves is second to none.

FogCatcher Inn

Inn

FogCatcher Inn
Courtesy of FogCatcher Inn / Expedia.com

With its natural stone exterior and enchanting chalet look, this Moonstone Beach hotel is an eye-catcher, as is the lobby. Blending modernity with a country style, it features a hardwood floor, dark-brown wood-front desk, fireplace and Art Deco armchairs. The rustic-chic feel continues in the guest rooms built on natural stone. Hugged by fragrant cypresses, they are carpeted, come with tent-shaped roofs, firepits and wood aplenty. Want to sip a glass of wine? Sit down on the patio and revel in the ocean views – the outdoor pool and tub perfect this romantic getaway.

El Colibri Hotel and Spa

Spa Hotel

El Colibri Hotel and Spa
Courtesy of El Colibri Hotel and Spa / Expedia.com

Steps from Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, El Colibri is for wine lovers and chill-seekers. Terracotta roof tiles and arched windows characterize this three-star hotel, radiating a typically Tuscan-Mediterranean charm. Some rooms come with a jacuzzi air-jet tub and natural stone shower – others score with woodland or town-side views. All have a gas fireplace, wood galore, carpets adding elegance and the softest linens in town. Complete with a full-service spa, sauna and wine bar serving vintages, this Tuscany-inspired hotel sets the bar for central coast hotels in Cambria.

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

Resort

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Courtesy of Cavalier Oceanfront Resort / Expedia.com

Minutes from elephant seal-viewing at Piedras Blancas, this San Simeon beachfront resort sits on a seaside bluff and boasts Pacific coast views out of this world. The lobby welcomes guests with a fireplace and couches and adds aesthetic value with ceramic tile flooring. Carpets, velvet armchairs and bedding in matching earth tones give the rooms an elegant, warm design. Cribs are free – and adjoining rooms are available. Like dining in style? There’s a natural stone restaurant overlooking the ocean. Outdoor facilities include a giant chess set, barbecue area and two pools with recliners.

Sea Breeze Inn

Motel

Sea Breeze Inn
Courtesy of Sea Breeze Inn / Expedia.com

Just 4mi (6.4km) from Hearst Castle and a short walk from the beach, Sea Breeze is a no-frills San Simeon motel. The earth-colored non-smoking rooms have retro accents with wooden chairs, bedside tables and an old-time bed frame. Carpets and marble sinks add a touch of luxury, and the windows offer views of the Pacific Ocean. Need in-room amenities? They’re all kitted out with a fridge, microwave, TV and ironing board. On-site parking is free, and there’s an outdoor pool with recliners to soak up the sun.

Cambria Pines Lodge

Lodge, Spa Hotel

Cambria Pines Lodge
Courtesy of Cambria Pines Lodge / Expedia.com

Hiding in a garden near Moonstone Beach, this pine-and-flower-surrounded lodge is a popular wedding area. No wonder! The sun peeping through the trees creates an utterly serene atmosphere. This spa hotel makes a statement with early 20th-century style – wood and natural stone prevail in the bar and restaurant with a fireplace. The rustic charm continues in wood-dominated rooms with maroon-brown baroque sofas. The breakfast area, with its kitchen decor, chandelier and wood ceilings, enchants even spoiled hearts. Still not enough? An outdoor pool and spa tub complete this delightful experience.

Pelican Inn and Suites

Hotel

Pelican Inn and Suites
Courtesy of Pelican Inn and Suites / Expedia.com

Separated from Moonstone Beach by fragrant pines and colorful flowers, this mansion – with its delightful toy-house look – offers a quiet escape. Sit back on your patio or balcony, where the peace will only interrupted by squealing herring gulls. This smoke-free, pet-friendly property – partly built with natural stone – has warm-hued rooms with couches and comfy beds with padded headboards. You can cozy up by the fireplace or enjoy other convenient amenities such as the spa and 24-hour business center. Keen to work on your tan? Grab a recliner and lounge by the heated pool.

For more excellently located stays in California, see the best hotels near Legoland. Or, see more options by the coast with the best beach hotels in San Clemente. Book your stay now through Culture Trip. Check out the most beautiful coastal towns in the state, or head north to enjoy a chilled-out San Francisco vacation. Alternatively, south is the glitz of Los Angeles; make sure you dine at the best restaurants in the City of Angels.

About the author

Philipp Meier is a Phuket-based travel writer with a passion for Thai culture. His work has been published on the South China Morning Post, BootsnAll.com, GoNOMAD.com, Motorcycle Sport and Leisure Magazine, among others.

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