The Best Hotels to Book in Malibu, California

Snuggling in the foothills of the rambling Santa Monica Mountains, this shiny newcomer meets trend-conscious travelers’ work and play needs. Art inspired by nature and the movies adds character to the urban-style lobby punctuated with private ‘media pods’ perfect for catching up on your emails. Wind down by the saltwater pool or toast your toes by the fire pit come sundown. Panoramic trails, surfing waves and the budding Malibu wine country are all a short drive away.

If you want to connect with SoCal’s outdoorsy lifestyle, you’ll be well placed at this contemporary Calabasas hotel a short drive from Malibu’s finest beaches such as Zuma and El Matador. The ride will have you zooming along spectacular canyons that cut through the trail-laced Santa Monica Mountains. Back at the hotel, wind down in your spacious amenity-laden room or level up your fitness routine by staying at a SoCal Fit Room outfitted with a Peloton bike and yoga gear.

Malibu’s newest hotel is also one of its oldest. Reimagined for the 21st century, this row of cottages has been a Pacific Coast Highway hideaway since 1949 and is as welcoming as a hug from an old friend. Bob Dylan wrote his Blood on the Tracks album in room 13 during his visit there in 1974. The room, like the other dozen, has shape-shifted into luxuriously minimalist retreats accented by vibrant retro robes, Tivoli radios and vintage Malibu photographs. Legendary surf beaches, soulful hiking and glamorous dining are all nearby.

Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and forests, Calamigos has provided luxury ranch lodging in the Santa Monica Mountains since 1937. Each of the chic cottages and bungalows is uniquely styled, but all feature fireplaces, private courtyards, wooden decks and maple ceilings. Guests can roam the 250-acre (100ha) ranch, make use of the multiple swimming pools with cabanas, the jacuzzi, fitness center and full-service spa, congregate around the fire pit, or take the shuttle to the Calamigos Beach Club, where there are exclusive dining options and complimentary SUP boards, snorkeling equipment and beach chairs.

Malibu Beach Inn is perched on the rocks above a strip known as Billionaire’s Beach and offers al fresco oceanfront dining and private beach access. Guests can watch the sun set over the Pacific from the balcony or be lulled to sleep by the rumbling waves right outside the window. There’s also complimentary yoga each morning held right on the sand, and a spa providing hot stone massages and facials – all with an ocean view.

Sure, Malibu is known as one of the flashiest zip codes on California’s Pacific Coast Highway – home to Billionaire’s Beach, after all – but it’s also one of the Golden State’s most discreet addresses. Why do you think all those stars flocked here in the first place? Malibu Country Inn is a case in point: a hush-hush homage to all things understated, with homespun hospitality, snug lounges for sequestering yourself away and a pool-topped terrace tucked out to the back. Natural drama is what’s it’s all about in Malibu, and this hotel puts you center-stage to take in “the Bu,” as local surfers call it, and its string of sandy stretches, including rip-heavy Zuma Beach.