The 12 Most Romantic Hotels Near Los Angeles, According to a SoCal Travel Editor

• Rate: from $2,000 per night
• Why I Recommend It: excellent food, seaside setting, luxurious appointments
• Mood: chill, eco-sexy
• Neighborhood: Malibu

I stayed at Nobu Ryokan Malibu on the night before the January 2025 fires blazed across the West Side; though so many homes and businesses in this fabled beach community burned, I am relieved to hear that this self-described “Japanese beach house retreat” and its accompanying restaurant survived. Helmed by the legendary chef and hotelier Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu Ryokan is located off of Pacific Coast Highway a couple doors away from the star-studded Nobu Restaurant. I can personally attest to the fact nothing says romance like waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on Carbon Beach. With only 16 guest rooms and a garden-like setting, Nobu Ryokan feels intimate and is ideal for guests looking for a quiet escape from the city. Guest rooms are outfitted with bed linens by Anicini, floor-to-ceiling windows to allow for plenty of natural light, and teak soaking tubs in a sun-drenched bathroom. And since there's a two-night minimum and adults-only policy, you're likely to have enough time and the right atmosphere to really connect with your lover.

22752 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

• Rate: from $1,075 per night
• Why I Recommend It: stunning pool, pampering spa
• Mood: elegant oceanside relaxation
• Neighborhood: Laguna Beach

When I die, I'd like to skip the funeral and instead ask my friends to toast me around the starburst pool at this seaside resort—that's how happy this place has made me. An idyllic coastal resort, the Montage Laguna Beach has it all, with sunshine and surf. The luxurious accommodations here are one of the most sought-after in SoCal, with picture-perfect ocean views from every guestroom, a 20,000 square-foot spa, and a firepit atop a knoll overlooking the water. Add to this a selection of indoor and outdoor dining options on-property, this place is a recipe for romance.

30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

• Rate: from $332 per night
• Why I Recommend It: plethora of activities to choose from, dozens of pools
• Mood: fancy desert golf resort
• Neighborhood: La Quinta

Psst...you might recognize this desert oasis from the hit show The Bachelorette where they filmed Clare Crawley’s season. I've enjoyed this Spanish-style resort for midwinter getaways—dotted with iconic palm trees set against the Santa Rosa Mountains, it's the longest-running resort in the Greater Palm Springs area. Too, I've slept here in the middle of the summer festival season. Every time I've been, the place is busy with couples enjoying tennis on one of the eight courts or playing golf on the award-winning course. Pro tip: There are 41 pools on property, many of which belong to the suites and villas. So make sure to request a room that comes with a private pool and hot tub.

49-499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta; laquintaresort.com

• Rate: from $1,131 per night
• Why I Recommend It: jaw-dropping cliff site, golfing, sunbathing
• Mood: oceanside rejuvenation
• Neighborhood: Newport Beach

I love the drama of the architecture here—from the tapered columns to the grand imperial staircase, this Newport Beach resort's design and amenities are enough to compete with the majesty of the clifftop setting. Expansive bungalows measure over 840 square feet each, so I'd be happy lounging indoors all day and ordering breakfast in bed, but that stunning Coliseum-style pool beckons. Plus, there's golf on the world-class course, yoga or meditation classes and Sunday brunch at the seaside Beachcomber Cafe. Afterwards, saunter toward Crystal Cove—a three-mile stretch of pristine shoreline and turquoise blue waters.

22701 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Coast, pelicanhill.com

• Rate: from $1,125 per night
• Why I Recommend It: vineyard surroundings, intimate size
• Mood: Provençal style
• Neighborhood: Rutherford

We’d be remiss to create a list of romantic hotels near L.A. and not include at least one in Napa Valley. This picturesque, adults-only hotel sitting on a 33-acre olive grove bears a striking resemblance to the charming region of Provence with its lush grounds and dreamy verandas. Kick back in one of the 50 stylish guest rooms with deep soaking tubs, a fireplace and modern French doors that open to a private terrace overlooking the Mayacamas Mountains and nearby vineyards. Hotel amenities include a chic pool, luxury spa, 24-hour fitness center and Michelin-star restaurant with gorgeous views that are worth the visit alone.

180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford

• Rate: from $724 per night
• Why I Recommend It: activity-packed from horseback riding to golf, Michelin-starred dining
• Mood: Old California graciousness
• Neighborhood: Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

The gorgeous Mediterranean estate nestled in Del Mar screams romance with its beautiful Spanish-inspired archways, decorative verandas and well-manicured gardens. With six dining options, golf and tennis courts, a 21,000 square-foot spa and four heated pools (including one that’s adults-only), you’ll have no reason to leave the resort. Fairytale guest rooms are designed with marble-clad bathrooms, deep soaking tubs and gold and wrought iron accents (if that’s not romantic, we don’t know what it is). Don’t miss dinner at Addison, the Michelin-starred restaurant on-site that’s definitely worth the splurge.

5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego; fairmont.com

• Rate: from $259 per night
• Why I Recommend It: hidden Central Coast gem, onsite wine tasting room
• Mood: relaxed Tuscan charm
• Neighborhood: Paso Robles

A visit to Allegretto Vineyard Resort might be the closest thing California has to the Italian countryside. The distinctive Tuscan-style resort is situated amongst 20 acres of vineyards on the east side of Paso Robles. Hang out in the magnificent 12,000-square-foot piazza that is simply bellissima or look out for the fragrant herb garden that executive chef Jeremy Fike uses to curate dishes and cocktails for the seasonal menu at Cello Ristorante & Bar. The restaurant opens up to an airy patio that features bocce ball courts and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs made of wine barrels—the perfect spot for lounging al fresco.

2700 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles; allegrettovineyardresort.com

• Rate: from $738 per night
• Why I Recommend It: in-room fireplaces, convenient to wineries
• Mood: cozy vintner chic
• Neighborhood: central Los Olivos

Los Olivos is a quaint wine region in California with a small-town vibe and outstanding wines that rival some of its NorCal wineries. The family-owned Fess Parker Winery is known for its Burgundy and Rhône-style varietals and is located just 10 minutes away from the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, a charming 19-room inn with cozy rooms that include wine tasting for two at the winery and access to the heated pool among other amenities. The hotel is ideally situated next to a number of other world-class wineries also worth visiting. Check out Demetria Vineyards and Zaca Mesa, and equally charming towns like Los Alamos and Solvang perfect for a quiet, romantic getaway filled with wine tasting and outdoor adventures.

2860 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos; fessparkerinn.com

• Rate: from $510 per night
• Why I Recommend It: gorgeous pool, large rooms, fabled Four Seasons service
• Mood: anti-Vegas glitz elegance
• Neighborhood: Las Vegas Strip

While your idea of romance may not include a trip to the Neon Capital of the World, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is a different kind of Vegas experience. For starters, the stylish, Art Deco hotel is a non-gaming resort so you don’t have to worry about hearing the ongoing (and maddening) sound of slot machines all day long. It’s an urban oasis tucked away on The Strip for a more serene experience with palatial rooms that start at 500 square-feet. Enjoy al fresco dining at the Veranda restaurant, relax at the award-winning spa, or if you’re feeling lucky the hotel provides direct access to the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino so you can roll a few dice.

3960 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas; fourseasons.com

• Rate: from $964 per night
• Why I Recommend It: oceanfront yoga, craft cocktails and fare including omakase
• Mood: pampered seaside retreat
• Neighborhood: Salt Creek Beach

Perched on a 150-foot seaside bluff, this coastal resort is located in Dana Point, the relaxed, surfer beach town in Orange County. In other words, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a romantic retreat for couples looking for the quintessential California beach getaway. Grab a cocktail on the outdoor patio at 180Blu which offers exceptional coastline views, especially during sunset hour (pro tip: It’s walk-ins only so make sure you get there early). Most rooms offer ocean views, but the Fireside Ocean View Guest Rooms also feature a personal fire pit that’s perfect for crisp winter evenings. For an unforgettable luxury boating experience, make a reservation on The Current with Dana Wharf for a two-hour open water cruise complete with front-row seats to a jaw-dropping dolphin stampede.

One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point

• Rate: $2,595 per night
• Why I Recommend It: Old California charm, private cottages, all-inclusive pricing
• Mood: throwback genteel graciousness
• Neighborhood: Montecito foothills

This hidden 550-acre gem situated in a residential neighborhood in Montecito is a lover’s paradise. During the day, take a casual stroll around the verdant garden and see if you can spot the aromatic lavender plants or towering sycamore trees that inspired the names of the cottages. If you prefer hiking, there are dozens of trails surrounding the property and adjacent creek—some more strenuous than others—but the 3.9 mile San Ysidro Falls trail will reward you with beautiful waterfall views. Rent a bike, lounge poolside, or indulge at the spa where even pets are pampered—you can book a dog massage. At sunset, you don’t want to miss the views of the Channel Islands from the garden while the sounds of a live Spanish guitarist are playing in the background.

900 San Ysidro Lane, Montecito, sanysidroranch.com

• Rate: from $1,470 per night
• Why I Recommend It: elegant details like a Rolls-Royce house car and history dating back to 1876
• Mood: traditional luxe
• Neighborhood: Miramar Beach

Just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, Rosewood Miramar Beach sits along an immaculate coastline on the American Riviera. The upscale resort is located in the quieter Santa Barbara town of Montecito which has attracted the likes of Oprah, Prince Harry and Megan Markle. The luxurious oceanfront property perfectly blends old Hollywood glamour and laid-back sophistication paying homage to California’s distinguished design. Spacious bungalow-style rooms feature a private terrace with many overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a ton of dining options including the Cabana bar for poolside lounging, the Miramar Food Truck for casual comfort food or Caruso’s, the newly awarded Michelin-star restaurant, for a romantic Italian-inspired meal with breathtaking ocean views.

1759 South Jameson Lane, Montecito