USA West Coast luxury travel: high-end hotels, gourmet (Michelin) restaurants & activities with value for money

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Review of Hotel Oceana, Santa Monica, L.A., USA

UPDATE: comprehensive renovation in 2019 and since January 2021 part of LXR Hotels & Resorts by Hilton Good (relatively quiet) location, large rooms, great staff: If you want to stay at a hotel at the beaches of Los Angeles, they…
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Review of Hotel The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach, USA

UPDATE: the property is scheduled for enhancements beginning in November 2026, as of fall 2027 it is set to debut as St. Regis Estate/Resort by Marriott (still owned by the Irvine Company) Nice setting, beautiful views & good facilities: There…
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Review of Hotel Palm Springs Rendezvous, Palm Springs, USA

UPDATE: out of business in 2022 1950s feel, fine accommodation, great food: Our family (two adults and a teen) normally is not into bed & breakfast establishments. But when they get better  reviews than many luxury hotels in town,…
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Review of L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona, USA

UPDATE: the resort completed a massive expansion and renovation in 2025 (integrating the former Orchards Inn to create The Cliffs - 70 new rooms - , refreshing the existing cottages, expanding the spa/pools & upgrading restaurant terrace) Splendid…
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Review of El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park, USA

UPDATE: was last renovated in 2026 (rooms in the north and south wings were updated), last major overhaul took past in 2017 Historic hotel in fantastic location: El Tovar Hotel is all about history and location. It looks back on more…
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Review of Inn Sunflower Hill, Moab, USA

UPDATE: hotel went over from the Stucki family to Emily Niehaus as of January 2020 (property overhaul) A good choice in a place where such finds are rare: Moab is not exactly a place where you can find an abundance of first class accommodations.…
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Review of The Rochester Hotel, Durango, USA

UPDATE: owner change in 2019 from long-time owners Diane Wildfang & Kirk Komick to Rochester Hotel Property Co. LLC, followed by a comprehensive overhaul in 2022 (scale down from 33 rooms to 15 more luxury ones, new Peeples Bar) Historic…
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Review of Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, USA

UPDATE: still owned & operated by the Schepps family, who founded it in 1985; restoration in 2020, which maintained its historic southwestern character; update of Joe's Tequila Bar into a full restaurant around the same time Quaint…