Luxury hotels in Central Coast California

Hey! When I travel I love to stay at luxurious hotels - especially the kind of places that offer over the top extras and really spoil their guests with great service, nice spas, awesome restaurants and beautiful views. What more can you want? To save some time, I've put together this list of my favourite 5-star hotels and resorts in Central Coast California. I hope you will like it!

• 1 Geneseo Inn Paso Robles, United States

  

  Hotel. Located in Paso Robles, 15 km from Paso Robles Event Center, Geneseo Inn provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has garden views and free WiFi. Each room has a balcony. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a minibar, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. All rooms include a private bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. Breakfast is available daily, and includes à la carte, continental and American options. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 5-star hotel. Mission San Miguel is 33 km from the hotel, while Linne is 6.2 km away. The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, 57 km from Geneseo Inn. Show full description Guest review score 9.5, rooms from around $275.

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• 2 Gray's Inn & Gallery Morro Bay, United States

  

  Hotel. Gray's Inn & Gallery is a 5-star property set in Morro Bay, facing the beach. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has sea views, and guests can enjoy access to a terrace. Every room is fitted with a balcony. All guest rooms at the hotel feature a flat-screen TV with cable channels, Blu-ray player, and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Gray's Inn & Gallery the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Morro Rock Beach is 1.4 km from the accommodation, while Morro Bay State Park Beach is 2.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, 27 km from Gray's Inn & Gallery. Show full description Guest review score 9.4, rooms from around $249.

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• 3 Simpson House Inn Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of Santa Barbara. Built in 1874, this Victorian bed and breakfast is surrounded by lush landscaped gardens and 3 blocks of city parks. It features gourmet breakfast and evening wine tastings. Guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi. The individually styled rooms at Simpson House Inn offer a flat-screen cable TV and a DVD player. Boasting hardwood floors and Victorian décor, the rooms include a coffee maker and a work desk. Bathrobes, slippers and bath amenities are provided. Guests of Inn Simpson House can enjoy breakfast in their rooms or out in the garden, cooked by a gourmet chef. Afternoon refreshments and an appetizer buffet are also provided daily. Explore the area with the property’s free bike rentals. This property is a 5-minute walk from historic downtown Santa Barbara, and is 5 blocks from Arlington Theatre. Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens is 2.3 miles away. Show full description Guest review score 9.5, rooms from around $500.

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• 4 Ojai Valley Inn Ojai, United States

  

  Resort. Surrounded by scenic hills and mountains, this historic and celebrated resort features a full health spa and a championship golf course. Five restaurants feature dishes made from locally grown ingredients. An iPad and a flat-screen TV are included in every room. Rooms at the Ojai Valley Inn are decorated in Spanish Colonial style and feature in-room coffee machines. Spa Ojai bathroom amenities, a flat-screen TV and a radio with iPod connection are also included. Some rooms offer a fireplace. Spa Ojai welcomes guests with warm, exotic rooms featuring a variety of massages and treatments. A long list of mind and body fitness classes is also available. In addition to the two pools at the spa, the resort offers a large, outdoor family swimming pool with food and beverage service. The Ojai tennis program can offer coaching advice or simply provide the facilities for some fun. Teen and children’s programs are also open in a variety of activities. The Inn at Ojai Valley is 7 miles from Lake Casitas and 17 miles from Pierpoint Bay. Show full description Guest review score 9.1, rooms from around $689.

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• 5 El Encanto Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Offering sweeping Pacific Ocean views, this boutique hotel is 5 minutes’ drive away from Central Santa Barbara. It boasts an outdoor pool, a spa and wellness centre and an on-site bar and restaurant. All spacious rooms include free Wi-Fi. A flat-screen cable satellite TV is featured in all guest rooms at El Encanto. Rooms include a minibar, a fireplace and a seating area. All rooms offer garden views. A 24-hour reception is provided to guests of El Encanto. A business centre with fax and photocopying services is available. Guests can unwind at El Encanto's on-site fitness centre as well. With 2 miles of this hotel guests will find attractions such as Santa Barbara Mission and Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens. Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course is 10 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $1146.

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• 6 Hotel Ynez Solvang, United States

  

  Hotel. Situated in Solvang, within 25 km of Neverland and 49 km of University of California, Santa Barbara, Hotel Ynez features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. At the hotel, every room comes with a patio. At Hotel Ynez the rooms are fitted with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Santa Ynez is 3.3 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Santa Ynez Airport, 8 km from Hotel Ynez. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $161.

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• 7 Hotel Californian Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Located next to the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, the Hotel Californian is just steps from the beach and features an outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy several on-site dining options and take advantage of the on-site spa. Every air-conditioned guest room is equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, free toiletries and a desk. Some rooms also feature a balcony. The hotel has two locations where guests can dine. Goat Tree offers casual dining all day offering fresh local fare including pastries and baked goods, a full breakfast menu, and cold-pressed juices and coffee. Blackbird offers Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with the Pacific Ocean and Funk Zone as a backdrop. The hotel spa, Majorelle, offers a steam room, a salon, and an indoor and outdoor lounge. Kunin Wines is 100 metres from Hotel Californian, while Santa Barbara Wine Collective is 200 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Airport, 14 km from the hotel. Show full description Guest review score 8.5, rooms from around $817.

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• 8 The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States

  

  Hotel. Adjacent to the Sandpiper golf course, this Santa Barbara resort features beautiful ocean views, an outdoor pool and on-site dining. All guest rooms include a private patio with a view. At the The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, all rooms with attached bathroom include a TV. Comfortably furnished, all rooms feature a seating area. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. A variety of dining options are available at the The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Bistro offers Californian dishes in a casual environment. Signature cocktails are available at the O Bar + Kitchen. Angel Oak is a modern steak and seafood restaurant. Guests can also unwind at the on-site fitness center. There are also tennis courts and hiking trails on-site. The property hosts one of the largest spas on the west coast with added features like an adults-only pool and a rooftop terrace. There is also a meeting area for guests on business. Santa Barbara city center is 13 miles away from the resort. The Santa Barbara Mission is 18 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 7.9, rooms from around $906.

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• 9 Olallieberry Inn Bed and Breakfast Cambria, United States

  

  Bed and Breakfast. Located in the East Village within walking distance of shops and restaurants, this Cambria, California B&B is less than 16 km from Hearst Castle. A gourmet breakfast and Hors D’oeuvres and wine are offered daily. Offering high ceilings, each room provides a fireplace and a private bathroom. Select rooms offer a sunken bath tub and shower. Elegant crown moldings and antique furnishings are featured throughout the property. A 3-course hot breakfast is served at the Olallieberry Inn with fresh fruit, Olallieberry yogurt, homemade granola, and baked goods which are baked on site. There is a complimentary wine reception for guests each evening from 17:00 until 18:00 on the sundeck overlooking the gardens and creek beyond Concierge services are offered onsite. JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Halter Ranch Vineyard, Thacher Winery and other wineries are within 23 km of Olallieberry Inn Bed and Breakfast. Morro Bay State Park is 32 km away. Show full description Guest review score 9.6, rooms from around $230.

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• 10 J Patrick Inn Cambria, United States

  

  Bed and Breakfast. Moonstone Beach Park is 4 minutes’ drive away. A fireplace and free Wi-Fi are included in rooms. Styled in modern white linens and elegant wood furnishings, each room provides a window seat at Patrick House. Free spa toiletries are featured in the suite bathroom. Towels and linens are provided. Breakfast is delivered in a picnic basket. Running for over 30 years, Patrick House offers seasoned concierge recommendations. Surrounded by gardens, a shared lounge is also offered. Paso Robles is 35 minutes’ drive away. Hearst Castle is 14 minutes’ drive away from J Patrick Inn. Show full description Guest review score 8.7, rooms from around $159.

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I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2022. Did I miss a luxury hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!