Meadowood
For serious wine and food aficionados or just those in need of a romantic respite in Napa Valley, Meadowood offers 85 luxury cottagelike suites with fireplaces, plenty of privacy and opulent amenities. Not much is missing from this fairy-tale setting; the resort includes naturalized gardens, ancient trees, winding roads, a small golf course and a croquet course, as well as a spa.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Indulge in fine Californian cuisine at The Restaurant, which boasts two Michelin stars (only three other Northern California restaurants can say that). And, naturally, pair every course with wines from the neighboring vineyards. Wine education classes are also a treat at Meadowood. —H.M.
800.458.8080, www.meadowood.com.
Sè San Diego Hotel
Towering above the financial district, the Sè San Diego Hotel feels sexy yet sophisticated, contemporary yet elegant. And as you open the 900-pound bronze front door, you can’t shake the impression that you’re entering a jewel box. Witness the 184 guestrooms, which include 10-foot ceilings, custom Italian furniture and rich Sapelli veneers. Elsewhere, hundreds of design finishes, from crystals to stingray pelts, reveal themselves to you in their own good time, usually while you’re having a good time. (Think, Siren the hotel’s übercool pool deck and lounge.) To ensure that you get some rest with your relaxation, Sè also offers the services of a designated sleep concierge.
Top Treatment: Book the Sè Spa’s Moroccan Rasul for a mud treatment. It’s the only Rasul in the country and, with crystal lights and Italian glass tiles, it rivals the purifying mud for top billing. —E.E.
877.515.2211, www.sesandiegohotel.com.
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
There is certainly never a lack of entertainment at this family-friendly resort in Rancho Mirage. Guests can tee-up at the 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed golf course or practice a different kind of swing at one of 25 tennis courts. For A-plus pampering, the award-winning Spa Las Palmas offers several regionally inspired treatments, including the Desert Dream Rituals that comprises a body scrub, wrap and massage. And, of course, there’s always the option of stowing away in Rancho Las Palmas’s luxe accommodations and perfecting the art of relaxation.
Fun in the Sun: Recently renovated Rancho Las Palmas is home to the kid-approved on-site water park, Splashtopia. The two-acre aquatic park hosts two mammoth waterslides, waterfalls, a pool, a 425-foot lazy river and play areas with sprinklers and fountains. (No worries, moms and dads: The property has sparkling pools for grown-ups too.) —M.L.
866.423.1195, www.rancholaspalmas.com.
