Sitting 1,200 feet above the Pacific on a grassy hillside, this hotel with "stunning views" was built by the screenwriter of the movie Easy Rider. The Restaurant at Ventana features a terroir menu that includes ingredients from its organic garden. Staff are "professional, helpful, and appropriately personal at the same time," though, one reader gripes, they were "clueless at checkout." Rooms in sage, russet, cream, and gold come with slate showers.
(60 rooms)
Also featured on the: Gold List for 2005, Gold List for 2007, Gold List for 2008, Gold List for 2010, Gold List for 2011