New and Newly Revamped Boutique Hotels to Visit in 2026
Across California, a fresh wave of hotel openings and thoughtful renovations offers travelers a new way to experience popular destinations. From historic landmarks reimagined to brand-new boutique stays designed with modern rhythms in mind, these hotels balance a strong sense of place with contemporary comfort. Whether you’re planning a wine country escape, a beachfront retreat, or an urban stay, these five new and revitalized hotels set the tone for travel in 2026.
Casia Inn
At the gateway to Sonoma wine country, arriving at the brand-new Casia Inn feels like slipping into a Mediterranean-inspired retreat. Opened in spring 2025, the boutique hotel transforms what was once a 1941 motor lodge—with cars parked outside each room—into a tranquil courtyard garden. Sun-dappled paths edged with lavender lead past a gently curving pool, while fire pits invite lingering with wine under the stars. Interiors, designed by owner Lydia Sarkissian, reflect her love of the Mediterranean and global travel, featuring modern guest rooms that balance minimalist restraint with artisan detail. Spa-like bathrooms add a touch of luxury. Plans are underway for a spa, café, and additional suites, with more to come.
Hotel Santa Barbara
A downtown landmark since the late 19th century, Hotel Santa Barbara unveiled a stunning renovation in August 2025. Upon entering through the hotel’s ornately carved portico, a light-filled lobby unfolds with striking white archways and columns, rustic wood details, and old-world accents. 1926, the elegant new lobby bar, pays homage to the year the hotel reopened after a devastating earthquake. With a nod to the Roaring Twenties, the inviting space hums throughout the day—transitioning from morning pastries and fresh juices to tapas and evening cocktails. Upstairs, revamped guest rooms take on a hushed, moody sensibility, defined by deep paint tones, wrought-iron chandeliers, and a mix of contemporary furnishings and artisan textiles.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa
One of the most iconic landmarks near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk reopened in September 2025 as the city’s first luxury beachfront hotel and spa. Designed by architect William C. Hays in 1926, the storied Spanish-Colonial enclave endured many iterations, but La Bahia Hotel & Spa is the first to fully realize its original vision—honoring both its enchanting architecture and enviable oceanfront setting. Beneath the restored bell tower and gleaming Spanish-Mediterranean façade, guests arrive through a grand porte cochère into a lively, light-filled lobby. Interiors by ForrestPerkins evoke a palatial seaside estate, with guest rooms anchored by hand-painted headboards that blend coastal motifs with worldly travel. Four distinct dining concepts, a world-class spa with a rooftop deck, and thoughtful indulgences like private pool cabanas and beach butler service round out the experience.
The Milo
At The Milo, Santa Barbara’s beachfront ease is distilled into details experienced firsthand. Unveiling a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2025, redesigned guestrooms by Santa Monica–based DESIGN360 blend the vintage charm of a European seaside villa with a breezy California aesthetic. The rooms feature custom furnishings, sun-washed woods, and bespoke wallcoverings inspired by native shoreline herons taking flight. Outside, guests thumb through borrowed novels from the Tiny Library or set off with sketchpads, binoculars, and bird guides from the Explorers’ Closet. Both are thoughtful new additions that encourage unhurried wandering and time well spent along the coast.
Olivia Hotel
Opened in late spring 2025, the Olivia Hotel brings a calm, contemporary sensibility to a busy stretch of West Los Angeles. Tucked along the original Route 66 near Westwood Village and UCLA, the brand-new boutique hotel centers around a tranquil outdoor courtyard, where a fire pit and café seating create a natural gathering place from morning to night. The modern guestrooms emphasize creature comforts, with plush linens and robes, curated minibars, and thoughtfully designed workspaces featuring ergonomic chairs and high-speed Wi-Fi. Stays include an elevated continental breakfast and a nightly social hour in the courtyard, where guests linger over fine wines, craft beers, and small bites.