The Spa Hotel Guide 
A list by Tomas Mazowski.
This guide was last updated in December 2022. Hey! Indulge in the ultimate pampering experience at one of these luxurious spa hotels. Designed to provide relaxation, rejuvenation, and tranquility, these properties offer an array of wellness services that range from massages and facials to yoga classes and meditation sessions. To make your search for the perfect spa hotel in in Central Coast California easier, I've compiled this list of top-rated properties for your consideration. So sit back, relax, and explore your options - your ultimate wellness retreat awaits!
-
1 The Cliffs Hotel and Spa Pismo Beach, United States
See available rooms
Resort.
The Cliffs Hotel and Spa is located on a cliff overlooking Shell Beach. The hotel offers a full-service spa, an oceanfront outdoor swimming pool and a balcony in every guest room.
The Cliffs Hotel and Spa features a 42-inch flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, and a work desk.
Guests at the Cliffs can use the hot tub or the sauna. A 24-hour gym with modern cardiovascular and weight training equipment is also available.
Marisol restaurant at The Cliffs offers Latin cuisine, indoor and outdoor seating, and live entertainment. Room service is also available.
Upon request, a free shuttle service is provided to the San Luis Regional Airport and Amtrak Station. Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve and Pismo State Beach are within a 20-minute drive of the hotel.
Guest review score 8.6,
rooms from around $139.
-
2 Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles Paso Robles, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Featuring an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles offers accommodation in Paso Robles, 1.9 km from Paso Robles Event Center. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and guests can enjoy the on-site wine tasting room.
Each room offers high ceilings and Mediterranean style decor. A flat screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, bathrobes and slippers, and a private bathroom which includes a bath or shower, and free toiletries are available for guest use. Select rooms offer a separate seating area and a sofa, as well as a terrace.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles features a spa, a fitness centre with fitness class options, a wine tasting room, an outdoor pool with cabanas, and a hot tub. Cello Ristorante and Bar features South Asian and Mediterranean-inspired seasonal menus as well as wine from local wineries. The property also offers more than 40,000 square footage of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles is 260 km from the Mineta San Jose International Airport, while San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is 58 km away.
Guest review score 9.2,
rooms from around $209.
-
3 Ojai Valley Inn Ojai, United States
See available rooms 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.
Guest review score 9.1,
rooms from around $689.
-
4 El Encanto Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms 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.
Guest review score 9.0,
rooms from around $1146.
-
5 SeaVenture Beach Hotel Pismo Beach, United States
See available rooms Resort.
Just 10 minutes’ walk to Downtown Pismo Beach, SeaVenture Beach Hotel offers guests relaxation and convenience. An on site restaurant and a spa are available. Select rooms feature a private terrace with a hot tub.
A seating area with a fireplace and a TV with cable channels are offered in each beach-chic guest room. Free WiFi is provided and a mini-bar and a coffee machine are available.
A 24-hour reception and laundry services are available for guest convenience. Guests can hire bicycles on the property to explore the surrounding area.
The on-site restaurant at SeaVenture features a seasonal menu. Items are prepared with locally farmed vegetables, premium meats, and fresh fish and seafood. All desserts are made in-house from scratch and room service is available. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, and with limited brunch hours on Sunday.
Pismo Beach Winery is 5 minutes’ drive from the resort. Pismo Lake Ecological Reserve is 2.4 km away.
Guest review score 8.7,
rooms from around $152.
-
6 Avila Village Inn Avila Beach, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Situated in Avila Beach, 13 km from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Avila Village Inn features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. The property is around 16 km from Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 17 km from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and 1.1 km from Sycamore Springs. The hotel has a sauna, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.
At the hotel, each room includes a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with free toiletries, all rooms at Avila Village Inn have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms also boast a balcony. At the accommodation the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels.
Guests at Avila Village Inn will be able to enjoy activities in and around Avila Beach, like hiking.
Staff at the 24-hour front desk speak English and Spanish.
Avila Rock is 2.5 km from the hotel, while Miles is 3.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, 12 km from Avila Village Inn.
Guest review score 8.6,
rooms from around $143.
-
7 Hotel Californian Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms 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.
Guest review score 8.5,
rooms from around $817.
-
8 Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms Resort.
Located on the California coastline, the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort boasts a large outdoor pool and views from every guest room. There are several casual dining options available as well.
The spacious guest rooms at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort boast natural and wooden tones. In-room amenities include a mini-bar, an HD cable TV, and double vanities.
Admire the mountain, garden or ocean views from the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort's private in-room balconies or patios. Relax near the spacious outdoor pool, or enjoy a game of shuffleboard or practice on the putting green.
Spend the day at the full-service spa or plan an event in the resort's spacious and versatile meeting and banquet facilities, complete with a professional event staff. Guests can enjoy the resort lobby's newest addition: The Parker Family Wine Tasting Room.
Discover numerous wineries, visit the Santa Barbara Zoo or shop at Paseo Nuevo Mall, situated only a short distance from The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Take advantage of the resort's on-site car hire services, and further explore the surrounding areas.
Guest review score 6.9,
rooms from around $398.
-
9 Circle Bar B Guest Ranch Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Located in Santa Barbara, 29 km from University of California, Santa Barbara, Circle Bar B Guest Ranch provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a shared lounge and a bar. Each accommodation at the 4-star hotel has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a sun terrace and to a hot tub. Rooms are fitted with a patio.
Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a coffee machine. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Circle Bar B Guest Ranch all rooms include bed linen and towels.
A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
You can play billiards and table tennis at this 4-star hotel, and the area is popular for hiking.
Antioch College is 42 km from Circle Bar B Guest Ranch, while Amtrack Station Santa Barbara is 42 km away. The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Airport, 26 km from the hotel. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
-
10 Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
This Santa Barbara hotel is 2 blocks from the many beaches and yacht harbor. The Mediterranean-style hotel features a fountain, free bike rentals, and an expanded continental breakfast every morning.
The Brisas Del Mar Beach Inn offers a gym, an outdoor pool and a hot tub.
Each guest room features cable TV and free WiFi. A DVD player is provided and guests can borrow movies for free. Every room also includes a refrigerator, coffee maker, and bathrobes.
The Del Mar Brisas Inn is right next to the Santa Barbara City College and Pershing Park. Stearns Wharf and the Sea Center marine Museum are less than a mile from the hotel. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 8.9,
rooms from around $271.
-
11 SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel Pismo Beach, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Located along 5 acres of Pismo Beach sands, this oceanfront hotel features a pool and 3 hot tubs with views over the water. Free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast are also available.
A flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station are found in each bright, elegant room of The Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel. A microwave, fridge and coffee maker are also included.
Guests of The Seacrest can relax on the rooftop terrace, 4 stories above the ocean. Beautiful patios with fire pits are also provided.
Local wine and beer can be delivered to guests’ rooms throughout the day. Barbeque grills are also open for guest use.
Pismo Beach Golf Course is 4 minutes' drive from the hotel. Edna Valley Vineyard is less than 7.5 miles away. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 8.7,
rooms from around $149.
-
12 Chumash Casino Resort Santa Ynez, United States
See available rooms Resort.
Featuring free WiFi and a rooftop pool (for guests 21 years of age and older), Chumash Casino Resort offers accommodation in Santa Ynez. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurants and casino. Free private parking is available on site.
Rooms at Chumash Casino Resort include a flat-screen TV as well as an iPod docking station. Some rooms offer seating areas for your convenience. All rooms come equipped with a coffee machine and a private bathroom. Guests can enjoy free toiletries and bathrobes.
The property offers a rooftop pool deck that spans nearly 15,000 square feet with cabanas, fire pits, and lounge chairs. The on-site restaurants offer a variety of options, from a buffet to a steakhouse. Guests can also find a gift shop at the property.
The nearest airport, Santa Barbara Airport, is 30 km away. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 8.5,
rooms from around $129.
-
13 The Eagle Inn Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Located 10 minutes’ walk from Central Santa Barbara, this hotel serves daily hot breakfast with egg dishes and organic fruit. All unique guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi. Free guest parking is available.
The Eagle Inn features air-conditioned guestrooms with free high-speed internet access and private bathrooms. Guests will also enjoy in-room microwaves, refrigerators and cable TV.
After a day spent in the sun, guests can watch a DVD borrowed from the inn's free DVD library. A business centre is located on site.
Local beaches are just 3 minutes’ walk away from this hotel. Shopping and dining opportunities at Stearns Wharf are less than 1 mile away. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 9.1,
rooms from around $493.
-
14 The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms 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. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 7.9,
rooms from around $906.
-
15 The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Santa Barbara, United States
See available rooms Hotel.
Located in a lush grove of trees off Highway 101, this all suites hotel features an outdoor pool and hot tub in a garden setting. Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is 5 minutes’ drive away.
Free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a sofa bed and a refrigerator are offered in all of the contemporary guest suites at The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The spacious suites are comfortably designed and include a work desk, a hairdryer, guest bathrobes and tea and coffee-making facilities.
For guests’ convenience The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel features an on site fitness center and 24-hour reception.
Offering shopping, dining and sightseeing opportunities, Central Santa Barbara is 8 miles away from The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Goleta Amtrak rail station is 2 miles away. Sandpiper Golf Course is 13 minutes’ drive from the hotel. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 7.3,
rooms from around $276.
-
16 Beach Bungalow Inn and Suites Morro Bay, United States
See available rooms Inn.
Free WiFi and a flat-screen cable TV are featured in each room at the Beach Bungalow Inn and Suites, just 5 minutes’ walk away from the Morro Bay Aquarium. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is 20 km away.
A gas fireplace, refrigerator, and a coffee machine are provided in all guest rooms. An en suite bathroom with Turkish cotton bathrobes are included. Select rooms offer a full kitchen.
A fire pit is available in the courtyard and guests can relax in the central garden area, furnished with outdoor lounge furniture.
Guests receive a full warm complimentary breakfast onsite.
The Hearst Castle is 40 minutes’ drive from the Inn and Suites Beach Bungalow. Morro Bay Golf Course is 5 minutes’ drive away. This property offers spa and wellness packages.
Guest review score 8.8,
rooms from around $89.
I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2022. Did I miss a spa hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!
Discover more cool hotels in Central Coast California
Other interesting hotels in Central Coast California
Missing a hotel on our list?
Do you know of a spa hotel in Central Coast California that's missing from this list?
Let me know!In order to support the sites I work together with booking.com. Whenever someone finds a nice hotel and makes a reservation through one of the links here I get a small commission. Thanks!