The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These hotels, ranches, retreats, and resorts are the 2025 winners of the Where to Go: Luxury Lodging category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.
San Ysidro Ranch
Courtesy of the San Ysidro Ranch
San Ysidro Ranch, a storied haven for luminaries just 90 miles from Los Angeles, offers an exquisite escape with 38 privately accessed bungalows amid lavender fields, olive groves, and lush gardens, each adorned with antiques and fireplaces. Renowned for award-winning cuisine and a rare wine collection, guests indulge in romantic dining at The Stonehouse, luxurious spa treatments, and breathtaking Pacific Ocean views—all within a historic setting where John and Jackie Kennedy once honeymooned.
Kona Village
Courtesy of Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Your tropical vacation fantasies are realized at this luxurious Big Island resort, sited on a palm-tree lined cove with luxurious hales perched over lava flows, a bar made out of a shipwreck, and winding paths leading to cooling pools and spectacular restaurants.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
Courtesy of Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
Step into an oasis of elegant whimsy at Commodore Perry Estate, a Two-Key Michelin-rated gem in Austin, Texas, where Ken Fulk’s exquisite design harmonizes with Texan charm across 10 acres of historical beauty. As honorary members, guests indulge in luxe accommodations, an oval pool, and culinary delights at Lutie’s Garden Restaurant, all nestled within the magnificently restored 1928 mansion.
Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Courtesy of Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Tucked between Carbon Beach and the Pacific Coast Highway, Nobu Ryokan Malibu is an ultra-exclusive 16-room retreat where Japanese minimalism meets California coastal elegance. With teak soaking tubs, serene patios, in-room Nobu dining, and private wellness experiences, this secluded hideaway offers a tranquil, oceanfront escape like no other.
El Encanto
Courtesy of El Encanto
Perched high on a hill with all of Santa Barbara’s American Riviera on display below, this resort is the epitome of quiet luxury with its guest cabanas, pool with a view, and open-air restaurant serving up dreamy sunset views.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Lush grounds, a perfect little beach, an expansive spa, a throwback general store, a lagoon stocked with local sea life, attentive service, well-appointed rooms, and the best pool on the Big Island make this a top-tier Hawaiian stay.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Connie Zhou, Courtesy of Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a magnificent 67-story luxury resort on the Strip, offers an exhilarating experience with expansive gaming, eclectic world-class dining, and marquee entertainment featuring stars like Pitbull and David Guetta. Guests are drawn to its vibrant nightlife, luxury retail, French-Mediterranean poolside dining, and immersive wellness offerings, making it a hub for dynamic luxury living.
Ojai Valley Inn
Courtesy of Ojai Valley Inn
Southern California’s sprawling Spanish-style resort is an immersive slice of ranch luxury with a culinary center that attracts top chef talent, idyllic grounds, a world-class spa, and a gorgeous private golf course.
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Courtesy of Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
In the heart of historic downtown Santa Fe, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is a 58-room retreat that blends handcrafted Southwestern design with modern luxury, just steps from the city’s galleries, markets, and cultural landmarks. Guests can savor local flavors at the Anasazi Restaurant, sip craft cocktails at the bar, and explore the city by cruiser bike for an immersive New Mexican experience.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Tucked within a 3,000-acre private nature reserve on Mexico’s Costalegre, this posh, eco-conscious escape is where jungle, ocean, and culture converge. Think artisan-crafted decor and farm-to-table dining at Rancho Lola to biologist-led adventures and spa rituals rooted in Indigenous traditions.
Post Ranch Inn
Kodiak Greenwood
Perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific on Big Sur’s iconic cliffs, Post Ranch Inn is a world-renowned luxury retreat that blends organic architecture with soul-stirring views and deep-rooted sustainability. With just 40 rooms, a transformative spa, nature-driven activities, and award-winning cuisine, it’s a bucket-list escape where rustic elegance meets coastal serenity.
Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
Courtesy of Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
Steeped in Santa Fe history, this legendary landmark has a true sense of place. Here, guests connect with nature while taking in the organic adobe architecture that New Mexico is known for. The property is set on 317 secluded acres of stunning landscape bordering the Santa Fe National Forest, yet it’s still just minutes from downtown, making it the ideal hub for exploring all the art, history, and Indigenous culture that the City Different has to offer.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Spa
Accessible only through a private mountain tunnel, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a secluded luxury escape perched at the tip of Baja with 112 rooms, each featuring a private plunge pool. From chef-led culinary festivals and tequila tastings to cacao ceremonies, yacht cruises, and Alo Moves wellness retreats, this iconic resort delivers an unforgettable blend of indulgence and authenticity.
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
Located on Baja’s secluded East Cape is an ultra-luxury marina resort with 118 rooms and 23 suites overlooking the Sea of Cortez and Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. With two miles of swimmable beach, guests can dive into spearfishing adventures, enjoy a fleet of fun beach toys, and indulge in five dining venues—including Estiatorio Milos—plus a world-class spa, golf, and access to Marina Village’s Mozza Baja and Chiki nightclub.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Edgardo Contreras/Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Set on Mexico’s surf mecca of Riviera Nayarit, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a true beachside hideaway, offering oceanfront casitas, private villas, and world-class amenities, including two Jack Nicklaus golf courses. With standout dining, a luxe spa, and cultural experiences for all ages, this tropical retreat blends laid-back luxury with authentic Mexican charm.
