In every region of the Golden State, Aliya Hotels are revolutionizing what it means to have a luxurious vacation.
It has 840 miles of coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to craggy cliffs; 33 million acres of forest land, which is home to sequoias, redwoods, and pines; 352 mountain ranges, ranging from the Sierra Nevadas in the east to the Coastal Ranges in the west; three major deserts; and more than 427,000 acres of grape vines. California also has three major deserts. It can be challenging for a traveller to zero in on a single ambiance that best suits their holiday. Even the natives are split on this one: achieving what is known as the "California Double" (surfing and skiing or snowboarding in the same day) is a significant source of pride for the state of California.
But vacationers interested in opulence will want to experience what I like to refer to as the "California Triple," which includes the following three destinations: Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, which is a beach city in San Diego County; Alila Ventana Big Sur, which is located where the coast meets the forest near Monterey; and Alila Napa Valley, which is located in St. Helena, which is the heart of wine country. All three of these Alila resorts are located in California. Especially for a company that is still relatively new to the United States market, it is no small effort to represent three distinct aspects of the California ethos in such an honest manner. Although it has a long history of success as a hospitality brand in Asia, Hyatt's Alila only recently made its debut in the United States with the purchase and extensive renovation of Ventana, which cost several million dollars, in the fall of 2017. This was then followed by the launches of Alila Napa Valley and Alila Marea in March of 2021.
The key, according to Mark Ley, director of sales and marketing at Alila Ventana Big Sur, is to redefine luxury travel such that the emphasis is placed on experiences that fully immerse guests in their surroundings: He told me with a chuckle as we walked among the trees and past hammocks that were bathed in sunlight, "We're going to take you hiking... we want to get you dirty, get you involved... and then we're going to clean your boots." "We're going to get you dirty, get you involved... and then we're going to clean your boots," he said. "I believe that travel and luxury are undergoing transitions at the same time. People care a lot more about what happens to their money and how it's spent, and they also want to feel like they have some sort of connection to the location."
All of the hotels are connected to local organisations and businesses, which is to the advantage of the surrounding areas. Rob Machado, a surf hero and resident of Encinitas, established the Rob Machado Foundation, an organisation whose mission is to "inform and encourage young people to make sustainable choices." The Alila Marea's sustainability activities are carried out in conjunction with the Rob Machado Foundation. The proceeds from the Alila Sessions, a performance and supper series held by the water on a quarterly basis, are donated to the charity.
The rooms are all really comfortable, but in their own unique way. In Napa, they have more of a modern farmhouse atmosphere, whereas in Alila Ventana, they have more of a rustic-chic wood aesthetic that is enhanced by stone and leather. Crystal Vinisse Thomas, vice president and global brand leader for lifestyle and luxury brands at Hyatt, commented to Travel + Leisure that "since each hotel is innovatively designed in harmony with the environment to preserve the extraordinary, natural beauty of their destination, the architecture varies from destination to destination."
Although each of them is enticing enough to spend a weekend (or more) happily getting lost in, their primary function is not to serve as places to spend the entire day. Even though hotels are Alila's primary line of business, the settings and programming, which are always led by local guides, make it abundantly clear that the purpose of your room is to provide a comfortable place to rest your head or unwind with a warm bath after a day of adventuring in the surrounding area. Vinisse Thomas noted that one of the fundamental principles of the company is to "provide opportunities for our customers to immerse themselves in the beauty and amazement of a destination." "The individuality and genuineness of the neighbourhood that each hotel calls home is honoured and celebrated,"
Whether it is through meals prepared with seasonal ingredients grown in on-site organic gardens or outdoor meditation classes and mindful hikes, wellness is an overarching concept that runs throughout all of the culinary programmes and activities. The focus of these programmes and activities is on the curative powers of nature.
This is how to finish the "California Triple" and organise the perfect trip over all three properties, taking in nearly 500 miles of the Golden State's scenery and combining three completely different vacations into one trip.
Alina Maree Beach Resort Encinitas is located in Encinitas.
Our location cannot be matched by anyone else, "According to Ben Thiele, who serves as the general manager of Alila Marea, "We are one of the few luxury beachfront resorts in San Diego, and our talented designers did such a fantastic job at tastefully integrating the property into the coastal bluff, drawing on the unspoiled beauty of the San Diego coastline to boast some of the best views in San Diego." "We are one of the few luxury beachfront resorts in San Diego, and our talented designers did such a fantastic job at tastefully integrating the property into the coastal bluff."
What’s important to me....living in a beautiful city with perfect weather, being close to the airport and beaches....and only driving an hour to wine country 🙌🏼 #Temecula #winetasting #ilovewhereilive #Champagne pic.twitter.com/Q54i1Pt9xx
— Kristi Swartz (@KrittiS22) February 18, 2019
The water was calling to me from the moment I arrived at the hotel, which was created so that 95 percent of its rooms offer views of either the ocean or the lagoon. Fortunately, Alila Marea is affiliated with Dan Mori, the proprietor of Fulcrum Surf, which is located in Encinitas. Mori is the most proficient surf instructor I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. There was no better way to feel the rush of arriving in a Southern California beach city than to grasp, even slightly, the technique of a seasoned pro (even Kelly Slater's team tapped Mori as a lesson development consultant for his Surf Ranch), which resulted in catching my best waves to date. There was no better way to feel the rush of arriving in a Southern California beach city than to grasp, even slightly, the technique of a seasoned pro.
If you're not the surfing type, you can still get your adrenaline fix by riding one of the hotel's electric bikes, picking up some local knowledge along the way, and venturing into the heart of Encinitas. Lofty Coffee, a local favourite, Herb & Sea, a coastal-chic seafood restaurant created by Brian Malarkey of Top Chef fame, the busy Far West Lounge at Modern Times Brewery, and the original outpost of Vuori, a California-born athleisure company that is highly recommended by tourists.
Before you try the farm- and ocean-fresh San Diego cuisine that chef Claudette Zepeda prepares, you should spend some time lounging in a cabana by the oceanfront pool at Vaga and sipping sunset cocktails at the bar there while sitting next to a fire pit.
Alina Ventana Big Sur
When you visit Big Sur, you will almost immediately feel disconnected from the rest of the world "Ley remarked. "It's a location that attracts people who want to disconnect so they can reconnect to something else... a spouse, a project, or their sanity," the author writes. "It's a place that attracts people who want to reconnect." On its 160 acres, the Alila Ventana resort has just 59 accommodations, making it simple to find some time to yourself. The body and soul can be soothed by going on a tailored hiking path or visiting a spa for a massage with wild herbs, but for me, the finest spot to bask in isolation was the hot tub on my deck, which overlooked the misty forest. Being alone in a room filled with redwood trees that are over a century old forces one to reflect on one's own existence. If that doesn't pique your interest, Ley shared with me a secret that you shouldn't miss: if you get up in the middle of the night, you can observe the spectacular night sky from the resort's Japanese hot springs and enjoy a first row seat.
During a morning with a bright blue sky, I went to a yoga class in The Glass House, which is a structure among the trees and is exactly what it sounds like it would be. I got to take in the view while listening to some old records. "Here at Alila Ventana, we have fantastic bohemian roots, and we are constantly seeking for new and creative ways to pay respect to them," said Ley. "We are constantly looking for new and fun ways to pay homage to them."
Hidden behind The Glass House lies The Sur House, a breathtaking restaurant and bar with views of the entire dramatic scenery that Big Sur has to offer, including the trees, the mountains, and the ocean. Guests will enjoy wines produced by Central Coast vintners with small-scale production while sitting around fire pits lit by fairy lights. All meals consist of seasonal fare that is primarily sourced from the surrounding area.
Although though it's easy to forget the rest of the world when you're perched on the edge of a cliff like this, you absolutely must take a trip down Highway 1, which is the region's most famous thoroughfare, during your trip. With a partnership with Monterey Touring Vehicles, Alila Ventana is able to provide visitors with access to a fleet of 40 antique cars for rent, ranging from a 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III to a 1955 Porsche Spyder. The staff will prepare a delicious lunch for you, which you can take to Sand Dollar Beach to enjoy, or you may go to the north to check out the Bixby Creek Bridge. (Before setting out, always check to see if any roads off of Highway 1 are closed.) Visit the Phoenix Shop to look through their collection of artwork, textiles, gifts, and souvenirs.
Alina Napa Valley
The vineyard-view rooms of the Alila Napa Valley face out immediately over Beringer Vineyards, which is the oldest winery in the Napa Valley that is still actively producing wine. The allure of wine region is enhanced by accommodations that provide private balconies with fire pits or soaking tubs.
Whether you want to sneak in some health before or after your wine tasting, Alila Napa Valley is the ideal spot to do so: Take a yoga class or sound bath, or book Spa Alila's Euphoric hot-stone massage (with pebbles discovered along the California coastline, of course) — even now, several months later, I still daydream about it. The amenities include handcrafted items from the nearby biodynamic Be Here Farm (I'm a devotee of the Summer Solstice Serum), and visitors are allowed to build their own bespoke room spray using "scents of the valley," which include rose, lavender, orange, and fennel.
According to Ty Accorder, who is the general manager of the hotel, "We hope that when our visitors leave, they leave with a greater connection to this region, which is largely known for its food and wine." "Our mission is to deliver an experience that is both more focused and goes beyond what is often expected."
The hotel is only a quick ride on a bicycle away from the upscale yet charming Main Street of St. Helena, which is lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Start your mornings at Model Bakery, a favorite of Oprah's, and then head over to the Christopher Hill Gallery to look at some excellent art. The staff at Alila Napa Valley will organise a wine-tasting bike trip to visit family-owned properties such as Spotswood Winery, with a stop for lunch at the iconic Gott's Roadside restaurant for the more daring riders among you. You can choose to have dinner at the lovely, ivy-covered courtyard of The Charter Oak, which is a few minutes' drive away, or at the hotel's very own Acacia House, which is located inside of a grand restored Georgian farmhouse.
Our Alila guide had originally planned for us to spend a certain number of hours at the 810 Foothill Wine Collective, which is a collective of wine brands that are all made by the renowned Napa winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. However, we ended up staying there for a significantly longer period of time. As we whiled away the day with some local specialists who became like friends very fast, we gradually became aware that we would need to cancel our other arrangements for the afternoon. Yet by the time I checked into my third Alila hotel, I realised that this was perfectly fine: I was completely submerging myself in my travel destination, developing meaningful friendships, and making memories that will last a lifetime (yes, unforgettable, even after all that wine).