A New Year, A New Wave of Travel Accommodations
A Beachy La Bahia
Santa Cruz’s newest beachside hotel, La Bahia, is set to open this summer on Beach Street near the wharf. Originally built in 1926 as an apartment and hotel complex with an iconic bell tower, La Bahia has been rebuilt and transformed into a swanky coastal escape with 155 guest rooms, a Champagne lounge, and a surf culture-meets-luxe resort vibe. Expect chaises and umbrellas on the beach, as well as a "beach butler," a spa complete with a sauna and view, and four new restaurants, including the Pacific Rim-inspired High Tide, Low Tide Bar & Grill, Pearl bar, and Plunge, a poolside cocktail bar.
Columbia River Glamping
The Pacific Northwest is getting its own upscale Under Canvas resort this summer. Set on 120 acres of land in Washington’s White Salmon River Valley along the Columbia River Gorge, the new resort will be about an hour’s drive from Portland, Oregon. Over the last decade, Under Canvas has elevated the glamping concept into a series of outdoorsy resorts near a dozen national parks and monuments, from Yosemite to Acadia. Think safari-inspired tents with king-size beds, private decks, and en-suite bathrooms with hot running water. You’ll find West Elm furniture in the main lobby tent, daily yoga sessions on the patio, s’mores by the firepit, and an "adventure concierge." Plus: A cafe serving location-specific fare and picnics to go. Columbia River Gorge campers can expect a menu that includes Columbia River salmon and seafood from Portland and Seattle, for example, as well as local wines and craft beer.
Palm Springs’ Newcomer
The distinctive new Thompson Palm Springs hotel that opened in October near the city’s Design District will go even more glam in the new year. The 168-room hotel is a natural fit with this oh-so-mid-century-mod city in architecture, with bungalow-inspired rooms boasting views of the San Jacinto Mountains and cityscape. Throughout the complex, you’ll find art by Indigenous artists, including a glass-tile mosaic on the hotel facade by Indigenous artist Jeffrey Gibson, whose appearance in the 60th Venice Biennale held earlier this year, was a first for the U.S. Pavilion. Now, it’s rolling out more bells and whistles – and dining options. The hotel’s Lola Rose Grand Mezze restaurant has been joined by Napa Valley’s HALL Wines, which opened a tasting room and wine lounge in November. Look for a new Mediterranean restaurant, Bar Issi – run by the same people behind SoCal’s The Draycott and Olivetta – to open in early 2025.
A Chef’s Kiss Hotel – or Four
Most hotels are run by hoteliers, not chefs, but Hotel MOHI by Appellation and its new sister property in Healdsburg may be the exception. Opening next fall, the 76-room MOHI – as in Morgan Hill – hotel hails from wine country chef Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger. So what does a chef-driven hotel look like? "We will be truly embedding food and beverage into every aspect of (the hotel), from design to programming," Palmer says. In Morgan Hill, that means guests and local foodies can expect a 215-seat Charlie Palmer restaurant and bar, with ingredients – including olive oil – sourced from the hotel gardens, small-batch coffee roasted on site, and wines from local vineyards. Other attractions will include a pool bar, a bakery cafe, flower shop lounge, Terroir Spa, and craft classes – think mixology and flower arranging.
A Rebuilt Boat Shack in Marshall
West Marin’s much-loved Nick’s Cove restaurant and cottages are entering the new year with a new executive chef, Matt Alfus (Hog Island Oyster Co., Chicago’s The Butcher & Larder and Alinea Group’s Next), and good news about the property’s historic Boat Shack. The Tomales Bay establishment dates back to 1931, when Nick and Frances Kojich moved several buildings – by barge – from their ranch on the west side of the bay to its eastern shore to create cottages and a seafood restaurant. But a devastating fire at the end of the pier last January destroyed the Boat Shack and the treasures inside, which included wooden ship models, anchors, glass floats, vintage fishing rods, and a 70-year-old piano. A new Boat Shack – filled with vintage items, courtesy of community donations – is expected to rise again in 2025. And Santa, who arrived via merry red truck to greet visitors at the Waterfront Oyster Bar this year, says he’ll be taking his traditional mode of transport – a water sleigh – to the Boat Shack next holiday season.
Tunnel Top Mess Hall
A market hall, bar, and all-day cafe are coming to Presidio Tunnel Tops, the newest national park site in San Francisco, in 2025. Dubbed The Mess Hall, this will be the most ambitious food-related project to date for the popular park. Housed in a 6,200-square-foot building that dates back to 1897, the food hall will offer casual fare, takeaway-friendly picnic items, and craft cocktails to enjoy on an expansive patio with views of the Bay. The Mess Hall’s culinary end will be led by chef Peter Serpico, a James Beard award winner for his Serpico restaurant in Philadelphia and director of operations for two of David Chang’s Momofuku endeavors. Zach Negin (Los Angeles’ Tabula Rasa Bar, San Francisco’s Dolores Deluxe) will oversee the Mess Hall Bar. No opening date has been set, but while you wait, remember that you can still enjoy food truck bites at the Presidio Pop Up, as well as sit-down fare at the Presidio’s Dalida, Colibri, and Il Parco.
Luxe Glamping in Guerneville
The Russian River will be getting a new luxe glamping resort this summer, when Shelter Co. unveils River Electric in Guerneville. The company is known for its luxury event production – creating 32 VIP suites at BottleRock Napa Valley, for example, and a four-day Virgin Galactic event during the Great American Eclipse that included 129 sleeping tents, bar and lounge tents, and catered meals far, far off the grid in Idaho. Billed as a camp resort and swim club, Guerneville’s 11-acre River Electric is set to open with 40 glamping tents, two swimming pools, a bar, and restaurant.
Sunnyvale Treehouse
The U.K.’s five-year-old Treehouse Hotels will be opening its first U.S. property in Silicon Valley in March, bringing its outdoorsy take on lodging to Sunnyvale. No actual tree climbing required. Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley will offer 111 guest rooms when it opens – 254 by the time the hotel has been fully realized – with an emphasis on natural materials, cozy, rustic furnishings, and playful touches, such as colorful quilts and whimsical, embroidered pillows made by Coral & Tusk. Even if you don’t plan to book a hotel room in your own backyard, the hotel’s new restaurants should stir interest among Bay Area foodies. "Top Chef" star Stephanie Izard is opening Valley Goat, her first NorCal restaurant, here, and the hotel is planning a seasonal beer garden.
Conclusion
As the new year dawns, a new wave of travel accommodations is arriving, from beachside resorts to glamping retreats, boutique hotels, and luxury resorts. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, an adventure-filled escape, or a relaxing retreat, there’s something for everyone on the horizon.
FAQs
Q: What’s the best way to experience La Bahia?
A: Book a room with a view of the ocean and enjoy the hotel’s beach butler service.
Q: What’s the main difference between Under Canvas and other glamping options?
A: Under Canvas offers safari-inspired tents with king-size beds, private decks, and en-suite bathrooms with hot running water.
Q: How many restaurants will be available at Hotel MOHI?
A: At least four, including a 215-seat Charlie Palmer restaurant and bar.
Q: What’s the focus of the Mess Hall at Presidio Tunnel Tops?
A: Casual fare, takeaway-friendly picnic items, and craft cocktails to enjoy on an expansive patio with views of the Bay.
Q: When is River Electric, the new luxe glamping resort, opening in Guerneville?
A: This summer.
Q: What’s the main attraction at Sunnyside Treehouse?
A: A seasonal beer garden and three new restaurants, including Valley Goat, a Mediterranean eatery from "Top Chef" star Stephanie Izard.
