California Hotels Archives | Brad A. Johnson

Hotel Review: Cara, Los Angeles

The investor/developer who owns Laurel Hardware, a super-sexy indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar in West Hollywood, has launched the first of what’s expected to be a string of mid-luxury boutique hotels focused on Southern California. For the brand's debut, they purchased the tawdry old Coral Sands Motel on Western Avenue and flipped it — rather beautifully — into the Cara Hotel Los Feliz...

Quick Look: La Peer Hotel, West Hollywood

Here’s a really quick look at the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood, which opened a couple years ago. From what I’ve heard, this place is normally quite the scene. But not on this visit. I checked in for a quick overnight stay in the middle of the pandemic when no one else was traveling and most hotels in LA were still fully closed...

Devastating Losses at Calistoga Ranch and Meadowood

There’s no official word yet from Calistoga Ranch or Meadowood as to the full scope of devastation wrought by the Glass Fire that rampaged through Calistoga and St. Helena in September and October. Parts of the area are still smoldering and are thus still under evacuation orders...

Motel Review: Stables Inn, Paso Robles

The team behind Hotel Cheval in the heart of Paso Robles have opened a much more casual offshoot, the Stables Inn, a vintage 18-room roadside motel just a few blocks from the heart of downtown.

Motel Review: Skyview Los Alamos

Skyview Los Alamos, a vintage roadside motel on California's Highway 101 outside the tiny town of Los Alamos, has finally become the beacon for weary travelers it was always meant to be.

Review: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Since opening in 2001, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel has widely been considered not just the nicest hotel at Disneyland but also the best hotel in all of Anaheim. But is it? Here’s the hard truth.

Dish of the Week: Pancakes at Sibling Rival, Los Angeles

Hotel Review: The Hoxton, Los Angeles

The Hoxton is a great hotel at a bargain price, even when booking the largest room category. And L.A.'s South Park neighborhood provides easy access to anything going on downtown

Quick Look: Firehouse Hotel Restaurant, DTLA

The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles is having a moment, thanks in large part to the new Firehouse Hotel and it's excellent little restaurant.

Review: Hotel Joaquin, Laguna Beach

The 22-room Hotel Joaquin is probably the best bargain in Laguna Beach, and certainly one of the hippest hotels in town with literally zero attitude. It’s not directly on the beach, but it’s just a three-minute walk down the hill.

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