Best Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in California

With the fresh California cuisine at MKT Restaurant – Bar and twice-daily housekeeping service, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco in downtown San Francisco deserves all of its five stars. And those aren't the only perks associated with this Four Seasons: Guests have access to the popular Equinox Sports Club, which offers a fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. The rooms are also outfitted in neutral tones with wood furnishings and come equipped with marble bathrooms (with deep-soaking tubs), down bedding and plasma TVs. The rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows afford excellent views of the city, the bay or the Yerba Buena Gardens. Overall, visitors are thoroughly pleased with their experiences here, although some balked at the bill at the end of their stay.

This iconic hotel has been welcoming LA's elite since 1928. Close to the shops of Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills stands prominently along Wilshire Boulevard. (In fact, if you recall, a certain "Pretty Woman" once left this very hotel to do a little Rodeo Drive shopping of her own.) But a supreme location and the ability to please high-end clientele doesn't mean the Beverly Wilshire is one bit pretentious. Backed by the Four Seasons, the Beverly Wilshire is known for its excellent customer service. Paying the lofty room rates will get you more than smiles, though: Guest rooms here earn high praise from recent visitors for their stylish decor, marble bathrooms, private bars and complimentary internet access. Travelers also speak highly of CUT by Wolfgang Puck and the relaxing in-house spa.

With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from its shorefront perch east of downtown Santa Barbara, the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is consistently lauded by guests for its friendly staff and stunning decor. The Spanish Colonial Revival structure houses 207 spacious guest rooms and suites that feel bright and airy and feature large windows and views of the 22-acre property, and visitors say that the down bedding adds an extra dose of luxury. Recent guests also praised the in-house spa for its extensive list of treatments, but should you desire some rest and relaxation without the additional cost, a day spent by the outdoor pool should do just fine. If you're traveling with kids, let the resort's certified staff provide them with a host of supervised activities while you enjoy a romantic meal at Tydes (if you like seafood) or Bella Vista (if you prefer your Californian cuisine infused with some Italian flair).

According to previous guests, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village offers excellent relaxation and isolation opportunities despite being just a short drive from hectic Los Angeles and posh Malibu. Recent visitors raved about the on-site spa and its extensive treatment menu, steam rooms, hot tubs, saunas and outdoor cabanas. And kids will love the on-site game room, activity lawn and family pool here. Although there aren't many dining options in the surrounding area, the resort's eateries, Hampton's and The Lookout, can keep guests' appetites satisfied for the duration of their stay. And the rooms receive high praise for their dreamy bedding and spacious bathrooms. Though parking is expensive here, it's worth visiting to check out the many amazing shops and boutiques in the surrounding area, all of which are accessible via the property's complimentary local shuttle.

This Four Seasons in Beverly Hills isn't all that different from the others around the world. And to frequent guests who expect excellent food, spacious hotel suites and impeccable service, that's a great thing. Indulge in the delicious Italian cuisine at Culina restaurant, throw back a few elegant cocktails at the fashionable Windows Lounge and book an in-room deep tissue massage, courtesy of the well-reviewed Four Seasons spa. Or simply soak up the sun by the outdoor pool, located on the fourth floor of the hotel. When you're not enjoying the on-site facilities, enjoy the views of L.A. from your guest room's balcony. Accommodations also come equipped with primo amenities, such as iPad 2s, complimentary internet access and iPod docking stations. Just remember that the Los Angeles area has more than one Four Seasons property: This particular one is the standout of South Doheny Drive.

Located right off Route 101, the sleek, reflective shape of the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto catches the eye of many passersby. But, like many Four Seasons properties, there is more to this hotel than its attractive design. Travelers relish the soothing brown decor and the state-of-the-art furnishings and bathroom fixtures found in the hotel's 200 guest rooms and suites, as well as in-room amenities such as L'Occitane bath products, down bedding and flat-screen TVs. And the on-site Quattro restaurant earns praise for pairing delectable Italian dishes with Californian wines. The Four Seasons also houses a full-service spa, a rooftop pool and a fitness center. But lodgers offered mixed reviews for the customer service: Many guests said they experienced friendly staff members that made their stays memorable. But others noted they encountered unhelpful and even rude employees and spa attendants.