6. Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa in California
Tucked away on 45 acres of verdant North San Diego terrain, this resort is a testament to the idea that true luxury can simply be having room to breathe. Following a $30 million renovation in 2013, all 49 hacienda-style suites were reimagined with exquisite attention to detail—think hand-painted tiles and refined, rustic elegance. The tennis program is iconic (and yes, I’ve experienced it firsthand), but what truly makes this property exceptional is its rare ability to feel grand in scale while remaining deeply personal and inviting.