Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Pismo Beach

Location 

The stylish resort is midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, just south of San Luis Obispo, making it an ideal spot to break the journey along the Pacific Coast Highway. And like on so many stretches of the central coast, it’s the Pacific Ocean views that steal the show. Nearby attractions include Pismo Beach, golf courses, hiking trails, the vineyards of Paso Robles wine country, and the most expensive private home ever built in America, Hearst Castle. This 115-room mansion is a coming together of styles from all around the world. Highlights of the tour are the home movies taken when Hearst’s mistress, Marion Davies, made the castle a playground for Hollywood A-listers such as Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Charlie Chaplin.

Accommodation 

The atmosphere is closer to a community of exclusive villas than a traditional resort. The 60 spacious one- and two-bedroom suites and penthouses each have private entrances, tasteful granite-and-steel kitchens with dishwashers, separate laundry rooms, tidy beige-on-cream living rooms and dining rooms, walk-in wardrobes, flatscreen TVs and contemporary furnishings. Two-bedroom suites have either a spa bath or a fireplace; penthouses have both. A private patio or balcony comes as standard and many suites feature stunning ocean views.

Dining 

The resort’s signature restaurant, Lido, makes full use of the many organic farms, ranches and artisanal producers that are to be found in the local area. Dishes range from Cayucos Abalone with mango beurre blanc, ginger and radish, to swordfish, seabass and grilled rack of lamb. Magnificent ocean views provide the backdrop to the dining experience, while the encyclopaedic wine list gives equal reverence to the old world and the new.

Facilities 

The heated infinity pool is a focal point of the resort and the perfect place to cool off while topping up the tan. The fitness centre offers state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength-training equipment while lawn activities range from bocce ball and croquet to ladder golf and football. Elsewhere, the spa provides everything from massage and body treatments to facials, nail services, electrolysis, waxing, yoga sessions and more. Its ocean-side cabanas are the perfect place to relax after a treatment.