White Water Hotel

California, USA

A surf hideaway transformed from a humble motel in Cambria, USA, ticks all the luxury design boxes while holding on tight to its laidback, artsy Californian vibe

Turning a former motel into a super-cool surf hideaway was never going to be easy, but this central Californian lodge has pulled it off. North of Santa Barbara, south of Big Sur, in the laidback, artsy town of Cambria, White Water seamlessly blends an old-school, vintage vibe with the modernity you expect at this level. It’s the brainchild of Haus Interior founder and author Nina Freudenberger and what she’s created at White Water has now been widely lauded, from Vogue to Architectural Digest.

Not that it’s something to be looked at and not touched; this place has all the feels. The 25-room lodge is comfort and class in one package, influenced by both Seventies Scandi and Californian boho chic. Positioned right on the edge of Moonstone Beach, just off California’s famed and spectacular Highway 1, it’s a short bike ride into town. White Water is so effortless in feel you know a huge amount of work has gone into catering for every need – from having the right craft beers and local wines in the lobby lounge, to the small bites and snacks it offers to fuel your run, hike, swim, surf or bike (on a basket-front Linus bike, of course). For an active weekend stayover, it hits the spot.

Or you could choose to do nothing, and just enjoy the Pacific Ocean breeze, or take a bath with the Aesop products in your room. The mini bars are also something to behold, with curated snacks varying from beef jerky to artisan dark chocolate – exactly what you need, along with one of those chilled Californian pale ales, after a tough day of beach life.

On your doorstep, or pretty close to it, are some great food options too, including the Sea Chest Oyster Bar – as the name suggests, a great place for local seafood; a micro-brewery considered one of the best in the area, 972 Beer Company; and organic café The Hidden Kitchen. There’s also an organic market, suitably called Soto’s True Earth Market. For a retro vibe, you’ve got Mozzi’s, a ‘cowboy bar’ with taxidermy, jukebox and, if you play your cards right/wrong, the odd bar room brawl.

Even in America, with all the competition, this is a destination in itself, and it’s easy to see why.

Doubles from £268. 00 1 805 927 1066, whitewatercambria.com

Words by Alex Mead.

This review was taken from the July 2023 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.