If you had told me in 1998 that the dingy and damp ground-floor apartment of my college roommate’s boyfriend would be part of the first luxury resort in Santa Cruz in 2025, I would have laughed in your face. But today, walking around the freshly completed rebuild of the historic La Bahia property, I’m astounded.
Locals have countless stories to tell about La Bahia, across the street from the Boardwalk. In my quarter century here, it has mostly been deserted and empty, or run-down apartments rented out on the cheap. For folks before me, La Bahia was known as housing for the hundreds of young international workers who fell into the seasonal summer Boardwalk staff every summer.
But the La Bahia of 100 years ago is closer to its modern reinvention. UC Berkeley professor and architect William C. Hays had a vision for this oceanfront land, building the large, Spanish-style Casa Del Rey apartment complex and hotel in 1926. In 1964, it was renamed La Bahia Apartments, the ornate bell tower, Juliet balconies, and interior courtyards remaining notable elements even after it was abandoned and left to deteriorate.
La Bahia has gorgeous views of the ocean from its rooftop and many balconies.(Courtesy of La Bahia Hotel & Spa)
So, when the Ensemble Investments LLC group announced the news that they were preserving the property and unveiling the luxurious 155-room La Bahia Hotel & Spa, everyone in town gasped a little bit. It’s a big deal—especially since Santa Cruz doesn’t actually have a lot of higher-end or boutique hotel options compared to similar locales around the state.
Guests will find intentional design touches throughout the hotel, which opened last month. ForrestPerkins really hit the Mediterranean escape concept home. The second you walk through the front doors set back from the valet-only entryway (parking here is known to be difficult, so valet is the way to go for sure), it feels like you could be anywhere in the world.
I was told on my initial tour that the theme here is “traveling the world,” with different global influences brought in by the owner’s travels. Even the art on the walls was cherry-picked from family members' collections. It’s meant to feel like entering your worldly aunt’s palatial home, comfortable and welcoming yet exotic and diverse. You get that sense even in the elevator, with the palm frond wallpaper feeling very White Lotus—which is kind of the point here. Plus, you can bring your dog or cat, as any good auntie would allow.
A guest room at La Bahia(Courtesy of La Bahia Hotel & Spa)
The guest rooms (including 29 signature suites) follow suit, with ornate, hand-painted headboards inspired by that auntie—specifically Aunt Elva, a character from La Bahia’s past whom the design team has appointed as muse. The colors and textures are oceanic and calming, with Spanish-inspired patterns, marble, and high-end touches like Le Labo bath products, Frette bathrobes, and a complimentary in-room minibar (think local saltwater taffy from Marini’s candy shop, caramel corn, tall boy cans of Giant Dipper Golden Ale from Discretion Brewing, and a full bottle of sauvignon blanc from Ensemble sister property, Bernardus, in Carmel Valley).
The footprint of the hotel is a little maze-like, at least until you figure out that everything is above, left, or right of the central pool area. Plush carpeted hallways connect the interiors, while the exterior has been rehabilitated to gleaming white stucco. This includes the iconic bell tower, restored to ringing capacity, which you may hear at noon each day or to honor the weddings for which the hotel is already becoming a popular venue. In fact, there are over 13,000 square feet of event space here, including the ornate, arched Bahia Ballroom downstairs.
Another scenic spot for events, with a nice view of the bell tower and Main Beach beyond, is the Seaside Roof Deck. Its 5,200 square feet serves as a location for morning yoga, taught by the lovely Robin (who also teaches over at Trout Farm pool on Sunday mornings). There are loungy seating areas, fire pits (you can order s’mores kits), and a huge seasonal tent for outdoor wintertime events arriving any day now.
On the very top floor of the hotel (level six) is The Spa at La Bahia. It was a great location choice for the spa, which features two steam rooms, hand-filled teas, and a wide variety of marine-inspired treatments with curated products. Each appointment starts by choosing one of four essential oil blends by Tara to set an intention (calm, restore, etc.). That scent follows you into the treatment, and is given to you in an infused mini sand dollar as a gift at the end. A tiny cup of warm honey water and a chocolate truffle (locally made by Ashby Confections) make up another parting ritual.
The lobby at La Bahia(Courtesy of La Bahia Hotel & Spa)
The whole space is inspired by the region’s historic saltwater bathhouses, but the real gem here is the outdoor zen deck, featuring tented outdoor treatment rooms and a giant co-ed dry sauna on the roof—a huge wooden cube with glass walls and ocean views as far as the eye can see. The spa is also open to non-hotel guests, and memberships are available.
While the spa is dreamy, it’s hard to beat the central pool space, which affords killer views of the beach (and all the volleyball players) from the upper-story hot tub, and fun pops of color in yellow-striped umbrellas and bright pink towels. It’s another White Lotus moment—lounging here, sipping on a Paloma, protected from the crowds at the Boardwalk below. At the pool bar, Plunge, you can get a trio of grilled fish tacos or ceviche to go with your beverage.
At dinnertime, check out High Tide, which currently offers three- ($85) and four-course ($110) Pacific Rim-inspired prix fixe menus, with dishes like seared Hokkaido scallops with lemongrass dashi from executive chef Fernando Reyes, who has worked around the world, most recently at Carmel Valley Ranch. Wine pairing is an optional add-on. There’s also a classy private dining space in a glass-walled cube with a little wine bar on the side.
Down one floor is Low Tide Bar & Grill, La Bahia’s more casual all-day restaurant with outdoor sidewalk seating that really hits home the European escape experience. Inside is a long bar and window-side tables that afford the same great views of the beach crowd passing by. Breakfast here is great, with thick soufflé pancakes and egg dishes like a Japanese-style omelet. La Bahia has partnered with local coffee roaster Cat & Cloud on a signature roast, while baked goods are being sourced from standout Manresa Bread.
The bar at Low Tide(Courtesy of La Bahia Hotel & Spa)
Pearl, the lobby bar that was envisioned as a nod to chic London Champagne bars, is the stunner. Bubbles and elevated cocktails are served here—like the signature Pearl of La Bahia with Amass Botanical Vodka with a poppable, smoke-filled citrus bubble floating on top. The bar is elegantly furnished with iridescent colors and excellent lighting.
When you’re not eating and drinking, there are a bunch of activities to partake in. Their Beach Butler program will set you up with sturdy beach chairs, umbrellas, and blankets out on Main Beach, with a direct line to the Plunge pool bar menu for food and drink service. You can link up to the RunGo app, which has a variety of nearby routes, including the gorgeous West Cliff Drive up the hill, or hop on a complimentary Linus or Bluejay e-bike to explore the area.
La Bahia is also offering a bold package with Almond Surfboards, which includes a surf lesson with local pro Richie Schmidt and the opportunity to bring home a one-of-a-kind, custom surfboard. It’s just one more example of how Santa Cruz has remained at the core of La Bahia’s return—a resurrection that’s sure to bring more appreciation for the classic surf city.
// 215 Beach St. (Santa Cruz), labahiahotel.com
