Chaminade Resort & Spa

Designed by Northern California-based EDG Interior Architecture & Design, which also led the resort's earlier public space renovation, the new guestrooms pair Chaminade's 1930s Spanish Revival architecture with a warm, contemporary California sensibility. The result is polished but relaxed, with natural textures, layered color and locally inspired details that connect the resort's historic character with the easygoing energy of Santa Cruz.

The renovation deepens Chaminade's positioning as a mountaintop retreat for leisure guests, families, corporate groups and meeting planners looking for a luxurious destination that feels distinctive, restorative and easy to reach. The resort pairs comprehensively transformed accommodations with The View restaurant, a full-service spa, flexible IACC-certified meeting space, expanded pool complex, hiking trails, pickleball, games, a certified forest therapy trail, hands-on Hive Dives, family programming and pet-friendly experiences.

Guestrooms Designed for a Residential Retreat

Spanning a wide range of room types — from king and double queen rooms to bunk bed family rooms and expansive suites — all 156 guestrooms and suites, including 44 luxurious suites, now feature fresh interiors inspired by the resort's 1930s Spanish Revival architecture. Warm earth tones, layered textiles, handwoven Spanish-style wall hangings and colorful historic Santa Cruz imagery give each guestroom a sense of place without feeling overly formal.

A curated mix of materials — contrasting metal tones, varied wood finishes, and tactile fabrics — adds depth and character throughout the guestrooms. Standout design elements include dimensional wood entry screens in the suites as a nod to the resort's lobby doors, sculptural rustic headboards with wood plank texture and leather strapping details, and local historic images displayed in playful, colorful frames. Bathrooms are refreshed with new custom wallcoverings showcasing a historical map of Santa Cruz and the property grounds, and terra cotta barn doors that add a warm, Spanish-inspired accent.

Twelve guestrooms also include living rooms and kitchenettes, providing families and extended-stay guests additional space and convenience with pull-out sofas, built-in window seats, rustic wood dining tables and wet bars with intimate seating for two. The arrival experience continues in the corridors, where new carpets evoke the look of hardwood-inlaid floors, creating a more residential transition from the resort's public spaces to each guestroom.

A Historic Santa Cruz Retreat, Revived

Set on 300 acres in the famed Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Monterey Bay, Chaminade has been part of the region's story for nearly a century. Built in 1930 as a Catholic school, the property later served as a monastery and church retreat before reopening in 1985 as Chaminade Resort & Spa. The latest renovation honors that layered history while positioning the resort for a new generation of guests, groups and special events.

The signature View Restaurant, helmed by Chef Avram Samuels, offers fresh, seasonal California-inspired cuisine in an outdoor setting with stunning views, and hosts high-profile events like the Vine to View winery dinner series. Dinner menu highlights range from Duroc double cut pork chop and Mary's chicken Milanese to the half-pound "bee" burger with honey bacon jam and secret sauce and the locally forged wild mushroom pithivier.

The 1,700-square-foot full-service spa offers relaxation and renewal with massages, body treatments and facials, including the new Hydrafacial, a non-invasive, clinically proven skin resurfacing treatment that gently exfoliates and opens pores, infusing skin with hydrating serums. Spa amenities also include an exclusive spa patio with outdoor hot tub, executive fitness center, steam room and the Himalayan salt sauna.

A central element of the Santa Cruz experience is being outside, and Chaminade delivers a wide range of on-property activities, from hiking on more than three miles of resort trails through eucalyptus groves to pickleball to live music and daily happy hours. Following a recent renovation, the expanded pool complex, hot tub and cabana areas have become central gathering places for guests, especially when the poolside Sandbox food truck is on site.

In 2025, Chaminade opened one of the first certified forest therapy trails in California, offering self-guided or group sessions for a transformative wellness experience inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Guests also connect with nature through the new hands-on Hive Dives of the on-property beehives, which include special honey tastings.

Families are drawn to Chaminade for kid-friendly lodging, including new bunk-bed rooms, alongside activities such as giant bubble parties, dive-in movies, bocce ball, cornhole and a full disc golf course.

With 12,000 square feet of IACC-certified meeting space, Chaminade is a top destination for groups and meetings, offering a new collection of team-building experiences available exclusively to groups. Highlights include skateboard building, creating hanging plant terrariums, hands-on drumming rhythm, native plant restoration, moss wall workshops and sushi making classes, among others.

The resort is also a popular wedding destination for celebrations ranging from intimate ceremonies to grand affairs, offering breathtaking views, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, and personalized service. Chaminade is proudly pet-friendly with custom amenities and treats, and the annual summertime "Pawsh Retreat" has become a favorite of the regional dog community with adoptable dogs, a dog fashion show, pet portraits, an agility course, shopping and more.

Why Santa Cruz in 2026

As the quintessential California beach town, Santa Cruz offers a perfect seaside retreat with its laid-back, surf-town vibe and breathtaking natural beauty. The area is riding an exciting new wave with the opening of 8.5 miles of new multi-use trails at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, new wine tasting rooms, a milestone anniversary for the beloved Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and a range of new restaurants and bars that are redefining the city. Just 90 minutes from San Francisco, Santa Cruz retains its identity as a beach-town escape with a new sophistication and elevated style.

Chaminade Resort & Spa is located at One Chaminade Lane in Santa Cruz, California. Guestroom rates vary by date and can be booked at chaminade.com or (800) 283-6569.