Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

With its mix of chichi boutiques, art galleries and bistros, the coastal village of Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor, caters to a well-heeled clientele. This former artists' colony is now a romantic refuge for those who appreciate a refined and slow-paced getaway. Built in 1929 and later renovated, L'Auberge is the intentionally intimate 20-room boutique hotel owned by the husband-and-wife team of David and Kathleen Fink. Rooms with French windows and ocean views are kitted out with comfy king-sized beds, decadent Hungarian down bedding, an oversized sunken tub and heated bathroom floors. The hotel's 12-table restaurant, Aubergine, is equally beguiling and features a 4,500-bottle wine cellar.