When you’re looking for a romantic getaway, few spots to stay set the scene quite like a luxurious resort room with a fireplace. These Northern California hotels offer comfort, luxury, and surprises.

If a laid-back yet luxurious getaway is what you desire, head west to California. From exquisite beaches to desert escapes and everything in between, the Golden State knows how to deliver a good time.

Less than four hours after signing off on Seattle magazine’s November/December issue, I was soaking in a large copper bathtub at the Bernardus Lodge & Spa, a lemongrass-scented bath bomb fizzing away ...