"For more than a century this grand Mediterranean-style edifice has served as one of the most prestigious lodgings in the Californian city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a bohemian escape for the upper crust of San Francisco and beyond. After a thorough renovation La Playa is at heart a luxurious modern hotel, but one that remains true to the aesthetics and inspiration of its founding. As the name hints, it’s the closest hotel in town to the beach, and among its other attractions are the retro-styled Bud’s Bar and a swimming pool that happens to have been the first one in Carmel." - Tablet Hotels