Top 10 Cool and Unusual Hotels in San Clemente

The ultimate destination for a beach vacation in California, San Clemente is famous for its white sandy beaches, alpine scenery, Spanish colonial-style architecture, Mediterranean climate, abundant sunshine, rich surfing culture, and laid-back vibe. 

With over five miles of shoreline, the charming beach town offers an eclectic array of seaside activities, including surfing, whale watching, beach walking, and fine dining. 

There’s no shortage of off-shore adventure in San Clemente, either. The city’s vibrant downtown district is home to a fabulous collection of restaurants, shops, and galleries. 

After a day packed with both oceanside and off-shore adventures, you’ll need a comfy place to retire to. From beachfront resorts to colonial-style hotels to cute and quirky boutiques, here are my top cool and unusual hotels in San Clemente, California (in no particular order)

Our Top 3 Best Cool and Unusual Hotels
1.
The Volare Ascend Hotel Collection l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Trendy Design
The Volare Ascend Hotel Collection
2.
Beachcomber Inn l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Beach View
Beachcomber Inn
3.
Sea Horse Resort l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Trendy Beachside
Sea Horse Resort
Best For Trendy Design

The Volare Ascend Hotel Collection

Unique hotels in San Clemente

 

 

Displaying a coherent blend of urban comfort and contemporary design, The Volare has rightfully earned its place on the list of San Clemente’s top hotels. The hotel’s prime location in the city center, top-end amenities, and excellent service make it every vacationer’s top choice. 

The Volare perches in a lovely beach community downtown and overlooks the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. It puts you within walking distance of over three hundred boutique restaurants and shops, farmer’s markets, and San Clemente’s bustling nightlife. 

Back at the base, guests can enjoy American and Continental cuisines at a refined restaurant, continue their fitness regimens in a gym, and wash off their worries in an outdoor pool. You can eventually retire to your room, which will feature a mini-fridge, a coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, and a work desk. 

Address: 111 Avenida de la Estrella, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Sleek modern vibes

Breathtaking beach view

Serene outdoor pool

10-minutes to Pacific Golf Club

Cons

No connecting rooms

No kitchenette in the rooms

Gym can be better equipped

Best For Beach View

Beachcomber Inn

Beachcomber Inn - a sleek cottage-style inn

Combining the beauty of the Pacific Ocean with quaint aesthetics, Beachcomber Inn has been welcoming guests since 1953. 

Set in a cottage-style building overlooking San Clemente Beach, the historic inn accommodates guests in airy studios and one-bedroom apartments with cable TVs, sofa beds, and complimentary Wi-Fi. While most units offer full kitchens, one has a microwave, a coffee maker, and a mini-fridge. 

Shared facilities include a private garden with BBQ grills, picnic tables, lawn chairs, and BBQ grills. 

Address: Address: 533 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Historic coastal hotel

Lush garden with BBQ facilities

In front of the beach

Cons

Rooms can be small

Wifi can be intermittent

Best For Trendy Beachside

Sea Horse Resort

Sea Horse Resort - a charming oceanfront hotel

Gentle ocean breezes greet vacationers upon arrival at Sea Horse Resort. Occupying three boutique properties on the Pacific Ocean’s shoreline, the high-end resort is an ideal base for a relaxing tropical vacation. 

Contemporary rooms are thoughtfully designed to provide guests with a luxurious stay. From plush bedding to coffee machines to cable TV, you can enjoy a range of amenities in the room. The furnished balconies expose you to the stunning Pacific Ocean. 

One- to two-bedroom suites have full kitchens and living rooms with dining areas. Parking is complimentary for all guests, as are beach towels, umbrellas, and chairs. 

Address: 602 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Luxurious & refined decor

Breathtaking ocean view

Water sports facilities nearby

Cons

Windows can't be opened

No TV in rooms

Best For Cool Boutique

The Patriots Boutique Motel

The Patriots Boutique Motel -  a cozy and unassuming motel

If you’re looking for a low-key place to stay with easy access to downtown attractions, The Patriots Boutique Motel is a fabulous choice. Perched off the Interstate 5 freeway, the 2-star hotel is hardly a 5-minute walk from Downtown shops, bars, and restaurants. 

Tropical-inspired rooms offer pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges. There’s also an ocean-view suite with a full kitchen, a separate sitting area, and a private patio. 

Surfing lessons are offered for a fee, while coffee is served in the lobby for free. 

Address: 711 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Cool coastal vibes

Lively bright guestrooms

Separate amenities for pets

5-minute walk to restaurants and bars

Cons

Limited parking space

Some outside road noises

Best For Funky Vibes

Nomads Hotel

Nomads Hotel - a colorful, kitsch, and fun party hotel

‘Surf, Eat, Sleep’ is the mantra of vacationers staying at Nomads Hotel. The eclectic hotel offers a broad range of lodging options to meet the needs of every type of traveler. 

However, you can only stay here if there’s a funky side to you. The hip rooms won’t sit well with those looking for a typical tropical vacation. 

The kaleidoscopic rooms feature unique themes. While some have a Bali-inspired interior, some are designed like boats. In-room amenities include premium linens, wet bars, mini-fridges, microwaves, Keurig coffee makers, Apple TV, and high-speed internet. 

The hotel’s staff will also personally guide you through your vacation in San Clemente. 

Address: 101 Avenida Serra, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Lively funky ambiance

Delectable Nomad canteen

1.9 km to North Beach

Cons

Some outside restaurant noise

No 24-hour parking

Best For Bed and Breakfast

Always Inn San Clemente Bed & Breakfast by Elevate Rooms

Always Inn San Clemente Bed & Breakfast by Elevate Rooms - a rustic-chic B&B

This Tuscany-style inn in the heart of the historic San Clemente district welcomes you to a vintage lodging experience complemented by present-day comforts. The laid-back bed-and-breakfast is extremely popular with honeymooners and couples. 

Individually decorated rooms boast traditional furnishings and local artwork. Each room is fitted with blackout curtains, a cable TV, a private whirlpool tub, and complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Belgian chocolates, cookies, a full breakfast, and bottled water are offered to all guests for free. 

Address:177 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Rustic chic decor

Private terrace in rooms

Tempting complimentary breakfast

Cons

Parking is a little compact

No wellness center

Best For Beachside

Casa Tropicana

Casa Tropicana - an upscale boutique hotel

Standing across the road from the San Clemente Pier, Casa Tropicana features magnificent Spanish-inspired architecture and a tropically influenced interior with original art. 

The artistic rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and mini-fridges. Some rooms also offer fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, living areas, kitchens, and ocean views. 

As a guest, you’ll also enjoy some free perks such as parking, a 24-hour coffee station, and loaner beach towels and chairs. Communal areas include sundecks with ocean views. 

Address: 610 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672, United States

Pros

Refined minimal design

Panoramic sea view from balcony

6-minutes to Dana Point Harbour

Cons

No swimming pool

No rooftop accommodation

Best For Rooms with Balconies

North Beach E

North Beach E - a cool and relaxed property

This spacious, well-kept property steps from North Beach is a perfect pick for nuclear families holidaying in San Clemente. Its basic interior, warm ambiance, and premium amenities will make you feel just at home. 

The airy living room features an L-shaped sofa, a flat-screen TV, a console, and a chess table. Next to the living room is a dining area with seating for six adjoining, which is a fully equipped kitchen. 

Head upstairs to the traditionally decorated bedrooms, which deviate slightly from the modern design downstairs. One bedroom features an extra-large double bed, while the other has two sofa beds and two large double beds. 

Address: San Clemente, 92672, United States 

Pros

Funky colorful decor

Sea view from balconies

20 km to Heisler Park

Cons

No spa

No swimming pool

Best For Self-Catering

North Beach D

North Beach D - a very instagrammable hotel

An amazing option for big families vacationing in San Clemente, North Beach D is a well-maintained holiday home steps from the gorgeous North Beach. 

The sophisticated property offers a fully functional kitchen with a 2-person breakfast bar, a dining area with seating for eight, and a living room with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV. 

The upstairs has a storage room, a sitting area with a flat-screen, and four well-appointed bedrooms, two of which open to spacious and well-furnished patios. 

Address: San Clemente, 92672, United States

Pros

Stylish colorful ambience

Onsite ATM

Nook for kids

Cons

No spa

No contact found

Best For: Millennials and Gen Zs

Hideaway Unit D

Hideaway Unit D - easily one of the coolest hotels to stay in San Clemente perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs2

This loft-style apartment provides all the comforts that you have at home. From hardwood floors to streamlined furnishings to upscale amenities, you’ll love everything about this cute property located steps from San Clemente City Beach. 

There’s a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a well-equipped kitchen, an adjoining dining area, a small courtyard with a picnic table and chairs, and a bedroom sleeping up to two people. 

Address: San Clemente, 92672, United States

Pros

Soft cute interior

Fishing

cycling and golf activities nearby

40 km to the University of California

Cons

No bar

No gym

Top 10 Coolest Hotels in San Clemente

In the table below, we have compared the top 10 cool and unusual hotels in San Clemente. You can sort the table based on different factors like location, distance from attractions, price per night, and restaurants nearby: 

Hotel NameLocationPrice Range (per night)Fitness FacilitiesDistance to Attractions (km)Nearby Restaurants
The Volare, Ascend Hotel Collection111 Avenida de la Estrella$308-$448No16.03
Beachcomber Inn533 Avenida Victoria$310No17.02
Sea Horse Resort602 Avenida Victoria$299-$359No16.03
The Patriots Boutique Motel711 S El Camino Real$139-$179No17.02
Nomads Hotel101 Avenida Serra$142-$219No16.03
Always Inn San Clemente Bed & Breakfast by Elevate Rooms177 Avenida Cabrillo$223-$896No16.03
Casa Tropicana610 Avenida Victoria$289No16.03
North Beach ESan Clemente, 92672$441No15.03
North Beach DSan Clemente, 92672$772No15.02
Hideaway Unit DSan Clemente, 92672$385No16.03