Photo: Marina del Rey Hotel  Spring 2014 renovation estimated cost: $20 million.

 In the world of hotels if it doesn't sparkle, shine and leave a great impression, people will let you know. Of course there's a level of acceptance that lesser priced hotel properties probably aren't going to charge as much for a room. But when you're in California country where there are beautiful bays, wineries, casino resorts and mountain highs, the crummy room can bring you down a notch or two. Renovations are the lifeblood of the hotel industry in California and as travelers and guests, we can attest that if you're not sensitive to new carpet smells the best time to visit a hotel is right after the renovation. New is for me, and it's for you. New can cost less than $1 million for a hotelier, though that's generally the starting price for doing any upgrades and work to improve your accommodations so guests will rave about the place. Raves are great--rants aren't!

CALIFORNIA HOTEL RENOVATIONS  RECENT/CURRENT

• BENICIA: Inn at Benicia Bay, an 1891 Victorian house in downtown Benicia, is renovating all of its guest rooms | theinnatbeniciabay.com
• BURLINGAME: Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport-Waterfront Multi-Million-Dollar Redesign | embassysuites3.hilton.com
• FORT BRAGG: The Beach House Inn (500' from shore) complete updates to all guest rooms | beachinn.com
• SAN DIEGO: Andaz San Diego spent $1 million to restyle the rooftop with cabana beds, a pool, two bars |sandiego.andaz.hyatt.com
• SAN DIEGO: Westgate Hotel re-imagined rooftop with 360-degree views, pool, lounge areas | westgatehotel.com
• SANTA BARBARA: Hotel Santa Barbara  new rooms, sleep sofas and Simmons Felicity Pillow Top beds  | hotelsantabarbara.com
• SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz Carousel Beach Inn reopened with new windows, fixtures, bedding, TVs, air conditioning |  santacruzmotels.com
• TEMECULA: Temecula Creek Inn $2.5 million in upgrades (temeculacreekinn.com); Pechanga Resort and Casino multi-million-dollar renovation (pechanga.com); Hampton Inn and Suite updated guest rooms (hamptoninn3.hilton.com)
• VALLEY CENTER: Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort $160 million expansion with Spiked lobby lounge, new 403-room hotel tower and 400-foot lazy river feature and swim-up bar | harrahsresortsoutherncalifornia.com