During a recent epic road trip out to California’s coast, we decided to “go big” and end in style at the Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, in Big Sur, California.
The Ventana Big Sur is notable for its stunning location on the Pacific Coast Highway, its ancient groves of towering Coastal Redwoods, its all-inclusive breakfast and dinner services, and its notorious distinction as one of the most expensive properties in the Hyatt portfolio (rooms typically start between $2,000 and $3,000 USD per night).
Would our stay at the Ventana Big Sur be “worth it”?
Review: Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort (CA)
The Official Description From Alila Hotels:
(Image: alilahotels.com)
Arrival, Location, And Parking
Upon arrival at the Ventana sign, we continued on past the fountain at the entrance, then took the right at the fork in the road, and headed down a small forested road until we reached the resort’s valet area.
Entrance Fountain
The forested road
The Valet Drop-Off
World Of Hyatt Redemption
The nightly rate during our stay started at $2,416.59 USD for a “1 King Bed with Fireplace” room.
However, because the Ventana Big Sur was a World of Hyatt Category 7 property, I booked the room for just 30,000 points.
This was a phenomenal (and record-breaking, personal best) redemption value for Hyatt points at 8.06 CPP.
An Inclusive Resort – What’s Really Included
Why so pricey you ask?
For starters, Ventana Big Sur is a [mostly] inclusive resort. Breakfasts and Dinner services are included.
Some items that were not included were alcohol, “upgraded food offerings”, spa services, retail, and Alila Experiences.
Lobby
Having dropped-off our vehicle, we headed from the valet booth up the stairs to the lobby at the Social House to check-in.
Stairway to the Social House [lobby]
Social House entrance
Front Desk & Check-In
As we entered the front-desk area, we were greeted at the door by name and sat down at a desk for a “personal-style” check-in.
We were offered our choice of an alcoholic or non-alcoholic welcome beverage before making some small talk about why we choose to stay at the Ventana.
Within no time, we were handed our “keys” (which were actually small, round, wooden chips), and read a laundry list of hotel amenities, locations, and rules of the property.
We were then given a map, a welcome package, notified there were two complimentary refillable water bottles waiting for us in our room (to use and take home), and then pointed in the direction to our room.
I was not verbally recognized for my Globalist status nor offered an upgrade.
Inside the Social House (Image: hyatt.com)
Welcome Drink
I believe this was a “white wine & ginger mule”
Welcome Package
Map Of The Property
Complimentary Water Bottles (To Take Home)
Room Key
The Walk To The Room
Hallway
Room Entrance
Bedroom
The attractive decor of the room relied heavily on wood, leather, and hand-woven materials – with glass accents thrown in for good measure.
The room had the warm feeling of a rustic, cozy, modern, upscale cabin. We were impressed.
Living Area
Cool idea for a pen
Charging ports
Television, fireplace, alcohol, and coffee & tea station
Room Amenities
The “hard-stuff” and coffee & tea station
Standard Nespresso machine
These will cost you extra
Safe and binoculars
Matches
The [Complimentary] Mini-Bar
The mini-bar
These items are all complimentary
These items are all complimentary
Bathroom Area
The bathroom was large and clean and came with a bathtub, shower, and a separate water closet.
The tub had shutters that opened to the larger bedroom area.
The Ventana Big Sur had its own line of branded toiletries – which smelled great (spearmint & rosemary).
Looking from the room, through the shutters, into the bathroom
The bathtub
The shower
These smell great…and [on the right] that is one rough, exfoliating bar of soap!
Water closet
Balcony
One of our favorite features about the room was its balcony.
It was a nice medium-sized balcony with a direct view into the Ventana wilderness and its towering Coastal Redwoods.
We found ourselves utilizing the balcony throughout our entire stay. It was great for morning breakfast, afternoon drinks, watching the sunset, and finally – looking at the stars (and spotting shooting stars).
View From The Room
Those trees rising above the others? Those are the Coastal Redwoods (the tallest trees in the world!)
View into the Ventana Wilderness
The Property Exterior
The grounds of the Ventana Big Sur were heavenly, from one end of the resort to the other.
There were fire-pits, meting places, gardens, lounge areas for star-gazing, strategically-placed hammocks, lavender fields, and several groves of Coastal Redwoods.
Fire-pit
Gardens
Walkway to the pool and meadow
The Ocean Meadow – perfect for star-gazing!
Because you never know when you might need a nap…
Walkway to the Fitness Center
Fork in the road: going left will lead to the Mountain Pool, right will lead to Sur House
Lavender
Path to the Mountain Pool
Redwood Grove
Pathway down to the Ventana Campground
A sunset stroll
The Walking Trail
Another hotel feature we really enjoyed was the on-property hiking trail.
From the map (above), you can see the trail officially starts just South of the valet area, and it technically ends near the Fitness Center.
However, you can easily make a “loop trail” out of it by adding in the walk to the Sur House, and then continuing on through the parking lot and back to the valet area.
These wild Turkeys met us down at the trailhead
The trailhead [pictured here] starts just down the hill from the valet booth
Watch out for the Poison Oak!
Coastal Redwoods
The Walk To Sur House
One of the most awesome – or annoying –Â things about the Ventana Big Sur (depending on who you ask) is the required .3 mile walk to the Sur House, the location where most meals were served during our stay (the Smokehouse was closed).
The walk itself was mostly flat and took a little over 10 minutes (each way) as it slowly meandered away from the resort, past a Redwood grove, and over to the Sur House. During the evening, the pathway was well-lit making it safe and easy to follow – even in the dark.
While we enjoyed the walk during the warm, sunny weather we had during our stay, I could see how this walk could be problematic during a rainy or cold and windy day, or for guests that were mobile-impaired. In those cases, it is possible to walk to the Sur House “through the parking lot” or to catch a ride on a resort cart.
We enjoyed the walk as it allowed us time to “walk-off” the rich food served at Sur House.
The “trailhead” to Sur House
The Redwood Grove on the way to Sur House (at the .2 mile marker)
Don’t forget to “look up” when standing in a Redwood grove
Sur House rises in the distance
The Gate to Sur House [literally]
Sur House (Exterior)
Entrance to Sur House
The Sur House Interior
The Sur House interior was designed to resemble a Japanese mountain cabin and was quite handsome, although closed for service during our stay.
The Patio At Sur House
During our stay, all meals were served outside on the patio.
With the mild California weather, patio dining was preferable (and amazing).
FHOP Tip: Book an Early Reservation Time. Because our stay was a last-minute booking, I was unable to make a dinner reservation for the time I wanted (7:00 pm). The only available time was a 5:00 pm slot. Although I was initially disappointed by this, it worked in our favor as we were given our choice of the tables with the best views. Those that came even 30 minutes later were “stuck” at tables with no views. IÂ actually overheard several couples complaining they had “no view”.
Make an early time reservation to get a table with a view!
FHOP Tip: There may be bees – lots of bees. The tables with the best views tended to have the most bees due to the greenery around the patio. This posed a bizarre dilemma for several guests who stated they were “deathly allergic to bee stings,” but that also did not want to give up their table with a view (one woman actually chose to dine standing-up (so she could run away from the bees if needed) rather than give up her table with a view. If you are allergic to bees, I would recommend simply notifying the wait staff and ask to be seated at a table away from the shrubbery.
Stairway to the gallery
Sur House – Dinner Menu (Inclusive)
Dinner Service At Sur House
Dinner was served as a 3-course meal: appetizer, entree, and desert.
Appetizer
The [off-menu] Seared Scallops (excellent!)
Twice-Cooked Pork Belly (good, but a little bland)
A Sour Beer (excellent!)
Entree
Black Bass (very good)
Roasted Halibut (good)
Dessert
Dulcey Brulee
Cambozola Sundae (excellent!)
Post-dinner Vanilla Latte
Sur House – Breakfast Menu (Inclusive)
Breakfast Service At Sur House
Starting the day with another morning Latte.
Fresh-pressed Green Juice ($13)
Ventana Breakfast
French Toast (very good)
The Loft
The loft is a meeting space that’s also used for weddings and other events.
Fire-pit & view from the Loft
Spa Alila
Spa Alila was closed during our stay.
The Japanese Baths
The Japanese Baths, clothing optional (Image: hyatt.com)
Swimming Pool Areas
The Swimming Pool
The Mountain Pool
Fitness Center
The Ventana Campground
“Below” the Ventana Big Sur was the Ventana Campground, a sister-property that shares certain walking trails and redwood groves with the Ventana Big Sur.
Guests of the Ventana Big Sur are allowed to hike down to the Campground, however guests of the Ventana Campground are not allowed entry to the Ventana Big Sur resort.
Redwoods visible on the hike down to the Ventana Campground
Ventana Campground (Image: hyatt.com)
FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: No trip to Big Sur would be complete without a stop at some of the area’s most famous sites, namely the Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Partington Cove. Ventana Big Sur is also surrounded by State Parks with excellent hiking trails (especially as you head North). Lastly, you don’t want to miss Nepenthe, an extremely popular restaurant/tourist spot with awesome ocean views that’s a mere 5 minute drive South from Ventana Big Sur.Â
The Bottom-Line Review: Ventana Big Sur an Alila Resort (CA)
We really loved our stay at Ventana Big Sur. It was simply an overwhelmingly beautiful and uniquely California experience from beginning to end. Our stay stands out in my mind as something really special and I’ll freely admit I dream about returning.
Was it perfect? Of course not. The food was overall very good, but I wouldn’t say it was “excellent”. As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I received no tangible benefits (aside from Complimentary Valet service) even through there were confirmed room upgrades with vacancies. The service was very good, but it was not stand-out “excellent”, and many amenities were closed or limited during our stay.
Even with all that said, we absolutely loved our stay.
Although Ventana Big Sur was indeed a “luxury resort” and we were impressed with the property, its amenities, location and unique features, we found the highlights of our stay were the times when we connected with nature during the walks among the Redwoods, the star-gazing, and the eavesdropping on the birds singing from our balcony. It was amazing and how easy it was to do that so completely at the Ventana Big Sur. It was a true wellness experience.
Consistent with the other Alila resorts in California, Ventana Big Sur is another absolute jewel in the World of Hyatt portfolio. Was it worth it? Yes, especially when booking a World of Hyatt point redemption! At only 30,000 points per night, a redemption at the Ventana Big Sur is perhaps the most valuable use of World of Hyatt points in the entire world.
Final Rating: 9.5 out of 10.
