Originally Posted by
KatW
I am posting now from Ventana, it is my 13th stay over 22 years. We are somewhat local, residing in Menlo Park, a Stanford bedroom town bordering Palo Alto. Last January we spent four nights at PRI. I wrote about that stay variously but not in this thread. We were very disappointed given what we had read and the various Top This That and the Other. It was low season so we paid only $1450 or so plus taxes for a cottage unto ourselves facing the mountains, gorgeous setting. And after all we are familiar with the dramatic coastal views of Big Sur. I'm aware Andrew Harper et al. just issued their 2014 Best Hideaways list and, again, PRI is well rated, tsk, tsk.
Ventana has transmogrified over the decades so I won't raise contrasts with past iterations but will focus on the here and now. Today as ever it was it's a lush, gorgeously gardened property with many spaces left to nature's gardens. Banana trees around the upper pool, there are two, both heated although not always sufficiently. The winding paved paths and numerous outdoor relaxing areas with seating and hammocks are as welcome as can be, with gorgeous vies front (seaward) or back (mountain scape).
All the rooms, and over the years we have stayed in a number of them, are comfortable and rustically charming. The higher the price the more space and more amenities. We are in a "Vista Suite" which is spacious and uncluttered including fireplace fronted by two comfy leather chairs with shared ottoman. However the "wood" for the fireplace is almost nasty pressed wax "log" that smokes and stinks when lit so we don't bother. PRI wins the fireplace sweepstakes with unlimited seasoned, dry wood which I expect is minimally more despicable for the environment as those nasty wax jobbies. Back at the Ventana Vista suite, there is a great huge closet/dress and bath bath area -- separate delicious slate shower with rainhead and large soaking tub with a view over the meadow to the Pacific (in the distance, you can't hear or see the pounding surf). Enormous deck with beautiful and accessible walk-in as opposed to clamber/climb-in hot tub with view and a large garden umbrella that can be moved around as needed to adjust for shade. Plus two upholstered teak deck chairs and two outdoor armchairs, and a lemon tree, pots of flowers,etc. This is their highest end room. If I correctly parse the parlance here at FlyerTalk, the hard product is close to superb and exceeds without question PRI, assuming highest-end comparisons. We are paying $2200 for Sunday night and $2100 for Monday and Tuesday nights, plus taxes and (cough) $35/day resort fee which annoys most especially. "Free" wifi everywhere but the restaurant.
"Free" continental breakfast (which includes scrambled eggs too long warmed but edges cold, fake quiche); otherwise good sticky buns, muffins, palatable croissants, good array of fruit including berries and pineapple. Also oatmeal, granola, yogurt, bread,toasts, juices coffees, etc. the kicker is -- that breakfast is 1/4 mile away a lovely, very we'll groomed trail skirting a Little ridge with a sweet bridge and several sitting-in-the-woods areas including one with rocking chairs. Redwoods, oaks, bay laurel, meadows, daisies, fragrant air, and quite a lot of fauna including deer, turkey, quail, bobcat, lots of birds and more. Nevertheless hiking, however minimally, to breakfast May not be your cuppa. In which case you can call for shuttle service which arrives quickly and gracefully.
We love and often disport in the deep and spacious Japanese baths under the stars and enjoy the pools and sauna. The lusciously gardened surrounds appeal very much and scent the fresh air. The ethos at Ventana isn't perfect yet it is infinitely preferable to PRI ; plus, not so much tacky "art."
The high-season PRI rates exceed those of Ventana. For my money, I get so much more at Ventana and I haven't even gotten to the soft product as folk here like to say. Which is not to say there is not room for improvement at Ventana for there surely is.