Great write up and agree with you regarding the food! Some surprise delights were the vegan Caesar salad - the dressing is so good! The steak is from Flannery Beef, which is served at Manresa (3 Michelin Star restaurant in Los Gatos, CA) as well. Coffee is Verve Seabright, which I really enjoy as well.
We had a friend stay in the Hot Tub suite and it was essentially a 1st-floor Big Sur Suite with a hot tub on the balcony. Was nice to use at the evening but not sure I’d pay a premium in order to get it, especially if the hot tubs are open in the future.
Originally Posted by
Gberg
A couple of takeaways for anyone going:
- Food - In the restaurant, the crab cocktail and halibut ceviche were the best appetizers by far. Best entrees we had were the chicken and steak (salmon was nothing special). At the pool, fish tacos and salmon poke were the best. Room service, the charcuterie board and bone broth were great (chicken wasn't that good). Coffee at hotel is excellent. I would recommend making reservations for breakfast and dinner. Room service has a minimum wait of an hour and overall would recommend eating at restaurant instead. Bottled water, iced tea, and soda were free at all venues, billed for alcohol and NA cocktails only
- Room - Personally, I thought the Big Sur suite was well worth the extra points over the standard room (obviously an upgrade is ideal but there were a ton of globalists so many weren't getting bumped up). We had friends staying in the Big Sur shower suite but it basically was the same as Big Sur suite but with an outdoor shower (don't think it's worth any points/cash premium). If you have are in a building with two stories, aim to be on the upper one as we heard footsteps quite a bit our first night from the guest above
- Activities - Two pools, the one near the front desk usually had 10-15 people total, the one tucked in the back was usually empty. Gym and baths are closed but saw there were two pelotons (didn't use) that I think are still available. Best picnic spot seemed to be under the redwoods, they also have s'mores there between 8-10 and have homemade marshmallows
Also, amazing safeguards in place for COVID - all dining tables spaced out, staff was always wearing masks, and rooms were sanitized and locked with a seal. While the hotel was basically full (85% max now), felt much emptier given many are sticking in their rooms and not going out