Jun 30, 2023, 9:42 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Dinner reservations and activities: email [email protected]

Big Sur Smokehouse is closed at least thru end of July 2023.

Your stay includes all meals, whether in-room 24 hours a day, lunch on the Sur House Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or dinner at The Sur House—our award-winning restaurant that is open for dinner from 5-9 p.m. Please see our dining menus here.

Signature experiences:
· Morning Movement (Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, Big SurCus Poi Dance)
· Coast Ridge Hike
· Bees and Big Sur
Falconry
· Foragers Hike
· Redwood Hike
· Sur House Social
· S'mores
· Astronomy

July 2023 activity schedule:
https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/JU..._AtAGlance.pdf

Ventana Big Sur- Alila - REVIEW MASTER THREAD

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Jul 12, 2020, 10:53 pm

#136

dkc192

Join Date: May 2007

Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 5,453

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxKare

It looks like some new availability is opening. I just booked 2 nights Oct 25-27 using points. I am planning on applying a DSU as well. Which suite does this usually book into?

Big Sur Suite, I think.

Jul 12, 2020, 10:56 pm

#137

Colin

Join Date: Feb 2000

Posts: 6,546

Quote:

Originally Posted by flywithnumbers

has it been confirmed yet if award bookings will still be charged the 22% automatic gratuity?

https://study.com/academy/lesson/the...y-of-zero.html

Jul 12, 2020, 11:47 pm

#138

nexusCFX

Join Date: Dec 2017

Location: SFO/YYZ

Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 2,469

Booked 3 nights end of October during my birthday as I suspect I will still not be allowed to return home to Canada to celebrate with family and friends. Might as well get away for a weekend and do some hiking; it seems like the best opportunity for my Hyatt points.

Jul 13, 2020, 12:56 am

#139

dkc192

Join Date: May 2007

Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 5,453

Any additional data points of people booking awards online and being charged a one-night deposit? The cancellation policy online states that a deposit will be charged, but there have been few, mixed reports of whether that actually happens.

Jul 13, 2020, 7:06 am

#140

madderlake

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 392

I just checked and I did NOT get charged one night deposit on a points booking.

Jul 13, 2020, 9:07 am

#141

joey965

Join Date: Jul 2014

Programs: Hyatt Diamond, southwest A List Preferred, American Platinum

Posts: 255

I made a reservation yesterday for next July using points and noticed that it said I would be charged for a one night deposit which was $1300. Since I am Globalist, I called my concierge and asked her about it. She said that point reservations are not charged. Just checked this morning to see if the Hyatt card I used to secure the reservation was charged and it was not.

Jul 14, 2020, 9:19 pm

#142

mikewhyatt

Join Date: Jan 2016

Posts: 179

I have a stay coming up end of August. Eagerly awaiting reports from FTers that have reservations in the coming days. Concerned with California shutting certain activities back down what the experience will be like and if they are forced to close as cases rise.

beachmiles likes this.

Jul 14, 2020, 9:27 pm

#143

madderlake

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 392

@mikewhyatt - arriving tomorrow so will report back asap! Received a call today from the concierge confirming our dinner reservations (limited outdoor seating), housekeeping options, etc. She said they were very excited to receive visitors! I was afraid too about scaled back activities but so far I'm hearing everything is still on so we'll see. Plan to do some hiking at Pfeiffer State Park nearby which says the trails are open and hopefully they will remain open!

Let me know any specific questions you guys have and I will try and get them all answered...

beachmiles, ralphs, invalyd and 3 others like this.

Jul 14, 2020, 10:11 pm

#144

SanDiego1K

Community Director Emerita

Join Date: Oct 2000

Location: Anywhere warm

Posts: 33,747

Quote:

Originally Posted by madderlake

Let me know any specific questions you guys have and I will try and get them all answered...

I've got two questions;

One picnic per stay is included. I'm curious as to what it is.
The property is all inclusive now. Does that mean we can arrive before lunch and have it included?

Jul 14, 2020, 10:12 pm

#145

madderlake

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 392

I will check on the picnic...

But no, you get dinner on day of check in and lunch on day of check out (which is what I was told).

beachmiles likes this.

Jul 15, 2020, 12:42 pm

#146

RioAg

Join Date: Mar 2019

Posts: 102

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your stay. I used a suite upgrade and was confirmed the Big Sur Suite. Does anyone know how this room compares?

Does anyone have a link and/or picture of the new inclusive menus?

Last edited by RioAg; Jul 15, 2020 at 1:10 pm

Jul 15, 2020, 1:59 pm

#147

invalyd

Join Date: Sep 2014

Location: TYO

Programs: Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 1,744

Quote:

Originally Posted by madderlake

May I ask what's the best way to contact the concierge before checking in? Also, is it required to book restaurant in advance?

Look forward to your trip report.

Jul 15, 2020, 7:04 pm

#148

RioAg

Join Date: Mar 2019

Posts: 102

Menu

It looks like new menus for the new inclusive package were posted on the ventana website- sorry, no link. I’m on mobile (and possibly drunk).

beachmiles, ZBigFam and mikewhyatt like this.

Jul 15, 2020, 7:20 pm

#149

madderlake

Join Date: Jul 2004

Posts: 392

OK checked in and sitting cozily in our Suite after a long drive up the coast from SB (5 hours with stops) wow! (by the way stated at Hyatt Place SB which was a great little place for overnight!)

Booked one night using Cat7 cert and the second night 48K points for a Big Sur Suite and was upgraded to a Spa Suite for both nights (private hot tub on the outdoor deck) as a Globalist.

Staff is gracious and met us at the car and escorted us to Social House for socially-distanced check in procedures. All staff wearing masks and so far any guests I've seen walking around also wearing masks. At check in they mentioned they are booking about 85% capacity so not to be totally full for the time being (and allow for more space I presume?)

Met the GM (came up for the opening for another property) and pretty much everyone has greeted us by name - it's a nice touch.

Had made a 6:30pm dinner res at Sur House for dinner but decided to swap that out for in room dining - will enjoy that with a bottle of wine in front of our fireplace which I just got going

@invalyd - I don't think it's required to make a dinner res but bc they have limited outdoor seating, I think it's helpful so you are guaranteed a table. The email address I used for the concierge is: SJCAL-Shared.MB-Ventana.Guest.Relati...tanabigsur.com
@SanDiego1K - Here's a link to the picnic menu...let me know if this helps! https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/picnic-menu.pdf

Pretty tired from the drive so look forward to getting outdoors tomorrow and possibly doing some hiking. Will report back on all that and in the mean time, let me know if y'all have any other questions!

nsx, SanDiego1K, beachmiles and 1 others like this.

Jul 15, 2020, 7:36 pm

#150

SanDiego1K

Community Director Emerita

Join Date: Oct 2000

Location: Anywhere warm

Posts: 33,747

Quote:

Originally Posted by RioAg

It looks like new menus for the new inclusive package were posted on the ventana website-.

https://www.ventanabigsur.com/menus/...-package-menus - sample menus

Breakfast: https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/su...kfast-menu.pdf

Dinner: https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/Su...inner-Menu.pdf - mentions a 6 course tasting menu; doesn't say if there is an additional charge

In suite dining: https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/insuite-menu.pdf

Poolside: https://www.ventanabigsur.com/pdf/poolside-menu.pdf

RioAg likes this.