Jun 30, 2023, 9:42 pm
Last edit by: SanDiego1K
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
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
Sep 6, 2021, 9:50 pm
#1547
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Sep 6, 2021, 10:00 pm
#1548
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
Coming from SF. I would love to visit Monterey and stay near Pebble beach. Is golfing on 17-mile drive available rn for random people like me? Any recommendations for nice hotels (on a similar level to the Ventana Big Sur) in the area? Thx
Sep 6, 2021, 10:15 pm
#1549
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Silicon Valley/Seattle/Vancouver
Programs: Hyatt Globalist; Aeroplan 35k; Alaska MVP Gold; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 86
I can't speak to lodging in the immediate Pebble Beach area. I think it's dominated by private house rentals. Or non luxury properties like HR Monterey.
Not sure if you're looking for exclusively Hyatt or points options, but I love Bernardus. We did 17 mile drive and checked out Pebble Beach while we were staying there. Not a golfer so not sure about playing options.
I'd put Bernardus on par with Ventana. I'd say Carmel Valley Ranch, while lovely, is just a notch below Ventana, though I imagine there are plenty who would quibble with that. But CVR can be a good value for the area if points availability works out.
Not sure if you're looking for exclusively Hyatt or points options, but I love Bernardus. We did 17 mile drive and checked out Pebble Beach while we were staying there. Not a golfer so not sure about playing options.
I'd put Bernardus on par with Ventana. I'd say Carmel Valley Ranch, while lovely, is just a notch below Ventana, though I imagine there are plenty who would quibble with that. But CVR can be a good value for the area if points availability works out.
Sep 6, 2021, 10:32 pm
#1550
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
I can't speak to lodging in the immediate Pebble Beach area. I think it's dominated by private house rentals. Or non luxury properties like HR Monterey.
Not sure if you're looking for exclusively Hyatt or points options, but I love Bernardus. We did 17 mile drive and checked out Pebble Beach while we were staying there. Not a golfer so not sure about playing options.
I'd put Bernardus on par with Ventana. I'd say Carmel Valley Ranch, while lovely, is just a notch below Ventana, though I imagine there are plenty who would quibble with that. But CVR can be a good value for the area if points availability works out.
Not sure if you're looking for exclusively Hyatt or points options, but I love Bernardus. We did 17 mile drive and checked out Pebble Beach while we were staying there. Not a golfer so not sure about playing options.
I'd put Bernardus on par with Ventana. I'd say Carmel Valley Ranch, while lovely, is just a notch below Ventana, though I imagine there are plenty who would quibble with that. But CVR can be a good value for the area if points availability works out.
Based on the feedback here, I will cut my Ventana stay to 4 nights. I suspect I am more of a lazy traveler than most people here so I’m giving myself a 1 day buffer. Looks like there is not even a single date available for points bookings (can’t even find premium suites) for the date range I’m looking at.
Looks like Hyatt Prive is the best option to book cash rates.
Sep 6, 2021, 10:39 pm
#1551
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 222
Another option is to contrast a retreat like Ventana with a stay in one of the numerous inns, boutique hotels or B&Bs in Carmel, Monterey or Pacific Grove (PG seems to fly under the radar, but I feel like it has a more relaxed vibe than bougie Carmel). That's what we did for our local-ish staycation in the spring. It's nice to have your pick of different restaurants in town after eating the same menu for 3 days.
Sep 7, 2021, 12:27 pm
#1552
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
I believe for the three main courses in Pebble, you have to spend the night at one of their accomodations in order to play. I've never done it, but my understanding is it's less of a "who you know" situation than other courses and more of a getting in when they release new bookings...but still tough to snag a tee time.
Sep 7, 2021, 2:13 pm
#1553
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 147
If you're not tied to points availability and paying cash, want something upscale, and do have 6 days I'd strongly consider driving the 3-4 extra hours south and stay at Rosewood Miramar Beach. It is nicer than Ventana at a similar $2k per night.
As far as 6-days at Ventana, I'm with the others that'd probably be to long, but it really depends on your interests. It is a nice property and I found the service extremely friendly. There's obviously a lot of nice hikes, etc. but hiking and laying out by the pool does get boring to me. If hiking is your thing you could probably spend a month there and love every minute of it.
As far as the Ventana menu getting old, apparently a lot of people in this thread haven't figured it out, but there are other restaurants in Big Sur and the surrounding area that aren't at the hotel. Just because there's free food doesn't mean you need to build your entire trip around it ...
As far as 6-days at Ventana, I'm with the others that'd probably be to long, but it really depends on your interests. It is a nice property and I found the service extremely friendly. There's obviously a lot of nice hikes, etc. but hiking and laying out by the pool does get boring to me. If hiking is your thing you could probably spend a month there and love every minute of it.
As far as the Ventana menu getting old, apparently a lot of people in this thread haven't figured it out, but there are other restaurants in Big Sur and the surrounding area that aren't at the hotel. Just because there's free food doesn't mean you need to build your entire trip around it ...
Sep 7, 2021, 3:24 pm
#1554
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Sacramento CA area
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AS MVP Gold 100K, Hilton Diamond(Amex), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 207
I believe for the three main courses in Pebble, you have to spend the night at one of their accomodations in order to play. I've never done it, but my understanding is it's less of a "who you know" situation than other courses and more of a getting in when they release new bookings...but still tough to snag a tee time.
Sep 7, 2021, 5:15 pm
#1555
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 63
We did Ventana and Alila Napa recently, with a night in SF (Hotel Kabuki) to visit some friends that broke up the drive (about 2 hours each trip).
I should clarify that while I do think 6 nights at Ventana is arguably too long, my logic there is based on a combination of its cost on cash or points, and just generally limited "stuff to do."
I've stayed at the Ritz Half Moon Bay a few times for work and if you're not from the area I think it'd certainly be nice for 2-3 days. The hard product isn't on par with Ventana but the overall experience and location is quite nice.
Again, Half Moon Bay is a 40 minute drive for me and we go to the Ritz a few times a year for a weekend staycation, so others very well may find it a far more compelling option than I do, as I'm admittedly generally jaded with Bay area options after a decade here.
Without scrolling back up, I think I recall some folks who considered doing a Ventana Big Sur trip and a Napa trip as a split. If logistically feasible for you (timing, rental car, points availability etc), I think that's a winning combo, the Big Sur vs Napa change of scenery is significant enough that you feel like you're getting two totally different vacations on the same trip.
Without traffic, Big Sur to Napa is a 3.5hr drive. I get pretty antsy in a car after little more than two hours, so I totally understand if someone were to say that trek sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Though, in this instance, if someone were up for the drive I think it'd be worth it. Especially if you've never been to Napa and/or are really into wine.
I've stayed at the Ritz Half Moon Bay a few times for work and if you're not from the area I think it'd certainly be nice for 2-3 days. The hard product isn't on par with Ventana but the overall experience and location is quite nice.
Again, Half Moon Bay is a 40 minute drive for me and we go to the Ritz a few times a year for a weekend staycation, so others very well may find it a far more compelling option than I do, as I'm admittedly generally jaded with Bay area options after a decade here.
Without scrolling back up, I think I recall some folks who considered doing a Ventana Big Sur trip and a Napa trip as a split. If logistically feasible for you (timing, rental car, points availability etc), I think that's a winning combo, the Big Sur vs Napa change of scenery is significant enough that you feel like you're getting two totally different vacations on the same trip.
Without traffic, Big Sur to Napa is a 3.5hr drive. I get pretty antsy in a car after little more than two hours, so I totally understand if someone were to say that trek sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Though, in this instance, if someone were up for the drive I think it'd be worth it. Especially if you've never been to Napa and/or are really into wine.
Sep 10, 2021, 2:23 pm
#1556
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: HH Diamond, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 549
I was sitting next to a group of 6-8 corporate event planners at dinner at the Sur House Wednesday night, sounded like they came in from all over the country for this weekend's buyout. Seemed likely to be a corporate buyout of some type. They mentioned they had certain rooms for security staff and then on Thursday morning when we were checking out there were about 8 county sheriffs and a few vehicles in one of the lower lots having a meeting. Seemed like it was going to be a pretty high profile event.
Sep 13, 2021, 6:54 am
#1557
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 36
Thx. I am happy to stay at non-Hyatt and non-points hotels. Bernardus looks great. Willing to book that over Caramel Valley if it’s meaningfully better. Otherwise, happy to burn Hyatt points on Caramel Valley. Just being careful to limit hotel quality variation as I’m traveling with people that are more sensitive to this. I’ll post in the Caramel Valley thread.
Based on the feedback here, I will cut my Ventana stay to 4 nights. I suspect I am more of a lazy traveler than most people here so I’m giving myself a 1 day buffer. Looks like there is not even a single date available for points bookings (can’t even find premium suites) for the date range I’m looking at.
Looks like Hyatt Prive is the best option to book cash rates.
Based on the feedback here, I will cut my Ventana stay to 4 nights. I suspect I am more of a lazy traveler than most people here so I’m giving myself a 1 day buffer. Looks like there is not even a single date available for points bookings (can’t even find premium suites) for the date range I’m looking at.
Looks like Hyatt Prive is the best option to book cash rates.
Sep 17, 2021, 4:31 pm
#1558
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,975
First time here and is the service usually this painfully slow? Waiting for check in and kept being told room is ready but we cannot get it until it’s “inspected” but it will be ready in 30 minutes. It’s been same line for almost 3 hours now. Ok not end of the world since we got here early, but it’s a bit chilly and they heatlamps aren’t working. Someone came by and said they would turn them on. That was 45 minutes ago and I guess they cannot find a lighter to turn them on. At the nightly rates you would think the service would be way faster.
On the positive side the sun deck service was friendly and quick.
On the positive side the sun deck service was friendly and quick.
Sep 17, 2021, 5:26 pm
#1559
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
If you're playing multiple rounds with several people, you save quite a bit with the membership.
Sep 17, 2021, 5:27 pm
#1560
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
I was sitting next to a group of 6-8 corporate event planners at dinner at the Sur House Wednesday night, sounded like they came in from all over the country for this weekend's buyout. Seemed likely to be a corporate buyout of some type. They mentioned they had certain rooms for security staff and then on Thursday morning when we were checking out there were about 8 county sheriffs and a few vehicles in one of the lower lots having a meeting. Seemed like it was going to be a pretty high profile event.