hairinmyfood69

that’s ridiculous. I literally have been looking everyday for a month and cannot find weekend availability. This is the one weeeknd I didn’t look for

antonius66

This just kills me. I mean, this place is nice and all but good lord, this is hands down the most popular Hyatt thread by a long shot and the borderline obsession with this place cracks me up. Yeah, I've been there twice and it's a great property but it isn't to agonize and obsess over. Both times I went it was after a casual check of a few dates. Never set up alerts, automated searches, daily checks of an entire year one day at a time etc. Goodness.

coleslaw

You got lucky. Congrats.

It’s not that unusual to have to go to effort to secure a points redemption. This is one of the properties where that effort is usually justified.

dayone

@chrisajoyner Welcome to FlyerTalk.

dayone

It's been diagnosed as a new variant of Maldives Syndrome. Similar to Emirates F Shower Suite Syndrome.

flyguy6

I am also having trouble finding award space for a standard room.

Thanks, I will keep an eye for tomorrow. Do we have any DP's on how award space is release at this property?

joecool1885

Its popularity builds upon its reputation of popularity.
Got two nights last-minute a month ago, had been lightly looking before then.
Somebody used the term "life-changing", and I had to wonder if this was the first time they'd been to a nice resort.
Back in 2013, the Grand Hyatt Kauai was "life-changing" to me, as it was my first taste of anything above "decent" in terms of hotels.

Comparing it just to another hotel up the road: the CVR has a greater variety of activities, is closer to amazing places like Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel, has terrific grounds (albeit not the same level of tranquility), and their base rooms are arguably a tad better, given the outdoor tub.
For 5,000 points more and an extra 40ish minute drive, all your food is included, and the pool and restaurant have a view of the Ocean.

I loved Ventana, and at the end of the day it's better than CVR (and a top 10 Hyatt, IMO). But the hype is maybe 60% legit.

RedPanda5

Personally I agree, but CVR isn't a consideration for me as I'm looking for a non family oriented hotel. So in this area its either Ventana on points or I pay to stay at Bernardus Lodge, post ranch is too rich for me

joecool1885

I think CVR gets labeled "family oriented" too easily. Wife and I have been several times: no kids at the pool by the lobby, though I think some teens did infiltrate the hot tub. Hiking a few of the trails is pretty much kid free. We did the beekeeping tour, and were the only ones there (though I imagine that's a crapshoot). Dinners were pretty tame, don't recall kids being a nuisance.
We did happen down to the main pool once (which is ironic, because it's far from the main lobby/center of the resort), and that place was a zoo.

We've been there several times as a couple and didnt feel kids took away from the ambience. Maybe we've just been lucky there, though.

Meanwhile, the sole visit to Ventana involved a barking and pacing dog in the room above us.

martzipan

I'd say one defining difference is that it's much more accessible. For millions of people it's only a reasonable drive away. For a large chunk of the US it's only a domestic flight away. Maldives requires a lot more commitment - I'm still working on convincing P2 it's worth going there.

dsiderx2

Especially for parents who want a quick getaway. Doubly so for parents of really young ones. Flying half way around the world is not worth it to get the same level of tranquility and service or for a weekend/2-night escape.

s0ssos

Maybe things have changed but it's not "level of service". I think people have mentioned before service is not befitting such an expensive place.
I'd say its benefit is location (good, unless there are fires, then horrid) and the all-inclusive aspect, as there are simply no all-inclusives in the US other than Miraval (which is more than double points if you have 2 people).

caliform

I agree that the obsession with the resort is funny — I tend to use it as a sort of expensive (as far as points go) impulse travel option as I live in SF. I've done a few straight-suite bookings (easier to find, and 60k points is worth it to me). I think it's a pretty alright experience. Big Sur is incredible, and the resort is nice. Would I fly here to go there? Absolutely not.

Big Sur and its nature, on the other hand, are very nice. I hope those that stay here take advantage of more than just the resort; go to the redwoods, the coast, the beaches. If you can, explore vast redwood groves further north and see the wilderness with an extended hike or two if you are physically capable. The treasure of Northern California is wilderness and nature unlike anywhere else on Earth.

dsiderx2

Like most things in California, you're paying for location, not what's built on that location.

martzipan

To be honest, the way some really average, if not mediocre hotels in various American cities are routinely charging $300-$400 a night after taxes and fees, it’s hardly just a California problem.