Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort

The Hotel

Ventana Big Sur sits at 48123 Highway 1 on a 160-acre property of redwoods, oaks, and meadows on the inland side of the Big Sur coast. The resort opened in 1975 under founder Lawrence Spector, became a benchmark of California countryside luxury through the 1980s and 1990s, and was acquired by Hyatt in 2017 with full integration into the Alila brand of luxury Hyatt resorts. The Alila relaunch tightened the operation into the brand's contemporary-naturalist register and added the all-inclusive programme that runs as the property's commercial model since 2022.

There are 54 rooms and suites in total, distributed across the 160 acres in groupings of small lodge buildings — most rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, private decks with ocean or forest views, and private hot tubs (every category above the entry-level offers a private hot tub). Categories include the Vista Suites with Pacific view, the Mountain View Rooms in the meadows, the Redwood Suite, and the standalone two-bedroom villas for larger configurations. The property also runs a glamping site (canvas-tent inventory with on-property bath access) for guests wanting the camping aesthetic with the resort amenities. Adults-only — guests must be 18 or older.

The all-inclusive Inclusive Experience programme handles meals (in-room, poolside, or at The Sur House restaurant), non-alcoholic beverages, mini-bar items, valet parking, signature wellness activities (guided forest walks, meditation, yoga, the daily property programme), and curated experiences (wine tastings, stargazing). The Sur House is the property's signature restaurant — California cuisine with strong forest-and-coast sourcing, indoor and outdoor terrace dining, panoramic Pacific view from select tables. Two heated pools (one Japanese-style bath house, one social pool), the Spa Alila with 11 treatment rooms, and the small fitness room handle the daily wellness offering.

The Ventana location 30 minutes south of Carmel — directly opposite Post Ranch Inn across Highway 1 — places the property in the same Big Sur cluster but with the redwood-and-meadow setting rather than the cliff exposure. The trade-off is intentional: Ventana delivers the forest immersion, larger property scale, and more developed all-inclusive structure; Post Ranch delivers the cliff drama and Sierra Mar dining. For couples who want the slower, longer Big Sur stay with the meals and activities pre-included rather than bookable individually, Ventana is the right answer.

Best Occasion Fit

Practical Information

Also Great in Big Sur