Ventana Inn & Spa

Beautiful views, great restaurant and wonderful forest trail to restaurant. Very serene, private spa, best spa in room services. Been there many times! Looking forward to goiing back. Second best place in Big Sur. First is Post Ranch.

We visited Big Sur "between the rains," in late January. I'd wanted to stay at the Post Ranch, but it was booked (we were traveling last-minute), and booked the Ventana instead. Our room was gorgeous and spacious, with a view across a meadow to the sea. We loved and used the fireplace and the outdoor hot tub. The housekeeping staff did a great job and they were very helpful, as well, fetching extra wood as soon as we needed it, etc. The restaurant was closed for renovations, so all meals were served in the breakfast room, which was a bit disappointing but what can you do? The good thing was, the food was consistently excellent, as was the dining staff. My only complaint was the "spa" part of the resort. Once there, it didn't really feel like a real spa at all. I asked about booking some of the more interesting private offerings, and was told someone would get back to me, but no one ever did, even though I checked in with the front desk AND the spa desk to see what was going on. Someone will call your room, I was told. No one ever did. We also took a group hike with a guy who really pushed us all to pay him to do a private hike at an "out of the way spot that no one knew about." We had had enough of him and went on a little hike ourselves, later that day, to a clearly popular and easy-to-find spot a few minutes down the road, and laughed when we saw him leading a group of fellow resort guests on the very same trail.

So pretty and nice. Love the property and the service. The only thing that feels off is the guide on the hotel-provided guided walk was super aggressive about tips. He spent the whole walk talking about people who didn't tip him.

Stayed here before when doing a road trip down the coast and had the best time at the Ventana.At the end of our holiday this hotel really shone out and we vowed to return. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the log style rooms nestle gently into the surrounding landscape.The rooms are in keeping with the great outdoors decorated with pine and luxury stone bathrooms.The balcony had a hot tub overlooking the forest and a log fire was available for cozy nights in .The restaurant was exceptional with delicious food and good service , a shuttle picks you up from your room and drop you off.Breakfast was good but didn't seem as slick and friendly as our previous stay . The pools and sauna area are perfect to relax and open late for a dip and some stargazing.Staff are charming and always on hand to help out . A tour of the grounds is offered to spot wildlife and well worth going on after breakfast.

Awesome stay. My wife and I stayed here for one night during our California trip. We felt welcomed by the staff upon arrival and it never ended. Property was beautiful. Room was large with plenty of amenities. We recommend the bath house and the nature walk. We had room service for dinner and it was outstanding. When we return to California we will return to Ventana for a longer stay next time.