Alila Ventana Big Sur is a true retreat, perched atop a hill in the heart of California’s iconic Big Sur region. With sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and nestled within a lush redwood forest, this rustic yet luxurious property offers an unparalleled experience. From its cabin-style accommodations to its serene ambiance, this Hyatt property is perfect for a romantic escape. Let’s dive into a detailed review of the property.
Booking Alila Ventana Big Sur
As a Hyatt property, Alila Ventana Big Sur can be booked with points, making it a fantastic value compared to its astronomical cash rates of $3,000+ per night. It is a Category 8 Hyatt hotel, and the Standard Rooms cost 45,000 Hyatt points per night, and the Standard Suites are 66,000 points.
You can check the price in points on Hyatt’s website by searching for a specific hotel under the Points Calendar. Please note that the Points Calendar shows the price in points, not availability!
I have to say that availability at Alila Ventana is tricky, especially on weekends (I have never seen a Standard Room available on points for the weekend myself), so I recommend setting an alert on maxmypoint.com or checking the availability manually every day (it was my daily ritual, along with coffee).
As always, we transferred our Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. And initially, for our stay (around 3 months in advance), we booked a Standard Suite at 66,000 points per night, but later, a few weeks before our arrival, we snagged a 45,000-point Standard Room.
Please note that you need one of the premium Chase cards (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred) to be able to transfer points to Hyatt.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
You can earn a signup bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards Points when you signup for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card and spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. This bonus alone is worth at least $1,200 in travel rewards when transferred to travel partners such as Hyatt!
REWARDS RATE
1x-5x
BONUS VALUE
$1,200
SIGN-UP BONUS
60,000 points
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Further, we decided to apply our Suite Upgrade Award (SUA) on that Standard Room, in a way reclaiming 21,000 points while retaining the suite! The flexibility in Hyatt’s award booking system is unmatched.
Getting to Alila Ventana Big Sur
The property’s remote location is part of its charm. Here’s how to reach Alila Ventana Big Sur:
- From San Francisco (SFO): ~2.5-hour drive
- From San Jose (SJC): ~1.5-hour drive
- From Los Angeles (LAX): ~6-hour drive
- From Monterey (MRY): ~45-minute drive
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the closest airport, about a 45-minute drive away, but it might have fewer flights available compared to the Bay Area airports.
💡 Good to know
Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only resort, all guests must be 18 or older.
While the drive can be winding, the scenic Pacific Coast Highway makes it an unforgettable journey. Note: always check for the road closures on Highway 1 before your trip!
Alila Ventana Big Sur property map
There are only 54 rooms in total at Alila Ventana and the property itself is 160 acres.
Check-in at Alila Ventana
From the moment we arrived, the experience felt seamless. We were warmly greeted with a glass of iced tea and later escorted to our suite. The staff explained the all-inclusive nature of the property, provided a schedule of daily activities, and ensured we felt welcomed and informed. As this was our first adult-only trip in almost a decade, their warm hospitality created an inviting and comforting atmosphere.
Big Sur Suite (Standard Suite) at Alila Ventana Big Sur
Our suite was spacious and thoughtfully designed, measuring 619 square feet. It perfectly blended rustic charm with modern luxury, featuring wood-beamed ceilings and warm decor that complemented its redwood forest surroundings.
Our Suite included:
- King Bed: Spacious and comfortable, complemented by a cozy seating area.
- Fireplace: A wood-burning fireplace to add a warm, inviting touch to the room.
- Private Outdoor Space: A large deck with an oversized hammock overlooking the forest, perfect for morning coffee or stargazing.
Bathroom: An oversized stone bathroom featuring a large soaking tub for two, double vanity sinks, a separate shower, and a dressing area.
The amenities included complimentary bath salts, soap, toothbrushes (for some reason, I left ours at home, so those came in handy), and a razor.
Alila Ventana’s in-room amenities
We received two complimentary reusable stainless steel water bottles, and the fridge was stocked with complimentary sodas, granola, and nuts.
The hotel also kindly left us a cheese platter, a bottle of wine, and a feather for the evening turn-down service.
Dining at Alila Ventana Big Sur
One of the unique features of Alila Ventana Big Sur is that it offers an all-inclusive experience, where all meals are included in your stay, although drinks cost extra. To be honest, the meals at Alila Ventana are truly exceptional and are one of the main highlights of this property and also one of the reasons we want to come back!
Meal service times at Alila Ventana were well-paced to savor the offerings:
Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 2:45 PM (open to non-guest diners, too, including families with kids)
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Happy hour service at Alila Ventana
A standout feature at Alila Ventana was the daily happy hour from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, where we enjoyed drinks (the famous Marine Layer cocktail, a non-alcoholic version is also available) and small bites (fries or charcuterie board) on the terrace.
At Alila Ventana Big Sur, the Marine Layer cocktail (inspired by the unique marine layer fog that blankets the area) is topped with a signature lavender bubble. This bubble floats on the surface, releasing a subtle floral aroma as it bursts, adding an interactive element to your drinking experience.
Pro tip: Arrive early to secure a good spot with ocean views!
Breakfast
Lunch
💡 Good to Know
Lunch service on both arrival and departure days is included, so plan accordingly! Arrive before 3 PM to enjoy lunch on your first day, and linger on the property after checkout (we stayed until 5 PM). This allows you to savor every moment of this incredible retreat.
Dinner
Typically, we don’t opt for the full three-course meal, but here we couldn’t resist, especially since it was included with our stay!
If you are celebrating a special occasion, do not hesitate to let the staff know!
Amenities at Alila Ventana
The resort features two outdoor heated pools (one of them with an infinity oversized hot tub) and a Japanese-style onsen.
The staff told us that the swimsuits were optional at the onsen, just so you know.
Activities at Alila Ventana Big Sur
There is a vast list of complimentary or paid activities at Alila Ventana that you could choose from, including Yoga classes, guided hikes, star-gazing sessions and more.
You can find more information here.
Best time to Visit Alila Ventana Big Sur
September is arguably the best time to visit. The weather is warm, the rains have not started yet, the summer crowds have thinned, and the sunsets are particularly stunning this time of year.
Bottom line
From the cozy rooms to the world-class service and awe-inspiring location, Alila Ventana Big Sur is a property that lives up to the hype. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply need a serene escape, this adults-only haven will exceed your expectations.
