Hotel Please
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Hyatt

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Big Sur


Luxe Wellness Resort

Renovated 2018   $$$$

Alila Ventana Big Sur, vibe

Vibe

Perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific, weathered cedar lodges scatter across 160 acres of coastal redwoods and oceanfront meadows.

“Cliffside redwood sanctum”

Luxe

All-inclusive coastal dining at The Sur House, wood-burning fireplaces in every room, and private forest cabana massages.

Wellness

Hillside Japanese hot baths, outdoor redwood treatment cabanas at Spa Alila, and guided forest bathing sessions.

Resort

A 160-acre coastal estate offering resident falconry, beekeeping demonstrations, daily foraging walks, and multiple heated pools.

Secluded

On 160 acres of cliffside redwood forest above Highway 1, looking out over the Pacific.

Our shorthand ↗
Alila Ventana Big Sur, vibe

Rooms

Rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces and private cedar decks, with select suites adding outdoor soaking tubs overlooking the forest canopy.

Wellness

Clothing-optional Japanese hot baths nestle into the hillside beneath redwoods, alongside an ocean-view infinity tub and outdoor massage cabanas.

Backstory

Hollywood producer Lawrence A. Spector founded the hideaway in 1975, financing the cliffside retreat with his profits from Easy Rider.

Eat & drink

The Sur House serves Central Coast cuisine on a cliff-edge terrace, paired with bottles from a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar.

The neighborhood

Highway 1 snakes along the rugged cliffs below, with hiking trails leading straight into surrounding redwood canyons and coastline.

The app

This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.

See what else is nearby, and what’s good in the next city too.
Save it to a wishlist and let whoever you’re going with vote.
Every photo, full screen, the way it was meant to be seen.
Stamp the ones you’ve stayed in. Your passport keeps the record.

Our shorthand

What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.

How well they pull it off

Gold

Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.

Silver

Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.

Bronze

They did this well. You’ll notice.

Listed

A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.

The eight vibes

Design

Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.

Luxe

The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.

Local

Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.

Social

Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.

Heritage

A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.

Wellness

Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.

Classic

A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.

Resort

A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.

Scene — what’s outside the door

Lively

Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.

Central

Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.

Quiet

Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.

Secluded

A place apart: the property is the destination.