Alila, Ventana Big Sur

Monterey, California

Virgin rating

Big Sur Spa Suite
Pool
Vista Hot Tub Suite
Lobby
Fireplace Room
Fireplace Room
Big Sur Suite
Big Sur Suite
Spa
Big Sur Spa Suite
Pool
Vista Hot Tub Suite
Lobby
Fireplace Room
Fireplace Room
Big Sur Suite
Big Sur Suite
Spa

The hotel

With views of the Pacific Ocean, 2 infinity pools, and your meals included - this is the perfect spot to stay during your West Coast trip. The secluded suites will give you privacy and luxury, many of which have a hammock or jacuzzi on the expansive deck, for you to relax at the end of the day with room service on hand and views of the forest and ocean to enjoy. Your stay includes morning yoga classes and guided walks to get you up and about, but you can just relax by one of the infinity pools if you prefer, with a poolside meal to devour. Expecting top notch service and unforgettable views? You won't be disappointed.

Amenities

  • Yoga
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Situated on a hillside overlooking Big Sur's beautiful Pacific coastline, just off the Pacific Coast Highway. 0.5 miles from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and 30 miles from Monterey.

Hotel information

59 rooms and suites, all with private balcony, air conditioning, flat-screen TV with Chromecast and Bose sound system, bathrobes, separate shower and soaking tub, Bose Bluetooth speakers, mini bar*, safe, iron and ironing board, bathroom amenities, and hairdryer. 

Standard Rooms offer forest or ocean views, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 people. 

Full Board includes: Breakfast and dinner at The Sur House, and lunch poolside, or in-room dining for all 3 meals. Snacks throughout the day, plus fitness classes and daily hikes. 

Fireplace Guest rooms feature forest, meadow or ocean views, a wood burning fireplace, window seat, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 people.

Superior Fireplace rooms feature forest views, a wood burning fireplace, dining alcove, wet bar, window seat, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 people. 

Big Sur Suites feature a large deck with hammock, oversized bathroom with large soaking tub for 2 and double vanity sinks, separate seating area, and 1 king-sized bed, sleeping maximum 2 people. 

Vista Hot Tub Suites feature a large deck with private hot tub, oversized bathroom with indoor tub for 2 and double vanity sinks, separate seating area with wood burning fireplace, and 1 king-sized bed, sleeping maximum 2 people.

Big Sur Spa Suites feature ocean or forest views, large deck with private hot tub, oversized bathroom with indoor tub for 2 and double vanity sinks, separate seating area with wood burning fireplace, and 1 king-sized bed, sleeping maximum 2 people.

Pacific House Suites feature distant ocean views, large deck with private hot tub, oversized bathroom with indoor tub for 2 and double vanity sinks, separate seating area with wood burning fireplace, and 1 king-sized bed, sleeping maximum 2 people.

The Sur House (serving Big Sur inspired cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Glass House (private dinner experience). Big Sur Smokehouse (barbecue joint, open for lunch and dinner). 

Two heated outdoor infinity pools, one with an infinity edge whirlpool. Fitness centre. Alila Spa*. Daily morning movement classes. Guided hikes. Garden tours. 

Complimentary WiFi access. Laundry service*. Room service. Concierge. Chauffeur service within a 3 mile radius. 

*Denotes local charge

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (754)
  • Very good (144)
  • Average (69)
  • Poor (58)
  • Terrible (37)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding property, service, and food!

Dec 4, 2023 pmirandamidwest

We spent two nights here to celebrate our 28th anniversary. Alila Ventana made the occasion very special by upgrading us to a suite (without our even asking!) and providing a complimentary bottle of champagne. The room was spacious and comfortable. The complimentary snacks were terrific (favorite: the Big Sur bars), and the room provided… Read more
We spent two nights here to celebrate our 28th anniversary. Alila Ventana made the occasion very special by upgrading us to a suite (without our even asking!) and providing a complimentary bottle of champagne. The room was spacious and comfortable. The complimentary snacks were terrific (favorite: the Big Sur bars), and the room provided binoculars and walking sticks, which we took on our hike. While on the trail, the views of the ocean and the surrounding forests were amazing. One of our favorite parts of our stay was the 0.3-mile walk on a gravel path to the Sur House restaurant. The service at the restaurant was outstanding, whether we dined there for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Our favorite breakfast entree was the brown rice with tofu. Our favorite dinner entrees were the striped bass, the duck, and the beef tenderloin. We are hoping to stay again next year. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Rest & rejuvenate in quiet nature, and be pampered!

Dec 3, 2023 Culture270282

The highlight of our anniversary trip on the Pacific Coast Highway. Truly a place of peace and comfort. The grounds, activities, food, drinks, and staff were exceptional. That everything was included except alcohol made it truly a mental break from everyday real life— as vacations should be!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Enchanting place

Nov 29, 2023 SonaMin77

If I had to describe this place using one word, it would be enchanting. My husband and I spent our honeymoon here, and I could not have wished for a better place to do so. The entire experience was just fabulous, starting with the beautiful room we had with an outdoor jacuzzi, the excellent service, the outdoor couples massage with breathtaking… Read more
If I had to describe this place using one word, it would be enchanting. My husband and I spent our honeymoon here, and I could not have wished for a better place to do so. The entire experience was just fabulous, starting with the beautiful room we had with an outdoor jacuzzi, the excellent service, the outdoor couples massage with breathtaking views… I could go on and on. Cannot wait to go back sometime soon. Unforgettable experience! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not the 5* experience

Nov 28, 2023 Shanee_B_Z Seattle, Washington

TL;Dr: Did not deliver to the 5 star experience they market and the price they charge, especially compared to the other 5 star resort in the area. This is possibly due to issues attempting to be all inclusive (except alcohol). Mainly falling short in the food, facilities, and spa. That said, if you’re booking with points this could be ok. Let’s… Read more
TL;Dr: Did not deliver to the 5 star experience they market and the price they charge, especially compared to the other 5 star resort in the area. This is possibly due to issues attempting to be all inclusive (except alcohol). Mainly falling short in the food, facilities, and spa. That said, if you’re booking with points this could be ok. Let’s do the good stuff first: - service that employees provide is truly 5 star. The valet especially are friendly, speedy, and efficient. Many have been here for decades and they know their stuff. - Text support feature was convenient and fast. Made it pretty easy to get what you need. - The room interior was nice (except for a chair that had stains all over it) - In room shower products were lovely and smelled great - View from the restaurant is beautiful - the grounds, in general, are woodsy and lovely Now, the not so good stuff: Food 1/5 stars - dinner was unseasoned and bland. appeared to either have been pre cooked or over cooked. The first course was quite literally 4 leaves. The steak, billed as filet mignon by our server, was so blackened that it was bitter and inedible. The scallop, while delicious, was paired with an over cooked squid ink risotto that had coagulated into a solid chunk such that when you tried to scoop it up it came up in a big blob. The beets had no salt and somehow the heirloom tomatoes—in the seasonal prime—were tart and unripe. The uni pasta lacked any of the mineral briney flavor you’d expect and had so much butter that it also hardened into a solid shortly after being dropped at the table. We ended the night urgently in the bathroom of our hotel. - Lunch options were so limited it was almost laughable. I understand that it is an all inclusive resort and food planning is difficult but when we are this remote and the options around are so limited, the hotel should make dining an incredible experience on campus. I have never been at a resort — all inclusive or a la carte—where I have felt anxious about whether there will be something I can eat. I can honestly say I was hangry more than once in a 2 night trip. - In room dining was even more disappointing. The charcuterie plate was quite literally less than what you get from the Trader Joe’s pre packed items. The pools 2/5 stars - There is extremely limited seating at the main pool. And when there were no seats were we told to either sit on the grass away from the pool in an Adirondack chair without an umbrella or go to the clothing optional pool. We tried both in an effort to not waste a day. If you are lucky enough to get a chair be advised they don’t have enough umbrellas for all of them. - The Adirondack chairs were flaming hot and sitting in a chair while trying to sunbathe literally prevents you from laying out. - The clothing optional pool is full of dead bugs. Has no staff on hand, so your only option for pool service is to use the text service and wait. And no view unless you stand on your toes in one corner of the pool deck. I didn’t want to see a stranger’s genetalia. I wanted to see the ocean. Sadly I only got one of those and it wasn’t the ocean. The room view (vista room) 3/5 - beautiful but what’s was billed as an ocean view was largely blocked by a massive hedge. So if you want to enjoy the view you need to be standing, just so. And not in the private hot tub that you’re paying extra for. And definitely not sitting down in the patio chairs. Spa - 50/50 here. My husband had an incredible massage. Mine included getting scratched by the masseuse’s nails, having my hair tousled into knots, and uneven work between left and right side of my body. To the hotel’s credit they did refund the cost of my massage. Overall, I would not recommend staying here unless you are doing so using Hyatt points. Also pack food to carry you over if you’re staying more than one night. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Magical place to stay

Nov 14, 2023 Roving21468377053

I have been to Ventana big Sur several times before and after Hyatt. Just exceptional accommodations. views and activities. Staff goes out of their way to accommodate every request quickly and efficiently.