Hyatt’s Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only resort in Big Sur California. Daily rates usually top $2,000 per night, but a standard room can be booked instead for only 35,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points per night. Meals and some activities are included in that daily rate.
Alila Ventana Big Sur Bottom Line Review
Wow. Wow. Wow. Did I say “wow”? Wow.
My wife and I have stayed here multiple times and loved almost everything about Ventana. The property itself is beautiful. The surrounding area (Big Sur) is fantastic. The staff are great. You can read in-depth about our second stay at Ventana here: Re-Wowed — Return to Alila Ventana Big Sur.
This is not the place to go if you want to play golf or tennis. You won’t find those options here. This is not a place to bring kids — it’s adults only. This is a place to relax, to enjoy nature at its most beautiful, and to bring your dog — dogs are welcome here.
- Points Price: Category 8 (expect to pay peak prices most of the time)
- Room: 40K points per night standard, 35K off-peak, or 45K peak.
- Suite: 61K points per night standard, 56K off-peak, or 66K peak.
- Premium Suite: 80K points per night standard, 70K off-peak, or 90K peak.
- Point value: Great. Base rooms often cost over $2,000 per night, so even at peak award pricing you’ll get over 4 cents per point value.
- Location: Excellent. Big Sur is a gorgeous area. The drive itself, along highway 1 is breathtaking.
- Resort Dining: Excellent. Breakfast and dinner are served outside at The Sur House restaurant, overlooking the ocean. For lunch, there are multiple options. And for all meals you can choose to have the food delivered to your room.
- Room: On our first stay we were upgraded to the Vista Hot Tub Suite. It was a huge one-room suite with a very large and private rear patio featuring nature views and, of course, a hot tub. We loved everything about the suite. On our second stay we were upgraded to the two-story Big Sur Villa. That was great too, but not quite as awesome as the Vista Hot Tub Suite.
- Tipping: Gratuities are automatically covered for all of the included aspects of the resort. Here’s the resort’s official statement about tipping: “Gratuity on all included food items is covered, porterage and daily housekeeping gratuity is also covered. Gratuity on any item outside of the inclusive model is not covered and left to guest discretion.” In other words, when paying for alcoholic drinks, spa services, or non-included activities, you should consider tipping. For everything else, tipping isn’t expected.
- Daily Complimentary Activities (Updated 2/15/23):
- Morning Movement: 8am Daily
- Coast Ridge Hike: 9am Daily
- Bees & Big Sur: 1pm Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
- Foragers Hike: 1pm Monday & Thursday
- Wildcrafting: 1pm Tuesday & Saturday
- Redwood Hike: 3pm Daily
- Sur House Social: 4pm Daily
- S’mores: 8pm Daily
- Pet friendly: We didn’t bring a pet, but dogs are welcomed and encouraged.
- Service: Excellent
- Turn-down service? Yes, daily turn-down service includes a small souvenir gift.
- Resort fee: $105 per night “service charge”. Keep in mind that Hyatt doesn’t charge these fees on award stays. Those with top-tier Globalist status don’t pay resort fees on paid stays either.
- Welcome gift: Make sure to let Ventana know what occasion you are celebrating for your stay and you’re likely to receive a welcome gift in your room. On our first stay they delivered a bottle of Prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries. On our second stay they brought us a charcuterie tray instead of strawberries.
- Hyatt Elite Benefits: Since all food is included for everyone, there aren’t many elite benefits that matter here, but we did receive free suite upgrades on both of our previous stays, and at least on one of the visits we were proactively offered 4pm late checkout.
- Would I stay again? Duh.
Alila Ventana Big Sur FAQ
Is Alila Ventana All-Inclusive?
All meals and some activities are included. Alcoholic drinks, some activities, and spa services are not included.
Is room service included?
Yes.
Are tips included?
Yes, tips are included for everything that is included in the room rate. You are only expected to tip when paying extra for alcoholic drinks, paid activities, or spa services.
What activities are included?
- Morning Movement: 8am Daily
- Coast Ridge Hike: 9am Daily
- Bees & Big Sur: 1pm Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
- Foragers Hike: 1pm Monday & Thursday
- Wildcrafting: 1pm Tuesday & Saturday
- Redwood Hike: 3pm Daily
- Sur House Social: 4pm Daily
- S’mores: 8pm Daily
How much does it cost to stay at Alila Ventana Big Sur?
Regular room rates usually go for more than $2,000 per night. Alternatively, you can book with Hyatt points. Alila Ventana is a Category 8 Hyatt. Rooms can be booked for 35,000 points per night (off-peak), 40,000 points per night (standard), or 45,000 points per night (peak). Suites can also be booked with points as follows:
- Standard Suite: 61K points per night standard, 56K off-peak, or 66K peak.
- Premium Suite: 80K points per night standard, 70K off-peak, or 90K peak.
Alila Ventana Big Sur Photos…
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