Hotel Review: Ventana Big Sur

Our site may contain affiliate links. Read Advertiser Disclosure policy here.


The Ventana Big Sur is an Alila Resort, one of the newer Hyatt brands as part of the Hyatt’s acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality last year. What’s unique about this property is its an all inclusive resort, meaning all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included with your stay.

The resort is a World of Hyatt Category 7 property with free night awards starting at 30,000 points per night. The all inclusive amenities apply to award reservations as well, making this a great redemption value considering paid rates here can be upwards of $2,000 per night.

The property was closed for several months, however has started reopening on July 15, 2020, but a few amenities are still closed including the gym and spa and outdoor hot tub.

a building with a wooden door

Ventana Big Sur Social House

a pool table in a room

Ventana Big Sur Social House

a room with a table and chairs

Ventana Big Sur Social House

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I was pleased to learn that we were upgraded to the Big Sur Forest Shower Suite. The suite was essentially one large room, with an outdoor terrace that featured an outdoor shower.

The resort has 59 rooms with many suites, so it does seem that Globalist upgrades are a regular occurrence when staying here.

a room with a fireplace and chairs

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite

a room with a table and chairs

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite

a feather and a white smudge stick on a black tray

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite

two black bottles on a counter

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite

a room with a bed and a table and chairs

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite

a bathroom with a glass shower and a bathtub

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite bathroom

chairs on a deck with a hammock

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite balcony

a shower heads on a wooden wall

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite outdoor shower

a shower with water coming out of it

Big Sur Forest Shower Suite outdoor shower

a pool with chairs and trees in the background

Ventana Big Sur swimming pool

a pool with chairs and trees

Ventana Big Sur outdoor hot tub (currently closed)

a green lawn with trees and a building

Ventana Big Sur resort

a group of plates of food

Being an all-inclusive resort all meals on the property are included with your stay including in-room dining. We were able to order multiple entrees each morning for breakfast and share.

a plate of food on a table

Ventana Big Sur poolside lunch

a plate of food on a wooden surface

Ventana Big Sur fish tacos

One of the changes implemented was that all restaurant menus were digital, meaning you had to scan the QR code on your phone. Additionally, the actual menus seemed to be a more limited selection.

Despite being an all inclusive resort, alcohol wasn’t including with the exception of the nightly happy hour, which featured a different drink each night.

a man wearing a mask and gloves making a test tube

Nightly Happy Hour cocktails

a man wearing a face mask and gloves standing at a table with bottles

Nightly Happy Hour cocktails

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for nice getaway for a few days then I’d highly recommend Ventana Big Sur. As room rates can run $2,000+ per night for this all-inclusive resort, it’s a much better value to redeem 30,000 World of Hyatt points to stay.

World of Hyatt members can receive up to 25% back on award redemptions through January 4, 2021, so when factoring this in, you can essentially stay here for as little as 22,500 points per night which is a phenomenal redemption for the all inclusive resort.

We did have some trouble booking this stay with award availability, as it was constantly changing giving the few rooms the hotel has, however rooms kept opening up last minute as I suspect they were upgrading elite members to suites thus opening back up the lower category rooms.

Also, many of the awards here do have a 2 night minimum length of stay requirement, so if you’re having trouble finding award space, try searching for 2 nights at a time.

Have you had a chance to experience Ventana Big Sur, feel free to comment below on your experience. 

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or suggestions expressed on this site are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed.

About Points, Miles & Martinis

Here at Points, Miles and Martinis, we love all things travel. We focus on topics relating to travel including destinations, airline, hotel, car rental and credit card reward programs. Our goal is to help people travel better. - See more at our About Us page.

Sign up for Email || Twitter || Facebook |Tips & Tricks
Hotel Offers || Airline Offers || Bank Offers || Cash Back Offers

Comments

  1. Title: A Journey Through Japan and Scotland: Exploring Five Exceptional Whiskies

    Introduction

    Whisky, a spirit revered for its complexity and nuance, has long been a staple in both Japan and Scotland. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to explore five exceptional whiskies, showcasing the unique characteristics and craftsmanship of each. From the misty mountains of Scotland to the tranquil gardens of Japan, we’ll delve into the world of Macallan, Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hakushu, and Nikka whiskies.

    Macallan Whisky

    Hailing from Scotland’s Speyside region, Macallan Whisky is renowned for its rich, full-bodied flavor profile. With a history dating back to 1824, Macallan has perfected the art of whisky-making, boasting an impressive range of expressions.

    Yamazaki Whisky

    Yamazaki Whisky, Japan’s first and most prestigious distillery, has been crafting exceptional whiskies since 1923. Nestled in the mountains of Kyoto, Yamazaki Whisky is celebrated for its delicate balance of flavors, with notes of green tea, cherry blossom, and subtle hints of smoke.

    Hibiki Whisky

    Hibiki Whisky, another Japanese icon, is a masterful blend of grain and malt whiskies. With a name that translates to “harmony,” Hibiki Whisky embodies the perfect balance of flavors, offering a smooth, velvety texture and a subtle sweetness.

    Hakushu Whisky

    Hakushu Whisky, nestled in the Japanese Alps, is a hidden gem in the world of whisky. With a focus on innovation and quality, Hakushu Whisky boasts a range of expressions, from the smooth, honeyed notes of its 12-year-old to the complex, smoky flavors of its 18-year-old.

    Nikka Whisky

    Nikka Whisky, a Japanese powerhouse, has been pushing the boundaries of whisky production since 1934. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Nikka Whisky offers an impressive range of expressions, from the rich, fruity notes of its From The Barrel expression to the smooth, subtle flavors of its Coffey Grain Whisky.

    Conclusion

    As we conclude our journey through these five exceptional whiskies, we’re reminded of the dedication, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into creating each expression. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just discovering the world of whisky, Macallan

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *