Globalist Notes
Sunset view of the Alila Ventana Big Sur hotel in the U.S., showing the wood-finished exterior of the guest room buildings with warm lights on the balconies, surrounded by large trees and shrubs.
AlilaBig Sur, United StatesJanuary 2025

Alila Ventana Big Sur Review

By the Globalist Notes coupleStayed, photographed, and reviewed in person

Published Updated

An adults-only, all-inclusive retreat in the heart of Big Sur, perfect for those seeking pure relaxation, quiet forest trails, and time by the pool.

RomanticWellnessLuxury

Key Points from This Stay

Suite UpgradeJunior Suiteupgrade byGlobalist Benefit
All-InclusiveBreakfast Benefit, Lunch, Dinner
Parkingoutdoor, Valet · Included
Outdoor PoolHot Tub / Spa
Service notesExcellent

This Stay at a Glance

Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort tucked along California's Highway 1. Walking the forest path to my room after check-in, I felt the pace of daily life naturally slow down. Nestled where the Pacific meets the mountains, the resort is designed for true rest rather than just a place to sleep. Even without a packed itinerary, the days felt full; dining with ocean views, wandering forest trails, lounging in a hammock, and soaking in an outdoor hot tub under the stars all blended into a seamless experience.

At dusk, warm lights come on along the balconies of the wood-clad room building, with a big tree and shrubs in front. The building is tucked into the forest, and after dark only the lights give away where it is.
The lobby has a geometric chandelier under a high timber ceiling, a stone fireplace in the center with a round table in front, and glass on all sides letting in daylight. Once the fire is lit in the evening, it is a room you do not want to leave for your own.
Sunset seen from the resort: the sun dropping below the horizon, the sky turning orange and purple, with tree silhouettes and part of a roof in the foreground. The colors kept me standing there a good ten minutes after the sun was gone.
The resort from across the lawn: the wood-clad room buildings, the outdoor pool, and umbrellas under a clear sky. The buildings sit low along the terrain, so from any angle the forest is what you notice first.
Wooden chairs with blue cushions ring a fire pit on the outdoor terrace, with green hills and trees under a clear sky behind. Mountains by day and flames by night; it is a spot you end up visiting twice a day.
Two leather armchairs and a small table in front of the room's fireplace, with a TV mounted on the wall. With the fire going and a drink in hand, the TV never got switched on.

Room Upgrade Experience

Room on this stayJunior Suite

The room layout feels like a private lodge. As a Globalist, I was upgraded to a Big Sur Suite, which featured an indoor fireplace and a spacious terrace. The terrace hammock was my favorite spot; lounging there, soaking up the California sun and the Pacific breeze, was incredibly relaxing. In the evenings, I enjoyed sitting by the fire pit, listening to records and sipping whiskey.

The Junior Suite bathroom: a round mirror and black square sink on plank walls, with a Nespresso machine and glasses beside the vanity under the side lights. Washing up and starting the coffee in one spot made mornings simple.
The Junior Suite bedroom, finished in wood on walls and ceiling: a queen bed with nightstands and lamps on either side, a macramé hanging and a black-and-white photo on the wall, and a window with wooden shutters on the right. It feels like a mountain lodge, and the morning light through the open shutters was the best part.
Looking from the Junior Suite bathroom toward the bedroom: the tub in front, and beyond the sliding door the wood-walled, warmly lit bedroom. With the door open, the whole suite is visible from the bath.
A white rope hammock on the wooden deck of the Junior Suite's private balcony, with trees and sky beyond the railing and a golf cart parked below. Lie here in the afternoon sun and a nap is almost unavoidable.
The living area of the Junior Suite: a table with leather chairs under a high ceiling and wood walls, with the terrace visible through the window. Coffee here in the morning, and at night a book rather than a laptop.
A Crosley turntable and a Mozart LP in front of the Junior Suite's wood wall, with the forest outside the window and sunlight pouring in. I dropped the needle right after check-in, and forest plus classical music suited this room perfectly.
A vintage-style black rotary phone, a glass-jar lamp filled with sand, and a leather memo holder on the Junior Suite's dark wooden furniture. The phone actually works, and the sand lamp changes the mood of the room when left on at night.
A Nespresso machine, capsules, and a blue mug on a black tray against the Junior Suite's wood wall. The capsules were restocked daily, so two cups every morning never ran us short.
The Junior Suite vanity: a round mirror and black square sink on the wood wall, sconces on either side, a coffee machine and cups on the left, and wine glasses on the right. Coffee and wine glasses sharing the vanity says a lot about what this room is for.

No Lounge

Lounge access was not available on this stay.

Breakfast Experience

Complimentary breakfast

Alila Ventana Big Sur is an all-inclusive resort, with all meals served at The Sur House. Having a leisurely breakfast while overlooking the Pacific is a signature experience here. The food was excellent, but the real highlight was starting the day facing the ocean and the morning sun. Breakfast hours were quieter than dinner, catering almost exclusively to resort guests.

Breakfast at an outdoor table: salad, eggs Benedict, a fruit bowl, and a glass of champagne, with the Big Sur ocean and horizon behind. Even in winter 2025 the morning sun was warm, and choosing the outside seat was the right call.
The outdoor terrace restaurant in morning light: tables and chairs on a wooden deck, the ocean and horizon beyond, and an awning pulled down overhead. There is indoor seating for breakfast too, but if the weather is fine, this side is the one to ask for.
The Sur House breakfast menu on an outdoor table, listing granola, avocado toast, the Ventana Breakfast, and drinks, with the ocean and trees soft in the background. Not a long menu, but varied enough that it never got old over several days.
Two pink glasses and place settings on a wooden table at the terrace restaurant, with morning light on the Pacific horizon under low clouds. Of the whole winter 2025 stay, this breakfast table was the most peaceful hour.

Dining Experience

All-inclusive dining

Lunch

Lunch was another relaxed affair with Pacific views. While it requires a short walk from the rooms to The Sur House, the path through the forest and along the coast is well-maintained. While poolside dining is available, I found the food quality and atmosphere at The Sur House superior. Lunch is included on your checkout day, which makes for a stress-free departure.

Lunch on the outdoor terrace: salad, nachos with guacamole, and two drinks, with the lawn and the sunlit Pacific beyond the glass railing. The food was light, but the setting stretched the whole afternoon into something slow.
Chocolate cake, raspberry and lime sorbet, and nachos with guacamole together on a black table at lunch. Dessert was not ordered first; the cake simply arrived before the nachos were finished, so the order got scrambled.
Lunch at an outdoor table: grilled steak under a generous spoonful of chimichurri, with green herb rice, cilantro, and sliced red onion. There was enough sauce to mix into the rice, and the open air made it taste even better.
Lunch on the table: two tacos with grilled shrimp and salsa, fries in a copper cup, a side salad, and ketchup. Two tacos were plenty, and the fries had just the right saltiness for eating outdoors.
Guacamole and nachos, a salad, and an iced drink with a lemon wedge on a sunlit terrace table, with other guests at lunch blurred behind. Light for lunch, but under this sun it was exactly the right amount.

Dinner

The restaurant can get busy with outside guests during dinner, so I recommend booking your dining times at the front desk upon check-in.

Dessert at the dimly lit restaurant table: a warm cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a crisp tuile over a pool of red sauce. The contrast of warm cake and cold ice cream made it the right way to end dinner.
The dinner main: roasted meat over an orange purée, dressed with edible flowers and herbs, on the table under low light. The sweetness of the purée suited the meat so well that I scraped the plate clean.
A dinner plate of crab cake with five dots of yellow sauce and a salad on white porcelain, the wooden table and other dishes blurred behind. It looks small, but the cake is packed with crab and made a satisfying starter.
The Sur House dinner menu on a dimly lit table: appetizers on top, mains split into Land & Sea and pasta below, each with ingredients and allergen notes. I went back and forth between the Angus New York Strip and the Iberico Pork Chop and ended up ordering both.

Pools & Facilities Experience

Outdoor poolHot tub / spa

The property features three infinity pools. Two overlook the Pacific, while the third faces the mountains, offering a secluded forest feel. Even if you aren't swimming, these spaces are perfect for taking in the scenery. I have fond memories of watching the sunset at the pool with other guests.

The Japanese-style outdoor bathhouse, which allows for stargazing, was one of the most memorable facilities during my stay.

The resort is filled with inviting spaces, and the dining areas, pools, walking paths, and bathhouse are seamlessly connected, making it easy to spend your entire stay on the property.

The pool deck at sunset: loungers and umbrellas in a row against the Pacific, with the orange sky reflected on the water. I timed a walk down here before dinner on purpose, and it was worth it.
The outdoor pool overlooking the Pacific under a blue sky, with gray umbrellas and loungers in a line and lawn and trees alongside. Being winter, I never got in the water, but watching the horizon from a lounger was enough.
The private outdoor hot tub enclosed by wooden walls, with a round lounge chair beside it, stone tile underfoot, and the water bubbling. Slipping into hot water in the cold night air of winter was the highlight of the stay.

Service Impressions

Service notesExcellentService notes are still being written.

During my stay, I was served a welcome cocktail at The Sur House, though policies may have changed since then.

A close-up video of the bartender using a torch to form a smoke-filled bubble over a cocktail glass. The moment the bubble bursts and the smoke spills out is the whole point of the drink, so watch before you sip.
A single feather on a dark wooden table next to a card titled 'THE POWER OF THE FEATHER' explaining its historical meaning. It was the first thing I picked up in the room, and it hinted at the story this resort wants to tell.

Resort Fee & Parking Check

Parking typeoutdoor parking, Valet parkingComplimentary parking on this stayNo valet fee recorded for this stayNo resort fee recorded for this stay

Complimentary self-parking and valet parking are available for all guests.

Late checkout was honored on this stay: 4 PM

Before You Book

Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only property. Since Big Sur is a destination for nature rather than typical sightseeing, I recommend a stay of at least two nights to fully appreciate the resort and its surroundings. You can still enjoy lunch and use certain facilities after checkout, allowing for a relaxed final day. It is an ideal choice for those seeking quiet, nature-focused relaxation.

Location & Getting Around

48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

2

Bixby Bridge

CA-1, Bixby Creek Bridge, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

Bixby Bridge is the defining landmark of California's Highway 1, and the most famous photo spot on a Big Sur trip.

3

Pfeiffer Beach

9101 Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Pfeiffer Beach is Big Sur's signature beach, famous for its purple sand and sunsets framed by its rocks.

4

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

52801 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is Big Sur's best viewpoint, where you can see McWay Falls drop straight into the ocean.

5

California 1

CA-1, California, USA

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. It's a good idea to check for road closures in advance.

See More Photos & Video

Stay Photos & Video

A long bench sofa with soft cushions sits by the room's window, looking out on the Big Sur forest and hills, with wood-paneled walls wrapping the space. Sit down with a book and it is hard to get up again.
A room building with a dark timber exterior and a round window under a clear sky, with the Big Sur forest and hills rising behind. The dark finish lets the building recede into the trees, which makes the mountains stand out even more.
Outdoor chairs with blue cushions and tables on a stone floor in front of a dark brown timber building under a clear sky, with strings of bulbs overhead. Good for soaking up sun by day, and a completely different place once the bulbs come on at night.
A bottle of Glenfiddich and two empty glasses on the table in front of the room's fireplace. We brought the whisky ourselves, and on a winter 2025 night in Big Sur it was hard to imagine a better match.
Stars sharp against a dark night sky, with the silhouettes of trees lit from below. It is a sky you never see in a city, so I threw on a coat and stared up until my neck hurt.
A lit metal signpost at night, engraved with a trail map showing directions and distances of 0.1 to 0.3 miles to the restaurant, The Loft, and the gallery. The property is large and the paths are dark, and without these signs I would have gotten lost every evening.
Taken on the path at dusk: an orange glow along the horizon under a darkening sky, with the lit walkway, a lit building, and tree silhouettes. When the walk to dinner looks like this, it takes twice as long to reach the restaurant.
A black reusable water bottle and a wooden sign about the resort's sustainability practices on the table by the window. Instead of plastic bottles you refill this one at water stations around the property, and after a few days it felt natural.
Looking down from an outdoor wooden staircase: a wood-walled room building on the right and a sunlit path and garden on the left. There are a few staircases like this on the way to the rooms, and with the slope it is better to let staff handle the suitcases.
The Sur House, surrounded by trees and garden under a clear sky, with lanterns set out by the entrance. Breakfast and dinner both happen here, so I passed through this door twice a day.
Beneath a dark gray umbrella on the outdoor terrace, the ocean and coastal cliffs open up, with a stone wall and wooden chairs in front. The wind was calm that day, so I sat here a long while watching the Pacific coastline.
A long fire feature set into the stone railing of the terrace, with blue sky, forest, and the distant horizon beyond. By day you sit here for the view, and after sunset for the fire.
A blue sofa and wooden table in front of a huge stone fireplace on the outdoor terrace, with bulbs strung over the dark timber wall and firewood stacked beside. On a cold winter evening, sitting by the fire leaves your front hot and your back cool, which is oddly pleasant.
A sun-shaped metal gate at the end of a narrow path, with big trees and a timber building under blue sky behind. It is the most photogenic spot on the property, and everyone who passes stops for a picture.
The information sheet from check-in, covering dining, pools, spa, excursions, and outdoor gear available to borrow, with the wooden room key bearing the hotel logo below. I planned the days around The Sur House meal times and the Meadow Pool and infinity hot tub hours listed here.
The resort map sheet marking reception, room buildings, the infinity pool, the Japanese baths, and walking trails, with the wooden key card for Junior Suite 49 and the checkout time below. The grounds are large and hilly, so learning the routes from this map on day one paid off.
Clear water rising from a round stone fountain in the garden, with trees and the path blurred behind. It sits on the way to the rooms, so the sound of water reached me before the fountain itself each time, and it lingers as the background note of this resort.
An outdoor staircase with metal railings under a clear sky, hemmed in by trees and shrubs, with a wooden pergola above. You climb this several times a day moving between the rooms and the main facilities, so comfortable shoes are a must.
The hotel's entrance sign on a stone wall, with dense trees and the road behind under harsh sunlight. The turn off Highway 1 is easy to miss, and if you overlook this sign you will drive a good way past it.
A small bird perched on a stone wall, with bright green conifers behind. I came across it on the path, and it stayed put for a while even as I got close, a sign of how used to people the birds here are.

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