I was fortunate to get some quality down time with just my wife and I this past weekend. We only had a few days without the kids arranged, so as is often the case for folks in situations like this, we wanted everything to be perfect so we would not waste any of this precious alone/down time. After a quick review of places where we wanted to go, it was decided that we'd hop the Nerd Bird (the American Airlines Austin - San Jose Non-Stop that is being killed next month after over 15 years or so of operation) and head to San Jose, grab a convertible, and head down to Big Sur. We had driven by two properties we wanted to try a couple of years before iwhen we had gone out to CA, and in speaking with JoAnn Bell (a long-time friend that lives in Santa Barbara and like me has spent many years in the B&B/Inn industry) we decided we'd go check them both out. It’s was also nice ithat since we were headed two time zones West, we landed in San Jose, CA before 10AM and still got most of the day Friday.
So we booked a rental car through Orbitz for the 72 hour period we'd be in California. We wanted a convertible, but it cost $250 more than a regular run of the mill mid-size car so we opted to book the less expensive car and try to upgrade once we were at the airport in San Jose picking up the car. When I checked in and asked about upgrading to a convertible, it was available for only $60 more - nearly $200 lower than the price we were quoted originally. Sweet! I mean why wouldn’t they make some additional revenue from us if the convertible was just going to be sitting there anyway. It once again goes to show you that regardless of what you are spending to travel (these two properties are not known for their inexpensive room rates), we ALL like a deal/good value! Just because folks want good value/to save some money – it does not mean that they are cheap or are bad customers. Certainly a lesson to be learned here for some…
So off we went in beautiful sunny California leaving San Jose and we headed over to Capitola for lunch at a place right on the beach. This was no Gulf Coast. That wind was cold! Even in the sun. Folks were laying out in their bikinis/bathing suits and there was my wife and I having lunch with our fleeces on. We then took a quick stroll around the neat little town, grabbed some taffy from a store that must have carried 100 or so flavors (my favorite - Peanut Butter) and headed for Carmel.
Upon arriving at Ventana, things just started to relax even more. They offer you a glass of wine as you check-in, explain all the amenities the Inn has to offer, and whisk you to your room in a golf cart. We booked a Pacific House Room and it was very nice!
It had a nice modern laid back design that was very comfortable, over-size soaking tub with bath salts, a personal hot tub on the patio, a great couch/lounger for two near the fireplace with a built-in small table - perfect for grabbing your favorite book and your coffee or wine (depending on the time of day). There are two nice pools with "bath houses" that have hot tubs. We did the morning yoga session both mornings we were there and the instructor - Theresa, was very nice and personable. Not only did she do a great job with the yoga, but she has grown up in Big Sur so she had a lot of local knowledge/insight. After yoga every morning we’d head down to a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast - coffee, juices, cereals/yogurts, and fresh pastries. You could order full breakfasts off the menu, but the included continental was very nice and plenty of food (especially after a yoga class and before a hike).
We passed on the guided hour long hike on the property to go do a 9 mile hike up at Molera State Park. It was a nice hike with a good amount of elevation change and beautiful coastal cliffs as well as tons of flowers in bloom in all colors. The only negative was that there are signs EVERYWHERE about staying away from the Poison Oak, but a couple of the trials are so over-grown in places (because they had to divert resources to Pfieffer Park during the fires) that you clearly cannot avoid whatever is growing across the trails in these spots so you either turn around or forge ahead. The concierge at Ventana clearly had not actually walked these trails or they would have recommended long pants. After the long hike we drove down to Nepenthe and had a light lunch on the patio overlooking the Pacific Cloud Bank (that’s right, not the Pacific Ocean). We only actually saw the ocean when we would be down at beach level since the marine layer of fog was solid the entire time we were out there. It’s still an incredible area with amazing views. But if you are wanting to have the views of the ocean, make sure you go at a time when the marine layer of fog will not be in full force or you will be bummed.
The Ventana also had a neat way to do the fire that I had not seen. They had pieces of wood (or manufactured wood – like a Duraflame log) in small burlap bags so to light a fire you would just take a match and light the burlap sack.
After two nights at Ventana, we loaded up the car and drove all the way across the street (literally the entrances to both of these properties are directly across from each other on Highway One) to the Post Ranch Inn. Another incredible property on part of the grounds of the original Post Ranch.
The check-in here was somewhat similar to Ventana in that we were offered wine (or water or whatever). Since we arrived at one and our room would not be ready until about three or so, we decided to go for a hike on the property (they sit on 100 acres) and check out the soaking pools, trails, fitness facility, etc. The hike was nice. They have coolers throughout the property with iced down bottles of water in them. If they could only ice down some beer and put in the moving walk-way… ;^) Unfortunately their maps need a little attention to detail. The area to the left of the entrance has a few dirt roads/trails through it that are not well marked while you are hiking and the map is not accurate in that area so you are on your own a bit. It’s no big deal though since it is not a huge area and it’s not like you have a 50 lb pack on or anything. Just a bit frustrating. The only other frustrating thing I can recall at this property which was trivial (goes to show you how well they nailed everything else) was that at check-in we were told the lap pool was 75 degrees which is to cold for our tastes so we decided to skip going to it which we had wanted to do (we actually thought about going back across the street to the pool at Ventana because it was very comfortable) and the next day after yoga we dipped our foot in and the pool was more like 84-85 degrees which was very comfortable. We checked the in-room literature and it said the pool was kept at 85 degrees. So a bit of a disconnect there.
Anyway, by this time our room was ready so we headed to the room. At Post Ranch we opted for the Pacific Room.
Wow! While the room and the amenities provided were certainly first-class, the thing that makes this property, and these rooms stand out is that they are perched 1,000 feet or so on the top of a ridge above the Pacific Ocean. The room was large (just under 1,000 feet), had a very large balcony with a table and chairs as well as some chaise loungers and an umbrella. You could do nothing but site here all day. We however opted to go soak in the soaking pools (like large hot tubs with no bubbles kept at 102 degrees) that sit on the edge of the ridge overlooking the great expanse/ocean/clouds. It felt as though we were in an airplane as we just looked down on a solid cloud layer the entire time. For most of the time we had the whole place to ourselves. Which brings up a point – This property seemed quieter and more suited for folks that want to retreat /escape and not be around many other people. While Ventana certainly can provide that as well and the room we stayed in was very open/airy and cozy, Post Ranch has less units and seems to be designed more for solitude. The architecture at Post Ranch is amazing with some units in trees, some on cliffs/ridges, and all designed with a very funky California vibe to them. Our unit had built in satellite radio, a fireplace (all ready to go/light), sun screens that automatically raised/lower with the touch of a button. We also had a courtesy mini-bar that was all complimentary stocked with wines, water, juices, cheeses, crackers, fruit, chocolates, etc. It was a nice touch for sure.
Both properties had robes, sandals, and nice amenities.We were very impressed and had a great time at both properties. Post Ranch had a bucket for recycle stuff which was another nice idea.
The staff at each was very helpful and nice and you can’t go wrong at either of these amazing places.
We can’t wait until we get to go back!
Have a Happy Fourth!
Eric