The Carmel Business Association Tours

The view to the ocean, from the ocean view room, is amazing. I would also recommend having breakfast at the restaurant for the food (suggest the eggs Benedict and the French Toast), and again the view.

Our room had a great view of the ocean, however the rooms are antiquated and they are missing details that other rooms for the same rates offer. Some of the basic that I believe should be a minimum requirement for a room with this rate is waters, shower caps, and other toiletries. A special touch is highly needed. Our room offered a beautiful view of the ocean; however, it felt outdated and lacked the finer details that other rooms at the same rate typically provide. I believe some basic amenities, such as bottled water, shower caps, and other toiletries, should be standard for rooms at this price point. A special touch would greatly enhance the experience.

The resort and grounds are absolutely stunning — the perfect place to relax and reset with a peaceful, restorative atmosphere. Most of the staff were a pleasure and made our stay feel special, though we did have 1–2 interactions where it felt like we were a bother for asking for anything. That’s disappointing anywhere, but especially on a $3k+ per night trip. When booking, I chose a suite specifically for its forest view. We came to Big Sur to be surrounded by giant trees. At check-in, we were told we’d been “upgraded” to a Pacific view suite. While well-intentioned, it wasn’t what we came for. From the suite we couldn’t see the water, the outdoor furniture wasn’t comfortable enough to enjoy, and it lacked the lounge chairs/hammock the original suite had advertised. We asked to move back to our booked room but were told the property was fully committed. I understand that happens, but it was frustrating to have our experience shifted by a change we didn’t request. Overall, Alila Ventana Big Sur is a breathtaking property with (mostly) a wonderful team. But if you’re going for a specific experience — like the forest views we wanted — make sure your reservation is honored as booked. At this level, the details really matter.