Alila Ventana Big Sur
Hotel · Monterey County
48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Highlights
Luxury coastal resort with spa, pools, and fine dining
Luxury coastal resort with spa, pools, and fine dining
"I found that Alila Ventana Big Sur's 54 guest rooms now feature locally crafted furnishings, a nature-inspired color palette, spa-like bathrooms, and private terraces. The hotel has also teamed up with Sony to offer a complimentary camera rental program so guests can capture the area's scenic beauty during their stay." - Regan Stephens Regan Stephens Regan Stephens is an award-winning freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She covers travel, food, and culture for outlets like Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, People, and Fortune. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A five-star coastal resort celebrated for its open-air spa, lush gardens, and photogenic design, offering both guest rooms and glamping tents for starry-night stays and easy access to nearby state-park dark-sky viewing." - Cu Fleshman Cu Fleshman Cu is a freelance writer and editor with more than five years of experience. She has written for a variety of publications, including Afar, Matador Network, and Editoire. No matter where she is in the world, you can find her hunting for local eats and hiking trails. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Set among coastal California foliage, the property offers sustainability-minded and cultural enrichment like beekeeping and falconry. The ‘Bees and Big Sur’ program educates visitors on the relationship between local flowers and bees and includes a blind honey tasting of the property’s and global honeys; a master falconer leads flight demonstrations, meet-and-greets, photo opportunities, and short hikes with a special flying guest, while alfresco dining and on-site artistic activities round out the experience." - AFAR
"A luxury property with villas and glamping tents spread out over 160 acres of redwood forest, featuring a restaurant overlooking the ocean and a spa that uses organic and locally made skin care products; guests are encouraged to sip morning coffee with Pacific views that make lingering difficult." - Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz is a writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure, her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, T Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy" Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Perched among redwoods with Pacific Ocean views on a sprawling coastal property, this intimate, higher-end resort features design-forward safari-style canvas glamping tents with premium linens and fire pits, suites with outdoor hot tubs, two outdoor heated pools, and outdoor Japanese hot baths. Included amenities emphasize outdoor wellness—complimentary yoga, meditation, and guided hikes—plus meals and chauffeured car service; the property is dog-friendly (two-dog maximum with a fee) and is geared toward peaceful, nature-focused escapes." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
