Ventana Big Sur has announced a multimillion-dollar reimagining of the 59-room resort overlooking the Pacific coastline—just in time for its reopening this coming fall. The resort used to be known as the Ventana Inn & Spa, before its closure in February. Since then, Alila Hotel and Resorts has acquired the property—hence its new name. The reopening also marks the North American debut of the Alila Hotels and Resorts brand.
The renovations emphasize in particular the hotel’s new outdoor spaces, such as the Ocean Meadow event lawn. Accompanying the additions is the hotel’s all-new glamping (glamor camping) program that takes place in the nearby redwood forests that Big Sur is known for.
Fifteen safari-style canvas tents spanning a 20-acre canyon make up the resort’s Redwood Canyon Glampsites. Each tent has a plush glamping mattress with hotel linens and other hotel comforts. Glamping amenities include daily housekeeping service, nightly turndown service and the glamping Bath House, which has teak-enclosed showers, heated floors, marble vanities, restroom facilities and full hotel amenities.
The opening of The Social House, situated at the heart of the resort, is among these outdoorsy upgrades. The space includes an outdoor patio, a lounge with a fire pit, redwood tables, a Library & Music Room, Game Room and a Bar Room. Guests can work with an experience coordinator to arrange various social activities.
The Sur House restaurant spearheads the dining experience in the re-imagined Ventana. Executive Chef Paul Corsentino has planned a menu highlighting Pacific-source seafood, local free-range meets and homemade accoutrements that promote sustainable American cuisine.
The all-new Spa Alila further cultivates the natural motif through the use of local healing elements in the “Essence of Big Sur” spa treatment. Spa amenities include an aromatherapy steam shower, relaxation decks and two outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwoods, each with soaking tubs and massage tables for couple’s treatments. Renovations also include two new outdoor pools: the Meadow Pool will have a jetted, infinity-edge hot tub and guests can enjoy Japanese hot baths at the clothing-optional Mountain Pool. The re-imagined guest-experience program encourages deeper connection to oneself, one’s partner and the natural world through mind-body-soul experiences such as drum circles and quartz bowl energy sound baths.
The resort’s new Glass House Gallery will also showcase paintings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, photography and other artworks from artists along the California Central Coast. The gallery is situated on a deck with a panoramic view of Highway 1 and Big Sur.
Room rates start at $675 per night, with Redwood Canyon Glampsites starting at $325 per night. Access to Spa Alila, The Social House, the resort fitness center and the resort’s two pools come at an additional $100.
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