Imagine driving along California’s coastal Highway 1, one of the world’s most scenic drives with its winding road and breathless views of the Pacific Ocean. As you reach Big Sur, you pass by charming roadside restaurants, inns, and establishments. Now the anticipation starts to build as you search for the entrance to your destination…and then…there it is, the unassuming sign luring you into the exclusive world of the Post Ranch Inn (PRI).
You announce your arrival at the security gate. Once verified as a registered guest, you are informed to continue your drive up the gently curved slopes of the property until you reach the reception building. When your car stops, a staff member opens your door and greets you by name…you take a moment to look around, soak it in, and then say to yourself…Ahhh, nice to meet you, Paradise!
Check-In
There’s something about a personal, VIP-style check-in that sets the tone for your stay. From the moment of my arrival, the process was intimate and friendly. After being warmly greeted, I was escorted into the quaint reception room, where a cozy fire was lit, and I was offered a glass of bubbly. After completing the quick registration process, I was handed the keys to my room and scampered off to my ocean-view sanctuary for the next few days.
Property
To fully appreciate this property and its heart and soul, its best to understand its deep-rooted history dating back to 1848 when an 18-year-old, William B. Post, made his way west to Monterey, fell in love and married an American Indian from Carmel Valley, where they eventually established a 640-acre homestead, and a hog and cattle ranch {sounds like a storyline right out of Taylor Sheridan’s 1883}.
Flash forward to the 1980s, after generations of children were raised on the property, to when great-grandson Billy Post was the current owner. At this time, Michael Freed, a San Francisco lawyer, approached Billy with the idea of creating a luxury eco-lodge on his land in Big Sur, and the story goes that a handshake confirmed the deal. Billy Post then single-handedly excavated 100 acres of the land with his tractor to create one of the world’s most exclusive and acclaimed ecological hotels. Read about PRI’s historic timeline {here}. The resort officially opened its doors in 1992, and is currently owned by Passport Resorts, LLC, and is a member of the prestigious Preferred Hotels and Resorts Legend portfolio.
Post Ranch’s organic environmental design {a philosophy of architecture that promotes harmony between human habitation and the environment} is intended for people to feel a part of nature. The property was designed with natural materials such as glass, wood, stone, and steel to help blend the line between nature and the structures.
Since its inception, Post Ranch Inn has been at the forefront of environmental responsibility and continues to be an industry leader in sustainability. Their commitment is evident throughout the entire property and in almost every aspect of managing the resort, from utilizing their natural resources and operating on solar power to preserving the land and wildlife. For more on PRI’s sustainability practice, see {here}.
Guest Rooms
This intimate, adult-only property offers 43 guest rooms and suites on 100 acres. Most of the accommodations are situated along the coastline’s ridge with ocean views, and the Tree House, Mountain House, and Butterfly room categories sit internally on the property within the serenity of the Redwood trees with either filtered ocean or mountain views. The four houses on the property are ideal for those VIP guests seeking the ultimate accommodations with a little more privacy. See {here} for descriptions of all categories. Each room is appropriately named after a Big Sur pioneer, showcasing a biography and photographs of that person – a special nod to honor its community and roots.
I had the pleasure of staying in a Coast House, a two-story structure with separate units on the top and the bottom with their own entrance and extraordinary ocean views. There is nothing like walking into the room and immediately having your eyes drawn to the rugged Big Sur coastline and expansive Pacific Ocean view beyond. It’s a jaw-dropping moment. When sitting on the cliffside deck, there is almost the feeling that you can dive right into the ocean. Although the ocean view properties are close in proximity, the individual rooms and decks are very private as they are surrounded by lush vegetation, creating a privacy screen. Looking out to the sea from any ocean-view room at this property is truly an extraordinary experience.
The Tree House rooms are built on 9-foot stilts within the Redwoods, giving the feeling of staying in a tree house. These units are near walking paths and have less privacy than the ocean rooms; however, because the rooms are elevated, people walking by cannot look directly into the rooms.
By design, there are no televisions or alarm clocks in the rooms. When you enter the room, you will hear music softly playing. Each room has a sound system for the guest to program their musical preferences. The intent is to create a “zen” environment where guests can solely focus on their relaxation and the beauty of the surroundings. The rooms have an understated yet refined rustic decor that feels warm and welcoming with handcrafted rich wood paneling, hand-made furniture pieces, wood-burning fireplaces, ambient lighting, and a soothing color palette.
Included in each room are complimentary snacks and libations, with daily refills. The items are unique, with many sourced locally in the area, such as cheeses, meats, nuts, dips, and fruits. The guestrooms also reflect the hotel’s commitment to the environment by using organic, biodegradable bath amenities provided in larger refillable containers, refillable glass water bottles used instead of plastic, and reusable stainless steel water bottles provided for use while visiting and taking home. The bathroom floors have radiant heating, and the linens, such as the bed sheets, towels, and robes, are some of the most luscious I’ve ever encountered.
The resort also offers a daily complimentary breakfast at the Sierra Mar Restaurant with its equally stunning views. This breakfast is not a typical continental breakfast but a gourmet breakfast. You order from a full menu with delicious dishes such as custom-made eggs, waffles, breakfast burritos, and more. It is an excellent way to start the day.
Dining
The resort’s restaurant, Sierra Mar, sits high atop the cliffs, seemingly floating over the water with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and unobstructed ocean views {fog doesn’t count}.
Guests are treated to a farm-to-table driven dining experience where much of the produce comes directly from the Chef’s Garden on the property. The dishes are centered around fresh and local ingredients from the coastal bounty of Big Sur and the neighboring communities, with sustainability always in mind. While the four-course dinner and three-course lunch menus are the most sought-after dining experiences, all items are offered a la carte, and the restaurant will accommodate special dietary requests.
A full bar resides within the restaurant, and an outdoor patio is perfect for catching the sunset. I had a fun time chatting with Aldo, one of the bartenders, who was testing his skills at creating a new cocktail recipe for a competition he was entering. Of course, I decided to support his efforts and ordered the creations he crafted with some herbs from the Chef’s Garden. I subsequently heard he won first place. Congrats Aldo.
Amenities
Spa | Wellness
The resort has an intimate spa with four treatment rooms available. Guests are welcome to book a massage in one of the treatment rooms at the hotel spa or in the privacy of their room {massage tables are stored in each room}. A popular option is to set up a massage on the deck overlooking the ocean. There are also some unique intuitive healing classes, such as shaman sessions, spiritual exploration, intuitive healing arts, and many complimentary classes, including guided hikes, yoga, and sound meditation. I had the opportunity to attend my first sound meditation class; it was a relaxing experience and something I look forward to continuing beyond my visit here. See {here} for spa services.
Guests are also encouraged to enjoy various activities highlighting the ecological, community, and individual resources at Post Ranch or in the Big Sur area. These include falconry, guided nature walks with a naturalist, forest meditation, seasonal whale watching, Chef’s Garden tour, and more.
Pools
There are two extraordinary heated infinity edge soaking pools, each located 1200 feet high on a cliffside, seemingly floating over the Pacific Ocean with stunning views that will take your breath away {if you’re looking for your Instagram moment, this is it}. Enjoy a relaxing soak while gazing at Big Sur’s calming sights and sounds; these pools are also perfect for evening stargazing. Enhance the moment by enjoying a meal with the poolside food and beverage delivery service available. Should you want more than a soak, head to the lap pool near the Yurt and Fitness Center for your cardio activity.
Post Gallery
The onsite Post Gallery offers an array of photography, sculptures, and fine jewelry. Exhibits change throughout the year, providing the chance to display the art of talented artists in and around the Big Sur community while offering fresh and compelling perspectives from around the world.
As you stroll around the resort, you will notice various sculptures and artworks throughout the grounds that add whimsical touches and some thought-provoking abstract pieces. The Gallery Director offers a walking tour of these art installations with biographies and stories about the artist and the interpretation of the pieces, such as the quasi-extraterrestrial-looking landscape installations by artist Mario Martinez (aka MARS-1).
Mercantile
Be sure to stop by the Mercantile showcasing artisan-crafted clothing, home furnishings, art, and many luxury items used within the resort and spa. Bringing home a souvenir from the resort will always be a pleasant reminder of your time in Big Sur.
Lexus Program
A fun perk is the resort’s complimentary Lexus car rental program. The resort offers a few varieties of Lexus cars available for 4-hour rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis. I rented the convertible Lexus, took it for a ride along Hwy 1, and stopped at various shops and the Nepenthe restaurant for lunch. It was an enjoyable way to spend a good portion of the day.
If you prefer to avoid driving altogether, the resort offers a shuttle service to local establishments around Big Sur.
Summary
What stands out to me about the Post Ranch Inn is that it is indeed a one-of-a-kind property, privately tucked away on the cliff side of Big Sur with its unparalleled ocean views. This luxe hideaway offers an unrivaled sense of serenity, a sanctuary for the soul, and a much-needed reprieve from the ordinary. Every aspect of this resort is formulated around rejuvenating one’s spirit, maximizing the resources of its bountiful region, and doing it all responsibly and sustainably.
It’s no surprise that the Post Ranch Inn has landed on almost every renowned award list over the years and caters to a VIP clientele. The Post Ranch Inn is the ultimate destination for romance, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The term “it’s quality, not quantity, that counts” has never seemed more appropriate than when referring to this exceptional property.
Post Ranch Inn | 47900 Highway 1 | Big Sur, CA 93920 | 800.527.2200
