It is officially fall, the perfect time for soaking up the natural beauty of the Big Sur Coast from the luxury coastal resort previously known as Ventana Inn, and recently renovated and reimagined as Alila Ventana Big Sur.
In an article recently published in Carmel Magazine’s fall issue, contributing writer Amelia Ward prefaces her beautiful portrait of the resort with a description of Big Sur. A “dream destination…originally home to the Ohlone, Esselen and Salinan tribes,” Big Sur has historically drawn the likes of Hollywood stars, artists, bohemians, and Beat poets for its remoteness, dramatic hundred-year-old redwoods, and “golden California hills.”
Photo courtesy of Alila Ventana
For the most recent renovations at Alila Ventana Big Sur, BraytonHughes sought to tap into the free spirit of The Golden State in the 1960s, keeping the original character of the resort intact while enhancing the iconic architectural buildings featuring cedar planked interiors, end grain wood floors, and stone fireplaces. The relaxed modern design for the refresh creates a warm atmosphere with rustic furniture, rich leather, and wood furnishings, macrame wall hangings and handcrafted accessories.
Ideal for viewing fall foliage and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, guestrooms, villas, and suites at Alila Ventana Big Sur have private decks with forest or ocean views and luxury soaking tubs. In addition to guestrooms, the resort offers glamping, complete with a Bath House in keeping with the deeply rooted bohemian character of the locale.
Photo courtesy of Alila Ventana
After hiking one of the scenic trails around the resort or visiting nearby Pfeiffer Beach, guests can retreat to The Social House for star gazing and evening smores at the private firepits. We created unique rooms for each of the three existing spaces, creating The Social House as the perfect place to get cozy in luxurious cabin comfort. In the main Library & Music room, guests can relax in large leather chairs while enjoying a book or surrender to a sentimental mood while listening to an old album from the resort’s curated record collection. The adjacent Game Room invites guests to enjoy a leisurely game of pool, and a communal table in the Bar Room beckons for happy hour with wine and cheese.
Photo courtesy of Alila Ventana
At this reimagined sanctuary, one can honor the change in seasons in myriad ways, from unplugging through meditation or yoga or simply noticing subtle shifts in the rugged landscape from the comfort of the resort’s rustic yet refined interiors.