Post Ranch Inn Big Sur

A short stay in heaven

My wife and I stayed at PRI for five nights. We stayed in a tree house room. WOW!!!! The room was a small bit of heaven. The furniture, the huge soaking tub, the window seat, the goodies in the fridge. The mountain views were exquisite. As a matter of fact the morning fog prevented a sea view so the tree house I believe is best room. The sierra mar restaurant food was marvelous and unique. The service on the whole was good. The gym was well equipped and well maintained. We took a daily perimeter walk around the property. It was about two miles thru beautiful redwoods. I cannot say enough about this resort. My massage was to die for. If u can afford this resort u must stay here. Conde Nast and all the travel magazines have it right. By the way eat at nearby Deetjens and The Roadhouse. Great food and ambience.

The BEST IN THE WORLD

This has to been the most spectacular hotel I have ever stayed in, The Best in the WORLD - My wife and I have traveled to more parts of the world then we can count and have never experienced such service, and the detail is incredible.

The room are located above the ocean I believe something like 1,200 feet above the sea and they are spectacular not the largest rooms we have ever stayed in but appointed beautifully. The food at the restaurant is a foodie's heaven.

Great work Post Ranch and hope to see you the next time we are in Big Sur.

This hotel was a recommendation from a friend and they were so right.

Great location & architecture + semi-professional staff & service = Overpriced

Cliff side Location cannot be beat, even by Ventana across the street. Buildings are well designed to blend into the environment, and unique in its existence.

But.

The staff and their service were snobby and semi-professional at best--repeated requsts were neccessary for the simplest of requests like ice & bug repellent. Repeated assurance that someone will call, or someone will take care of were made in a manner that was brash at best. Similarly, any issues with their restaurant Sierra Mar were difficult to address overall, as the restaurant and the hotel is seperately owned and managed, and not as well communicated.

Post Ranch Inn is merely a small establishment owned by a local resident with 30 or so rooms/houses, operated by a small number of local staff, whose training is a far cry from that of other true four or five star establishments. They are simply cashing in on the chance location of the hotel and the affluent SF residents nearby.

We paid over $1,000 with tax per night(over $2,000 over all) for their ocean room and stayed the weekend min. of 2 nights on Fri-Sat here in Oct.2003.

We have also stayed in Ventana, Monterey Highlands Inn, and Moterey Hyatt Regency. I would highly recommend Ventana's preminum rooms and any rooms in Highlands Inn over Post Ranch in overall value and experience. Avoid Monterey Hyatt Regency(needs renovation) and Post Ranch Inn.

Eat at the restaurant if only to see what the inn might be like

We spent a weekend in Big Sur in Spring 2004. We didn't stay at the Post Ranch Inn both because the price tag was fearful and because they didn't have rooms available when we called. We still made a point to visit the place -- non-guests can have dinner at the restaurant, but can only get early and late reservations (5:30 and 8:30); prime hours are reserved for guests.

They serve a four course prix-fixe menu, with four or five choices for each course for around $75 when we visited. The food was better than average for the price and was nicely imaginative. It wasn't quite the the equal of foodie meccas like the French Laundry in the Napa Valley, but still made for a memorable meal. The view, however, is wonderful -- the dining room is perched on the exact top of the ridge, and hangs right over the Pacific Ocean, and you can look south and see wild coastline. It easily outdid lunch on the deck at Nepenthe's -- difficult, considering Nepenthe's location!

We also enjoyed the chance to gawk at reception for the hotel and look up the path at the cottages on the ridgeline near the restaurant.

Incredible luxury in a casual setting

I spent two nights at the Post Ranch Inn recently, and was blown away.

The prices were initially intimidating, but I reserved a two-day spa package. (Two nights in a Butterfly room, and a one-hour in-room massage for each of us, plus the amazing complimentary breakfast buffet at the award winning restaurant.) By the time I left, I felt that I had received more than my money's worth. This place is amazing. Upon check-in, I was greeted by name (after telling it to the person at the front gate), wished a happy anniversary, and offered a glass of wine.

Our room wasn't quite ready, so the chauffer/bellhop drove us (in a Lexus SUV) to the Mercantile to shop, then took us to our room. We soon received a hand-written note from the manager apologizing for the delay in our accomodations; he also sent a full bottle of champagne (in addition to the half bottle that was already in the room), plus a huge cheese and fruit platter. Our room was stocked with an extensive complimentary minibar, bath salts, a fruit basket... everything you could need. We were in the Butterfly room, which was the least expensive room, but was still incredible. I can't imagine the beauty of the more expensive rooms and houses. The view of the mountains and redwoods was breathtaking. Our huge shower/jacuzzi had double windows that opened up to look out onto the scenery, so it felt almost like I was showering outdoors. Everything is set up so you feel like you are the only person there. The architecture is awesome; I read a review that described the Post Ranch Inn as "Robinson Crusoe meets Frank Lloyd Wright." That was a perfect description. Despite the aura of luxury, everyone there--staff and guests--was friendly, casual and welcoming, without a trace of snobbery. This was above and beyond the nicest place I have ever stated. I can't wait to go back. If you want to splurge, this is the place to go.

Not worth the price

We stayed at the Post Ranch over labor day weekend last year. It was very hot (unusual for big sur) and we had to use the air conditioning. It was so loud we couldn't sleep! We complained and were told there wasn't anything they could do. We asked for an ice bucket to be brought to our room, it never arrived... the room itself was nice but really nothing special and the prices are ASTRONOMICAL!!! I'd stay at Ventana across the street next time -cheaper and better service.

To Die For!!

I just came back today from staying one evening at this amazing...(more then words could ever describe) Resort, I hear it was just rated #1 in all North America and I can honestly say I know why. I have now been spoiled beyond imagination. Because it is small and very spread out, you almost feel as if you are the only couple there. The service was excellent, food incredible every bite, a little slow of getting your courses, but that is what you need to do here....learn to slow down and enjoy every one of your senses come alive. If your looking for a place that makes you forget the stress of life, this is the medicine for you.

I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else on my 40th birthday.

Rough hewn luxury

I stayed at the Post Ranch Inn several years ago for a special birthday

of my partner at the time. I had seen a review in the Sunday travel

section of the San Francisco Chronicle titled "Rough Hewn Luxury". The

review title proved to be right on the mark.

The room rates are obviously not for the faint of heart ...nonetheless, I felt they were a good value. I stayed two nights...one night at a coast house (upper) and one night at an ocean house. From the phone call to make a reservation, to check in, to occupancy, everything was flawless. When I called for the reservation 5 months in advance, the staffer asked if I'd like to make a dinner reservation. I replied that I did and I'd like to be seated and eating during sunset, but had no idea what time that would be. The staffer responded back in a moment with the time of sunset on that day. When I arrived in my room, we were greeted with a chilled split of champagne and treats and note from the manager wishing that my partner's birthday, which I had mentioned only a moment in passing at the time of reservation, would be a special one. The accomodations and facilities were absolutely peerless.

The Post Ranch Inn is most highly recommended.

Outstanding!

This is the finest property I have ever stayed in! It has excellent service, very unique accomodations, a wonderful restaurant and the place exudes peace and tranquility. We came for our honeymoon and the wedding stress dissapeared immediatly upon our arrival. We stayed in the Tree House which has a great bed, fully stocked fridge, lots of windows and a wonderful bathroom. The complimentary breakfast was a bounty of tastes and the five course dinner was one of the finest meals I have ever had! All of this, while overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surround mountains! While expensive, the PRI exceeded our expectations and I have begun saving for the next stay!

Very special

Ok, I have to admit I have not stayed here - can't afford to. But, I've eaten lunch at their restaurant four times over two years time, plus I've toured their grounds extensively. I can only imagine that if their rooms are like everything else I've experienced, this place is simply the best. The food is excellent, but what draws me back is the views from the restaurant. It's situated about 200 feet above the Pacific and the view is absolutely stunning. I challenge anyone to race through a meal and then leave. I found myself drinking multiple cups of coffee afterwards just so I could admire the beauty. It sounds strange to admit, but the men's room in the restaurant is so casually elegant - beautiful fresh flowers and exotically scented handsoap. The grounds are extensive and very well maintained. Before I die, I want to stay at this place!!