For my birthday I stayed in the Big Sur area and this was a place I had heard about and wanted to check out. As I was heading back to San Fran (yes I know you folks there hate that way of saying it, but........I'm not from there *grin*), and lunch was in order so I stopped in. Amazing what these folks have done with the place. Perched upon almost a cliff looking down into the Pacific as Condors fly beside your table and whales and seals can be seen in the ocean. This is top notch in the backwoods.....staff are uber professional and the food and wine selection was great. I would have liked to stay here, but my time was done...........but I will be back. read more

// This review is only for the restaurant. // Location: 5/5 The Sierra Marr restaurant is by far the most gorgeous restaurant I've ever been to. Located above the sea, it's quite the visual dining experience. My family and I were fortunate enough to secure a balcony seat, and let me just say that it was completely surreal having miles of green below you while eating. The scenery is definitely top-notch. Even if you're not an avid food lover, at least come here for the view. Facility: 5/5 I'm sorry, but this place looks like the baby of Hearst Castle and a beach house. Amazing. Call me a sucker, but I love it when tables are meticulously clean and polished. That's exactly what you'll find here at Sierra Marr: clean, polished tables, silverware--even the bathrooms are spotless! I especially loved the whole "bathroom behind the fireplace" vibe going on. Don't mistake the cleanliness for being boring though, I can safely say that the interior design is as fresh and original as a restaurant can get. Food: 5/5 To be honest, I wasn't expecting the food to be good. Based on past experiences, fancy restaurants have a history of wowing diners with their overwhelming design, then not meeting the expectations with the food. Sierra Marr was different in that the food was just as amazing, if not more, than the location. I ordered the three-course meal: Potato Croquette, Kobe Burger, and Citrus Custard. Potato Croquette: Light, crispy appetizer. Accentuated by hints of potato ("Thank You, Captain Obvious"). When I say light, I mean that it's tiny, but the overall price is worth it. Only warning is that it's a bit filling--you'll want to leave some room for the main course. In basic terms though, think of the most high-class french fry you can think of. Imagine it as a circle. That's what this potato croquette essentially is. Kobe Burger: I was practically full after finishing the entire croquette, so I really can't give this a very clear depiction, only that it was a beef burger that was good. This probably isn't very useful, but there's a reason why I chose to order a burger: you can never go wrong with it. The whole burger race isn't very diverse; there are only so many different burgers you can order. Citrus Custard: Those who love lemon meringue, it's the perfect dessert. It perfectly fits into the category of "Sour and Sweet" and the color combination was just wow. A bit of a jelly texture, with tangy ice cream as a side. If that's your thing, then that's your thing. It was my thing. Overall, dining at Sierra Marr was an extremely enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend this one out of all other restaurants in Big Sur. read more

I was surprised to come here for my 40th birthday by my sweet fiancé! I have heard so many great things of this property and my fiancé has been there before. He was highly disappointed with this stay too. I definitely say the views are amazing of their restaurant and rooms that are off the coast! We stayed on one of their larger suites with our own hot tub. A rather pricey room so I was surprised that it was a bit more rustic in the fixtures. There was not a door that closes for the bathroom (swinging door) and that is my pet peeve. I like my privacy when I am using the bathroom! My fiancé had set up special things for my birthday that he later told me about that was not done by the property. For example my birthday cake was suppose to arrive at a certain time and he had to call to find out what happened when it didn't arrive. Second he gave me a great surprise at the spa with a massage and facial. And these were not cheap services. I had asked my masseuse to not use elbows during my massage and she told me her fingers were not that strong for a deeper massage. She ended up using elbows everywhere except my upper shoulders which I had specified to concentrate on since I hold my tension there. I definitely would not recommend a massage. My fiancé had ask to reserve the restaurant at Ventana for one night and when it was time to go we ended up finding out they reserved to another restaurant. It seemed like they didn't want us to go to see the newly remodeled Ventana. However we asked to be taken to Ventana rest. Bottom line-- pros: amazing views, nice staff, great infinity pools, Lexus cars to use at your stay, and nice fitness room. Cons-- very pricey for what you get ($2,500-2,700/night for a hot tub suite), forgetful/disorganized staff, spa services meh, gallery on site was ok (thought it would be knowledge about the property). I am glad I went but we won't be back. I'd rather try Ventana the next time. My ultimate recommendation is if you are still infatuated try this place for one night but I feel the pricey rooms are so not worth it. read more

I get it. Post Ranch Inn doesn't have to cater to us mere mortals who have to pinch and save their pennies to afford a $1500+ per night stay...but jeez, at least pretend to have some sympathy for the rest of us. TLDR; review is based on their lack of communication, if you're planning a visit in 2017, PASS. After taking the plunge to book a reservation at the lauded Post Ranch Inn this upcoming July, I mentioned the stay to a friend who suggested I follow up as many of the resorts in Big Sur were inaccessible due to road closures from the recent mud slides (darn you, winter rain!). I called Post Ranch Inn to get the details (and mind you, hadn't heard a peep from them informing otherwise up to this point) and sure enough, the resort is only currently accessible by helicopter (wicked cool experience until you realize it's another $700+) OR potentially accessible via a circuitous 3+ hr additional Southbound route at a later date (who knows when exactly? Not anyone at Post Ranch Inn). While I appreciate the dynamic factors of the situation beyond their control, what happened to managing and setting customer expectations or even providing a courtesy heads up? After a series of outbound calls to Post Ranch all of which included ambiguous responses on timing and solutions, I am inclined to cancel our stay. Our family from the east coast is flying in to join us and with our visit to Post Ranch Inn just a month away, taking a gamble on "something working out" as adeptly advised by a representative from Post Ranch, doesn't quite seem like the best strategy. For the $$$$, would have anticipated more grace from a place like Post Ranch. read more

Beautiful resort. Super expensive but oh so worth it if you have the bucks. Just DO IT. It's is one of the nicest places you can stay in Big Sur besides Ventana. The architecture of the buildings next to coast the would take anyone's breath away. A LOT of celebrities come here and there is a reason why. It's very private and quiet. Everyone keeps to themselves. To me it's a bit more snobby than Ventana but it definitely has the better view. Treat yo'self. read more

I rarely leave Yelp reviews, but I was so disappointed with the lack of professionalism within the special events department at Post Ranch Inn that I feel the need to share. I contacted Post Ranch Inn last June about hosting a dinner party for 30 people, and I specified that we were willing to work with Post Ranch Inn to find a suitable date in Spring 2020. We were open to any and all available dates. I received an email saying that I would receive a response within 48 hours. Ten days later, I received an email from Hana Nishiguchi; all she said was that they had no availability on April 11, and I should look elsewhere--perhaps the bakery down the road (!). I replied that we were not looking to host the dinner party celebration on April 11, but we were open to all dates. I wanted to speak with someone to coordinate the event planning, but I was completely ghosted. No reply to my polite emails. No calls. I felt that the entire interaction was dismissive and disrespectful. I have since moved on and found another venue, and I would not attempt to contact Post Ranch Inn about any special events in the future after this type of treatment. read more

Most amazing experience ever! We stayed at Post Ranch for our anniversary in an ocean front room. What a spectacular view! They've really thought of everything too- binoculars on the deck.. wine, chocolate.. all heavenly! We dined at the restaurant and boy was that special. The food was fresh, the views glorious and the service was perfect. I would never drive by this place without stopping in! I can't always afford to stay but we always at least try to eat there! read more

While this place is not entirely my style, you cannot deny how magnificently well kept and impressive this resort is. Driving onto the property was breath-taking as the road leading up to the reception area was extremely quiet, peaceful and very spacious. At check-in, the front desk representatives were young, lively and genuinely congenial. We were then offered welcome drinks and a ride up to our rooms in their resort's Lexus cars. Which, I want to mention, they have a series of Lexus cars (from SUVs to convertibles) available to borrow and drive around on your own (on or off property) during your stay. We arrived at our rooms, which were the butterfly suites, and it was extremely cosy and quiet. The room featured a fireplace, queen size bed, a sunny daybed, bose sound systems (but no TV), jacuzzi bath, and an outdoor deck with lounge chairs. All snacks and beverages in the room are complimentary and as this was our "mini-moon" after our wedding, we also had complimentary champagne, wine and a cheese board for our enjoyment as well. Additionally, they encourage green-living and as a souvenir goody, a stainless steel water canisters for hiking and taking with you. Only downside to the rooms was that the layout and style is a little dated, but nonetheless very well maintained. Besides the cosy rooms, the resort features a great library and spa. As well as a lot of beautiful vista points, including discreet outdoor jacuzzi infinity pools, overlooking the mysterious misty Big Sur, Their restaurant, Sierra Mar, is also terrific! We had breakfast, lunch and dinner each day we were there and loved the food. We were surprised since it was the only restaurant at the resort and it was the same spot each night, but each time we went, the mood was appropriate and the food was of high quality. Breakfast is a decent-sized buffet spread that was casual and low-key, lunch was normally outdoors for us (note to try the burger here) and sunset dinners here were simply stunning. Not to mention, at the restaurant, the staff was incredibly attentive. Other than that, we also did an early yoga morning class together--but I think for my husband & I, the class was perhaps a bit too holistic and mother nature-y. And all over the grounds, there are several hiking trails that can take as long as 20 minutes to a couple hours. For us, we did a 20 minute trail and then retreated to our room for a hot bath and more mini-bar snacking. This place is really worthy of a romantic get away (particularly since they have a no kids policy) and was such a treat for us after our wedding! Would definitely come back here and highly recommend this resort to others if they are in the area (& of course, have the $). In the US, this is by far one of the best resorts I had ever been to and a real gem. read more

See all

We've been blessed to stay at some amazing places and this is my favorite anywhere. Everything about the experience was amazing. It's luxury without pretension and perfectly Big Sur. read more

See all

Service: very good. But took over 3 hours Cocktails: very good Food: four stars. We did the 5 course prix fixe. The foie gras in honey was spectacular. Wagyu beef very tender. We did not like the goat cheese. The rest were good but not memorable. Wine pairing was ok. The view: incredible. Next time, we would do 3 course. read more

I think I found heaven! The absolute best place to stay for romantic get away. Stayed in Bazil Treehouse. Fabulous service , great room .. Comfy bed .. 5 star accommodations. Watched the sunset... Stargazing at night... Hikes.... Horseback riding and a massage. Infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean is the highlight. The restaurant Sierra Mar was exquisite with a view of the ocean. I will be back every year as long as I find a baby sitter to leave my kids at home with. Thank you Post Ranch!!! read more

I had never been to Big Sur before as I always stopped at Carmel and Pebble Beach. An hour south is the enchanting Big Sur. The Post Ranch Inn and Restaurant Sierra Mar. Fabulous Food, amazing coastline views and attentive service were all found here. I highly recommend the hour drive south past Carmel and Pebble Beach. read more

See all

This is where my fiancé proposed, and it could't have been more special. Our room had a view of the ocean directly on the cliff. There are very few properties in the world that offer such a spectacular view. The best things about this hotel are: -The unique rooms: tree houses or private ocean-view suites directly above the pacific ocean. -The five-star restaurant which offers both a nine course and a four course menu (we enjoyed both). -The "free" unlimited organic drinks and snacks in our suite. -The spa: we loved the classic massage. -The infinity pool (more like a hot spring) overlooking the pacific. Great place for photos. We had such a wonderful stay and hope to return every year to celebrate :) read more

This place was suggested to us as we were passing through. We went in for lunch and honestly the prices here I would have thought to be more expensive because of the view and the pure beauty of the place. Not the issue. The prices compare to a typical to place minus the view. Although, I didn't get the chance to stay overnight there... I am currently saving my money to return! The place is amazing read more

An incredible place to celebrate my birthday! It was everything that we could have hoped for. The rooms are great, the food outstanding. The staff is very caring read more

Beautiful place with a breathtaking scenery and great servers. The degustation menu is absolutely divine and the cocktails are wonderful. Definitely worth the price tag. The best time to visit will be slightly before sunset. Have an outdoor seat for the sunset and move into the room after. Will be back someday! read more

See all

We just spent two nights at the Post Ranch Inn during our brief "babymoon" trip and nothing else compares. I am so very glad that we decided to splurge and spend two nights in this beautiful place. Waking up with a view of the Pacific Ocean from our bed at daybreak while a fire crackles across the room in the fireplace was pure bliss. While we were there we didn't want for anything. The mini fridge in our room was stocked with a variety of complimentary drinks and snacks (coconut water, kind bars, cheese and crackers). We even found binoculars in a drawer that we used to watch whales playing off of the coast from our deck. The dinner menu is gourmet and sparse but the staff will accommodate you in any way they can - allowing you to order from the lunch/room service menu. The staff was so incredibly friendly and wanted to ensure that we had a great time. They even have a variety of complimentary Lexus vehicles that you can reserve and take for the day. Again, we asked and we certainly received. The bottom line is that the price is worth it and guests should take advantage of everything they have to offer - from the beautiful hiking trails to the infinity hot tubs with amazing views of the cliffs/ocean. I hope that we can return some day! read more

What's to say... it was a mind blowing experience to stay here. Super professional and generous staff, super comfortable, amazing views and rooms. Refrigerator stocked with free drinks and snacks. Just walking around on the property in the woods or standing on a bluff is a humbling experience that is hard to put a price on. For what you get I wouldn't call Post Ranch expensive at all. Up-scale yes, but well wort the money. It's medicine for your soul! read more

My wife and I came to Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur from Florida for their premier accommodation, the Cliff House. I confirmed our reservation 3 times over the last 4 months right up to the day before leaving to go there. We had to juggle a lot of dates to build our trip around the days they said the accommodation was available. When we got there they told my wife and I that our accommodation had been "sold out" to a celebrity weeding held in Big Sur the weekend just past. They offered a lower grade accommodation at the returning guest rate which even if acceptable was no discount at all and in any case this is not what we were looking for. Even if they offered the other room free that was not the point or the experience we came there for. We went out of our way to reserve and plan a trip from Florida to California to stay in their Cliff House which is a totally unique space. They confirmed this the day before we left New York. I also confirmed it on two other occasions through the last few months. There is not much more to say. To add insult to injury they sent the bell staff to handle the entire situation. Not one member of the senior staff even picked up the phone when we got their and were given the news. Going even further they said if we listened to entertainment news station TMZ we would know this $10,000,000. Wedding was all the buzz in Big Sur for the last 2 months. Clearly they knew well in advance that they had no intention of us getting the room we reserved and confirmed. read more

Well I would love to get into this place and check it out but our group of 4 could not even get in through the front gate! We were told it was private and could not enter even to drive around unless we had a reservation or were Hotel guests. Too bad, as we would have really enjoyed having a nice meal at the restaurant and probably securing reservations in their hotel had we had a chance to look at it....total snobs! Yes, their brochure looks amazing but it is most definitely not laid back as the rest of Big Sur is. read more

Be still my heart! Ive been meaning to write this for a year. Ive stayed here a couple times, but this last time was pure magic. The staff is unreal, room service is excellent, the restaurant is wonderful, the property is one of the best I've experience in this country. Out of the three room types I have stayed in, the Coast House is a clear winner for me. If funds allow, make this a must visit. read more

This review is for the restaurant and bar. Are you a billionaire with no taste? This is the place for you. The restaurant itself was beautiful, but the food was seriously lacking. How do you feel about paying 17 dollars for two tablespoons of Old El Paso salsa served on a flat plate you can't scoop from? Or 25 dollars for a cheese plate that would be better suited for Starbucks? read more

It truly saddens me to give the following review. My husband and I were so looking forward to eating at the Post Ranch Inn. We're actually fairly easy-going. Please don't get me long wrong, the restaurant, the location, and the view was spectacular....probably the best I've ever seen in all of California. However, it took us approximately an hour and a half to get an order of halibut served, which was really only adequate. The menu was extremely limited. My glass of champagne was long dry before they asked to have it refilled. Finally at the end when I was paying with a company credit card, they did not even provide two copies of the receipt. At this point we already had been there two hours waiting for lunch, and were extremely frustrated. I wouldn't NOT try it because of the gorgeous view...my husband disagrees. read more

Come for the view... then leave (This review is for the restaurant Sierra Mar) I took my mom who is visiting from Asia to Post Ranch Inn promising her a spectacular view, service, and food. I had been to the restaurant a few years ago and had thought it exceptional. Since then the menu had changed to a prix fixe ($45 before tax for lunch), which should have sounded an alarm (I don't think self-respecting, modern restaurants do that anymore). My mom ordered a bloody mary which tasted too piquant and offensive. The bread, despite being all dressed-up and fancy with pine nuts and other things in it, was hefty and lackluster. The real culprit, however, was this so-called gourmet wagyu burger that came in a cold bun. We sent it back and they returned it with a warm bun on top and a chilly bun on the bottom with the cheese congealed to the luke-warm patty. The mediocrity of the cooking had been made atrocious because they failed to keep the pre-made food warm. The only reason it gets 2 stars instead of 1 is because the view is still fantastic and the wait-staff kindly took the burger off our final tab when we quietly raised this issue with them. I certainly recommend going in for the view, but I'd stay away from the food. read more

There is no doubt the views here are stunning but the service and accommodations dont warrant the prices being charged. The restaurant is good. So stay someplace else more reasonable in the area where you can still enjoy the beauty of Big Sur, and then eat lunch at the restaurant where you can enjoy the view and the food without the huge price tag. If they want to charge the prices they are today, they need to step up their game alot. read more

This place is like a dream... incredible - no place I've ever been to that comes close. PROS: - Absolutely memorable: Believe me, you won't ever forget this place for the rest of your entire life. No place like any other and no way to explain it unless you're here. Best way to check it out without staying here is to come for lunch here (but it is ridiculously expensive). -All the food and beverages in your room is complimentary... yes, ALL of it - and they supply you well with cheese, crackers, fruit, sodas, juices, water, chips, snacks, cookies, etc. every day. -Breakfast Buffet is complimentary - you will be dining in Sierra Mar the top-notch restaurant in PRI and it is literally perched off a cliff with the ocean and grassy hill below, amongst the fog that may or may not be present. It is a gourmet breakfast, probably worth about $40 per person. -Their basking pools are one-in-a-million. they are both perched off the cliff - the kind where it looks like you, the water and the edge are off to infinity. Plus the pools are 24 hour. -The grounds at PRI are 98 acres - so there's trails to go around and walk and their landscaping with their garden and the redwoods, and art installations posted up here and there just makes you feel like you know why this place cost so damn much -Serenity and peace all the time; so much so that animals come by all the time and they don't bother you - including deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, coyotes/prairie dogs, exotic birds etc. We saw these guys multiple times during our stay -Everyone here is very kind, and the workers here, every one of them, are genuinely nice. CONS: -Ridiculously expensive -Beyond crazy expensive -Outrageously expensive -As much as I love the peace and quiet, after 2 days I started to go a little nuts and felt weird because it's one of those places where you have to be quiet not just at quiet times (night time), but ALL the time... strangely, after awhile, I started to get bored(?) I'd say do not stay here beyond 2 days at a time unless you make 7 digits at least and then you can stay here as much as you want. read more

Review for the restaurant. Definitely over rated. They have raised the price charging so much for just ok food because of the view. It is foggy and cold up there most of the time. Price was not listed on the menu. Paid $120 + $20 (tip) for 4 burgers. $30 for a burger...Are you kidding me? Also, the meat smelled kind of weird. Never going back. read more

J & I were incredibly fortunate to be able to spend a wonderfully relaxing weekend as guests at the Post Ranch Inn. Everything about PRI is a nod to understated casual elegance that I think is synonymous with California culture. There are only 40 units on the property, and each stands alone to give guests maximum privacy. If you are lucky enough to spend your time in one of the ocean facing units, you'll have unobstructed, breathtaking views of the Pacific. But even if you're not in those units, fear not-- the tree houses are built on stilts, and have nice views of both the ocean and the mountains at the property's back. J & I stayed in one of the mountain facing units, and while you may think that a view of redwoods is kinda boring (truthfully, it was initially a bit of a let down) be prepared to sit in amazement as you watch fog swirl and drift slowly among the trees in the morning, lending your surroundings an eerie, magical quality. As others have said, its really the quality of the service and the location that make this place. Every staff member we encountered was so friendly and accommodating. The rooms were well appointed, but not really what I would expect if you paid the same price point but transplanted the room to a spot in a city. As other Yelpers have mentioned, the minibar in the room and breakfast are both included in the room price (or complimentary, however you want to look at it). The most impressive thing I came across on the property (and which took full advantage of the jaw dropping views) were the 24/7 infinity jacuzzis (there were two). Yes. 24/7. INFINITY JACUZZI. The water is kept at a boiling 102F. Lovely at any time of day-- always peaceful, although a bit more crowded from ~noon-afternoon. My favorite times were morning and late at night; at those times, the view of the expansive Pacific and star spangled sky seemed exclusively for me. J and I agreed that a weekend at PRI would be equivalent to jetting off to a beachy island resort and spending time relaxing on the property. While I would love to return for another weekend of unplanned wandering, I don't think my wallet can handle it. If you have the opportunity to spend time at PRI, I highly recommend it-- the environment makes the splurge worth it. Just don't go expecting all the fancy frou frou-ness that usually accompanies a hotel of similar price. read more

Definitely the best hotel I have ever stayed in...in ANY country. For over a grand a night, it better be! Pure Perfection. It really is the little things that make Post Ranch what it is. The surreal view, overlooking the cliffs to the Pacific Ocean, really does take your breath away. Hiking through the woods, in the most secluded places, they keep buckets filled with cold bottled water for their guests. Free yoga classes in the morning. The outside hot tub is something else.(I think they used this exact one in a movie before). The edge of it looks as if it is going to fall off the cliff. The refrigerator in the room is always filled and re-filled at no charge to you. And of course the bathtub in the room covered in stone and overlooking the cliff....ohh was a relaxing place....just like the fireplace in the middle of the room....calming. I will be back here again, after I see the rest of the world. This place may someday become my home....at least for awhile. I stayed in a room with the ocean view, but next time I might try the tree house. How cool is it to sleep in a tree house as an adult, I wonder? Except my tree house sign will read "No Boys Allowed!" (well, unless you're really cute;-) read more

Post ranch is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I highly recommend it for a romantic getaway. It's my dream honeymoon destination. The sunset view off the balcony overlooking the ocean is heaven on earth. read more

I find myself telling everyone about this place after staying there. My wife and I came here for our anniversary. We didn't feel like doing a Hawaii, or Mexico trip. Since my wife loves Nature I thought this would be the place to go. I had a good feeling and regardless of the $$$$ rating we decided to book a mid week trip there. The drive to get there was STUNNING!! It sure beats the stresses of flying. When we pulled up to the POST RANCH INN we were all smiles and were already enjoying being surrounded by nature and the beauty of this place. Check in was very pleasant, we got the Ocean house. We were picked up in a New Lexus Hybrid suv where we were given a nice tour of the property and dropped off to our room. The gentleman that dropped us off gave a tour of the room and left us to enjoy the peaceful, tranquil environment we were so lucky to be in. Once we walked in, they had Apple Cider (we don't drink ) ready for us, fresh cheese, endless snacks in the fridge, the best apple juice I have had, Nice fireplace, and the best part......NO TV!! Who needs Tv's when you are there?!! The service was exceptional the entire time we stayed, the best views, the nicest people. We stayed during a storm, but it was still well worth it. Spend a little extra and get an experience you will remember!!! Thumbs up to POST RANCH INN!! Well we back! read more

Oh my gosh, the view and architecture are AMAZING! I would love to be able to stay here in the future, but for now, lunch and a drink will do. This place is nestled on top of a cliff with to die for views from the restaurant. The staff was wonderful in the restaurant, but the valet boys just handed us the car keys when we came to get our car, as my dad handed him $ for a tip. WTF?! Aren't you supposed to bring us the car, which is the point of "valet" service? Anyway, no biggie. The rest of the experience more than made up for it. All the rooms are totally private, and it seems like it would be the ultimate luxurious escape. Ocean view rooms START at $1060 a night. I will update the review if I ever marry rich and get to stay here ;) read more

I took the wifey-to-be to Post Ranch on her 30th bday. The Post Ranch is easily one of the nicest places I've ever stayed, one of the few supposed experiences of a lifetime (that you pay money for) that actually was, I think, something I'll remember for the rest of my life. The attention to detail is just over-the-top. Post Ranch puts buckets of bottled water along the hiking trails so you can stay nicely hydrated as you take in big sur's rugged beauty. The rooms are stocked with gorgeous snacks -- artisanal cheeses, red & white wine, small batch chocolate, snickers bars -- anything you could want. There was even champagne on ice, waiting for us when we checked in. The restaurant, Sierra Mar, is fabulous, with a sommelier and wine collection that rivaled any of the big wine list restaurants I've been to -- Le Bernardin, Boulevard, anything. The spa is tremendous in its spa-rific-ness. The infinity pool was one of the coolest things I've ever seen -- looking out from the (invisible) edge of the hot tub into the vast blue Pacific, a Rothko-like swath of blue on blue. From our bed, we could see redwoods all around us (from the panoramic windows and even the skylights), and our cabin had up-close views of trees and mountains and ocean. Deer skipping underneath our windows. The only thing missing were the unicorns. But the whole time we were there, I couldn't help think about how excessive the place is. No, it's not stuffy, and it isn't uncomfortable in the way that ultra-luxe places can be. But $1000 / night is insane, by any reasonable standard (though, the though has occurred to me that the fact that this is a lot to us means it's not really *for* us). The wifey said to me that she kept thinking someone would gun down everyone in the restaurant, because don't we deserve it? And the answer is yes, we do. Civilizations fall over such extravagance. Which is why this once-in-a-lifetime place will be exactly that, something that we will never do again, even if it is everything it's supposed to be and more. read more

There are so many great things about Post Ranch Inn. Most notably the location. My wife and I stayed here on 4/6 because we were attending a concert that evening at the Henry Miller Library. Our cabin was awesome and had a beautiful ocean view. There was no TV and that was just fine with us. I do wish the music system was a little more updated - it seemed out of date and a little cheap. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day and we were able to hang out around the heated infinity hot tub overlooking the ocean. Very peaceful and a great spot for whale watching. We had a 5:30PM dinner reservation because the concert started at 7PM. We came back to our cabin at 4:55PM to clean up. I turned on the water for the shower and let it run and run and run (which I felt guilty about given the drought) and could not get hot water. I called the front desk and spoke to a lady (Molly?) and explained the situation and let her know that we were pressed for time with an early dinner reservation and a concert that started at 7PM. She was polite and professional but made no apologies and said confidently maintenance "would be there in 5 minutes". We were so relieved! At 5:20PM I called back and spoke to the same lady and she said she would check to see what was going on and once again made no apologies or voiced any concerns about the impact this was going to have on our evening. At 5:30PM we heard someone under our cabin - the lady never called back to update us - so we went down to ask the status. It was a simple fix but by the time maintenance left it was 5:40PM. We scrambled quickly to get ready and race over to our dinner reservation which we were embarassingly late for. The food is outstanding at Post Ranch Inn. We live in Carmel Valley, so we take our friends here often for lunch, but had never been for dinner. And we were very much looking forward to it We informed our waiter that our dinner was going to have to be rushed because we had no hot water (which is why we were so late for our rezzies). He looked a little puzzled and said he would have to check to see if he could rush our order - ultimately he was able to. We thought the front desk may have called on our behalf and let them know we would be in a hurry given the situation but there had been no communication. We were extremely disappointed that we literally had to slam our dinner down and were taken back that the front desk was aware of how our evening plans were impacted and never apologized or acted concerned in any way. We were unable to finish the bottle of wine we purchased because we simply didn't have time. Overall, just a hugely disappointing dinner experience given the situation. ** Next Day ** Breakfast was outstanding with lots of fresh fruit and a full breakfast. The orange juice is freshly squeezed and delicious. Great way to start the day. We had massages in the morning - the spa facilities are great and were very near our cabin. Overall we had very good stay but definitely marred by the hot water/rushed dinner/lack of compassion from the front desk. Had it not been for that, it would have been a 5 star review. Admittedly, at the rates they charge, I expect more under the circumstances. read more

there's a reason why they were awarded most romantic hideaway by conde naste, among other accolades... the experience here is like no other. staying in your very own luxury tree house overlooking the pacific ocean next to a roaring fireplace is breathtaking. went with my hubbie as an escape from the peninsula. it's true, the amenities are endless and you are encouraged to max it out. from the super well stocked minibar, to the yoga classes, the delicious and vast (and healthy) breakfast buffet, wonderful dinner at sierra mar, stargazing with their cool telescope (saw jupiter! but it was freezing), hiking along their private trails....and so on.... it's definitely worth doing at least once ! read more

this place is a little bit of heaven. the posts apparently owned a huge swath of land in big sur (including the piece on which ventana inn now stands), and created an oasis on the ocean that is incomparable. we stayed in an ocean view room, with floor to ceiling windows in the room and bathroom looking directly onto the ocean. the units are set into the landscape so that while lounging in our room, we felt like we were floating above the sea. it was super private -- we could sit on our deck totally nekkid if we wanted to. other guests (no children allowed!) were pleasant and kept to themselves, and seemed to key into the whole peaceful vibe of the place. the little things, the extra touches, made our stay spectacular -- the bed was like a giant pillow. the towels were lavender scented. bottles of water were placed thoughtfully on the bedside table, next to the pool, and along the trails. guided star gazing on the patio of the restaurant, looking at the billions of stars in the crystal clear Big Sur sky. all sorts of snack items provided and replenished every day. we were even welcomed at check in with a glass of bubbly. I have to mention the breakfasts. set in the sierra mar restaurant, we had amazing meals with fabulous views. we looked forward to the frittata every morning, with a dollop of house-made salsa. fresh squeezed juices with plates of fruit, granola, pastries and other delectable morsels. yes, this place is hella expensive. don't stay here, don't even look into it, if you have qualms about spending the equivalent of the price of a small car for a weekend stay. but considering the comparable options in the area, this is the only place to be. read more

We avoided the $110 per person cost and went a la carte but still ended up paying $230. Hard to avoid very high costs here. What was more disappointing though was the fact that at 845pm when we were seated, they placed us at a table that was right against the glass window, allowing us to be squeezed in against a pitch-black window. As we looked around we saw tables empty and wondered why they had placed us there. Aside from that that food was not particularly great, we had to ask for "adjustments" to our cocktails, but the waiter was very nice even though we got the feeling he was nicer to "richer" looking customers. Don't think we will return but don't regret going either...Kind of in the middle about it :) read more

**Restaurant Review Only.** Two stars for service, I read that people have had trouble with attitude of the staff or the paces of their meal. This was not our problem. Without going into too much detail- 8 out of our 10 dishes (including the special beef dish which was a $60 supplement) were very flawed- under seasoned, textural misfires, and a lack of flavor all around. Components of my entree were inedible. They might be composed and pretty plates but they are missing the essentials of a good meal. *I am amending this review because upon receipt of an email I wrote, the chef has emailed me back personally and offered his apologies and offered to refund our meal. On top of that he noted that they change their menu entirely every night, which I was not aware of- and I know that must be incredibly challenging both creatively and logistically- SO...for what they lacked in flavor that night, they made up for in hospitality and professionalism... read more

Serenity, peace and ocean view in an organic environment, the actual experience is even better than what you read in the travel magazines.

I mean, I couldn't afford to *stay here -- but, I'd sure love to! I'm so, so glad I discovered this find with yelp's help. My family & I pitstopped at the restaurant here along our Highway 1 route, & took in a breathtaking view & a lovely meal. Don't pass this spot up. read more