Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Courtesy Kodiak Greenwood
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Courtesy Kodiak Greenwood
At a Glance
A magical hotel suspended over the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn is bathed in light and mist and rocked to the sound of waves, bees and whales.
Indagare Loves
Orange umbrellas punctuate the view off the restaurant, Sierra Mar, and bring a rosy glow to the faces of diners
Infinity pools and meditation areas take advantage of the dramatic but serene cliffside location
Nearby hiking options include leisurely strolls to strenuous treks, all the while amidst wildflowers
Post Ranch Inn Review
You can’t see Post Ranch Inn from the road. For about an hour you’ve been curving, twisting and holding your breath at the breathtaking beauty of Highway 1 south of Monterey. Some 45 minutes north of Lucia (or 30 miles south of Carmel), though, you’ll see a very discreet building with a wooden porch across the road from the Ventana Inn. That will be your sole indicator. Turn onto the lane, drive about a mile past meadows, lakes and eucalyptus groves, up the hill and there you are: the Post Ranch Inn.
But you still won’t see the heart of it. That’s by design; all of the inn’s buildings follow architect (and Big Sur resident) Mickey Muennig’s rigorous and elegant plan for maximal comfort with minimal impact on the environment. Mountain-facing rooms are perched on canopies, an adult version of a tree house. Moss-and-wildflower-covered rooftops seem to extend the rustic lawns over the ocean-facing suites. It’s a different way of being “one with nature”: enormous windows give a feeling of floating over the Pacific, fireplaces glow both toward the plush bedrooms and the sumptuous bathrooms, which are complete with sunken spa baths and lavender-scented toiletries. The newer accommodations sit on the south end of the property: the mountain-facing Peak House and closer-to-the-ocean-than-ever-before Cliff and California Suite houses.
Just being at the Post Ranch Inn is the real treat. You can revel in the gorgeous forest-covered cliffs rolling down to the water, trek miles of trails that weave around orchards, groves and the occasional meditation spot and soak in the warm infinity pool. But more can always be arranged: the inn features a full spa menu of facials and massages, complimentary yoga and meditation classes every morning, nature walks every Friday and shamanic journeys every Saturday. What you won’t find are TVs or cable. It’s about reconnecting with nature and your companion.
And then there’s the food. The chefs take advantage of California’s bounty and serve superb, ultra-fresh Pacific-fusion cuisine at the Sierra Mar. Try the oysters and a bottle of sparkling California wine at sunset, and take in the honeyed gold light on the terrace.
Don’t miss the inn’s Mercantile shop, located in a little valley. The walk there is a pleasure in itself, and the merchandise goes way beyond the usual gift-store banalities, featuring works by local sculptors, potters and other artists.
Indagare Tip
The inn—whose 98 acres were once part of the storied Post Ranch, one of the earliest settlements in Big Sur—has attracted a loyal following of those who check-in for three or so days to reconnect with their significant other.
Who Should Go
Couples will find the Post Ranch Inn an unforgettable romantic experience as long as no one needs a TV in the room. Those seeking extreme peace and quiet will leave with refreshed souls and reinvigorated bodies. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed, and to protect its fragile and complex ecosystem, Post Ranch does not allow pets.
Author
Melissa Biggs Bradley
Indagare Plus Amenities
$100 F&B or Spa Credit once per room, per stay
COMPLIMENTARY DAILY GOURMET BREAKFAST BUFFET AT SIERRA MAR
Upgraded Room Category on Availability at Check-In
From Indagare member P.B.:
“The vacation was perfect except the days were too short—Indagare even managed to arrange perfect weather! I have been fortunate to stay in wonderful hotels in many fabulous places and Post Ranch Inn is spectacular. It is truly magical and we felt like we were floating in heaven. The staff is wonderful and the food is out of this world. We didn’t leave the property once, except to hike. Guests should know that there is no TV in the rooms and the WiFi is extremely slow. While we never missed the TV, I wish I had known about the internet issues in advance.”
Indagare
11:11 pm | November 29, 2012
From an Indagare member:
“We arrived at the Post Ranch Inn to a rather dense but magical fog. The next day, being a bit jet-lagged we went to the complimentary early morning yoga class, which ended up being just the two of us in a little tent they call the Yurt. It was very Zen, and we left feeling great. The morning mist burned away by noon, and we were able to take in the full splendor of the hotel. It sits 1,500 feet above sea level, and as you watch the clouds roll by below you, it seems as if you are staying in the heavens in God’s little hotel. There are two infinity hot tubs that are perched at the edge of the mountain where we spent many hours relaxing and enjoying margarita service!
“We had two beautiful dinners in the Sierra Mar restaurant, which not only features breathtaking views as it hangs over a steep ravine but also has exquisite food and an extensive wine list. I think our anniversary dinner lasted three hours! We also enjoyed two of the best massages we’ve ever had at their spa, and we went on amazing hikes down to the ocean in the Molera State Park. It was the most perfect three days I’ve ever spent in what surely is the most romantic spot on the planet.”
Indagare
7:53 pm | June 29, 2015
From an Indagare member – “Post Ranch was lovely – as was the Upper Coast suite – beautiful room and Very relaxing! Dinner at the Ranch was wonderful too – the views made the meals quite special”
Indagare
8:21 pm | August 6, 2015
From an Indagare member: “The physical property and the environs are stunning. We had one of the new mountain-facing rooms, which was unique and featured cool architecture. The service was a bit lacking compared to our other favorite properties in the US (Twin Farms and Blackberry Farm). There just wasn’t the attention to detail that we expected (for example, they gave us a bad restaurant recommendation one night). The food on property is good but not remarkable, but overall, we truly appreciated the jaw-dropping beauty of the place.”
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Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Courtesy Kodiak Greenwood
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Courtesy Kodiak Greenwood
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4 Comments
From Indagare member P.B.:
“The vacation was perfect except the days were too short—Indagare even managed to arrange perfect weather! I have been fortunate to stay in wonderful hotels in many fabulous places and Post Ranch Inn is spectacular. It is truly magical and we felt like we were floating in heaven. The staff is wonderful and the food is out of this world. We didn’t leave the property once, except to hike. Guests should know that there is no TV in the rooms and the WiFi is extremely slow. While we never missed the TV, I wish I had known about the internet issues in advance.”
From an Indagare member:
“We arrived at the Post Ranch Inn to a rather dense but magical fog. The next day, being a bit jet-lagged we went to the complimentary early morning yoga class, which ended up being just the two of us in a little tent they call the Yurt. It was very Zen, and we left feeling great. The morning mist burned away by noon, and we were able to take in the full splendor of the hotel. It sits 1,500 feet above sea level, and as you watch the clouds roll by below you, it seems as if you are staying in the heavens in God’s little hotel. There are two infinity hot tubs that are perched at the edge of the mountain where we spent many hours relaxing and enjoying margarita service!
“We had two beautiful dinners in the Sierra Mar restaurant, which not only features breathtaking views as it hangs over a steep ravine but also has exquisite food and an extensive wine list. I think our anniversary dinner lasted three hours! We also enjoyed two of the best massages we’ve ever had at their spa, and we went on amazing hikes down to the ocean in the Molera State Park. It was the most perfect three days I’ve ever spent in what surely is the most romantic spot on the planet.”
From an Indagare member – “Post Ranch was lovely – as was the Upper Coast suite – beautiful room and Very relaxing! Dinner at the Ranch was wonderful too – the views made the meals quite special”
From an Indagare member: “The physical property and the environs are stunning. We had one of the new mountain-facing rooms, which was unique and featured cool architecture. The service was a bit lacking compared to our other favorite properties in the US (Twin Farms and Blackberry Farm). There just wasn’t the attention to detail that we expected (for example, they gave us a bad restaurant recommendation one night). The food on property is good but not remarkable, but overall, we truly appreciated the jaw-dropping beauty of the place.”