Big Sur Homestays

Stunningly poor institutional handling of a challenging situation. We were in Big Sur when Highway 1 eroded to the north of the property. ~2,000 people were trapped in the Big Sur area overnight (with hundreds sleeping in their vehicles), and while we were able to convoy out the next day based on CalTrans assessing that the portion of the highway that hadn’t eroded was stable enough to support traffic, there was a real possibility that everyone would be stuck for a week+ ahead of an alternative evacuation plan. Through all this, the Big Sur community rallied. They supported stranded visitors, distributed food, offered shelter, and worked hard to support those in need. Everyone except the Alila Ventana and its restaurant, the Sur House. The Sur House is open to the public, and its lunch and dinner service is commonly frequented by visitors to Big Sur. While not staying on property, we had both lunch (pre-collapse) and dinner (post collapse) at the Sur House the day of the highway collapse. While the food was fine, what really stood out the day of the collapse was the kindness and grace of the staff members during dinner, as many of them were also trapped in Big Sur for the night, away from their homes. They made room for stranded visitors in the restaurant (it became a hub as it’s one of the few places in Bug Sur with reliable cell service and WiFi) and were extremely supportive given the circumstances. That all changed the next day. We arrived at the Sur House for breakfast on Sunday morning, along with several other weary stranded patrons, expecting to purchase a warm (and overpriced) meal and get some much-needed connectivity to get critical information about emergency response next steps. We and others were completely shocked to be curtly informed that the Alila management had made the dangerous and misguided decision to ban non-hotel-guests from eating at the restaurant. Total 180 from the night prior, and while the rest of Big Sur opened its arms amidst the crisis, the Alila slammed shut its doors. Interestingly, while we were there, alongside others who’d just spend the night huddled in their vehicles, processing that we were effectively being told to leave, despite the emergency situation, a State Park officer arrived to tell the hostess that he’d received complaints they weren’t serving food to non-guests (not from us). Before he could finish, the hostess erupted into a diatribe about how it’s their right to refuse service as an “all-inclusive” (as an aside, it’s not all-inclusive) resort etc. etc., which the officer rightly agreed with, stating that as a private business, it’s their right to refuse service to anyone, but he just wanted to inform them of the complaints. While it is absolutely their right to refuse to feed paying would-be customers in the face of an emergency, the Alila’s management’s decision to exercise that right while the rest of Big Sur rallied to support community members and visitors alike tells you

With a stay at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Big Sur Spirit Garden. This spa hotel is 26.7 mi (43 km) from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and 29.8 mi (48 km) from Carmel Beach.Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, which include 3 outdoor swimming pools and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.Grab a bite at Sierra Mar Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant which features a bar/lounge and an ocean view. You can also stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM.Featured amenities include express check-out, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free valet parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 39 air-conditioned rooms featuring fireplaces. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Rooms have private furnished balconies. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, while iPod docking stations help you enjoy your music in the comfort of your room. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries.