Highlights: Post Ranch Inn

•The Post Ranch Inn features a breathtaking clifftop setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean off the Big Sur, California, coastline

•Unique architectural design influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright blends with the natural environment of the grounds

•Well-trained staff provides diligent, personable service

•Rustically elegant guest rooms bring the outdoors inside

•Casual, sophisticated dining with the chef creating a different dinner menu each night

•Nature-influenced spa offers a diverse selection of treatments focusing on well-being and renewal

Amenities: Post Ranch Inn

• 30 rooms, 2 story. No children allowed. Complimentary full breakfast. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 1 pm. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, whirlpool. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Post Ranch Inn

The Post Ranch Inn beckons guests from its clifftop location overlooking the Big Sur, California, coastline. Just off Highway One and within easy driving distance from Monterey and Carmel, this intimate hideaway lures sunset lovers and romantics. Unforgettable views, rustic elegance, and attentive service help create a memorable visit. With a design influenced by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Post Ranch Inn has a very unique, organic feel that blends with the natural setting while maximizing the majestic views.

A cluster of low-height buildings, tucked amid the towering redwoods on the former private estate of the Post family, houses 30 guest rooms with ocean or mountain views. The accommodations feel rather like luxurious tree houses with all the trappings of a Mobil Four-Star resort. Seamless, diligent service is a hallmark of this property.

The Post Ranch Inn’s “luxurious camping” experience appeals to rugged romantics, making this gorgeous spot ideal for honeymoons, anniversaries, and marriage proposals. Due to its exceedingly quiet ambience, it is not a good fit for business travelers, and the hotel does not accept children younger than 18 years of age. Single travelers who enjoy serene settings and outdoor activities are well accommodated, though the large number of couples who vacation here may be off-putting to those traveling alone.

The Post Ranch Inn encourages its guests to unwind by doing as little or as much as they desire. The nature-influenced spa is a great place to relax, while the scenic property is full of paths for nature walks and hikes. Inspirational views and tastes are shared at Sierra Mar, the hotel’s outstanding restaurant. Tucked amid the Ventana Mountains, the nature-inspired spa is the hotel’s crown jewel, offering a diverse selection of treatments focusing on well-being and renewal.

The Post Ranch Inn with its blissful quietude and marvelous setting create an almost spiritual experience, making regulars out of first-time guests.

(+) One-of-a-kind property with majestic clifftop location in Big Sur

Guest Services: Post Ranch Inn

It just doesn’t get much better than the service at the Post Ranch Inn. This special hotel defines comprehensive and attentive care. After casually mentioning that I might enjoy a picnic lunch while waiting for my room to become available, three staff members quickly procured a water- and snack-filled backpack, along with suggestions for scenic spots.

I was equally impressed at breakfast, when, after reaching down to pick up my dropped utensil, a staff member greeted me with a fresh one. The Post Ranch Inn’s staff members lend a hand whenever necessary, even when it does not fall under their specialty. For instance, the amazing hike consultant circulating during breakfast also assisted several guests with the operation of the toaster while advising others on the beauty and difficulty of the hiking trails. There is absolutely no attitude evident in any staff member, and guest satisfaction is clearly their priority.

I was impressed from beginning to end with their professionalism and knowledge (all staff I encountered seemed to have mastered facts on wildlife/nature, architecture, etc.). Helpful, without ever seeming obsequious, their service truly deserves the awards it receives.

(+) Service is seamless, highly professional, and knowledgeable

Guest Rooms: Post Ranch Inn

Guests have a choice of 30 rooms scattered throughout several buildings on the property, but no matter the selection, each room will inspire with its floor-to-ceiling views, rustic décor, crackling fireplaces, and thoughtful touches. These nature-inspired rooms truly bring the outdoors inside with large windows looking out over the forest or ocean. Inside, the liberal use of polished wood and stone create a refined, natural ambience. There are no televisions or alarm clocks in the guest rooms at the Post Ranch Inn. From the rustic interior to the lovely, serene view, I felt I was able to completely let go in this comfortable space.

The rooms are extremely well designed and it is evident that details are carefully planned. From candy bars and chips to lemonade and soda, the mini-bar in all rooms is complimentary and constantly restocked. In addition to the abundant choices in the mini-bar, I was delighted to discover a welcome gift containing a packet of wildflower seeds and a large bowl of fruit. Comfort is a priority in this room, where plush pillows and organic cotton sheets made the bed a wonderfully relaxing centerpiece.

Even the spacious bathroom was designed with guests’ comfort in mind. A toiletry kit packed with sunscreen, insect repellant, and wound cleaner, in addition to sea kelp-based shampoo and body products, awaited me upon my arrival. Plentiful books detailing the local area and a never-ending supply of wood for the fireplace are two more much-appreciated touches.

(+) Well-designed rooms with awe-inspiring views and plentiful thoughtful touches

Facilities & Activities: Post Ranch Inn

Whether you fill your days with challenging hikes or simply soak in your oversized bathtub, the Post Ranch Inn encourages you to do what you want, whether that is a little bit of everything or a lot of nothing.

The amenities on this clifftop estate are focused on personal well-being and enhancement. Set amid the Ventana Mountains and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the spa at the Post Ranch Inn takes personal well-being seriously. While the rugged natural setting inspires many of the treatments, the spa also offers ancient healing therapies, such as reiki and craniosacral therapy. If you enjoy more traditional methods of relaxation, head outdoors to the lap pool or infinity-edge ocean-view pool for some sun worship. Indoor workouts with free weights and cardio machines are available in the fitness center, or soak up the spectacular Big Sur scenery while enjoying a walk on the estate’s grounds.

The Post Ranch Inn also offers guided nature walks with ecologists, morning yoga sessions (held in a mountainside yurt, or tent), power walks, and nighttime astrology lessons. For a really unique experience, opt for the shamanic journey, where you will listen to a beating drum while the shaman retrieves energy from the past and the future to help balance the present.

Two hours outside San Francisco, Big Sur is a thriving community offering a host of active and interesting activities. From the Hawthorne Gallery to the Henry Miller Library, intellectuals will find plenty to inspire them, and the area’s forests and beaches are playgrounds for athletic-minded travelers. Big Sur is also a stop on the famous Seventeen-Mile Drive, which snakes along the Northern California coast and delights drivers with its unbeatable views and hair-pin turns. Just a bit farther, but worth the scenic drive, are Carmel, with its art galleries and boutiques, and Monterey, with its world-class aquarium.

(+) Wonderful spa and numerous recreational opportunities involving the surrounding natural setting

Dining & Lounge: Post Ranch Inn

In keeping with the hotel’s small scale, Sierra Mar is the only dining option available on the property, but with stunning views and equally impressive food, I didn’t notice the lack of choices. Designed to maximize views, the restaurant doesn’t have any “bad” tables and has a wonderful casual sophistication.

Breakfast is served buffet-style and offers a nice selection of fruit, pastries, and egg dishes. The staff is present in the dining room, but the mood is decidedly self-serve. Lunch is available in the restaurant, or you may request a picnic basket to take with you while exploring the surrounding area. At dinner Sierra Mar really shines. The chef designs a different four-course prix-fixe menu with an emphasis on organic ingredients each night. The courses represent a varied selection of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes. From roast rabbit and grilled squab to scallop carpaccio, the menu is both inventive and appealing. The wine list, features a wide selection of interesting bottles in a variety of price ranges.

(+) Gourmet cuisine with emphasis on organic ingredients

Business Services: Post Ranch Inn

There are no televisions or alarm clocks at the Post Ranch Inn, just two signs that this hotel wants you to leave work behind. While there is no business center and the rooms aren’t buzzing with multi-line phones or Internet access, the staff is clearly willing to accommodate any guest’s needs. I was extremely impressed that a staff member came to my room to send a fax for me, rather than my having to walk to the reception area.

(+) While not a business destination, helpful staff will assist any need
(-) Hotel and guest rooms are not designed for business travelers