If you look up in the dictionary, there might be an Alila Ventana Big Sur, a hotel and tent camp located in a 40-acre redwood canyon. Actually, there are a lot to do on site – including hiking trails, Japanese hot tubs, and two separate pools – you may find yourself not wanting to leave the property. Despite the brilliance of the Great Sur beyond, the glory is worth exploring.
Deetjen’s Big Sur
Photo: courtesy of Elise Taylor
The magical country style of Deetjen: Built in 1937, Helmuth and Helen Detjeen, the hotel, with its quaint long cabin, intertwined with creeks and mahogany trees, has since been added to the country’s historic locations. These residences are both idyllic and undecorated: there is no cellular service, internet or TV, although most people do offer wood-burning stoves. (No wonder, Detjeen’s has become a paradise for artists who want to hone their creativity without distracting the outside world.) This restaurant, known for its breakfast, is an essential restaurant for Route 1 station wagons – order their cream sauce pancakes or breakfast burritos.
Hotel Beach
Photo: Chris Mottalini
For those seeking accommodation in the town, the La Playa Hotel in the charming Carmel by the sea is not visible. Once a mansion owned by the artist and his wife (Ghirardelli Chocolate Heiress), it has undergone a massive $20 million renovation in 2023 and has reopened alongside Post Company’s Interiors. The rooms feel like rooms of a plain but elevated California Beach house, many of which have sea views. The interior has a dark and moody interior: the hall with floral carpets, nude statues and Spanish-style architecture, like a quirky heiress’s home (because, that’s), while the dark sheepskin sprout bar is a time when one can drink for hours without realizing the time. Outside, there is a garden and a spacious pool to enjoy – although the beach is only a short walk away.
