Today I want to show you what it’s like to spend 24 hours at one of the most famous hotels in the world. Post Ranch Inn is an iconic property perched above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, California. I’ve been invited to spend a complimentary night here, and now that I’m in the Golden State I can’t wait to bring you along for the experience. Read on for my review.
24 Hours at Post Ranch Inn
If you’re not familiar with it, Post Ranch Inn is an award-winning luxury hotel set atop the cliffs on California’s Central Coast. The Telegraph recently ranked it among The World’s 50 Greatest Hotels, and it’s one of only a handful of three-key hotels in the MICHELIN Guide. In other words, it’s amazing.
I’ve wanted to stay at Post Ranch Inn for years. That desire was heightened when I had dinner at the restaurant, Sierra Mar, the night before I got engaged in Big Sur.
Now that I’m here for a night it’s like a dream come true. From the moment my other half and I turn off Highway 1 and up the driveway, we know we’re in for a treat. Here’s how our 24 hours at Post Ranch Inn go…
Arrival
We arrive at the hotel just before 1pm. After a valet takes our keys, we walk into a small two-story reception building with unique architecture that blends into the redwood trees around it.
We’re welcomed by the General Manager and the front desk staff, who give us a warm greeting and an overview of what’s to come.
Tour of Post Ranch Inn
The hotel is spread across 100 acres (40 hectares) of serene natural surroundings, and the first thing we do is hop on a golf cart for a tour.
We’re whisked off down a hill, past a pond, alongside the solar panels that power the property (there’s a strong commitment to sustainability here), and up to a meadow where deer graze next to wild turkeys.
Alighting from the golf cart, we find the Mercantile and Fitness Center on our left (more on those later), and the lap pool and yurt on our right. We walk up to the pool, which is lined with lounge chairs ripe for soaking up the Big Sur surroundings.
Behind it we find the yurt, which is used for Post Ranch Inn’s complimentary group yoga sessions and sound healing experiences.
Back on the golf cart, we drive up past the reception area to see some of the rooms. First we come to the Post House, one of the original homes on the property.
This one-bedroom house has sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean, not to mention beautiful handmade wooden furniture and a full kitchen. It’s the perfect place for cozy stays and small weddings.
From there we see a few of the guest rooms. Each one has an individual name and every room is one-of-a-kind.
From ocean-view numbers to tree houses, they all feature distinctive architecture and local art inside. In fact, all of the hotel’s art is unique to the property, and guests can purchase it to take home.
Spa
After the tour we head to the spa. I couldn’t help booking us in for massages after reading about the offerings on Post Ranch Inn’s website. We’re welcomed by a friendly staff member and shown to a room with two treatment tables and a view of the redwoods.
For the next hour, we enjoy expert treatments in some of the most peaceful surroundings we’ve been to in a long time. The whole place has a calming vibe, and it would be impossible not to relax here.
Room
After the spa treatment we check into our room at Post Ranch Inn. We’re in Wayland, which is right next to Sierra Mar. In a nod to the hotel’s sustainability efforts, it has a sod roof.
It also has some of the most amazing ocean views I’ve ever seen. With windows across the front and a balcony overlooking the waves, we could sit and stare out at the horizon for the rest of the day.
But we’re distracted by the other features. The room comes complete with a kitchenette packed with all kinds of complimentary snacks and drinks. It also has a shower with a view of the Pacific. And that’s to say nothing of the bed, which is heavenly.
Walk
After getting settled in, we take a walk around the property. We pop into the Gallery, a barrel-roofed building hidden in the woods. It features a rotating program of sculptures, photography, and fine jewelry.
We’re particularly in awe of the beautiful black-and-white photos of California, and we want to take them all home.
From the gallery we walk up to the Fitness Center. We pop our heads in and check out the neat rows of stair-climbing machines and Peloton bikes, willing ourselves (unsuccessfully) to come back later and burn off some calories. There are views of the meadow here, and we see wild turkeys pecking the ground out front.
Next door to the Fitness Center we find ourselves in the Mercantile. This shop is the stuff of dreams. There’s everything from gorgeous glassware to clothing, jewelry, gifts, and art for sale. Uniquely, there are also original Ansel Adams prints on the wall.
Pool
When we’re done browsing the Mercantile, we walk up to the Jade Pool. Right next to Sierra Mar, it’s one of two heated basking pools at Post Ranch Inn. We go for a dip, admiring the views of the ocean as we scan the sky for birds of prey.
Happy Hour
Back in our room, we take advantage of all the goodies in the mini bar and have ourselves a wine-and-cheese happy hour on our balcony before dinner. It’s a fun way to enjoy the early evening at Post Ranch Inn.
Dinner at Sierra Mar
When the sun starts to sink, we head to dinner at Sierra Mar. We’re seated in a beautiful booth with a panoramic view of the sunset, and we settle in for a tasting menu.
We start with the restaurant’s signature cocktails, which we remember loving on our last visit. I order the Coastline, a gin-based drink that makes me feel like I’m sipping the best of an ocean breeze.
From there we enjoy fresh sourdough from Ad Astra Bread Co. in nearby Monterey. As we do, the manager comes by to talk us through our wine selection. She’s as friendly and knowledgeable as our server, and she picks out a delicious bottle of Grenache from Linne Calodo in Paso Robles.
It pairs well with everything from the roasted beet salad to the pappardelle and the pork. So does the sunset, which paints the sky in magnificent pinks and purples.
We end our dinner with pound cake and a trio of ice creams. They’re just the things to send us off to our room on a high note.
Evening
There are no TVs at Post Ranch Inn, and we’re not sad about it. We use the kindling provided by the hotel to make a fire in our fireplace, then settle in for a game of Scrabble. We’ve chosen it from among the many board games the reception has on offer, and we have fun challenging each other to a match.
Meditation Pool
The next morning we wake up with the sunrise and soak up the brilliant oranges from our balcony. When the sky starts to brighten, we walk to the Meditation Pool. Like the Jade Pool, this heated basking number overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
It’s quiet and peaceful here, and we take in the panoramas as birds of prey hunt on the cliffs. It’s the perfect start to our morning.
Breakfast
After our dip we head to breakfast at Sierra Mar. It’s complimentary for hotel guests, and we’re seated in a booth with a view. We order avocado toast and omelets that come with fresh eggs from the property’s resident hens.
We also take a turn at the buffet, which has everything from baked goods to a viennoiserie selection. There’s even a blend-your-own-trail-mix station.
We enjoy it all with fresh juices and coffee as we take in the endless views of the Pacific Ocean below.
Forest Meditation
Breakfast is delicious, and we follow it up with one of Post Ranch Inn’s daily complimentary offerings for guests. It’s a guided Forest Meditation, and we can’t wait to get into nature.
We meet our guide at the Chef’s Garden at Post Ranch Inn. It’s full of seasonal produce that’s used in the restaurant. The hens are here, too, and we thank them for the eggs they supplied for our breakfast.
The meditation walk takes us from the garden through the meadow and into a redwood forest. We stand beneath the giants, following our guide as she takes us on a contemplative journey to connect with nature. It’s peaceful and serene, with the sound of birdsong providing a background to our experience.
Boundary Trail Hike
After the meditation we continue our 24 hours at Post Ranch Inn with a walk along the Boundary Trail. It’s one of a network of hiking trails on the property, and it takes us through oak groves, up hills, and deeper into the natural beauty of Big Sur.
Farewell
The trail ends back by our room, and we pack up just in time for our 12pm checkout. A staff member helps us take our bags down to reception, where a valet has our car ready. We’re given a fond farewell by the front desk staff and the General Manager, and we leave with heavy hearts.
Post Ranch Inn
As we drive north on Highway 1, we stop off at famous places like Pfeiffer Beach and Calla Lily Valley. The booming waves through the keyhole arches at the former awe us with their power. The flowers at the latter enchant us with their beauty.
But even with all the inspiration around us we still miss Post Ranch Inn. We’re amazed by how much we’ve done and seen in 24 hours, and how much more there is to do. We’re already planning our next visit, and I hope my blog post has inspired you to plan one, too.
Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!
New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.
Pin it!