My wife and I stayed at Alila Ventana Big Sur for a week, enough to experience nearly everything and develop a well-rounded opinion.
The setting is beautiful, and we tried many activities like falconry, axe throwing, guided hikes, beekeeping, and the Forager’s Trail. Falconry was the highlight and was done exceptionally well.
After a few days, the resort felt repetitive. Outside of the scheduled activities, there is very little to do, so we explored off-property for more variety.
Dining became monotonous; breakfast lacked variety, and some dinner dishes repeated. Service was good but not exceptional; details that define luxury hospitality were missing.
The biggest disappointment was poor soundproofing. We heard staff working outside our villa, and noise from above, so we requested a room change after one night. Top-floor rooms are recommended.
We also found out the complimentary Volvo XC90 loaner, a unique perk, is gone, reducing the resort’s appeal.
Overall, the scenery is stunning, with memorable experiences like falconry. But after a week, the resort felt limited. I expected more variety, better soundproofing, attentive service, and engaging experiences throughout. The property is at the bottom of our list.