Glamping on the Edge at Ventana Big Sur

Nearly killed while 7 months pregnant — no Wi-Fi, no help, no accountability. We checked into the Alila Ventana Big Sur glamping site expecting a peaceful getaway, but ended up in one of the most terrifying and unsupported experiences of our lives. While I was sitting at the outdoor BBQ fireplace right outside our tent, a massive limb or tree from a redwood suddenly fell from hundreds of feet up, landing less than a foot in front of me. I am seven months pregnant, and had no time to react. It was a near-death experience. Things got even worse from there. There was no Wi-Fi signal at our tent, despite the website and check-in staff assuring us there would be. With no cell signal either, we were completely cut off and couldn’t contact anyone. Fortunately, guests from a nearby tent helped us report the incident to the staff. A staff member arrived after 30 minutes, took notes, and told us the manager would follow up. We waited over 2 hours — still in shock, with no internet access to look up safety information or alternative lodging — but no one came. No support. No follow-through. We requested to be moved somewhere with a roof for the night, given what had just happened. They refused or were unable to help. We had to pack up in the dark and drive 3 hours home, with our two dogs who were also traumatized. I developed a severe headache and nausea afterward and still feel shaken. This was not a random tree branch or minor issue. This was a huge safety hazard, coupled with zero communication infrastructure and a negligent, delayed response. If a giant falling tree narrowly missing a pregnant guest doesn’t trigger urgent action, I don’t know what will. I sincerely hope Hyatt and Alila address this seriously. Until then, I cannot recommend this location to anyone — especially not to families, pregnant travelers, or anyone who values safety and responsibility.

Horrible! Spots are tiny and uneven. Showers have between NO and basically no hot water despite charging $2 per 5 minutes. DO NOT RECOMMEND. We asked about the hot water and they said they knew about the issue but had done nothing to address it but still feel okay to charge. Insane.

We stayed at Ventana Campground for two nights (Friday and Saturday), booking both a luxury site and a regular one. The luxury site was a great experience overall — clean, comfortable, and even had air-conditioned bathrooms and showers, but it was pricey at $240 per night. The regular site was pretty average — the ground was uneven and less comfortable. Bathroom and shower facilities were decent; the luxury area was definitely nicer and cleaner, with free showers. In contrast, showers at the regular sites were coin-operated. Cell signal depends on your carrier — AT&T worked really well (even good enough for streaming), while T-Mobile and Verizon had almost no signal. There’s campground WiFi available, but the connection was pretty weak (can’t remember if it was just for the luxury area or everywhere).

I spent New Year’s at Ventana Campground, and it was an incredible experience! The campground is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by nature with a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The entire area was super clean, and the bathrooms were well-maintained with warm showers—a huge plus for any camping trip! I loved how secluded it felt while still being conveniently close to nearby stores in case you need to grab any extra camping gear or supplies. Everything about the stay was smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend Ventana Campground for anyone looking for a perfect escape into nature with all the comforts you need. Can’t wait to come back!

One of the most underrated campgrounds I’ve ever been to. Slightly more expensive (especially when adding in all of the service fees) but to have such beautiful redwood forests in the middle of Big Sur with last minute availability is worth every penny.