Eats, Writes, and Leaves

I want to move into a Vista Hot Tub Suite at the Ventana Inn & Spa, permanently. Hands down, it’s the most fabulous hotel room I’ve ever not paid for. If I could create my own dream house, I’d use this design for the master suite. Of course, I’d need to import the view of the wildflower-strewn meadow over the Pacific Ocean from the private deck. Or paint it on a screen.

Picture this: you wake up slow and warm, engulfed in the zillion-thread-count sheets, fluffy comforter, and merciful lack of throw pillows as gentle sunlight peeks in from the picture windows. A soft knock at the door heralds the arrival of breakfast. Throw on your plushy spa robe, retrieve the tray, then pour your coffee and select from the basket of buttery homemade pastries and fresh fruits. Take your plate out to your private deck and then make the difficult decision—enjoy a civilized breakfast at your table or doff your robe and dine in the nude and in the water in your private outdoor hot tub. (I vote for the latter!)

That quiet noise you hear is me, whimpering with longing.

The Ventana, despite its upscale appeal, maintains a certain old school Big Sur sensibility. That is, they’re fine with guests wandering the grounds wearing their robes and slippers and nothing else—the only real-clothing-mandatory spot at the resort is the Restaurant at Ventana (closed due to fire damage, due to reopen sometime in summer 2009). To make sure everybody’s comfortable, the lower pool-spa-Japanese-bath area on the property requires bathing suits, while the comparable soaking areas up at the top of the hill are clothing-optional. (Please read here: naked people.)

So what’s the catch at this cool California coast paradise? Surprise (not)—that charming suite costs more than $1000 per night on weekends. The regular rooms start at $425 per night. Hey—it’s cheaper than the Post Ranch Inn across the road!

Want to Visit the Ventana?

48123 Hwy 1

Big Sur, CA 93920

831/667-2331

www.ventanainn.com