Dog-Friendly Hotel Review: Ventana Big Sur
Around here we definitely don’t save the best for last. So for our first hotel review, it seemed only right to start off with our absolute favorite dog-friendly weekend getaway experience, the Alila Ventana Big Sur. This hotel had been on my wishlist for years, and we were finally able to visit this year for my birthday (thanks Chase credit card points).
I had confirmed with the hotel that our pups were welcome to join us, but until we got there I had no idea how truly dog-friendly the hotel would be. One of the amazing updates the hotel made in the last few years is to adopt an all-inclusive model. All of your meals are included, either at the stunning restaurant overlooking the coast, poolside or via room service. We were very impressed with the quality and food options. And as an added bonus, the outdoor section of the restaurant is also dog-friendly. They also have a nightly happy hour which includes their signature drink, the Marine Layer, and a snack (we opted for the charcuterie board). Zoey and Otto had the best time joining us on all of our adventures!
Below is our full review based on our 5 key dog-friendly criteria. In our opinion, this is one to add to your travel bucket list for a dream getaway with your dogs.
1. Pet-friendly design: A+
The hotel is situated among a gorgeous forest setting above the Big Sur coastline in California. The buildings of hotel rooms are nicely dispersed throughout the property, giving the rooms easy access to a variety of outdoor spaces. This makes potty breaks easy and convenient, which is always a plus. A map is also provided at check in which includes the locations of dog waste stations where trash bags are provided. We also loved the variety of outdoor common spaces to be enjoyed, all of which are dog friendly except for the pool deck area. We especially enjoyed the Ocean Meadow lawn area, where we spent an afternoon enjoying champagne, a delicious lunch and playing card games.
We were lucky enough to book our stay through Hyatt with Chase points, so we stayed in the base level King room and thought it was great. I can only imagine how luxurious their variety of suites are. While it would have been nice to have a little more space for luggage and dog beds, it was still a perfect spot to relax for the weekend. Our room also had a balcony with a beautiful forest view, which we enjoyed with the dogs and our coffee every morning.
2. Amenities: A++
Ventana Big Sur definitely gets extra credit in this department. Not only did they ask the size of our dogs before we arrived so that they could have dog beds and dog bowls waiting for us when we got to our room, they also had Alila branded dog bandanas for the dogs when we checked in. That was the moment I knew the dogs were in for a treat at this property (pun intended).
3. Proximity to activities: A+
While the whole Big Sur region is gorgeous and worth exploring, I can assure you if you are here for a weekend you will find it hard to leave the hotel grounds. There are so many options of things to do on the property, including hiking trails and walking paths. The hotel grounds are lovely to walk around, and the Sur House restaurant is up a .3 mile trail that also makes for a nice walk with your dog(s). Our dogs loved joining us for breakfast and happy hour.
The hotel also offers a variety of activities on site that are included with your stay, including the daily Coast Ridge group hike. We did this same hike one afternoon and loved it, you can get a self-guided map from the front desk. They also offer nightly s’more making around the fire, which is always one of my personal favorites!
If you are lucky enough to have a longer stay, the Big Sur region has great options for outdoor adventures. The hotel even has an online brochure of dog-friendly parks/beaches and dining options. You can also venture north on Highway 1 to Carmel or Monterey for even more dog-friendly options to explore.
4. Rules & Regulations: A+
You have probably gathered by now that at Ventana Big Sur, pets really are treated like part of the family. All of the rules here were very basic and understandable. Dogs must be on leash at all times, and are allowed in most areas of the hotel grounds with the exception of the pool area and the indoor section of the restaurant. There are no size or breed restrictions, and up to two dogs are allowed per room. Pets may be left in the room, but if necessary owners must attend to a barking dog that may be disrupting other guests.
5. Pet Fees: B+
Our biggest frustration when booking a dog-friendly hotel is always the pet fees. The Alila Ventana Big Sur charges a one-time $150 fee, with a maximum of two dogs per room. While the best case scenario is a hotel that does not charge a pet fee, I try to think of the pet fees in comparison to the dog-friendly amenities provided and the overall experience we get by being able to bring Zoey and Otto with us. In this case, while the fee is somewhat expensive, I appreciate that it is a one-time fee and not a nightly charge. I also think that they do a great job with their doggy amenities, and provide a wide range of dog-friendly activities. And at the end of the day, it is still cheaper than the dog sitting fees we would pay if they stayed home - worth it in my opinion!
If you have stayed at the Alila Ventana Big Sur and have any other thoughts, or if you have any questions as you are planning your next stay, leave us a comment below!
Disclaimer: The information provided above and dog-friendly policies were understood to be accurate as of the time of this post. For the most up-to-date information and policies, be sure to confirm with the hotel directly.
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