Today I wish to present you what it’s wish to spend 24 hours at some of the well-known motels on the planet. Post Ranch Inn is an iconic property perched above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, California. I’ve been invited to spend a complimentary evening right here, and now that I’m within the Golden State I can’t wait to convey you alongside for the expertise. Read on for my assessment.
24 Hours at Post Ranch Inn
If you’re not accustomed to it, Post Ranch Inn is an award-winning luxurious resort set atop the cliffs on California’s Central Coast. The Telegraph just lately ranked it amongst The World’s 50 Greatest Hotels, and it’s considered one of solely a handful of three-key motels within the MICHELIN Guide. In different phrases, it’s wonderful.
I’ve needed to remain at Post Ranch Inn for years. That need was heightened after I had dinner at the restaurant, Sierra Mar, the evening earlier than I received engaged in Big Sur.
Now that I’m right here for an evening it’s like a dream come true. From the second my different half and I flip off Highway 1 and up the driveway, we all know we’re in for a deal with. Here’s how our 24 hours at Post Ranch Inn go…
Arrival
We arrive at the resort simply earlier than 1pm. After a valet takes our keys, we stroll right into a small two-story reception constructing with distinctive structure that blends into the redwood timber round it.
We’re welcomed by the General Manager and the entrance desk employees, who give us a heat greeting and an outline of what’s to come back.
Tour of Post Ranch Inn
The resort is unfold throughout 100 acres (40 hectares) of serene pure environment, and the very first thing we do is hop on a golf cart for a tour.
We’re whisked off down a hill, previous a pond, alongside the photo voltaic panels that energy the property (there’s a powerful dedication to sustainability right here), and as much as a meadow the place deer graze subsequent to wild turkeys.
Alighting from the golf cart, we discover the Mercantile and Fitness Center on our left (extra on these later), and the lap pool and yurt on our proper. We stroll as much as the pool, which is lined with lounge chairs ripe for absorbing the Big Sur environment.
Behind it we discover the yurt, which is used for Post Ranch Inn’s complimentary group yoga classes and sound therapeutic experiences.
Back on the golf cart, we drive up previous the reception space to see a few of the rooms. First we come to the Post House, one of many authentic houses on the property.
This one-bedroom home has sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean, to not point out lovely handmade wood furnishings and a full kitchen. It’s the proper place for cozy stays and small weddings.
From there we see just a few of the visitor rooms. Each one has a person title and each room is one-of-a-kind.
From ocean-view numbers to tree homes, all of them function distinctive structure and native artwork inside. In reality, the entire resort’s artwork is exclusive to the property, and company should buy it to take house.
Spa
After the tour we head to the spa. I couldn’t assist reserving us in for massages after studying concerning the choices on Post Ranch Inn’s web site. We’re welcomed by a pleasant employees member and proven to a room with two therapy tables and a view of the redwoods.
For the following hour, we get pleasure from professional remedies in a few of the most peaceable environment we’ve been to in a very long time. The entire place has a chilled vibe, and it could be not possible to not calm down right here.
Room
After the spa therapy we examine into our room at Post Ranch Inn. We’re in Wayland, which is true subsequent to Sierra Mar. In a nod to the resort’s sustainability efforts, it has a sod roof.
It additionally has a few of the most wonderful ocean views I’ve ever seen. With home windows throughout the entrance and a balcony overlooking the waves, we may sit and stare out at the horizon for the remainder of the day.
But we’re distracted by the opposite options. The room comes full with a kitchenette full of all types of complimentary snacks and drinks. It additionally has a bathe with a view of the Pacific. And that’s to say nothing of the mattress, which is heavenly.
(*24*)
Walk
After getting settled in, we take a stroll across the property. We pop into the Gallery, a barrel-roofed constructing hidden within the woods. It contains a rotating program of sculptures, pictures, and tremendous jewellery.
We’re significantly in awe of the attractive black-and-white photographs of California, and we wish to take all of them house.
From the gallery we stroll as much as the Fitness Center. We pop our heads in and take a look at the neat rows of stair-climbing machines and Peloton bikes, prepared ourselves (unsuccessfully) to come back again later and burn off some energy. There are views of the meadow right here, and we see wild turkeys pecking the bottom out entrance.
Next door to the Fitness Center we discover ourselves within the Mercantile. This store is the stuff of desires. There’s every little thing from attractive glassware to clothes, jewellery, presents, and artwork on the market. Uniquely, there are additionally authentic Ansel Adams prints on the wall.
Pool
When we’re accomplished looking the Mercantile, we stroll as much as the Jade Pool. Right subsequent to Sierra Mar, it’s considered one of two heated basking swimming 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 benefit from all of the goodies within the mini bar and have ourselves a wine-and-cheese completely happy hour on our balcony earlier than dinner. It’s a enjoyable strategy to benefit from the early night at Post Ranch Inn.
Dinner at Sierra Mar
When the solar begins to sink, we head to dinner at Sierra Mar. We’re seated in a ravishing sales space with a panoramic view of the sundown, and we settle in for a tasting menu.
We begin with the restaurant’s signature cocktails, which we keep in mind loving on our final go to. I order the Coastline, a gin-based drink that makes me really feel like I’m sipping the very best of an ocean breeze.
From there we get pleasure from recent sourdough from Ad Astra Bread Co. in close by Monterey. As we do, the supervisor comes by to speak us via our wine choice. She’s as pleasant and educated as our server, and she or he picks out a scrumptious bottle of Grenache from Linne Calodo in Paso Robles.
It pairs effectively with every little thing from the roasted beet salad to the pappardelle and the pork. So does the sundown, which paints the sky in magnificent pinks and purples.
We finish our dinner with pound cake and a trio of ice lotions. They’re simply the issues to ship us off to our room on a excessive notice.
Evening
There aren’t any TVs at Post Ranch Inn, and we’re not unhappy about it. We use the kindling offered by the resort to make a hearth in our hearth, then settle in for a recreation of Scrabble. We’ve chosen it from among the many many board video games the reception has on supply, and we’ve enjoyable difficult one another to a match.
Meditation Pool
The subsequent morning we get up with the dawn and take in the sensible oranges from our balcony. When the sky begins to brighten, we stroll to the Meditation Pool. Like the Jade Pool, this heated basking quantity overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
It’s quiet and peaceable right here, and we take within the panoramas as birds of prey hunt on the cliffs. It’s the proper begin to our morning.
Breakfast
After our dip we head to breakfast at Sierra Mar. It’s complimentary for resort company, and we’re seated in a sales space with a view. We order avocado toast and omelets that include recent eggs from the property’s resident hens.
We additionally take a flip at the buffet, which has every little thing from baked items to a viennoiserie choice. There’s even a blend-your-own-trail-mix station.
We get pleasure from all of it with recent juices and low as we take within the infinite views of the Pacific Ocean under.
Forest Meditation
Breakfast is scrumptious, and we observe it up with considered one of Post Ranch Inn’s each day complimentary choices for company. It’s a guided Forest Meditation, and we are able to’t wait to get into nature.
We meet our information at the Chef’s Garden at Post Ranch Inn. It’s stuffed with seasonal produce that’s used within the restaurant. The hens are right here, too, and we thank them for the eggs they provided for our breakfast.
The meditation stroll takes us from the backyard via the meadow and right into a redwood forest. We stand beneath the giants, following our information as she takes us on a contemplative journey to attach with nature. It’s peaceable and serene, with the sound of birdsong offering a background to our expertise.
Boundary Trail Hike
After the meditation we proceed our 24 hours at Post Ranch Inn with a stroll alongside the Boundary Trail. It’s considered one of a community of mountain climbing trails on the property, and it takes us via oak groves, up hills, and deeper into the pure great thing about Big Sur.
Farewell
The path ends again by our room, and we pack up simply in time for our 12pm checkout. A employees member helps us take our luggage all the way down to reception, the place a valet has our automotive prepared. We’re given a fond farewell by the entrance desk employees and the General Manager, and we go away with heavy hearts.
Post Ranch Inn
As we drive north on Highway 1, we cease off at well-known locations like Pfeiffer Beach and Calla Lily Valley. The booming waves via the keyhole arches at the previous awe us with their energy. The flowers at the latter enchant us with their magnificence.
But even with all of the inspiration round us we nonetheless miss Post Ranch Inn. We’re amazed by how a lot we’ve accomplished and seen in 24 hours, and the way rather more there’s to do. We’re already planning our subsequent go to, and I hope my weblog publish has impressed you to plan one, too.
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