Big Sur
California


The Experience

The organic architecture of this 30-room inn that hugs a ridge 1,200 feet above the Pacific on California's Big Sur coast is so physically and emotionally inspiring it manages to perfectly suit not only the inveterate romantic but the war-weary executive. Glass, redwood, slate and natural light are the buildings' components, and the Sierra Mar restaurant seems to almost hinge out into the intoxicating blue of the ocean. The inn's 100 acres are full of majestic redwoods and sequoias, and to make the nature transformation complete, cars are banished to a parking lot, while guests are ferried about by Lexus SUVs.

The Rooms

There's such a variety of room choices, from ocean view to secluded tree houses, that it's hard to pick, especially since all have fireplaces and private terraces (as well as minirefrigerators constantly refilled with complimentary beverages, including wine). Some of the buildings are cylindrical, some have roofs that disappear under a planted canopy of greenery or blooming wildflowers, and the entry-level rooms are in a building shaped like a butterfly. The interiors are spartan-simple and would be dull without the indelible views of sapphire ocean or emerald forest through many plate-glass windows.

The Service

On the whole the service is really excellent. From the restaurant to room service, the staff is cheerful and accommodating. On occasion, you can run into someone with attitude -- the kind of person who's been deluded by the inn's celebrity clientele list into thinking it's acceptable to be a bit snooty to noncelebrities. But that's rare, and the vast majority of the staff is welcoming and gracious.

The Highlights

From yoga in the morning to guided meditation, spa treatments, nature walks or star-viewing at night, there's plenty to do. Take a dip in the pools (one for swimming, one for lounging around) or just wander the grounds: You'll find benches and hammocks here and there for lolling or sunset-viewing, as well as stashes of bottled water along hiking paths. And when you want to see nature accompanied by the hum of an engine, take out one of the two Lexus convertibles (complimentary!) to drive the spectacular coast.

-- Laurel Delp

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