Getaway at Hyatt Alila Ventana Big Sur

During the last seven years, regarding vacations, we have made several luxurious yet affordable travels. speaking from the perspective of a California middle-class family, made possible due to the combination of timely credit card award miles, accumulation of points from normal household and business spending, staying true to maximum three international family vacations annually, and keeping cashflow more positive .  Technically, there is no free travel, because the travel points can be redeemed as cash.  It is about trade-off between more cash and more big travel fun.  We would always choose the latter.

Out of these vacations, the first and foremost memorable one would be our getaway at Hyatt Alila Ventana Big Sur.  Alila Ventana is an all-inclusive resort.  We redeemed 90,000 Hyatt points for a three-days-two-nights experience, which would typically cost $2000 per day.  So, we essentially paid $1200 ($900 + Chase Sapphire Reserve +50% redemption) for the $4000 experience at Alila.

Evening view of Alila Ventana Big Sur

Our room has a fireplace

Smiles for nice dinner and vibe

Tips about booking and staying at Alila Ventana Big Sur

1. Adult-only.  i.e. no kids are allowed
2. Redeem room using Hyatt points one year ahead to capture the standard rate room availability.
3. Tesla charger stations are conveniently located at the entrance of the resort. 👍
4. Three-course meals are included for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The meals are not fancy, yet very decent and professionally prepared for a relax getaway.
5. Best to call in early to reserve seats for dinner.
6.  Don't need to bother to bring laptop or iPad.  The internet connection is spotty.
7. Three-nights four days would be about right, considering the first day check-in at 3pm and last day check-out at 10am.
8. Our favorite activities were pool-swimming, hot-tubbing, trail-hiking and listening to the tranquility.
9. Free golf-cart transportation to dining is available upon request.
10. Even though checking out at 10am, lunch is still covered for the last day.

It was a much-needed getaway for couple from the Bay Area work responsibility, kid responsibility, cooking responsibility and any other types of responsibility.  We looked for an opportunity to refresh our mindset and amend our relationship.  This one has served our needs.  We only wished the stay would have one more night.