In 2024, The MICHELIN Guide is announcing the first ever MICHELIN Keys – a brand new distinction that recognises the most outstanding hotels across the world. The Post Ranch Inn is one of the few Three Key hotels in the United States. Find our selection team’s official take here.
And below, take a peek inside one of this hotel’s signature spaces.
Kodiak Greenwood
Above: Scenes from the Cliff House / Kodiak Greenwood
The Space:
The freestanding Cliff House. There are just two of these incredible accommodations at Post Ranch Inn.Where:
In the midst of California's famous redwood forest region, Big Sur, along California's Highway 1. The suite is cantilevered over the Pacific Ocean.Who Stays Here:
Privacy seekers with a penchant for nature and deep pockets. It’s a bucket list resort, so guests are often celebrating milestones — or simply in need of a well-earned getaway.What It’s Like:
If you're here for that quintessential Big Sur vista, you have to choose the Cliff House. Cantilevered over the Pacific Ocean, the views are unmatched (think: ocean views from your king bed). And the experience delivers in both design and amenities. The glass-walled bedroom, the garden courtyard, the heated floors and, no small matter, the 960 square feet of space — which translates to plenty of space for in-room spa appointments.Inside, wood-paneled walls lend a treehouse feel, and leather furniture and a wood-burning fireplace add a coziness. You’ll want to spend plenty of time on the outdoor terrace, or in its hot tub.
There are only two Cliff House accommodations, adding to the exclusivity of an already exclusive resort. And as a standalone space, it is supremely peaceful. There is no traffic here (cars are not allowed on the ridge where the rooms are located). No children. No televisions. The only noise you’ll hear is the whisper of the wind and the waves below.
Sierra del Mar Restaurant / Kodiak Greenwood
One of two clifftop infinity pools at Post Ranch Inn / Kodiak Greenwood
The rooftops of the free-standing Ocean Houses, covered in native grasses and wildflowers / Kodiak Greenwood
The Background:
The Post Ranch Inn was one of the first luxury eco-minded resorts in the U.S. Designed by modernist architect Mickey Muennig, the resort sits 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, the anchor of California’s iconic Highway 1 drive. Muennig camped on the property to determine the best placement for the buildings, designed to blend into the natural setting while taking advantage of breathtaking ocean, mountain, and forest views. There are a total of 39 rooms and houses, including treehouses, all designed with a rustic sophistication.It is a nature lover’s paradise, with hiking trails both on property and nearby that wend their way through magnificent redwood forests. The focus is on relaxation and reconnection with nature, and wellness activities and spa therapies are popular activities.
Here's a hint:
The hotel maintains a fleet of Lexus hybrid vehicles, available on a complimentary basis to all guests who may want to explore the area beyond.Room Service?
Sierra Mar, the resort’s restaurant, was designed so that every table has an ocean view. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is available for hotel guests only. Nota bene: the restaurant fills quickly, so book your lunch and dinner reservations at the time you book your room. And if you’re an oenophile, you’re in luck: the restaurant has 13,000 bottles in stock.
The grounds / Kodiak Greenwood
Another perspective on the restaurant and the Ocean Rooms / Kodiak Greenwood
How to book it immediately:
Head over to the the hotel page and select a suite (add a special note at checkout to request the Cliff House).Hero Image: Post Ranch Inn / Kodiak Greenwood
