Tracing its history to the 1860s, William Brainard Post founded the initial homestead. The Inn evolved from a 640-acre hog and cattle ranch into a globally renowned eco-resort, utilizing natural elements like glass, wood, stone, and COR-TEN steel, and incorporating passive solar heating whenever feasible.
The Post Ranch Inn, established in 1992, features 40 architecturally distinctive rooms harmoniously blended with the surrounding landscape. Each room serves as a haven of rustic sophistication, providing seclusion and stunning vistas of either the Pacific Ocean or the grand mountain range.
The Post Ranch Inn’s interior decoration strikes a harmonious balance between natural elements and modern design. The rooms boast sustainable materials, including custom-made furniture, walls panelled with reclaimed wood, leather furnishings, handwoven rugs by local indigenous artisans. and inviting fireplaces, all contributing to a warm, welcoming ambiance.
The Cliff House suites feature glass-walled bedrooms and private hot tubs on decks that hang over the ridge, offering unparalleled views. Each suite spans 960 square feet and boasts an indoor spa tub, a deluxe shower, a private deck, a stereo and digital music system, along with complimentary wireless Internet access.
The residences showcase innovative green building designs with bio-structured architecture, intended to harmonize with nature. Every environmental aspect, from heating and cooling to the impact of the stilts on the ancient redwoods and oaks’ roots, was considered. Enhanced with solar panels, this initiative stands as California’s largest hotel solar project and among the largest in the U.S.
Each guest room is amply equipped with a complimentary mini-bar that includes snacks, spring water from the property in reusable glass bottles, and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, along with a half bottle of both red and white wine. Post Ranch is designed as a retreat for relaxation and reconnection, hence guest rooms are free from televisions and alarm clocks, and smoking is not permitted.
At the Post Ranch Inn, guests enjoy an array of facilities and amenities that elevate their experience. The inn boasts two clifftop infinity pools, a fitness centre, and the award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Il Hoon Kang and Culinary Director Reylon Agustin, Sierra Mar offers farm-to-table dishes that honour the coastal abundance of Big Sur, maintaining a harmonious balance “on the plate” between land and sea, with a constant focus on sustainability.
Sierra Mar prides itself on having one of the most extensive wine collections in North America, featuring over 3,200 selections. The establishment has consistently received the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award in recent years, highlighting their focus on a diverse range of wines from the Old and New World, spanning Europe to Australia and California to Washington, including both classic and small artisan producers.
The resort features two therapeutically heated basking pools, each boasting an infinity edge with stunning views of the Pacific, providing spectacular spots for soaking and enjoying the breath taking seascape. Nestled on a sunny knoll amidst a meadow with panoramic mountain vistas, the swimming pool invites guests for a refreshing dip, lap swimming, or simply unwinding by the water’s edge.
The acclaimed spa provides treatments aimed at relaxation and rejuvenation, drawing on the restorative qualities of nature. A distinctive therapy available is the Shaman Journey session. Within the hallowed confines of the medicine wheel, a shaman harnesses nature’s forces and ancestral wisdom to foster enduring improvements in physical, mental, and emotional health.
The Inn offers a variety of activities including guided nature tours, walks, yoga, and falconry experiences. Guests can be transported around the property in a hybrid Lexus vehicle. The grounds serve as a habitat for endangered species such as Smith’s Blue Butterfly, the California Red-Legged Frog, the Western Pond Turtle, and the California Condor. The Inn is a founding member of Beyond Green, which is a global collection of hotels, resorts, and lodges that are leaders in sustainability.
The Post Ranch Inn is not just a stay—it’s an experience. It’s where history and modernity converge, where luxury meets sustainability, and where every guest is invited to savour the serenity of Big Sur.