Has anybody stayed here or know anything about it? Other recommendations of places in the area would be appreciated. We don't want anything extraordinarily expensive, though, as the Post Ranch and Ventana seem to be. Thanks.

Deetjen's is RUSTIC. Too rustic for many folks. Food is good, especially the breakfasts. No views. People think in Big Sur the hotel would have a view but Deetjen's is on the wrong side of the highway. Big Sur Lodge is better by far. Also no ocean view but in the woods at the park. Costs about $80-100 per night for two.

I concur re: Big Sur Lodge. Good choice. Also, please have a meal at Nepenthe. Food's OK, but the views are EXQUISITE!

Definitely agree with the above 2 posts--Nepenthe is great. You could also stay in Carmel to the north or Cambria to the south---I have never quite figured out the reason to overnight in Big Sur----drive it during the daytime and stay in a nice B&B in either of the two towns.

Stayed at Deetjens, it was cute, but you have NO privacy. Stayed there with a friend and we stayed up late talking, and the staff made a comment at breakfast "Is everything ok? The people in the room next to you said you were yelling all night!" I couldn't believe it. It wasn't cheap either, $150 a night to be treated like this, I would NEVER stay there again!!! HORRIBLE service.

sorry to disagree with Kam & Linda but we were at Nepenthe last weekend and both the food and the service were pretty bad. I think that for a few dollars more it is much nicer to eat at Vetana .Lunch outside on the deck is light years ahead of Nepenthe.And at least they have comfortable chairs whereas Nepenthe has plastic modern!