Planning a relaxing, romantic weekend at Ventana Inn to celebrate wedding anniversary. Staying in a deluxe fireplace room with private hot tub on deck. Reservationist asked if we preferred ocean view, forest view or forest/canyon view. Interested to hear from someone that has stayed there what room/view they reccommend. Is there really any difference it terms of seclusion and peacefulness?
Thanks!

if you book a package, make sure you get everything that you paid for. Have heard a few tales about how this place tries to charge you extra for things like massages that were supposed to be included in the package rates. I guess the high-end clientele that stay there aren't used to reviewing the bill at checkout and barely notice.

at the entrance to the hotel they have fragrant olive bushes...heavenly scent...take the forest view...very private...SSS

Yes, forest view is private -- also, you can watch birds in the trees nearby -- Townsends Warblers, Steller Jays, hummers, etc.

Over priced! I checked it out for out trip, and just could not justify starting at almost $500 for a room without a view. Be careful you know what you're getting. You have to go over $700 to get any kind of sightline.

My husband and I stay frequently at Ventana Inn. It is expensive but not as prohibitive as the above poster says. Great ocean views for under $500, especially during low season (October through April).

Although the prices at Ventana are luxe, they deliver over and above expectations. It's not the place for someone counting pennies. It is the place for a wonderfully romantic, intimate celebration or retreat.

Just checked with Ventana a month ago for next April, and an ocean side view was $900 plus. They offered a room with no view at all for $500. What's the secret for how you get those cheap rates - I'd love to know.

1) Even in high season, there are rooms with great ocean view at less than $500; here are the room numbers: 21, 24, 22, 25.

2) Go in low season. If they quoted you that rate for April, then maybe low season ends in March.

Ask them if they can't provide a better rate, they often can. Weekends are more expensive; if you stay Sun-Thurs. rates are lower.

Or, join Q-club and get about $65 off each night's stay.

With my Q-club membership (which costs $100 a year), my husband and I are staying at Thanksgiving in Ventana in a two-story townhouse with two fireplaces, wet bar, dining area, three balconies (two with ocean view, one with forrest view) for $470 per night.

Tried Ventana for a Tuesday night next April - first week. I tried every discount I could think of - even looked on their website. Two phone calls to them. They couldn't get us under $500 after taxes. And believe me, they were very specific about ocean views at $700, next to ocean over 900. These places are in fact shown on their website, or were, a month ago. Again, this was midweek, April 2003. Perhaps there's a price increase in the works.

Well, X, that's just not so. As I stated rooms #21, 22, 24, 25 have great ocean views for under $500. Perhaps you are confusing the issue with the hot-tub rooms with do cost over $700 (ocean view or not). The hot tub rooms are nice but not neccesary at Ventana where there are two utterly magnificent Japanese baths.

kat, tell me more about this q club membership....is it just for ventana or does it have other benefits??

Q-Club is a discount program offered by Andrew Harper Travel. The rates are available at scores of luxe establishments around the world. Costs $100 a year. Nightly discounts at least $50 per night, often much more. I've used QClub rates at Ventana, Sherman House (in SF), the Bel-Air in LA, various Mandarin Orientals, Four Seasons and Ritzs, Cap Juluca in the Caribbean, Casa que Canta in Mexico, etc.

Well, as I said, I did talk with Ventana twice, and even tried to reserve - but the prices were simply prohibitive. What can I say - I asked them specifically about ocean views, told them that's what I'd like - after looking at their layout on their website. And the prices - started at $700 and for the nifty ocean side places, almost $1,000. We didn't discuss hottubs! For a Tuesday in April, 2003. I won't debate it - I spent a lot of time with the manager, and that is what he quoted. I promptly reserved elsewhere. I got to Ventana in the first place because a friend in LA recommended it. I was shocked because there simply was no give in their pricing. So, end of story. Happy you're getting a better deal. But have you tried 2003 yet? Perhaps there a big price increase in the works. You are talking 2002, I am talking 2003. Looking now at Cambria Shores Inn - well under $200, and next to the ocean. Just not as fancy as Ventana.

Your question: But have you tried 2003 yet?

Yes, we're going in February for five nights. Same deal as Thanksgiving.

Ventana Inn is unbelevable. I honeymooned there and you couldn't ask for more.
Maaake sure you go to Julia Peiffer beach, it is a side road off of Hwy.101
It is a unmarked road.

The price of the rooms is dear as mentioned but they have been known on very special occassions to upgrade you or reduce the first nite stay.

The food is delicious and you walk along a trail to get to the restaurant.

The afternoon wine and cheese don't pass up. There is complete privacy when you want it as it is quite large.

Thanks for all the replies. Any other thoughts on forest vs forest w/canyon vs ocean views?

check the Ventana website a couple of weeks before your visit. They list last minute specials for any rooms that aren't booked yet.

This week they had rooms listed for $289, and packages with 2 dinners, 2 massages and room for two nights at about $550 per night.

You might be able to grab a last-minute deal and then cancel your previously-made, higher-priced reservation.

I would much rather stay right across the street at www.postranchinn.com, and pay less for a forest view, and enjoy the ocean view in the fabulous infinity pool!