Post Ranch Inn

It is a testament to its amazing atmosphere that so many guests fall in love with Post Ranch Inn and return year after year, such is its remarkable unique charm and setting. To start with, the views over the Pacific at sunset are outstanding, especially with cocktail in hand from your own private deck. For those wanting to stay somewhere really very special for three or four days, look no further than Post Ranch Inn - it is a Scott Dunn hot tip.

It is set within its own 100-acre estate, so by day you can wander off on hiking trails through wild heaths and redwoods, or head off to the many beaches around Big Sur. You can return for a plunge in one of the three pools, which as you can imagine all have staggering views. The food at Post Ranch Inn is somewhat legendary, blending seasonal Californian fare with French, Asian and Mediterranean inspired flavours, while the evening menus are quite extraordinary. The restaurant, Sierra Mar, offers floor to ceiling windows, making the most of its location. Of course, there is a superb spa.

There are only 39 suites and rooms that all have the perfect mix of rustic luxury, blending into the natural beauty of the location. All rooms have a private deck that look over the ocean or the mountains. They have lovely fireplaces and come with everything you would expect, except TVs, which are a welcome exclusion in a place like this. The Coastal, Cliff and Ocean Houses offer spellbinding views of the Pacific from their floor-to-ceiling windows. The tree houses are always a Scott Dunn favourite, and these do not disappoint, set within hundred year old oaks. For those wanting mountain views then the Mountain Houses are the ones to opt for.