Latest news with #BigSur
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Couple Booked a Hotel Stay Worth More Than $10,000 All On Points—Here's How They Did It
David Tibbitts, 33, and Eric Naumann, 35, consider Big Sur to be one of their favorite places in the world. Therefore, it's no surprise that this rugged stretch of California's central coast was the setting for the couple's long-awaited proposal. The San Francisco-based couple, who have been dating since 2015, did something unconventional. While they legally became husbands during the height of the pandemic, Tibbitts and Naumann had skipped all of the traditional norms—like a cute engagement, an actual wedding ceremony, and a honeymoon. 'We purposefully decided to keep our union unromantic for the time being, file the paperwork in time for tax season, and save the romance for a later date when we could enjoy it properly,' Tibbitts said. Fast forward to 2024, and they decided to finally have their 'proposal.' Dramatically situated 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean in the redwoods, the Alila Ventana Big Sur became the ideal place for such an occasion. In fact, Tibbitts and Naumann had stayed at the all-inclusive luxury property before, using Hyatt points (which the pair now call 'Ventana points'). This long weekend escape would be different, though. 'We had a trip to Ventana coming up, and since we had been before, we both knew we were in for a relaxing and romantic getaway.' Here's exactly how they booked the stay and how the surprise engagement went. The destination : Big Sur, California : Big Sur, California The hotel : Alila Ventana Big Sur, a Hyatt Hotel : Alila Ventana Big Sur, a Hyatt Hotel Hotel cost : $10,425 for three nights ($3,475 per night) : $10,425 for three nights ($3,475 per night) Points breakdown : 135,000 World of Hyatt points (45,000 per night) : 135,000 World of Hyatt points (45,000 per night) The total spent: $0 Tibbitts and Naumann were at the Hotel Chelsea lobby bar in New York, a few martinis in, when they peeked at Hyatt's website. 'We were less than one month out [from the trip], so we were lucky to find the availability,' Naumann recalled. To redeem Hyatt points, you need a World of Hyatt account. Conveniently, two of the best loyalty programs in the space—Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Rewards points—transfer to the Hyatt program instantly, at a one-to-one ratio. To transfer Chase or Bilt points to travel partners, you need to log into your account, navigate to the respective travel portal, and select the option to transfer to Hyatt. For first-timers, you'll also need to enter your World of Hyatt account information. Naumann, who made the points booking, is a World of Hyatt Explorist elite member at the time that they were booking a room. As a result, he received an upgrade to the Big Sur Forest Shower Suite. The Alila Ventana Big Sur is one of the most sought-after hotels in the world of points and miles. Few properties can provide the level of luxury, tranquility, and overall value on a per-point basis. For instance, at $3,475 per night and 45,000 World of Hyatt points redeemed, that's the equivalent of getting over 7 cents in value per point. In addition, the adults-only enclave is all-inclusive: meals, activities, valet parking, tips, and even one alcoholic drink per evening are fully covered. (Yes, even on points.) Because what you get out of it is so great, only a set number of rooms are allocated towards points bookings, which you can book months in advance. David and Eric post engagement and their upgraded Big Sur Forest Shower Suite at Alila Ventana Big Sur. David Tibbitts and Eric Naumann The upgraded suite at Ventana had everything Tibbitts and Naumann needed for a romantic escape, including a wood-burning fireplace, ocean views in the distance, an open-air shower for two, and even a private hot tub on the patio. On the morning of the proposal, Naumann sent Tibbitts off for a massage as a distraction tactic. 'As an executive assistant at the time, I was familiar with working with hotels for anything one of my executives might need during their stay, but it was exciting to do it for myself for a change,' Naumann said. The plan was to go on a hike, and the property kindly supported the couple in this endeavor: Staff supplied him with a bottle of champagne, recommendations for a hike, and the world's heaviest takeout container full of 'enough charcuterie for a small army,' as Naumann put it. 'We reached a vista at the very end of the hike, and it turns out David had also planned to pop the question, too, but I beat him to it,' Naumann recalled. 'That was our first full day at the hotel, so we had a ton of fun basking in the engagement glow for the remainder of the trip.' That meant ample time to relax in the on-site Japanese baths, share their hopes and dreams for a future wedding, and get used to the feeling of rings around their fingers. 'Our favorite part of the resort is probably the walking path to the restaurant,' Tibbitts said. 'You get to experience the beautiful forest to and from each meal at the Sur House, and it's the perfect time to decompress as you appreciate the beauty of Big Sur.' If you're not seeing availability using points for a hotel like Alila Ventana, check that property's cancellation policy. According to Neumann, you might see availability appear in the days or weeks before the cancellation window closes, as was the case for the couple's stay. Another perk of loyalty programs like Hyatt's is that, once you're in them, you are more likely to receive upgrades like the one Neumann received if there is availability on the property. It's often free to sign up for these programs, too.
Wall Street Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Big Sur's Remoteness Is a Selling Point. Now It's Driving Longtime Owners Away.
When Brigga Mosca, 70, and Reed Cripe, 82, moved from Los Angeles to Big Sur, Calif., in 1983, they camped out in a two-person tent on a 5-acre piece of land they bought for around $70,000. They took their time designing and creating a custom home with lots of glass for viewing the stunningly beautiful and dramatic landscape of mountains and sea. Now the couple is selling the home for $3 million. The impetus is that their son, who lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., is expecting their first grandchild. Another factor: they are getting too old to live in such a rugged place, as much as they treasure it there, said Mosca.
Vogue
17-06-2025
- Vogue
The Best Hotels in Big Sur for Taking in the Dramatic California Coastline
Looking for the best hotels in Big Sur? The Central California coastline is a bucket-list vacation for many—especially those who yearn to drive down the dramatic, cliffside roads of Highway 1 with the endless sprawl of the Pacific Ocean beyond. And that's just the scenery: Big Sur is known for its remote campgrounds, world-famous hiking, as well as farm-to-table cuisine crafted from Californian homegrown produce. (Chez Noir and Nepthene are a must.) There's a number of hotel recommendations Vogue has for the region, whether one is looking for a once-in-a-lifetime luxurious five-star stay amid the notorious Big Sur fog, or a rustic retreat within a redwood forest. Below, the best hotels in Big Sur. Cue the Big Little Lies soundtrack. Post Ranch Inn Photo: Courtesy of Post Ranch Inn Post Ranch Inn isn't just one of the best hotels in Big Sur, but one of the best hotels in America: recently, the Michelin Guide awarded it three Michelin keys—its highest distinction for hospitality. It's easy to see why: the hotel's structure, by modernist architect Mickey Muennig, is built into the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific. So much so that you feel an almost complete immersion with your surroundings: when you wake up, you often find your room completely engulfed in fog. (That's if you chose an ocean room: their Tree Houses, meanwhile, are surrounded by redwoods.) Meanwhile, their restaurant, Sierra Mar, offers classic California farm-to-table cuisine. That may seem like an overdone term—but remember, this is the region where that type of dining was invented. Post Ranch Inn is also considered the most romantic hotel in Big Sur, making it perfect for a couple's getaway or special occasion vacation. Alila Ventana Big Sur
CNET
02-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Apple's MacOS Reveal at WWDC: What the New Tahoe Name Says About What's Coming
Apple's next Mac operating system is called Lake Tahoe, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new MacOS, set to be unveiled at WWDC on June 9, will reportedly stick with Apple's convention since 2013 of naming the operating system version after scenic California nature spots such as Big Sur and Sequoia. The version number will also change, jumping from what would have been MacOS 16 to MacOS 26. Apple is changing OS versions across its platforms to line up with the year of their release, so we'll have MacOS 26, iOS 26, TVOS 26 and so on for software being introduced in 2025, but having the greatest reach in 2026. According to Gurman, the new OS will be a major overhaul to the Mac operating system and the new name could allude to a visual refresh. "The deep blue lake is ... known to show the reflection of the sky and surrounding mountains -- something that flicks at the striking visuals of the new user interface," he wrote. In addition to design changes, Apple is also expected to make major announcements related to its gaming platform and health initiatives. You can check out what to expect from WWDC 2025 and how to watch the June 9 keynote. A representative for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landslides Leave Big Sur's Beloved Landmarks Fighting for Survival
BIG SUR, Calif.—Hillary Lipman looked out from a gas station at the nearly empty California Highway 1 and shook his head in frustration over a road closure that has dragged into a third year. Business at his Shell station has dropped as much as 80% since the first of a series of landslides shut off the southern access to Big Sur in January 2023. The current closure is the longest anyone here can remember, and state officials offer no hope for reopening until at least the fall.
