If you can't stay there overnight($$$$), visit the wonderful restaurant for lunch or early dinner.(before its too dark)Breakfast is for guests only.
The view is so amazing and the restaurant is so beautiful,that you will find yourself taking photos the entire time (no matter how many times you will be there)...
The food is great(if you will be lucky enough to visit in Duck Pizza season,dont hesitate)& the service is friendly.
A must place!
Big Sur area is beautiful beyond words,and for such a small little place it has so many great restaurants.Amazing!

What an amazing hotel but not really a hotel at all more of a five star retreat, there is so much I could say about PRI it is simply wonderful - our room a top level ocean room had a clear view of the ocean nothing to block the view the sunrise and sunset and the stars at night were nothing short of spectacular - all natural light, wood burning fire that you did yourself, a fridge full of goodies with the most yummie cookies that were replaced daily and a spa bath made of natural stone with doors opening onto the terrace and that amazing view totally private not another person or neighbour in sight. The service was first class and the walks in the 100 acre grounds and the basking infinity pools wow - we were there fro New Years Eve and had a fab dinner in the restaurant - we did not want to leave but did and drove the pacific coast highway to LA the best drive in the world words cannot sum up the Big Sur

Stayed only one night, 12/25/12. What a Merry Christmas! After a wonderful meal at the restaurant we retired to our room at about 10pm but it was cold, windy and pouring rain. Didn't matter. We braved the elements and settled into the soaking tub on our deck, which was in one of the Upper Pacific Suites. It was amazing to see the whitecaps on the raging Pacific 1200' below in the moonlight after a passing Pacific storm. Not many places where you can experience that.

The fireplace in our room had real kindling and real wood. We had to light it and stoke it. So unusual and so awesome these days. Kept our room very toasty.

The next morning we had an in-room couples massage. Great therapists, great experience. The sun was peeking out between the clouds and that added to the ambiance. Afterwards, my wife and I soaked again in the tub in better conditions. The sun was out and the Pacific was calm. The air was cool but enjoyable.

We checked out late but were never rushed. We sent our bags and car keys down and they took care of the rest. All we had to do was sign the bill and drive away. We hated to leave.

Northern California in the winter is something that everyone should experience. It's not warm... it's not cold... well, maybe a bit cold. But no snow. It's simply spectacular. I've been twice to Tahiti and Big Sur rivals it in every way, in its own way. And Post Ranch Inn brings the best of Big Sur to you. Give it a shot. If you have the right state of mind, you won't be disappointed.

My husband and I stayed here for our anniversary, and it was truly a wonderful experience. We stayed in one of the Pacific suits, it was clean, gorgeous, and had an amazing view. The bar fridge was stocked with drinks (wine, and champagne included) and food (nuts, crackers, cheeses, candy, chips, etc...) Room service was quick and very friendly. The spa services were fantastic, we had gotten in room massages, and the masseuses were unbelievably great. The hiking trails were so beautiful, we saw deer, turkeys, bob cats, and tons of birds. The entire place had breathtaking views from very angle. You won't be disappointed.

My only complaints would be that below us they were doing some construction in the room. It wasn't terribly loud, however when we were getting our massages, you could hear it. The tub in the bathroom had mineral deposits everywhere, it looked really gross. Needless to say we didn't take any baths (luckily there was a soaking tub on the balcony). Other than that this place was a great place to stay.