The Post Ranch Inn is a very nice property. I don't have any big complaints, but for the cost, we expected perfection.

First, the greeting. Parking the car out front in the roundabout, trying to figure out what to do with it without being greeted was a little awkward. Once we figured it out to park down below where they would move our bags into their vehicle to transport us up the road to our Treehouse, it went a little more smoothly. Back at the reception desk we spoke to the receptionist. She was kind, but not warm. There she confirmed our spa and dinner reservations. I had a very hard time making spa appointments over the phone and online for us. A couple of weeks prior, the receptionist called me back as per my request and we finally got two ninety minute spa appointments together at the same time. (She left me a message and I called her back twenty minutes later and asked for her by name. I recognized her voice and she had no idea who I was or what I was talking about when I said I was returning her call.) Once we got past that, I chose the hot rock massage (which was the best I have ever had. Ask for AJ, he is incredible!) My Girl requested an aromatherapy massage. When we confirmed this at the time of check in, her massage was only sixty minutes and was not an aromatherapy massage (although she was very happy with her masseuse.) The appointment could not be changed for the ninety minutes requested. Also, there was another appt made for the next day that I never requested. Additionally, reservations had called prior to our arrival to tell me that our dinner reservation would be too close to the end of our massages, so they would move it later. When we confirmed our dinner reservation it was for the original time I requested. Not a big deal, just another sign of miscommunication.

We got to our Treehouse and were very surprised at the proximity of the other buildings. They were right there! We even shared a walkway and elevated walkway that split to the two treehouses. I could see right into two other treehouses, not the one we shared the walkway with. When I made the reservation I specifically asked for the most private Treehouse and never thought that they would be so close together.

Dinner was very nice as was the buffet breakfast. Great service and excellent food. They have a wonderful dinner menu. The service was unobtrusive and nearly flawless. They did run out of an appetizer we wanted, but we had a late reservation and that happens, not a big deal.

The North hot tub is nice although there was minor construction right there with workers; they did respect our privacy as best they could. We did not go to the other hot tub. The pool is also nice.

There is a beautiful meadow that can be reached by a nice path from a couple of areas. The walk throught the woods was very peaceful. We relaxed on a great little bench and enjoyed a bottle of wine, only seeing one guest quietly jog by. It was lovely... There was loud music nearby from the staff housing, but that only lasted a couple of minutes until somebody figured out to turn it down.

The Treehouse was nice. It had a great fireplace but again, I could see right into two Treehouses and they could see in ours. I had to drop the shades on most of the room, so obviously the view was lost. There was fruit and a half bottle of white and red each that was complimentary. The fridge had local goat cheese and great fruit juices, also complimentary. Nice touch.

When it was time to check out, since our vehicle was parked down at the parking lot, we found the instructions to call the concierge for pick up. The phone system did not work so we just walked down to reception. They said that the phone system was being replaced. Again, not a big deal, I just expect perfection when a place charges these kind of prices. I work in the hospitality industry and have worked at five star hotels. Little missteps are unacceptable no matter the cost of the room.

All in all, we would probably recommend the Post Ranch Inn, just don't have the highest expectations and you won't be dissapointed.

4 nights over the new year.

Have stayed all over the world - and this is in my top 3. Unbeatable location, superb architecture, run by proper hoteliers.

Go there.

We just returned last week from two nights at the Post Ranch Inn. Though our stay was wonderful, relaxing and a once in a lifetime experience, I would never go back. Some background...my husband and I prefer small, intimate hotels like this and have stayed in many top ones in the US, Caribbean and Europe. The Inn was definitely on my list of places to stay. Having driven up the coast from San Ysidro Ranch (which was a fabulous experience), I was looking forward to a totally different type of place. First, the scenery is spectacular and really what you are paying for. I've never been somewhere in such a unique and awe-inspiring spot. The service was outstanding as well. We were escorted to a Mountain Room, with breathtaking views of the peaks. However, I was extremely disappointed with the room. And considering this is a place where you spend most of the time in the room, it should have been spectacular. It's not the decor...though it was somewhat sparse and austere. What got me was the lack of quality found in the room. It easily, without the soaking tub and fireplace, could have been mistaken for a motel 6 room. Again, given that this room cost close to $900 in the height of the season, I find this unacceptable. First, the room was much smaller than I had expected. The heater was old, cheap and noisy, right next to the bed. Even though it was in the 40's at night, my husband and I had to turn it off because we couldn't sleep with all the noise. There was no heat in the bathrooms, and with the stone floor, it was freezing. The bathroom was the size of a small closet, with a single, tiny basin. and pocket door. The soaking tub, though nice, was also the shower, and you had to step on a wooden stool and climb over the huge side and step down into it to take a shower. Being fairly young and very small, I found this to be annoying and unsafe. I can't imagine an older or even very tall person navigating their way into it. The closet was so tiny, with a rusted safe, that I found it to be incredibly unappealing. When we asked the bellman if this room was on the smaller side, he said they were all mostly the same square footage, just different views. I have a feeling though, the newer Coast House rooms are much nicer. However, those are double the price, so I would hope you would get what you pay for. The bottom line is that you're here for the view and that's what you're paying for. The hotel was booked solid in the middle of the week both nights, not surprising, since it's got tremendous hype and spectacular views. We enjoyed the pools, though, they were always filled with people when we were there and it got kind of tight, since they are small. We took a hike on the property which was lovely. We also enjoyed walking along the ocean side and taking in the view, and sitting by the fireplace in our room. We had side by side spa treatments in the room, which was very nice and romantic. The restaurant, where we had breakfast both days and one dinner, was amazing. Not only are the views (again) spectacular--you are literally suspended above the ocean--but the food was the best we had on the trip. I couldn't get enough of the buffet breakfast--all organic and homemade. In summary, I'm glad I stayed here, but I would never go back. It's a once in a lifetime place. FYI--if you do go and plan a dinner at the neighorboring Ventana, skip it and stay at the Sierra Mar (they change the menu every day). We made the mistake of the Ventana and sorry afterward. That place needs a major update and the food was nothing special or very good. Plus, there are no ocean views, even though they claim to have them.

Post Ranch Inn is expensive, but I can honestly say it is worth every penny. Everything about this hotel is designed to force you to relax and be romantic. There are no TV’s (except for one in the library that is available anytime), but we surprised ourselves by not even missing them. Instead there is satellite radio (with any kind of channel you could want), or you can bring or borrow CD’s. This really sets the mood.

We had an Ocean House which was just fantastic! The only thing we could see from our patio was a green cliff that sloped gently into the ocean and beautiful scenery – very dramatic! You really feel like you’re the only people at the resort.

There is a lap pool and two small hot tubs that are also available anytime. We never used either. Instead we hung out in the Jacuzzi tub in our room. There is a fireplace that faces the bedroom on one side and the tub on the other. You can open the windows by the tub and you feel like you’re outside.

We ate at Sierra Mar for dinner one night and each day for breakfast (included). The food was really good – for dinner there are four courses with approximately four items to chose from in each category for $95. You can also order anything ala carte, they are very flexible. For the main course I chose prime rib oscar – it was one of the best steaks I’ve had in my life! Breakfast was very good as well, plenty of choices. And of course the view from the restaurant is spectacular. It’s ceiling to floor windows, and the restaurant hangs over a cliff that slopes into the ocean.

While you are there, you must have a spa treatment! I had a massage and my husband had a men’s facial (his first ever visit to the spa). Both were wonderful and so relaxing! The treatment rooms have a beautiful view of the mountains.

If you can afford to splurge, even for just one night…this is the place to do it! It doesn’t matter if you get ocean or mountain view – both are breath taking. I really think this is as good as life gets!