
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Best for adults wanting a remote, wellness-focused retreat with on-site spa treatments and year-round heated pools.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Alila Ventana Big Sur is an adults-only coastal resort on 160 secluded acres overlooking the Pacific, suited for couples or solo adults who want a wellness- and nature-focused escape. Carriage House Inn is a small, highly rated boutique inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea for travelers who want polished village hospitality and easy access to shops, restaurants, and the beach.
Updated · about 29 miles apart

Best for adults wanting a remote, wellness-focused retreat with on-site spa treatments and year-round heated pools.

Best for travelers who want a highly rated, intimate Carmel-by-the-Sea base within walking distance of shops and Carmel Beach.
When Alila Ventana Big Sur wins: choose Ventana if you prioritize an adults-only setting, on-site spa treatments (Spa Alila), multiple heated pools and hot baths, curated outdoor programming, and a remote coastal-wildland setting.
When Carriage House Inn wins: choose the Carriage House Inn if you want a compact, highly rated boutique inn in the village of Carmel with easy access to Carmel Beach, complimentary continental breakfast, and proximity to Carmel’s restaurants and galleries.
Bottom line: pick Alila Ventana Big Sur for a secluded, program-rich adult retreat centered on wellness and Big Sur scenery; pick Carriage House Inn for a well-reviewed, convenient Carmel village stay with classic bed-&-breakfast conveniences.
| Category | Alila Ventana Big Sur | Carriage House Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Adults-only resort focused on wellness, nature programming, and slow coastal days. | Small, polished boutique inn with classic Carmel hospitality and a village address. |
| Location | Highway 1, Big Sur — remote, 160-acre property with coastal and redwood access. | Junipero between 7th and 8th, Carmel-by-the-Sea — central village location near Carmel Beach. |
| Size | 54 guest accommodations across 160 acres. | 13 individually furnished guestrooms. |
| Age policy | Adults-only; minimum check-in age 18. | No adults-only policy; property accepts guests of all ages (not adults-only). |
| Pools & baths | Two outdoor heated pools (Meadow Pool and Mountain Pool) plus Japanese hot baths; one pool is clothing-optional. | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | The Sur House (included for guests), Sur Stream café, Glass House private tasting, Sur House Bar, pool bar. | Snack bar/deli on site; complimentary daily reception and continental breakfast. |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Alila with daily hours, treatments, and wellness programming (yoga, guided meditations). | Not published |
| Known for | Secluded adult-only property, curated experiences (falconry, foraging, guided hikes), ocean and redwood settings. | High guest ratings (9.6) and classic Carmel village hospitality steps from shops and the beach. |
| Parking & access | Complimentary valet and self-parking; scenic drive on Highway 1 required; car recommended. | Free self parking and limited onsite/nearby parking; central walkable location within Carmel village. |
| Included with stay | Dining at The Sur House, non-alcoholic beverages, daily snacks, minibar, activity programming, pools and hot baths. | Complimentary continental breakfast and daily reception; free WiFi and concierge services. |
Alila Ventana sits on Highway 1 atop coastal bluffs and forested acreage; reaching it requires driving the scenic (and narrow) coastal road.
Choose Ventana for remote coastal scenery and direct access to Big Sur parks.
Carriage House Inn is centrally located in Carmel-by-the-Sea within easy walking distance of shops and the beach.
Choose Carriage House Inn for a walkable Carmel village base near the beach.
Alila Ventana offers 54 accommodations across rooms, suites, cottages, houses and villas with a two-guest limit per room.
Choose Ventana if you want a wider range of adult-oriented room types and private villas or suites.
Carriage House Inn has 13 individually furnished guestrooms with a variety of king-bed and suite options.
Choose Carriage House Inn for compact, characterful rooms in a small inn format with several jetted-tub suite choices.
Alila Ventana includes on-site restaurants and bars with included guest dining at The Sur House.
Choose Ventana if you want multiple on-site dining venues and included main-restaurant meals.
Carriage House Inn provides a complimentary continental breakfast and a daily reception; light on on-site fine dining.
Choose Carriage House Inn for simple included breakfast and easy access to Carmel’s many nearby restaurants.
Alila Ventana’s signature amenities are its pools, Japanese hot baths, and curated Alila Experience programming.
Choose Ventana for extensive on-site pools, hot baths and a rotating program of outdoor experiences.
Carriage House Inn’s supplier listing does not publish an on-site pool or hot-bath facility.
Choose Carriage House Inn for a Carmel village stay and beach access — not for on-site pools or hot baths (not published).
Ventana is oriented toward daytime wellness programming and low-key evening dining and bars.
Choose Ventana if you value a structured wellness program and quiet evening dining rather than nightlife.
Carriage House Inn’s evening life is quiet and tied to Carmel village offerings rather than on-site nightlife.
Choose Carriage House Inn to be within walking distance of Carmel’s evening dining and wine-bar scene.

Alila Ventana Big Sur — two heated pools, Japanese hot baths, Spa Alila, and daily wellness programming on a 160-acre coastal estate.

Carriage House Inn — central Carmel location steps from shops, galleries and Carmel Beach, plus complimentary breakfast and reception.

Alila Ventana Big Sur — The Sur House (included for guests) and the Glass House private tasting experience.

Carriage House Inn — high guest rating (9.6) and a small number of individually furnished rooms with suites that include jetted tubs.
Alila Ventana Big Sur — it has Spa Alila, daily wellness programming, and guided hikes; Carriage House Inn does not publish an on-site spa.
Carriage House Inn — it’s centrally located in Carmel-by-the-Sea and within easy walking distance of Carmel Beach and village shops.
Alila Ventana Big Sur is adults-only with a minimum check-in age of 18. Carriage House Inn is not an adults-only property.
Alila Ventana Big Sur includes dining at The Sur House and some non-alcoholic beverages and snacks with stays; Carriage House Inn includes a complimentary continental breakfast and a daily reception.
Explore how Alila Ventana Big Sur stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·