Fall - 2022

wood grove that leads to the refined-yet-rustic and approachable Social House. The Social House serves as check-in, concierge and game room with a billiards table, chess and board games, plus evening s’mores at the adjacent firepit. And if you’re not feeling so social, the Social House houses a record collection from which you can borrow albums for your person- al use, as each guestroom boasts a record play- er. Alila Ventana’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Mark Ley, curated the record collec- tion himself and maintains that throughout the resort, he and his team “have sought out ways to create an analog experience that still has all of the creature comforts.” Along with its refreshed interiors, the newly branded resort’s offerings also compliment the location’s supreme natural beauty and rich artis- tic history.The daily activities included as a part of your stay are extensive and varied, including multiple group hikes, many movement classes, and astronomy. For varying additional fees, even more offerings are available. A yoga class called Vinyasa and Vinyl, with the highly skilled Deva will take you to another plane. The class takes place in or on the balcony of the Glass House, a converted container placed on the precipice of a hill with floor to ceiling glazing and a glass balcony. (The space can also be reserved for pri- vate dining and events.) The idea is to pair your practice with an LP, perhaps the perfectly suited sounds of The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” album (or select another of Deva’s records to suit your mood). The practice culminates in the most mesmerizing of sound bowl healing sessions— truly out of this world! Some events and classes 168 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 2 Natural beauty abounds on the Big Sur Coast with endless hiking trails and pristine beaches. Just a short drive from Alila Ventana Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach features the majestic and picturesque Keyhole Arch.