Over the last 20 years, my wife and I have traveled often to the central coast of California. We stop in Carmel, then on to Big Sur. The drive between the two places is magnificent, to say the least. The color of the Pacific is a stunning aqua blue. Along Highway One are many great bridges, beaches, and hikes. At Point Big Sur stands a lighthouse. Just before, the highway bends into the redwoods. You pass through Big Sur, which is really several small shopping areas scattered along the road, in an area reknowned for its hiking and camping. Redwood forests meet the ocean.

Our two preferred locations to stay are: Ventana's, and the Post Ranch Inn. We've been fortunate enough to stay at both.

Ventana's is the warmer of the two. You enter by turning up a 1-mile road through a beautiful, small redwood grove. Soon you arrive at the grounds of the inn, all beautifully landscaped with domestic plants, around a property that accentuates its environment. The buildings all blend into the location so well, you almost don't notice them at all. We've been to Ventana's at least four times and always love it. You check-in in a beautiful lobby where there's always a big fire in the stone fireplace; you're suddenly very cozy. Wine, cheese, and fruit are spread out for incoming guests to sort of slow you down to local speed.

Ventana's is set along a hillside, bordering a forest, and has room-view options either facing the sea (bright & summery) or the forest (dark & wintry). Rooms have a unique, rustic style, and most have working fireplaces, but no TV or telephone--it's all about relaxing here and getting recharged . . . getting cleansed.

There are two large pool/spa areas on either side of the property. Both pools are of junior-Olympic length as the pianoman likes to swim. Beside each pool are large spas with changing rooms. I love them. Swimming laps, then floating in the spa under the stars or in a redwood forest (in the case of the second spa). Excellent!!!

For dinner, (I love this part), you take a 10-minute evening stroll through the woods to arrive at Cielo, the hotel restaurant/gift shop. The food is always fine and I'm usually so relaxed that I can barely make the trail back to our room--you can also drive over to the restaurant, if you're lazy.

In the morning, you may wake up to a group of wild turkey or several deer. The complimentary breakfast is served in two locations, either down at the lodge (did I say how much I love the lodge?) or up at the library, with its great views. I love their breakfast!!! Really, love it!!! Fresh fruit, great granola, incredible sticky buns, hardboiled eggs, juices, croissants, melons, mmmmmmmmmm!!!!! Lunch or afternoon cocktails on Ceilo's backdeck is nothing short of awesome.

Ventana's is like a futuristic, organic nirvana, the kind of place where you walk around in robes and are always polite, kind, and content. Why can't the whole world be like Ventana's?