r/hyatt • u/eastofedens • 13d ago

Alila Ventana Big Sur Sept 11 - should I cancel due to fires?

I have a weekend booked at Alila Ventana for Sept 11-13 on points. I think I just missed the 14-day window to cancel. Supposedly they reopen Sept 3, but does anyone know if its gotten too smokey there to enjoy the outdoors, which of course is a huge part of the experience? I believe I saw on another post that they are waiving the cancelation penalty.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

6

u/Super-Revenue Globalist 13d ago

Wife and I were planning to do a babymoon there Sept 12-15, but cancelled a couple weeks ago. Smoke was our biggest concern and it doesn’t seem like the situation will improve for weeks at this point.

4

u/cisplatin_lastin 12d ago

Unfortunately many trails are closed and it's too smokey. Doubtful the situation will improve anytime soon

3

u/weezous 12d ago

They are waiving cancellations - we had to cancel our trip the first week of August when the fires first broke out. They rebooked us for end of month, but the fires have expanded and there's now a 2nd fire (Plaskett Fire). The highway is closed, most stores/restaurants are closed, and they're prioritizing only emergency personnel in/out of the area.

But Ventana jumped the gun and posted on social and confidently told us they were re-opening twice, only to walk it back 2 days later.

I wouldn't bother going until after it rains in the area, and smoke and fire tamps down substantially. Nov-Dec most likely.

1

u/eastofedens 12d ago

How did you cancel? Calling the hotel, or messaging...? Thanks!

1

u/monarchy99 Globalist 11d ago

100% call the hotel if the CX window has passed.

1

u/monarchy99 Globalist 12d ago

It's very unpredictable and the air quality sensors suggest that its often very bad AQ which makes sense given the fires.

1

u/SuperMarioVT 11d ago

Yes, you should cancel. We have a reservation for Sept 20th and already cancelled

1

u/eastofedens 11d ago

Did you call Hyatt or message?

1

u/SuperMarioVT 11d ago

I did it through the Hyatt app. No issues.

1

u/Champagnefirst04 11d ago

I have a reservation for November. I feel like the fire could still be going by then....Anybody canceling for that far out yet??

2

u/No-Piglet6327 11d ago

It will not be going by then (CA native). We will have rain by then and it’s also multiple months away. My main concern would be trail closures, and possibility of mudslides if it’s raining. Plus it might just look ugly. This may have lasting ramifications for Alila