When Mark at Miles to Memories published Is Alila Ventana Big Sur Becoming The New Maldives? today, I felt a need to respond (and I don’t often reply to blogs on my blog, but just really felt I had to here ;)).
In this article
The Maldives Groupthink
You see, I also wrote “Are the Maldives Worth It?” last year, in defense of the Maldives. Really, did I have to “defend” people vacationing in the Maldives? Apparently so!
You see, in miles and points there is definitely a bit of unhealthy groupthink. Should everyone go to the Maldives? No, definitely not. It’s not for everyone. Did I personally have a trip of a lifetime at the W Maldives that I never would have had if not for miles and points? I sure did!
The groupthink issue is that some people make trips just to do something everyone else is doing. That’s not great. And if you hate the beach, don’t head to the Maldives!
However, as I always say, the magic of miles and points are having experiences that are amazing and ordinarily out of reach. You can go to the Maldives and hate them and that’s fine! Doesn’t mean the next person would, though.
The Ventana Big Sur Groupthink
In as much as the Maldives has become the aspirational destination of choice internationally, the Ventana Big Sur (review) has become the same domestically.
And while it’s soon heading to Hyatt’s category 8, out of reach of the Category 1-7 certificates (like the one I’m giving away right now), the price in points (35,000-45,000 at the new price) still makes the place a steal given the cash rates of over $2,000 a night.
Mark at MtM makes the case that Ventana is the new Maldives – and maybe you don’t need to go just because everyone else is.
That’s true!
But you also shouldn’t NOT go just because people are saying it’s groupthink.
I loved my stay at Ventana and it was the perfect excuse for a 1st time trip up the famous Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway).
I love amazing roads (the PCH sure is that in northern California, weaving along the cliffs above the ocean) and I love amazing hikes (it’s got that too) and I love nature (check!!).
My point is that if you hate nature, don’t go! (Just like if you hate the beach, skip the Maldives).
But if you like nature and a really fancy way to stay in the woods, it’s great!
In all cases, don’t do anything because of groupthink alone. Do your own research!
But don’t miss out on the trip of a lifetime in spite of groupthink either. I’ve seen a lot of people hate on the Maldives and actively try to convince people not to go – even though they’ve never been! How can you say something is overvalued if you haven’t been?
Now Mark has been to Ventana and he’s not doing that – but my point is the same. Do the research and see for yourself if it’s aspirational to you. If it is, make it a point to go. If it’s not, don’t. But don’t skip an experience of a lifetime just because other people talk it up.
Thoughts?
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