There’s a comfortable stillness to the acres of Ojai Valley Inn and Spa that’s apparent even when a cacophony of voices fills the air. Sunlight shines brightly against the resort’s white façade, which gleams in unison from the restaurants, accommodations, spa, and pools outstretched on shaded grounds. Flowers – from roses to bougainvillea, lavender to jasmine – line pathways where views of the surrounding rolling mountains peek out between buildings. And even when bicyclists, pedestrians, and the occasional golf carts use those pathways, the motion is as calm and quick as the breeze. Originally built in 1923 as a country club and golf course, the inn has never lost its luxurious appeal for intimate, quiet privacy. Old Hollywood stars have come and gone through its Spanish-style property, and today, the resort is still known as a place where big names can tee off or swim undisturbed. Its more than 300 guest rooms are tucked away in a series of terracotta-topped buildings that share a style of calm blue and white shades. Many rooms feature fireplaces enclosed by a sitting area, and private balconies are scented by the surrounding blooms. In the morning, sip a Keurig coffee from the soft white sheets of bed, or step outside for the view. Then, walk or bike to breakfast before a swim in the newly opened, “adults only” pool.
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Laid Back Luxury in Ojai Valley
A hidden treasure nestled in the lush green valleys of Ojai, California the luxury resort has served as a tranquil getaway for Hollywood elite, musicians, dignitaries and politicians, since 1923. Located a little over an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, you’ll feel much farther from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once you’ve experienced this quaint little inn for yourself, it will surely be amongst your favorites.
Indulge In An Afternoon Of Comfort At Spa Ojai
Relaxation and attention to detail are not complementary in theory, but it’s a practice at Spa Ojai that has made it among the best places to unwind in the country. Removed from the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in a hacienda complete with a 50-foot bell tower, this spa is known on property as its own village. Enter it through a courtyard where garden pots overflow with succulents and ocean-hued tiles adorn tables around a fountain. Equally bright shades can be found in the changing area, where periwinkle robes are the uniform that envelops fellow guests outside the sauna and private pool. Ditch the robe at the spa’s signature treatment, the Kuyam, which is a restful word used by the Chumash Indians who first lived in the Ojai Valley. A small group will claim spaces in a dimmed and heated room to slather three therapeutic clays on their skin during a meditation. Upon finishing, a secluded balcony awaits. While the spa has numerous restorative treatments – the warm Himalayan salt stone massage is a notable example – its most unusual, and perhaps groundbreaking, feature is the Somadome. As the only spa in the world with this new, high-tech meditation pod, the Spa Ojai provides 20-minute sessions under themes like “love” and “manifest.” Close your eyes and sink into the chants as LED color therapy surrounds you. When the pod opens, you’ll feel a tranquil alertness that seems just as unlikely as detailed relaxation. But as you’ve already learned, it’s entirely possible.
Have A Meal With A View At the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
Ojai is famous for its pink-hued sunsets, so much so that the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa keeps a daily timetable of when to be looking up over the surrounding mountains. But considering all there is to do during the day – a stroll past the herb garden to a swim in the family-friendly pool, a bike ride on rented wheels into town, a treatment and exercise class at the spa – it may be tough to remember exactly when the sunset will take place. But there’s no need to worry, just plan for an al fresco dinner at Jimmy’s Pub. Overlooking the golf course on a curve under a grand oak tree, Jimmy’s Pub has all the dark-wooded fare of a traditional watering hole on the inside while its outdoor tables are bright and serene. Start with drinks, like the lavender lemonade made with vodka, and then go for the namesake burger topped with smoked Gouda and caramelized onions. After you glimpse the bubblegum sky with the last few bites of fries, head inside for a nightcap. At breakfast, continue the habit of open-air dining with a reservation at the Oak. Outdoor seats are shaded by vines that line the patio while still providing views of the golf course in the distance. Try classic buttermilk pancakes topped with blueberries, or dip a spoon into house-made granola layered over vanilla yogurt. When the day gets underway and the hours pass once again, you’ll know where to spend those precious last moments of light.
Pushing the Reset Button in Ojai
It started with the drive. Usually driving from Orange County to Ojai can be a nightmare, but mid-morning Thursday via PCH through Santa Monica up to Oxnard was relaxing and absent of traffic. From Oxnard we weave through Route 33, past Johnny Cash’s residence chronicled in “Walk the Line” and eventually come to the storied resort of Ojai Valley Inn. Many, many years ago the Chumash Indians used to be the only denizens in this verdant valley. Now it cradles meditation retreats, farm-to-table restaurants, wineries, outdoor options galore and of course the five star resort where we chose to celebrate my wife’s birthday. The Ojai Valley Inn’s Spanish-hacienda style architecture blends seamlessly into the landscape, no obtrusive monoliths but a layout that reveres the environment. The Inn sits in the nest, indeed Ojai translates as “nest”, of the Topa Topa mountains. At sunset when the light is right, the entire valley illuminates into an awe inspiring pink hue aptly named The Pink Moment. In the early mornings when there is a bit of moisture, parts of the valley are wisped with crystalline fog and a stillness that clears the mind. The Inn itself is a five star resort masquerading as a B&B. Plentiful, attentive but not overbearing staff cater to every need. World class golf, tennis, spa facilities and culinary options abound throughout the resort. We did not ever need to leave the property but did to adventure around Ojai proper and regrettably head home out of the Nest.
