Five Great Places to Stay in Ojai
As Ojai has turned into one of Southern California’s worst kept secrets and with short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO banned within city limits, finding the perfect spot to stay can be surprisingly tricky. And with weekend revellers turning up in hordes during the summer months, booking ahead is essential. Here are five great places to stay in Ojai.
THE OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA
Undoubtedly the valley’s most celebrated resort, the Ojai Valley Inn offers the quintessential Ojai escape for anyone seeking a luxurious break away from the city. Sprawled across 220 acres, the almost century-old Spanish Colonial-style property includes a championship-caliber golf course, expansive tennis center and complimentary bike rentals for those wanting to keep active, as well as four pools and a tranquil spa for those looking for serenity. There are six on-site restaurants serving everything from snacks to multi-course tasting menus and beyond the romance and pampering there are plenty of family focused activities at the Inn, such as a kids’ camp, teen lounge and art classes.
OJAI RANCHO INN
Just around the corner from the Ojai Valley Inn, the Ojai Rancho Inn offers an upscale motel experience like no other. Operated by the Shelter Social Club, which also runs the nearby Capri Hotel, this place may not look like much from the outside but once you’re inside, its rustic charm will quickly win you over. Each room has its own front porch, complete with vintage camp chairs, while the interior features log bed frames and giant hot tubs. Amenities include a pool in the back, a bar and shop selling knickknacks from local makers and there’s a stage and lawn for the shows and parties once these resume.
THE LAVENDER INN & SPA
Set right in the heart of downtown Ojai, the charming Lavender Inn is a wonderfully cozy bed & breakfast. Its magical gardens, complete with majestic oak trees, herbs and flowers and a small pond with waterfall, are the perfect place to relax and read a book. There are several uniquely decorated rooms and cottages and once the food offering resumes after Covid, you’d be hard pressed to find a better breakfast anywhere in town. Located just a stone’s throw from Ojai’s main stretch of shops, galleries, bars and restaurants, the Lavender Inn is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the wonders of Ojai.
CARAVAN OUTPOST
Tucked away in the east end of town, Caravan Outpost and its fleet of 11 artfully decorated Airstream trailers effortlessly combines the return-to-nature vibe of camping with the comfort of a boutique hotel. Each Airstream has its own name and includes everything you could need, from Pendleton wool blankets to a fully kitted out kitchenette, a bathroom and tiny shower and even a record player complete with a selection of records. There’s a well-kept outdoor common area and activities like smores roasting, plus a small boutique selling local goods. It’s definitely not your average trailer park.
RANCHO GRANDE
About a 30-minute drive from downtown Ojai up the 33, Rancho Grande is nestled in the secluded backcountry of the Rose Valley and offers a getaway unlike any other. Home to historic century-old log cabins, a games room stuffed with eclectic treasures, a guesthouse and luxury tents imported from South Africa, this place has it all. You’ll be exploring the 200 acres with your own RUV, catching fish in the lake and observing wildlife. From alpacas, lambs, chickens, horses, parrots, pigs, dogs and a herd of 150 goats you can accompany on a daily walk, you’ll be completely immersed in farm life during your visit and you won’t want to leave.
