Read the brochures and they say the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a “spa town” but we find it more like a fancy college campus with classes and activities to teach you more about life and top-notch accommodations to make sure you feel pampered while you learn. .
The Ojai Valley Inn is slightly out of the way, 13 miles off Highway 101 with the exit just north of Ventura. This detour takes you to the Ojai Valley, a serene setting between a picturesque range of modest mountains. About 10 miles long and three miles wide, the valley has enough room for a small town, something of an artists’ enclave, and the sprawling 800 acres occupied by the Ojai Valley Inn, its town, and its golf course.
The inn dates back to 1922, when a wealthy Ohio glassmaker and philanthropist commissioned famed architect Wallace Neff to build a country club in Spanish Colonial style. The 18-hole golf course was designed by George C. Thomas, also a famous designer. Even those who don’t play golf can still appreciate today the wide fairways and panoramic views that can be seen from almost every part of the property.
Over the years, the 308-room inn has become much more than a country club, and in fact, was recently awarded a five-star designation by AAA, making it one of only 15 properties in California. to achieve such a high status. The award, which comes after a $90 million renovation, is based on service and amenities that are the best mortal mothers can get, and the Ojai Valley Inn does not disappoint.
Upon arrival, a valet and a couple of bellboys were instantly ready. We were taken in a golf cart to our suite and enjoyed the beautiful views as we rode the winding driveway that wound up and down hills, between buildings and along a postcard golf fairway. A little questioning of our bellhop and we learn that about 45 percent of visitors come to Ojai for the golf, about 45 percent for the spa, and another 10 percent just to enjoy the surroundings.
As you can imagine our suite was quite stylish and tastefully decorated. It wasn’t quite as large as a traditional suite which can offer completely separate living and sleeping areas, but the room was quite spacious and there was a good separation between the four poster bed with its duvet bench and the L-shaped sofa, the center piece. from the living room. There were plenty of extra touches, from plush sofa cushions to an array of lamps and landscape paintings that graced the walls. The feel was much more like a residence than a hotel room, and just outside the sliding glass door was a patio and breakfast table with views of the golf course and nearby mountains.
The bathroom area deserves a special mention – it had a long deep bath, separate shower area, separate enclosed toilet and double granite vanity. In the closet, luxurious bathrooms were ready.
It didn’t take much exploring to discover that Ojai is much more than just a golf resort or spa. There are so many activities in Ojai that something is planned for every waking hour. Just like cruises, the management never wants to risk you getting bored.
Chief among those activities are the classes and experiences that can make your stay as much an educational experience as one of total relaxation. Ojai “University” offers “Better Living Short Courses” which are designed to encourage guests to try new things and learn new concepts. Five short courses are featured, including topics such as The Artist’s Way, Wine Tasting Like a Pro, Golf: The Name of the Game, Horse Riding: Life’s a Doddle; and Aromatherapy: Essential Oils from A to Z.
With the recent renovation, Ojai Valley Inn even has its own 1,200-square-foot artist’s cottage. At this sparkling new facility, the resort offers more than 30 classes, ranging from knitting, graphite, and drawing to journaling, printmaking, and wreath-making. We hadn’t really come to the inn for classes, but heck, we decided a watercolor class would be a good way to see firsthand how classes are run.
Our instructor had an excellent resume and incredible ability to create watercolor art, as evidenced by the many examples of her work proudly displayed throughout the cabin. And she was good at showing us guests a hint of that. All four of our class were beginners, though one held considerably more promise than the others. After 90 minutes of playing around with various techniques and colors, we both had worksheets that looked pretty much like the papers I remember bringing home from kindergarten. But keep in mind that this was only a 90-minute introductory course – no one promised to make us real artists.
We thought these classes would be the perfect side activity for the person whose spouse is hooked on golf or the spa. Let them do what they enjoy while you take a few classes to learn more about life and yourself.
The 31,000-square-foot spa building is one of the main draws at the Ojai Valley Inn, and we were impressed with the facilities and attention to detail. For example, about $400,000 was spent just to add individual small-screen TVs and separate channel selectors to already state-of-the-art exercise equipment. The changing rooms and changing rooms were so clean that this area almost felt more like a medical facility than a spa. Again, a big part of the Ojai spa experience is education, with classes in water aerobics, T’ai Chi, and other activities.
Education at Ojai Valley Inn is not limited to adults. Another helpful amenity provided by the resort, for an additional fee, is Camp Ojai, a classroom and recreation complex at the far end of the property that is dedicated to children ages 5 to 12. Our six-year-old son spent two and a half Day Sessions at camp where she enjoyed individualized instruction in art, games, and so much fun that she couldn’t wait to return for her second half-day of activities. Horseback riding was at the top of his list of cool things to do, but that was just one of several.
Eating, of course, was a big part of our stay in Ojai. We didn’t get a chance to try the inn’s signature restaurant, Maravilla, but the more casual Oak Grill offered everything we needed, from the extensive breakfast buffet in the morning to al fresco lunch on the patio, to a delicious dinner with impeccable service. Jimmy’s is a sports bar-style restaurant, perfect after a day on the golf course, and the Café at the Spa serves lighter Mediterranean fare for lunch.
We found the food to be top notch for Ojai, with a lot of attention paid to detail – the granola. We found it to be the best we’d ever had, much tastier and more complete than store-bought or anything we’d been served at a restaurant. In one way or another, every other dish we enjoyed at Ojai was just as special.
There’s no question about it: Ojai’s “Getaway University” is an ideal choice for those who want to explore new interests and learn how to truly relax. It’s almost like going back to your college days, you know, when you had three hours of class and the rest of the day to play with friends.