Ojai Hotels
Establishment
neighborhood
Ojai Rancho Inn
615 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Formerly a 1950's retro roadside motel, the Ojai Rancho Inn, a no-frills but character-filled option in town. The guest rooms each have their own front porch, log cabin-style interiors, and the design brings together artwork and furnishings by area artists with a quirky, throwback vibe. There's a stable of bikes to ride into town (which is maybe ten minutes, tops), BBQ grills, and a fire pit that encourages communal hangs. Chief's Peak, right next to the swimming pool, is a cozy little bar that has a good selection of wines and craft beers.
Ojai Valley Inn
905 Country Club Rd., Ojai
Known for its scale (the property spans 220 acres) and its Spanish-style casitas, this resort is the best known in town, and a destination in its own right. The Moroccan Hammam-style spa is popular, particularly on weekends for LA locals seeking a quick dose of R&R and often hosts groups on girls' getaways.
Thacher House
4100 Matilija Canyon Rd., Ojai
Hovering somewhere between a bed and breakfast and organic co-op farm, LA-transplant Calvin Zara’s refurbished four-bedroom Thacher house and its four private cabins is where you want to be for a fully-immersive, get away from it all experience (it accommodates no more than 20 guests at a time). If you stay here, be prepared to share the lush grounds with chickens and a family of goats, in addition to citrus and pomegranate trees and a garden. Needless to say, all the food served at the beautifully appointed dining room is sourced locally or from the Thacher House farm itself. Also on offer: classes in cooking, baking, olive-oil pressing, wine-making, and so much more.
Caravan Outpost
317 Bryant St., Ojai
For such a popular destination, Ojai has surprisingly few accommodation options; Caravan Outpost and its fleet of eleven tricked-out, freshly-refurbished Airstreams aims to remedy the situation. The whole experience brilliantly combines the get-back-to-nature appeal of camping with all the creature comforts of a boutique hotel: cozy beds, small yet well-equipped bathrooms, and all the tech hook-ups. There’s also a well-manicured outdoor common area and activities, like biking and marshmallow roasting, to keep the littlest guests occupied.
Cois Dara (Cush Dara) Under the Oak (Closed)
Ojai
Tucked into the foothills of the Los Padres Forest just five minutes from the center of downtown, the two-bedroom Cois Dara is a nice option for a small family or group who want a bit more seclusion. The design is thoughtfully influenced by the owner's time spent in Morocco and there's a well-stocked library, which is fittingly filled with books on healing and wellness.