Ojai Retreat

It is not often that I give five stars, but Ojai Retreat is just magical, and it deserves it. I come here whenever I can to write, think, meditate and unite with nature. The grounds are gorgeous — every corner has a little surprise. It is also astoundingly affordable, with well-​kept, TV-​less rooms starting at $ 90. The founder, Ulrich, a very nice Swiss man, has created a place whose views may rival those in the Swiss mountains. It is here that I finished my first novel, and it is here that I started my next one, and I don’t think I could have done so properly anywhere else. I love getting lost in the countryside, and also enjoyed eating at the nearby, famous Ranch House and also discovering the hidden natural hot springs. If you’re in SoCal, I highly recommend this place for a getaway. Just an hour and a half away from LA. Can’t wait to come back.*****

Hubby and I stayed here for the second time, this month. We stayed in the Garden Room this time. Amazing views of mountains. Felt like we were in a treehouse! Private patio and bathroom and full kitchen too! Nice breakfast in the morning. Very very quiet and peaceful. Just what we needed!

The Ojai Retreat is all they say it is — very relaxing with sweeping views of the beautiful Ojai valley. We stayed in the Balcony room which was clean, comfortable and just the right amount of rustic. There were nice walking trails around the facility, and the complimentary breakfast was tasty. Loved the egg dish and the organic yogurt with homemade granola. Located conveniently about 7 min away from the main downtown.

You’re already going to Ojai so no need to explain the magic, the views, the smells, the wonder. I’ve now been to Ojai retreat twice and both times I was NOT ready to leave. Pulled away with tears in my eyes and grateful beyond beyond for the re-​energizing experience I had here. There are a variety of rooms you can choose from. My first stay was in the cozy room and I absolutely loved it– lovely views and very private. (My mom stayed here once and she thought the bed was hard but I liked it!) the cozy room shares a a bathroom with Topa Topa and has access to the quiet room with books galore. My second stay was in the Eucalyptus room! I’ve never slept so well. My husband and I did yoga in our private patio garden under the giant tree. Breakfast! I love the common breakfast room. While it has a generally quiet feel be ready to encounter some of the most fascinating people on the planet or just enjoy your privacy and the glorious views this room provides. The Breakfast itself is just wonderful! I have all sorts of severe food restrictions (No Gluten or Dairy) and I ate to my heart’s content every day with their gf breads, eggs, potatoes (Hot eggs and potatoes on weekends) ridiculous granola topped with fresh berries, etc. All the coffee, tea and/​or mango-​orange juice you can handle too. One of the things I most appreciate about this retreat is that there are no televisions. Be prepared to enjoy those books, some quiet time or the company you’re with! There are lots of books to be borrowed here… all that relaxation might lend you some unexpected space within for curiosity and new idea’s! Staying here is re-​energizing and all the paths and nooks to write and bask in the Ojai Valley, will remind you that life isn’t always so hard. Thank you Ojai retreat! I can’t wait to come back.

A world class resort which provides a beautiful transition from the busy daily life to ultimate relaxation. The place is top notch in every way, healthy breakfast, great mattresses, nice natural smell, ecologically conscious, extremely well managed, and you truly feel cared for, loved, and respected. An absolutely perfect oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation. Highly recommended.

There is nothing more beautiful than the views– birds of all colors, rabbits, stunning sunsets and sunrises over the mountains– it really is pretty. That said, here are some factors to take into account: There is no TV, radio or phone in your room. The quiet of no radio or TV sounds charming but gets very old, 2 – 3 hours into sitting in your room in the evening.
The breakfast, though plentiful, is cold except for adding hot water to oatmeal or hot chocolate packets, or soup packets. There are no warm eggs etc. Also, I’d read that the food was organic or mostly organic, but — the bread, fruit salad, fruit, oatmeal, hot chocolate, miso soup packet, cider, yogurt, cheese and cold boiled eggs were all not organic. Only the tea, cold cereal/​muesli, juice and milk were organic– so if organic is a big draw for you to come here, you will be disappointed.
While it is run in a very organized fashion, there was no warmth from the owners when I came in. I felt like a walking room number to be given keys and not very friendly directions. So views are great, food is good but mostly not organic, and staff and amenities– were for me, unappealing. Also the decks, outdoor chairs, waterfalls etc, look a lot nicer in the pictures, than those plastic chairs and tiny waterfall look in real life! I’m not rushing back.

Having grown up in Ojai I always was interested in this property at the top of the hill. My parents still live there so for Christmas we decided to stay at this property and walk down the hill to Mom and Dad’s place.
We found the room to be clean, well appointed and not like a usual hotel room in very good ways. No TV, no phone etc. The staff was wonderfully welcoming and helpful, breakfast was served by a sweet mother and daughter, the price was right on the mark. The view is almost 360 degrees and of course beautiful in each of those degrees.
Next time you’re headed for Ojai for a weekend, make a reservation here, and enjoy the views and hospitality native to this wonderful place.

«Embraced by the majestic canopy of Oak trees.»
I am blessed to have spent many days in the tranquillity & warm embrace that is The Ojai Retreat.
As soon as you travel up Besant road the beauty of the Oak trees breathes relaxation into your being.
Claire & Ulrich welcome everyone new & old as if you were a treasured friend or family member returning home.
The rooms are warm & pristine and allow for a very good nights sleep, yet it is truly the valley and the mature trees backdrop that lull one into a quiet meditative state.
The breakfast is prepared with an array of pretty fruits, cheeses, cereals, eggs & breads to meet many a varied palette.
I love spending time here & always leave & return again with deep gratitude & appreciation for the beauty & warmth of this special place.
Suzie Abels

This place rocks! I’ve been here four times over the past few years, and for several days each time. Ulrich and Claire are so friendly and welcoming — I feel right at home here. The rooms are so cozy, and the views from the grounds are spectacular, particularly during the famous «pink moment» that is the Ojai sunset. The breakfast is amazing. It will easily count for two of your daily meals. And the breakfast staff, Ria and Christina, are so helpful and so personable. I’m a writer and I frequently rent the Topa Topa room out for a week and I get so much done! The setting is so inspiring that it makes my writing sing. Also, if you get on their mailing list they will send you updates about room specials. I have definitely taken advantage of those!

I’ve been coming to the Ojai Retreat since 2010. I absolutely love this quiet and magical place and will come back here until I make an official move to Ojai. I first stayed in the Sky Room on a last-​minute whim to get out of crazy Los Angeles. I feel in love from the moment I drove up Besant Road. The calming peace of this beautiful place simply washed over me. I usually spend most days writing in the Main House because it’s so peaceful and there’s a creative energy. I get so much work done because I feel so relaxed. Make sure to visit their website, or get the newsletter because sometimes they have incredibly discounts!
I’ve been coming up at least once a year (sometimes twice) for the last five years. I’ve stayed in the Sky, Balcony, Cozy, Topa Topa, Green and Adyar. Each room has its own unique charm and beauty. And a variety of price ranges for any budget. The breakfast is always wonderful and there’s enough food to fill me up all day. Everyone who works here is so lovely and polite. I feel at home whenever I return. The views of the mountains are incredible. Downtown is only 3 miles away. Hiking trails are everywhere. Basically staying at the Ojai Retreat is like heaven on earth.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a restful getaway or a place to write. Also great if you need to do some healing work or mountain gazing.

I strongly recommend staying at Ojai Retreat! I stayed there for 1 night and absolutely loved it! I stayed at the Patio Room and the room was super clean, the bed was super comfy and the entire room smelled delicious! The best part of the room is that I was able to watch the sunset from the window in the room and I was very happy about that. I went to Ojai because I needed to disconnect from the busy city of Los Angeles, and I wanted to be in nature, and give myself some time to relax, think, read, and Ojai Retreat is perfect for that. The breakfast was delicious, and I had a beautiful view while eating breakfast. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. I wish I could have stayed there longer. But I am definitely coming back! For those into meditation and yoga, I recommend driving to Meditation Mount which is only a 15 minute drive from Ojai Retreat, as it has a beautiful view and they offer free meditation and yoga in the mornings.

I have been coming here for 3 years and always look forward to my visits. I have enjoyed time here with my husband as a romantic getaway, enjoying the peace and tranquility. I have been here with my sister for a girl getaway and it was just so amazing to just relax with our bottle of wine on the private patio, bringing our breakfast to same patio in the morning. My spirit is renewed with every visit. Clare is the best and always makes every visit easy and a huge pleasure. One of my most favorite Ojai gems.

Absolutely beautiful! Our room couldn’t have been nicer. Everything smelled delicious. The views were gorgeous from every window. The main house was spacious, charming, comfortable, accessible. Would definitely stay there again. Great price, too!

We just returned from The Ojai Valley Retreat. Our second time there! We tried the Ojai Suite this time… Sheer Perfection!
Great rooms with stunning views, incredible breakfast, relaxing and beautifully appointed in every detail. Caring staff, and we can’t wait to go again. Felt like we were visiting heaven.

If you need to get away for a day or two or a week, this is the spot. Clean, great staff, amazing nature and you can’t beat the price !! Coming back for sure !!!

Excellent room for the price. All the new age books in the main house library are a little creepy to me. And I keep forgetting that B&Bs don’t have televisions in their rooms. Luckily my husband brought his laptop so we were able to snuggle up and stream a movie through Netflix. Beautiful grounds too!

From the grounds to the rooms to the breakfast, Ojai Retreat is a jewel. To those who have stayed here … you know. For those who haven’t. you need to know. This place is magic … the Garden Room is magic (it’s view is magic). Like many, I came to Ojai a bit broken and 5 days later, I was practically flying and wished I had booked a month.
Innkeeper Clare sent a slew of helpful spa, and scenic, brochures prior to my arrival which is how I found Magical Judy @ Serenity Spa, the Krotona Institute of Theosophy (what a library) and the awesome Ojai Day Spa. If not for Clare, these little gems would have been missed. If you want some peace and a whole lot of relax, Ojai Retreat is the place.

The Ojai Retreat is a very, very special place. The grounds are tranquil and beautiful. The staff is incredibly kind, helpful and professional. We arrived after check in time and the office was closed. They left our check in materials outside for us with a map on how to find our room. Our «room» was a beautiful duplex. At least we think there was another suite attached to ours, but you couldn’t hear anything. The buildings are pretty sturdy. They rooms are elegant and beautiful. Ours, the «sky room» I think, was decorated with class and style and featured commanding views of the beautiful mountains. This is a great value, make no mistake. We will be back and we highly recommend the Ojai Retreat to anyone (who doesn’t have kids) to come and take in the peace, beauty and tranquility of this amazing area.

The Ojai Retreat is simply stunning. Located on top of a hill in rural Ojai, this secluded spot definitely takes on the aura of a spiritual and restorative center that is a welcome break from the hustle bustle of city life.
Each room has its’ own merits, but we really enjoyed the Balcony Room– the mountain scape can be enjoyed from the warmth of your bed, or the beauty of your porch. We loved the ability to be able to meditate and do yoga right on our front porch!
The staff is delightfully accommodating, the included breakfast is bountiful and full of organic treats like on site made granola, and the property is majestic. Love love love this place. Treat yourself, you’ll be thankful you did.
5 Stars.

Perfect place to get away. Super peaceful and calm. About two hours out of LA but feels far enought to get away. The drive was super chill. once we got there, we were greeted by Clair, who was super nice and welcoming. We stayed in the balcony room which was perfect. It over looks the mountains from our private balcony. I have to come here once a year. if your looking for a cool little cozy spot to get away, you have to go to ojai retreat. I also love the fact that they serve organic food for breakfast and the soap and lotion in the room was also organic. Sorry im a nut for anything organic ;) ojai retreat thanks and Clair you rock!!! See you soon.