We had so many expectations when we booked a family vacation at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, in Ojai California. Early morning hikes, laps in the pool, intense cardio in the gym followed by deep tissue massage (him) and a spa treatment (me).
Did you ever book a suite at a fancy resort, only to realize when you get there that the only thing you want to do is veg out?
What were we thinking? The minute we entered our suite, with the king-sized bed in one room and the pull-out sofa in the other, we realized that the intensity of work and stresses of life finally had to be released. In other words, we CRASHED. We enrolled the kids in the terrific day camp and proceeded to sleep for the next 4 hours. Yes, a nap. Yes, in the middle of the day. Glorious!
When we walked the short distance to retrieve our children, they were excited and spent much of the next hour happily recounting the many games and crafts they did with their new best friends du jour. The stroll to the resort's restaurant was idyllic, and our then-3 year old was thrilled to discover a perfectly formed baby praying mantis, only 1/8 of an inch long.
Dinner was at The Oak Grill, served outside. Although there wasn't anything much in terms of a children's menu per se, the staff was happy to boil up some plain noodles for my picky eater. My older daughter enjoyed some fresh grilled salmon, as did I, while their daddy was delighted with the prime rib.
And then, of course, came dessert. Ah, nothing like a long nap, followed by some unearned ice-cream-on-a-brownie!
After a room service breakfast, we headed to the pool. Did I say pool? This must qualify as a chlorinated lake of some sort. It was so big that there was plenty of room for kids (and kids at heart) to splash around, without intruding on the guys doing laps. The pool felt kind of cold initially, but I had to act brave in front of my kids, especially since they jumped right in without a complaint. Guess I've gotten spoiled.
A nice walk through rustic Ojai leads right to the town proper, which has just the right blend of tchochke stores and small dusty antique stores to ensure that everyone will find something they like to bring home.
Oh, one more thing. Luxury at places like the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa come with a hefty price tag. If, like me, you feel a little weak after signing the bill, keep in mind that the outlet stores are just a few minutes away, in Cabrillo. I came away with the cutest little Coach handbag for under a hundred bucks! A perfect end to a relaxing weekend.
Copyright Jennifer Miner and Suite 101. All rights reserved.
Related Articles:
Luxury Hotels in Santa Barbara
Review of the Maui Prince Hotel
