I just walked through the hotel last week and it has such an authentic, rustic, old-world vibe. The exterior is lovely and the interior is exquisite! I was surprised at how much I liked the dark, moody lobby. It's a stark transition from the outdoors, but it works! It transports you right away to another era...another place and time, which is perfect for a getaway. And everything from the rugs to the furniture, the light fixtures to the art...all have been selected so mindfully and tastefully. And the brass and leather keyring! WOW! I would like to know the name of the artist that made those beauties. I also would like to know who painted the gorgeous mural on the interior of the hotel lobby depicting scenes of the Sespe Wilderness, local wildlife, iconic Ojai architecture, Chumash history and much more. Erik, did you happen to ask them who the artist was/is when you were there? Also, I couldn't help laughing out-loud reading about the closets being "on the sad side of quaint." Because, well, that is just a very funny description. Like something David Sedaris would say! There was also one other detail that I thought was very intriguing in the hotel restaurant...the La Cantina. It was the terra cotta tile on the walls. It looks like they used the back side of the tile instead of the front side creating a rustic, corrugated, adobe brick-like feel. I'll have to ask about that design decision next time I pop in. It makes the restaurant walls look so earthy and unique with the feel of old brick walls, but much more interesting! Thank you for the great photos, Erik. Especially the view from the second floor patio overlooking the Ojai Playhouse and Rory's Other Place. That is a view that I will never see myself, so it's nice to live vicariously through you! p.s. I loooooooved seeing the giant tortoise on the property being cared for so beautifully with GIANT piles of kale for snacking and terra cotta saucers filled with water for hydration. A fantastic invitation to The Turtle Conservancy on the east end of Ojai, which is a MUST see! Manci Rasmussen was our educator and guide and she was fantastic! So generous with her knowledge about the turtles and TRULY a lover of nature and animals. If I remember correctly I think she mentioned having a degree in Zoology. You can tell that she LOVES her job, which makes the tour of that gorgeous property with it's MAGICAL turtles even MORE delightful!
Look at Carp....more than pizza and burritos these days.
good riddance to Ellen. she doesn't pay her bills, she is a crook. facts.
It’s mentioned on their website that the hotel is 18 and up. Don’t mind kids but feel the decision is appropriate for this hotel. Though if they are allowing yappy dogs then might as well allow children too.
This is verbatim from the Historic Landmarks Commission agenda: "(Review of a Phase 1 Historic Resource Report for a Spanish Colonial Revival/Moorish Revival style residence and sandstone retaining wall built in 1918. The historic evaluation is required due to a proposal for demolition.)" Perhaps that only refers to one section of the house, but you can certainly see how one might misread it. As for the broader attack, my goal is to be accurate, and as such, I appreciate being corrected. I would much prefer to be accurate from the start, but the Warner organization has always refused to comment, so I no longer bother asking. If there's an opportunity for better communication, please just let me know.
Dear Elizabeth W: as is usually the case, Siteline gave out wrong information. The residence is planned to be completely restored to its former glory. One section is structurally comprised and will be removed in order to replace with a bedroom and deck.
And no way would any bank accept an owners "asking rent" as what the potential market rent would be, they hire their own appraisers to determine that.
Sean-Which banks are lending on empty property? I have had a few commercial property loans over the years and it is a pretty rigorous process even with 75%+ occupancy. I cant see anyone loaning against an empty building.
Ty Warner wanting to tear down a historic house is par for the course. I was hoping for furniture at the library but something in the shade and tables/chairs would be more conducive to reading than a picnic bench in the sun. Lastly, the Ghirardelli mosiacs are ghastly. I'll be interested to see the outcome from the Historic Landmarks Commission.
Good overview of the hotel, appreciate the description and pictures. I stayed at the Oaks Inn prior to remodeling so this is a nice option for a luxury stay in Ojai.
I’d rather allow kids than dogs and I love dogs. Just not in planes, hotels or restaurants
I ride my bike all over this town (not an e-bike, just a regular 7-speed cruiser), multiple days a week. I use the new Modoc trail frequently. I ride up Cliff Drive all the time and I will certainly use the new bike path there when it's finished. I use the Castillo, Bath, and Chapala bike paths, as well as many of the East-West bike lanes. The ease of biking in this town allows my wife and I to own and maintain just one car for the two of us. Biking may not work for you. Everyone's situation is different. Trees were undoubtedly cut down to provide the roads you drive on. Why can't the same be done for bikers and pedestrians?
No kids in the hotel.
they allow dogs.?
The receptionist. We called twice to confirm.
And yet your comment reeks of hate.
May I ask who told you that? Because that is not what they told me.
The hotel has a firm “no kids” rule. They are ‘allowed in the lobby’ but cannot stay in the rooms or go near the pool or restaurants. Bummer.
So it’s officially being called Park Highlands now? I live in the neighborhood, and I remember there was some internal momentum to go with ‘Mountain Ranch,’ which I thought had a nice ring to it. Even just ‘The Highlands’ feels a bit more distinctive. Is this one of those situations, like in NYC, where the name just kind of gets pushed by realtors until it sticks?
Love the litte tour around the neighborhood.
The Santa Barbara Public Library sign on Anapamu St
The money for Cliff Dr is not coming from from the City cofferes. It is coming from a grant from the State for improved alternative transportation options (biking and walkibg) and pedestrian safety.
gorgeous hotel!!!!
Exactly - there are a few businesses in town that clearly have shown where they are on the political spectrum and I patronize them as little as possible.
We don’t service the blind/deaf lanes at the shop, sorry
I very seldom see people using the bike lanes. Even using them correctly. !! Some low i.q. people go down de la vina street instead of streets with bike lanes thus a hassle for cars traveling de la vina st.
After 5 million$$ wasted on researching what to do on State st. Now the city council people want to cut down 33 mature well established trees. Where’s Santa Barbara beautiful
Is there anyone who wants to save the many beautiful trees this city has for a few bikes. This is not Holland or any place in Europe. Save Our City 🙏
