Luxury Stays and Getaways: Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Stay at Casa Elar, Ojai Valley Inn's Tuscan-Inspired Villa
Casa Elar, a luxury villa at Ojai Valley Inn
There’s nothing quite like the magic of the Ojai valley, a beautiful Southern California destination set against the backdrop of the Topa Topa mountains. This tranquil bohemian town is a must-visit wellness destination where you’ll find unique mindful experiences, plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventures in nature, and delicious local cuisine.
Read more: Top Things To Do In Ojai
Swimming Pool at Ojai Valley Inn
If you’re looking for a luxurious getaway, The Ojai Valley Inn is the place to stay. The iconic AAA Five-Diamond resort captures the authentic spirit of Ojai and is set across 220 acres filled with oaks, olives trees, wild sage, and lavender.
The historic resort recently debuted the new design of Casa Elar, a 10,147 square foot luxury villa reimagined by Natalie Konstant. The new design of the Tuscan-style villa is bright, airy, and modern with classic California style touches.
Casa Elar features:
Two primary suites with his and hers bathrooms
Two large bedrooms with full bathrooms and fireplace
A private guest apartment over the garage with a full living, kitchen, and dining space
A Great Room and dining room that seats up to 14
Library and entertainment room
Spacious chef’s kitchen
Indoor and outdoor fitness areas.
Custom local art graces the walls alongside archival photos of Ojai Valley Inn, hand-carved wood furniture, and other tasteful finishes from Ojai-based furniture stores and showrooms including Dekor & Co., Down Home Furnishings, and Cercana.
For outdoor relaxation, the villa boasts an outdoor pool and spa area featuring sweeping views of Ojai Valley, a barbecue terrace with a stone Mugnaini pizza oven and gas grill, and four hand-carved limestone fountains.
Casa Elar Interior
Casa Elar is a popular destination for family reunions, intimate weddings, and celebrity escapes. To celebrate Casa Elar’s renovation, Ojai Valley Inn has teamed up with Southern California-based private charter company Sun Air Jets to debut an ultra-luxe escape package inclusive of round-trip chartered private flights and ground transportation. The package starts at $60,000 and accommodates up to ten guests with:
Kitchen at Casa Elar
A three-night stay at Casa Elar
A Petrossian Caviar Masterclass and Champagne tasting
Unlimited golf at Ojai Valley Inn’s award-winning championship course
One spa treatment per guest at Spa Ojai
In-flight amenities
We’ve put together a list of Ojai Valley Inn’s top tips to get the most out of a luxury wellness getaway at Casa Elar.
Top tips to get the most out of a luxury getaway at Casa Elar and Ojai Valley Inn:
Where to dine at Ojai Valley Inn and Casa Elar:
Casa Elar: While in residence in Casa Elar, you'll enjoy the comfort of a stately home, fully serviced and staffed in accordance with your expectations. Your individual pool, fitness center, and living spaces afford you with the opportunity to entertain or celebrate life at your own pace. Guests at Casa Elar can enjoy breakfast served continental-style at Casa Elar and a fully stocked pantry to snack throughout the stay.
Olivella: The Inn’s signature dinner restaurant features distinctly California cuisine with Italian influences and a seasonally driven menu that fuses a commitment to valley-grown ingredients with a nod to Italian tradition. The refined dining room serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
The Oak: The handsome décor of The Oak is based on architect Wallace Neff's signature Spanish Colonial design of the Inn. Guests may dine inside by the fireplace, or outside on the Oak Terrace overlooking rolling greens of the golf course. The Oak menu includes signature soups, fresh salads, and chef’s specialties. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily.
Spa Ojai
Top relaxation recommendations at Spa Ojai and Casa Elar:
Casa Elar’s fitness room is complete with a spin bicycle, treadmill, free weights, and outdoor area that overlooks the surrounding golf course.
Guests can book a treatment at Spa Ojai or enjoy a massage in the private oasis of Casa Elar. Standout offerings at Spa Ojai include:
Private Kuyam Experience: Kuyam, a Chumash Native American Indian word that means “a place to rest together,” combines the therapeutic effects of self-applied desert clay infused with essential oils, intense dry heat and inhalation therapy. In a sauna-like environment, the journey is guided by a traditional Chumash narrative. This unique detoxifying experience is concluded with a refreshing rinse and presentation of herbal tea while your body core temperature cools.
Orange Blossom & Honey Wrap: The deeply moisturizing treatment begins with a dry body brushing to gently exfoliate, followed by an application of warm honey blended with a rich, aromatic blend of orange blossom, coconut, and shea. While cocooned in warm linens, a relaxing scalp massage is performed to provide a deep state of calm, and is concluded with a massaging application of body butter.
Sound Energy Therapy: Ojai has been a spiritual destination since the time of the Chumash. Guests can immerse themselves in the vortex energy of Ojai through an integrative journey to healing. Using a customized, energetic approach, a practitioner uses vibration and sound therapy alongside an indigenous plant ritual and subtle energy modalities to facilitate a true Ojai experience for mind, body, and spirit.
Read More: The Best Spas in Ojai
Top outdoor adventures and sporty recommendations while staying at Ojai Valley Inn and Casa Elar:
From guided bike tours to rock climbing, there are adventures for everyone to enjoy the beauty of Ojai.
For those looking to improve their game, Ojai Valley Inn offers tennis and golf clinics for all levels.
For ocean lovers, guests can set up a surf lesson with local pro-surfer Mary Osborne and enjoy the waves just 30-minutes from Ojai Valley Inn.
Farmhouse recommendations:
On August 31, Petrossian Caviar will be hosting a Master Class where you can Indulge in an evening of caviar, wine, and champagne! Taste a tremendous range of world-class Petrossian caviar as you experience the subtle nuances that define each type. Includes guided caviar seminar followed by a four-course caviar dinner with wine pairings. Exclusive of service charge and tax. (The Farmhouse is Ojai Valley Inn’s 30,000 square-foot culinary and event center.)
Artist’s cottage experiences to try:
Class with a Glass: Let by artist Jeff Sojka known for his color-drenched paintings that capture the magic of nature and beautiful landscapes. Learn the step-by-step methods to creating your own masterpiece while enjoying a glass of wine. Daily activities are available during open studio hours 10am – 4pm.
Top recommendations for local adventures:
Explore the Topatopa mountains in an open-air jeep. Guests can tailor their adventure specifically for families, wine lovers or outdoor enthusiasts.
For more adventurous guests, spend the day rock climbing with Ojai Rock Climbing and enjoy the views from above.
For those looking for a taste of Ojai, Ventura Food Tours offers a private tasting tour through downtown Ojai. You’ll stop at six shops and restaurants for tastings and conversations with the owners and chefs.
Can’t make it to Casa Elar? Check out our guide to the 9 best Ojai hotels.
A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. Her work has appeared in publications including Beauty Launchpad, Nailpro, DAYSPA, CNET, Entertainment Tonight, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16