For businesses, groups and organizations looking for inspiration and relaxation in a destination that caters to intimate meetings and gatherings from 10 to 50, Ojai fits the bill. With its one-of-a-kind boutique inns, scenic off-site venues, small town charm, and outdoor recreational offerings, Ojai is well positioned as an alternative to the standard corporate gatherings and hotel fare. It is an idyllic destination for weekday meetings, writers’ retreats, health and wellness gatherings, and team building excursions.
Groups will find lower rates mid-week at the inns and boutique properties, and many offer Ojai packages that include wine tasting, spa outings, ranch tours, jeep tours, fishing, biking, horseback riding and more. Larger groups, looking for full-service meeting amenities and on-site banquet facilities at a top-rated resort, will find that and more at the five-diamond Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
GROUP LODGING OPTIONS
Blue Iguana Inn
The old-world artistic Blue Iguana Inn, just outside of town, is an ideal setting for retreats. The Inn can meet the needs of various types of groups and can accommodate approximately 40 people for those utilizing individual rooms, and more for those groups sharing accommodations. Room accommodations vary from rooms and suites to bungalows and vacation cottages. Many suites contain private patios and courtyards for additional space. Both outdoor and indoor meeting space is available and discounted, special packages are offered to groups throughout the year.
Casa Ojai Inn
The all green certified Casa Ojai Inn (45 rooms) is a great option for small meetings, up to 20 people. For larger groups, Casa Ojai partners with
Soule Park, located across the way on a beautiful golf course set against the Topa Topa Mountains. Soule Park can accommodate tournaments and other special meetings & events. The banquet room can accommodate up to 100 people and smaller groups can utilize the dining room or outside patio while enjoying the magnificent views. Groups can also opt to meet at the
Ojai Valley Women’s Club located in a beautiful, historic, craftsman building in downtown Ojai. The building is available for special events, parties and meetings. The 1911 structure features a large room with stage, charming foyer, kitchen and back room. The clubhouse capacity is 300 people standing, or 225 seated throughout.
Lavender Inn
The historic Lavender Inn bed & breakfast is located in the heart of downtown Ojai and can accommodate the needs of smaller groups in several on-site location. Its cozy and inviting library is available for meetings up to 12 people, and the veranda can easily seat 16. The spacious lawn can hold approximately 125-150 for a dinner or for a private reception. Various options are offered on-site including a cocktail reception and team-building cooking classes, customized to meet the needs of the group.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a sprawling luxurious resort (308 rooms/suites) with restaurants, a pub, a day spa, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and two pools. The resort has two ballrooms and additional indoor and outdoor venues available for weddings, meetings and other events. Awarded the "Gold Key" by
Meetings and Conventions Magazine, and the "Award of Excellence" by
Corporate and Incentive Magazine, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa offers a private, distraction-free meeting space that provides both the quiet necessary for concentration and reflection during business hours, and the activities and relaxation of an exclusive Southern California vacation destination during leisure hours. The
Hacienda ballroom (6000 sq. ft.) and the
Anacapa ballroom (4,800 sq. ft.) are the focal points of the Inn's meeting space and banquet facilities. Wrought iron chandeliers, hand-stenciled walls and ceilings, and rich Moroccan carpets bring a residential feel to the rooms. Foyers are warmed by fireplaces, while outside terraces and courtyards offer the tranquility of fountains and the natural beauty of Topa Topa Mountains.
Pepper Tree Retreat & Education Center
Pepper Tree Retreat & Education Center is located at the historic home of world renowned philosopher J. Krishnamurti. Eleven acres of quiet, natural beauty, in the east end of the Ojai Valley make the perfect setting for group retreats and program events. Of the several meeting spaces available at Pepper Tree Retreat & Education Center, the Great Room at Pine Cottage, is large enough to accommodate groups of up to 100 for presentations, workshops, screenings, concerts, classes, or discussions. Audio/visual equipment is available. There is a large, well-appointed conference room ideal for board meetings and professional presentations for up to 30 people. Pepper Tree Retreat is a vegetarian Bed & Breakfast, built in 1910 and recently renovated with 10 guest suites, which will accommodate 10-24 people. The retreat is available for small group
activities.
Su Nido Inn
Su Nido Inn is an artsy, mission-style revival boutique inn containing spacious suites. Situated within walking distance to Ojai village, the Inn contains a charming center courtyard ideal for enjoying morning coffee before heading out for the day’s events. Su Nido can accommodate up to approximately 200 people for a tented event in their parking lot or for a private reception in their adjoining courtyard. Off-site catering is available through various restaurants throughout Ojai depending on the groups needs.
The Oaks at Ojai
The award-winning destination spa, The Oaks at Ojai (44 guest rooms) is an ideal spot for small groups looking to focus on healthy weight loss and overall wellness and conscious eating. The Oaks caters to smaller meetings and offers a discount for groups of six or more. Groups can utilize the dining room as a gathering room option. The dining room has two separate spaces for groups, up to 60 people.
Camp Ramah
Nestled in the lovely hills of Ojai, Camp Ramah offers fresh mountain air and natural vistas in a peaceful wooded setting for organizations and groups. Facilities include meeting rooms, banquet rooms, cottages, and an outdoor amphitheater available for conferences and events. Event space capacities range from 25 to 1,000 people.
The
Max and Pauline Zimmer Conference Center at Camp Ramah provides gourmet kosher catering customized to the needs of the group. Seven meeting rooms can accommodate a range of group activities with the capacity to hold 25 to 1,000 people. Room styles include: banquet rooms, meeting halls with hard wood floors, two cottages for smaller groups and an outdoor amphitheater. The accommodations include 55 hotel style rooms with private baths, linens, air conditioning and heating to accommodate 120 people.
The
Levine Family Retreat House is equipped with eight deluxe bedrooms and two conference rooms. The facility can also accommodate an additional 20 overnight guests. Other amenities include tennis and basketball courts, sports facilities, pools, a state of the art ropes course and extensive hiking trails throughout camp.
Ojai is an easy 90-minute drive north of Los Angeles and 50 minutes south of Santa Barbara. The closest airports are Santa Barbara (45 miles), Burbank (70 miles), and Los Angeles (85 miles). For more information on Ojai’s meetings & retreats venues, visit
www.ojaivisitors.com or call the Ojai Visitors Bureau at (888) OJAI-NOW.