Escape to Paradise: Blue Iguana Inn Awaits in Ojai, CA!

Blue Iguana Inn Ojai (CA) United States

Escape to Paradise: Blue Iguana Inn Awaits in Ojai, CA!

Escape to Paradise: Blue Iguana Inn Awaits in Ojai, CA! - A Rambling Review (Because Real Life is Messy!)

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to the Blue Iguana Inn in Ojai, and let me tell you, my brain is still trying to sort itself out! Forget the perfectly polished travel blog reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all.

The Setup: Location, Location, Location (and Ambiance!)

First things first: Ojai. If you haven’t been, GO. It’s this magical vortex of art, crystals, New Age-y vibes, and seriously stunning scenery. The Blue Iguana Inn perfectly gets the Ojai charm. It’s a bit quirky, a little boho, and oozes this relaxed, welcoming atmosphere from the second you pull up. The exterior design is…well, it’s definitely got that tropical thing going on. Is it paradise? Hmmm…let's see…

Accessibility & Navigating This Paradise (or Not?)

Now, I should mention upfront: if you have accessibility needs, you’ll want to check the details carefully. The website does mention facilities for disabled guests (woo!), and there is an elevator (double woo!), but I didn't personally assess the finer details. I saw CCTV in both the common areas and outside, which helps with security, but not with getting around yourself.

Rooms: My Little Sanctuary (Mostly!)

The rooms themselves? Okay, here's where things get interesting. I stayed in a…let's call it "cozy" room. It wasn't enormous, but it had everything I needed. The bed? Seriously comfy. Blackout curtains? Bless you, Blue Iguana! Because let's be honest, after a day of Ojai exploring (and maybe a little too much wine), you need to sleep.

The in-room Wi-Fi? YES! And it's free (big win!). I'm a work-from-anywhere type, so knowing I had reliable internet in my room was a godsend. Plus, you get free bottled water, which is essential, especially in the California heat. I had a window that opened.

The bathroom was…functional. It had a bathtub, a separate shower (always a plus!), and all the usual toiletries. Nothing fancy, but clean and perfectly acceptable. However, be warned, some rooms seem to connect, and you can hear everything! (Ahem, the couple next door…)

Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)

Now, let's talk about the food. I love food. I live for food. The Blue Iguana Inn has a restaurant onsite, and they offer all sorts of goodies, which were pretty good. Definitely, options for breakfast. The breakfast buffet looked tempting, but I skipped this breakfast because I was already late. The pool side bar, however, offers a great alternative! Drinks (happy hour!) and food.

Wellness & Relaxation: My Attempt at Zen (Mostly Failed)

Alright, so the real test. Ojai is all about relaxation and wellness, right? The Blue Iguana Inn understands this. They've got a pool with a view (a gorgeous view!), a sauna, and a spa.

I tried the sauna. I'm not a sauna person. I lasted about five minutes before I felt like I was being slow-cooked. But hey, at least I tried. Then I gave the pool a go, oh my god beautiful. Seriously, the pool area is where it's at. The views are stunning, and it's the perfect place to chill with a cocktail.

Staff & Service: Hits and Misses (Because Life Isn't Perfect!)

The staff at the Blue Iguana Inn…they were generally lovely. Helpful, friendly, and always willing to assist with a smile. The doorman was super helpful with my luggage.

Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe, But Maybe a Little Too Clean?

Cleanliness? They've got it covered. Seriously. Every surface gleamed. There were signs everywhere about their anti-viral cleaning products and sterilizing equipment. I'm all for cleanliness, but I started to wonder if they were overdoing it. No shared stationery, individually wrapped food options. They even had hand sanitizer everywhere. I found that reassuring. There's a doctor/nurse on call which is cool, and a first aid kit. Safety/security feature in the room.

The "Stuff" – Services, Conveniences, and the Little Things

• Cashless payment service: Awesome. No fumbling with cash!
• Daily housekeeping: My room was always spick-and-span.
• Laundry service: Did not need it, but good to know!
• Concierge: Helpful with recommendations.

The Verdict: Should You Escape to the Blue Iguana Inn?

Okay, here's the messy, honest truth: The Blue Iguana Inn is a good choice for an Ojai getaway. It's got charm, a stunning pool, comfortable rooms (mostly), and a good location. It is a little old fashioned, so, you should consider your personal preference.

My Emotional Reaction:

I had a blast! I came up here to get away from the stress of my job. The Blue Iguana Inn was just quirky enough to make me feel comfortable.

Ready to Book? Here's a Deal You Can't Refuse!

Limited-Time Offer!!!

Escape to Paradise Package!

Book a stay at the Blue Iguana Inn for any two nights or more and get:

• 15% Discount on your stay!
• Complimentary Bottle of bubbly upon arrival!
• Free access to the spa's hot tub!
• Daily Continental breakfast!

Click here to book your escape and discover the magic of Ojai! And hey, tell them I sent you. Maybe you'll find me by the pool, sipping a cocktail and trying to achieve Zen… or not.

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Blue Iguana Inn Ojai (CA) United States

Alright, buckle up, buttercups. We're going to Ojai. And not the perfectly-calibrated, Instagram-filter version. This is the REAL Ojai. This is me, trying to be chill, knowing full well I'm about to be a mess. Here's the plan, or rather, a suggestion of a plan, for a (hopefully) memorable stay at the Blue Iguana Inn:

Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (But, like, Pretty Views)

• 1:00 PM: Land in LAX. Okay, first hurdle: surviving the LA airport. Praying I don't get stuck behind a screaming toddler and a mountain of luggage. The drive to Ojai… it's supposed to be scenic, right? I'm aiming for scenic, but I'm betting on "slightly stressed out" with a side of "did I pack enough snacks?"
• 3:00 PM: Arrive at the Blue Iguana Inn. Fingers crossed the check-in process is smooth. And that my room actually looks like the pictures. I swear, online photos are a conspiracy. Will there be a pool? Did I even look at the pool when I booked this?
• 3:30 PM: Room check-in: Oh my god, the room is cute! This is good. Big breaths. Actually unpacking. Deciding if I should venture out into the light or stay inside forever. Right, I need outside.
• 4:30 PM: Stroll down Ojai Avenue. Okay, so this is where the "chill" takes a hit. Everyone looks so Zen. I'm pretty sure my aura is more "slightly caffeinated squirrel." Finding a coffee shop. Finding out if anyone has a good book recommendation.
• 6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant with outdoor seating. Hopefully, I won't spill spaghetti on myself while pretending to be a calm vacationer.
• 7:30 PM: Stargazing! Ojai is known for its dark skies. Buying the "big telescope" from Amazon and then realising I was wrong.
• 9:00 PM: Crawl back to room. The existential dread creeps in. Did I really leave my life? Did I pack the right shampoo? Does anyone really know what they are doing? Sleep.

Day 2: The Avocado Episode (and a lot more)

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast! I hope this place does not lack in gluten-free options… I really do not want to be miserable for whatever amount of time that I stay here.
• 9:00 AM: Okay, this is where I'm actually going to try to "be in the moment" and go on a hike. I swear I'm not going to trip.
• 10:30 AM: The Avocado Encounter. This is the big one. I am walking towards a Farmer's Market – not because I need anything, I don't even have a kitchen, but because I believe in the idea of a market. I pass a local vendor selling avocados. They are massive. Like, the size of my head. I have to buy one. I buy one. I am carrying the avocado. A feeling of excitement starts in my chest. This is the best day ever! I get back to my room, get a knife, and…I can't open it. I am so embarrassed. I google "how to cut an avocado" and am greeted with approximately seven million results. Still, I don't know what to do. Finally, I manage it. The avocado is perfect. I can feel my heart melt. THIS is why I came to Ojai.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch: I take the big avocado to lunch
• 2:00 PM: Exploring Shops. Okay, I'm not a shopper. But, I need to buy something, so I'm going to go to the shops.
• 3:00 PM: Wine-tasting. I think that my experience with avocado should be followed by drinking wine.

Day 3: Goodbye, Ojai. Hello, Reality.

• 9:00 AM: Last breakfast.
• 10:00 AM: Pack. The dread of going back to my life is creeping in…but honestly, that avocado…
• 12:00 PM: Check-out.
• 1:00 PM: Drive to LAX. Praying I don't forget anything!

The "Maybe We'll Do This" Buffer Zone:

• Spa Day: If my anxiety levels aren't through the roof, a massage sounds amazing. But, also, I might just hide in my room and watch trash TV. It's a 50/50 chance.
• Yoga: I will go to a yoga class. I will feel at peace. I will have great clarity. Until, that is I fall over.
• Art Galleries. Ojai is known for art, right? Maybe. I am not sure. I may go. I may not.

Important Disclaimer: This itinerary is, by definition, subject to change. I reserve the right to completely ignore it and do whatever the heck I want. And I probably will. Because that's the real adventure, isn't it? Embracing the chaos. Wish me luck. And please, send coffee. And maybe a therapist's phone number, just in case.

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Blue Iguana Inn Ojai (CA) United States

Escape to Paradise: The Blue Iguana Inn... Frequently Asked & NOT SO Frequently Answered Questions

Okay, seriously, is the Blue Iguana Inn *actually* paradise? Like, do you wake up and tiny angels bring you mimosas?

Alright, alright, let's get real. Paradise? Well...it's *Ojai* paradise, which is a specific, and let me tell you, *totally* different kind of paradise. No, the angels aren't delivering the bubbly. Though, I did swear I saw a hummingbird the size of my thumb buzzing around the bougainvillea, so close enough, right? Think less pearly gates and more...a perfectly cracked patio umbrella, sunlight dappling through, a faint whiff of lavender from the garden, and the absolute silence only broken by the happy chirping of birds. Mimosa supplies are on *you*, though they do provide a killer coffee. And look, sometimes the "paradise" is having to hunt down the ice machine (which, let me tell you, is a quest in itself), and sometimes the paradise is NOT having to see your kids for a weekend. You take what you can get, folks.

Tell me about the rooms. Are they like, sterile hotel rooms, or are they actually charming? I need charm. I NEED IT.

Ugh, sterile hotel rooms? *Shudders*. No. Absolutely not. The Blue Iguana? Think charming, *slightly* ramshackle, in the best possible way. It's like staying in a quirky aunt's house who's got impeccable taste but also doesn't believe in cleaning… which actually works for me. Maybe it's the mismatched furniture, the brightly colored walls, the way the sunlight streams through the shutters...it's just...cozy. I stayed in the casita. It's pretty much its own tiny house. I loved it. I was worried that someone would be taking a peek in the window, so I taped some newspaper up, but the vibe was so cute. I had to stay. But also, the *quirkiness*! The showerhead in my room was, like, a repurposed watering can! Seriously, I spent a good ten minutes just staring at it, wondering if I should actually use it. (I did, and it was surprisingly delightful.) It’s not a perfect museum piece, it's a *living* space. It's a haven, that's all there is to it.

What's the deal with the pool? Give me the HOT SCOOP. Is it Instagrammable?

The pool? Okay, the pool… First off, yes, the pool is Instagrammable. But more importantly, the pool is *relaxing*. It's the kind of pool where you actually *want* to read a book. You know, the kind where you're NOT fighting for a lounge chair, or dodging screaming kids. (Although, there *were* screaming kids next to me). There are some trees that give off a nice cool breezy. The sun does come off of it and hits your face, which is very enjoyable. The water is cool but not freezing, which is a plus. I spent a solid afternoon just floating and zoning out, letting the Ojai sun do its magic. It’s not the biggest, fanciest pool you'll ever see, but it's perfectly *enough*. My advice? Don't worry about the 'gram. Just sink in and breathe. Although, yes, take a photo so that you can look back later and think how gorgeous you were.

The Location, Location, Location…How's it situated? Easy to get around?

Location, shmocation. It’s the *perfect* location. The Blue Iguana is right in the heart of Ojai, close to everything. It's a short walk to the main street, so you can saunter over to the shops, the restaurants, the art galleries… If you want to, you can walk a little bit further to the awesome hikes. You *could* drive everywhere, but honestly, walking is the way to go. Embrace that relaxed Ojai vibe! It's honestly such a pleasant change from a stressful city.

Breakfast. Is it good? Is it *free*? Because I need to know these things.

Breakfast. Okay, so it's not like a giant buffet of scrambled eggs and bacon, but it *is* yummy. They do offer a complimentary continental breakfast, It's not just any breakfast -- it's very "Ojai". Think yogurt, good fruit, and fresh coffee, croissants, and toast. Which, honestly, after a little bit of sleeping in and enjoying Ojai, is perfect. It's enough to get you going. You can always order room service, and they're not cheap, but if you're hungover, you'll do it.

What are the BEST things to do nearby? Give me the inside scoop, people!

Okay, listen up. The BEST things to do nearby? Besides, you know, *existing* in the beauty of Ojai? First, definitely, definitely, *definitely* go to the Ojai Farmers' Market (Sundays, people!). The avocado toast alone is worth the trip. Then, hit up the shops on Ojai Avenue – lots of cute little stores to poke into. And if you're feeling adventurous, DO THE hike. It's stunning. (I think it's called Shelf Road Trail?) Honestly? The best thing? Just wandering around. Getting lost. Discovering hidden courtyards and adorable cafes. That’s my two cents.

Okay, so you mentioned *quirky*. Can you expand on that a bit? What's *actually* weird about the place?

Okay, "quirky." That's putting it *mildly*. It's not "weird" in a bad, run-down, I-need-a-lawyer kind of way. It's more... like, "the owner had a *vision*, and he ran with it." There's art EVERYWHERE. Seriously, everywhere. Like, in your bathroom, on your porch... you'll be walking around and a weird statue of a dragon is just there. There's a certain faded grandeur to it, a sense of "things have been here a while," which I personally LOVE. Don't get me started on the wallpaper in the lobby - I swear I saw a monkey wearing a monocle. And the staff? They're all lovely and helpful, but also… chill. Like, "we're in Ojai, man, relax" chill. Which, honestly, adds to the charm. It's not sterile, it's not corporate...it's *character*. You'll either adore it or... well, maybe you're a Hilton kind of person, and in that case, Ojai might not be for you.

Alright, the price. Is it worth the splurge or should I eat Ramen for a month to afford it?

The price. Okay, let'Find Your Perfect Stay

Blue Iguana Inn Ojai (CA) United States

Blue Iguana Inn Ojai (CA) United States

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