SPA OJAI
At The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa****, Ojai, California, USA

Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2001-6

This 31,000 square-foot Spanish Colonial style Spa of the Ojai Valley Inn Resort is absolutely glorious. Nestled near the majestic oaks that dot the property and surrounded by greenery and mountains, it soothes both body and mind with a serenity that not all world class facilities achieve. The current major remodeling project of the Inn has had little impact on the Spa.

© 2001 photos Peter D'Aprix

Since the Ojai Valley was home to the Chumash Indians who considered it a place of healing, they offer some unique treatments that are Chumash in origin. The only treatments of this type in the US, the Kuyam (Koo-Yahn) combines cleansing mud, inhalation of dry heat and guided meditation. The Chumash herbal wraps with soothing herbs not only relax sore muscles and joints but soften the skin

Another revitalizes and detoxifies while relieving muscle stiffness. Personally, we can vouch for the superior massage therapy staff. Massage training in California requires only 300 hours of schooling, so the Ojai Spa recruits all of their massage therapists from Utah where they undergo 900 hours of schooling before completing their training. And it shows!

Spa Ojai offers a variety of different massage therapies using the purest of essential oils. A multitude of facials are available and all include skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation masque and moisturizers in the twenty-eight treatment areas. In addition to the massage and body treatments there are whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and sunbathing loggias for both men and women. The top floor of the Spa has a luxurious 3,500-square-foot penthouse with private elevator, four bedrooms and two living rooms, a private treatment room, sauna, meditation loft and both a sunrise and sunset terrace with private outdoor whirlpools and fireplaces - if you really feel like treating yourself.

There are a number of body treatments to choose from with your choice of Rose Petals, Sandal Wood or Lavender. They really help eliminate stress and anxiety and soothe the soul.

The massage rooms have been designed to provide a peaceful ambiance, with quiet lighting, soothing colors and many have fireplaces for when the climate turns chilly or just to add to the relaxing atmosphere. Others also have French doors that admit warm breezes if that is preferred.

The pool is lovely with its own jacuzzi, if the numerous Jacuzzis in the men's and women's locker rooms are not choice enough. The Spa has its own cafe called "The Acorn" which serves healthy choices at pool side.

There are a number of body treatments to choose from with your choice of Rose Petals, Sandal Wood or Lavender. They really help eliminate stress and anxiety and soothe the soul.

The massage rooms have been designed to provide a peaceful ambiance, with quiet lighting, soothing colors and many have fireplaces for when the climate turns chilly or just to add to the relaxing atmosphere. Others also have French doors that admit warm breezes if that is preferred.

The pool is lovely with its own jacuzzi, if the numerous Jacuzzis in the men's and women's locker rooms are not choice enough. The Spa has its own cafe called "The Acorn" which serves healthy choices at pool side.

The Spa also has well equipped mind/body fitness gym and exercise rooms. There is a state-of-the-art cardio theater, a full selection of weight machines and free weights, as well as one of the countries' few Makoto trainers, a computerized machine that blends strenuous cardiovascular work with intense mental focus.

A daily schedule of mind/body classes includes T'ai Chi, yoga, qi gong, meditation, spinning and water aerobics, plus more unusual offerings such as Tribal Dance, Salsa Dancing, and a new modality called The Essential Triangle. The mind boggles! Of course, less exotic power walks and nature hikes are also on the list. These can start outside the front door on the 220 acre grounds of the resort or on the 800 acre ranch nearby or, for that matter, anywhere in the Ojai Valley with its bike/horse path that leads to the sea at Ventura beach.

For less energetic partners, the Spa also offers in addition to comfy chaises longues by the pool, classes in watercolor, pastels and oils, plus mandala creation, herbal wreath making and festive table arrangments at their own "Art Studio at Spa Ojai".

The massage treatments the Spa offers are: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Shiatsu, Aromatherapy Massage, Reflexology, Golfer's Theraeutic Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Synchronized Massage by two therapists, Gentleman's Massage which includes exfoliation, steamed face towerl, hydrating hand and foot treatment, scalp massage combined with a Swedish massage that last almost an hour. No golf after that one guys! Ladies' are not ignored. They have the Ladies' Luxury Massage also has exfoliation, but includes steaming aroma therapy face cloth, acupressure face-lift points, and a hydrating hand and foot treatment also combined with Swedish massage. For both sexes there is Back, Shoulder, Neck & Scalp massage, Massage Duet for couples who cannot stand to be appart for even a minute or they could opt for the In-Room Massage. For a "water weightless" environment, you can have the Hydrotherapy Massage.

There are too many skin care and body treatments to list, but you can also enjoy the Bath Ritual, Body Scrubs as well as the Chumash Herbal Wraps.

You could stay a week and never have the same treatment! Guys and Girls get equal attention so couples can really enjoy this even if one also wants to spend time on the links. The food at the main dining room "The Maravilla" or at the "Oak Café" at the main club house is quite good as are all the myriad of other activities from tennis to horse back riding at the ranch. The Inn is famous for its "kids" programs, so you can bring the offspring, lodge them with the handlers and pamper yourself.

For full information on the Spa, the Inn, the golf and tennis and all other activities as well as the tarrifs, visit one or both of the web sites of the resort below.

Click map below to see larger version.

Resort Map.

Spa Ojai
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Country Club Road
Ojai, California 93023, USA
tel: (1)-805-646-5511
toll free: 1-888-772-6524
fax: (1)-805-640-2004

Web Site with Rates: /www.ojairesort.com