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I’ve noticed my tendency to scrunch my shoulders up. I don’t even realize it’s happening until I relax and they fall a good six inches. Then I stretch my head from side to side and feel the tension travel all the way up my neck. It’s time for some R&R. A good start is a massage, but sometimes a bigger, more comprehensive attack of serenity is necessary.
Recently my girlfriend and I decided to treat ourselves to a weekend away. She wanted some activities, while I really wanted some pampering. We decided on the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Tucked away in the town of Ojai, travel to the resort takes just over an hour from LA. Once on property, an immediate transformation began. The valet assumed my belongings and with them went the stress I’ve been carrying…
We started the weekend with a round of golf. I have actually never played before, but I started at the top. Immaculate and scenic, the course is one of the best in southern California. Originally designed by a George C. Thomas in 1923, the course has hosted seven Senior PGA tournaments, numerous televised events and earned the silver medal by Golf Magazine. I learned during my time on the green that golf has numerous rules. In addition to no denim (my staple wardrobe item), players need to keep pace or golfers behind you stack up and get annoyed. Therefore, I ended up walking my ball from one hole to the next several times. I also learned to keep my eye on that dastardly little ball to keep from tearing my arm out of the socket when I missed it repeatedly.
After eight scenic holes (we skipped one to avoid the aforementioned stack up), I was ready for lunch. We opted for the outdoor Oak Café, which overlooks the golf course and offers a healthy range of delicious options. We ordered the chicken salad and the lobster, bacon and avocado sandwich, which comes east coast style with a generous amount of lobster meat. Both were uniquely flavored and decidedly delicious.
In addition to golf, the Inn boasts a complete tennis center, with four hard courts and a full service pro shop. Other activities include guided lake fishing and kayaking, and a variety of beach activities such as sailing, deep-sea fishing and surfing lessons.
We saw our first two sets of lesbians during lunch and noted that it was great to have family around. Post lunch we decided to take a quick soak in the spa, where we ran into several more gay women in pairs, including some friends we didn’t know were coming up. I wondered if we hadn’t stumbled upon the secret getaway of not only Hollywood, but the lesbian contingency of LA and SF.
Dinner was a special Prix Fix for Valentine’s Day, which was served in the elegant Maravilla Restaurant. Jeff West, the maître d’hôtel, who transplanted recently from West Hollywood, greeted us. My God, the gays are everywhere! Formerly with Muse, Felt, Spago and L’Orangerie, Best moved up to manage all the restaurants at the Ojai Valley Inn, which is reflected in the high quality of service.
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Sunday morning I rolled out of bed for my deep tissue massage. The technician really knew his stuff. He checked in with me about pressure and spent additional time on my aching shoulders (all that dodgeball I've been playing in West Hollywood) and quads (too much hiking), as I requested.
Later, we both tried Spa Ojai’s signature mud treatment, the Kuyam, a Chumash word meaning “a place to rest together.” We were led into a dark, sauna like room with tiled, built-in seats. We each took a corner and were instructed to smear various dishes of clay onto parts of our body. One was for neck and shoulders, one for the digestive middle parts and joints and the last was for the face and anything left uncovered. Then we sat and meditated as the clay dried and hardened (and stung a bit). An audio recording led us through breathing exercises and visualization. Much like I’ve experienced yoga, I enjoyed it for a bit, but then began to fidget. Next we were put through a cold blasting shower (which I found mean), and lead to a private outdoor patio for peppermint tea and relaxation (which I loved). We agreed it was well worth the $50 price tag, which also includes use of the steam room, sauna, pool and indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi.
While it’s called an inn, there are technically 308 rooms (including 72 suites) on property. Designed in the romantic Spanish Colonial style, they have paid close attention to the details in the rooms, which come with four-poster beds, Spanish style corner fireplaces, terra cotta tile bathrooms and colorful hand painted lanterns, which accent the rooms.
Originally created as a world-class golf destination, the 220-acre Ojai Valley Inn has developed over the past eight decades into a full-service resort. In addition to massage, they also offer facials, manicures, pedicures, makeup and hair services as well as a full program of mind/body classes, including yoga, spinning, dance, t'ai chi and nature walks.
The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a luxurious getaway anytime you can squeeze it into your busy schedule, but I do suggest going mid week, so you’ll have the place to yourself. See more photos and make reservations at www.ojairesort.com.
