Hummingbird Inn   

1208 E Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
805-646-4365
www.hummingbirdinnofojai.com

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Located roughly two hours north of Los Angeles, the Hummingbird Inn is technically a motel, but its tranquil grounds and personal touches make it far more inviting than the image usually conjured up by that assignation. The rooms are standard fare, both in size and furnishings, but are spotless and charmingly decorated in keeping with the hummingbird theme. For $10 extra, ground floor bungalows -- more duplexes than separate units -- offer extra space and the benefit of no upstairs neighbors. Suites ($20 extra), kitchenettes ($20 extra) and full-kitchen units ($30 extra) afford even more elbow room for families or extended stays. Continental breakfast -- muffins, bagels, Danishes, juices, coffee and a variety of teas -- is provided in the reception area, and a fruit basket makes healthy snacks available throughout the day. Guests with a sweet tooth are in for a treat: fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies served each afternoon. The front desk staff is friendly and helpful, offering restaurant and recreation recommendations without hesitation. A heated pool keeps kids happy, while an adjacent whirlpool caters to mom and dad. The real draw of the Hummingbird Inn, though, is its grounds and surroundings. Located in the Ojai Mountain Valley, the inn boasts mountain views in all directions. Rose bushes bloom in profusion, and a hammock, loveseat swing and chairs -- all shaded by a mix of lush foliage -- call out for breakfasting alfresco and lazy afternoons spent reading or napping. Hummingbird feeders attract the inn's fluttering namesake, and benches and fountains fill several alcoves, offering further retreats for reflection or romance. For those less inclined to so much inactivity, downtown Ojai's eclectic mix of shops and coffee houses -- no Starbuck's here -- are a healthy walk or short drive away. Likewise, convenient hiking opportunities abound, and side trips to the coastal towns of Ventura (15 miles south) and Santa Barbara (25 miles north) provide further diversions with minimum effort. Excellent for couples but also accommodating to families, the Hummingbird Inn offers a comfortable and affordable getaway. -- Kimberly Pifer