Hollywood Glamour Revisited - Welcome to Ojai

Life in the Thirty Mile Zone* is all go, all the time. So when its time for a break, Angelinos have their favorite hotel retreats.  It’s a simple: jump in a car, head north and within two hours you’re on another plane of existence.

Nestled in a valley within the Los Padres National Forrest, Ojai is known for its miles of orange groves, spiritual retreats and world class wineries. Ojai has maintained it’s relationship with Hollywood jetsetters for the better part of nine decades, thanks in part to the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.

The hotel has hosted celebrities, athletes, politicians and those seeking a quiet moment from an otherwise busy existence. At nearly 100 years old, even the grand dame of elegant living needs the occasional refresh. So when the owners began looking for a design firm, EDG was there.

The goal was simple – capture the old Hollywood glamour, the beauty of the Spanish architecture, perfection in hospitality and the ethereal vibe that can only be discovered in Ojai. Over the course of several years, EDG has reimagined the interior design of the hotel’s public spaces.

Guests are welcomed at the new lobby, which includes guest check-in, concierge services and a small library. The space has been opened to expose historic windows, custom wooden doors and an inviting library fireplace.

The pool has become the centerpiece for young Hollywood. EDG created a poolside bar and grill, luxury cabanas and soothing water features. Fashion designer Oliver Peoples sponsored a sunglass concierge service in 2015, which outfits the sun worshiping crowd with the latest design trends in eyewear. 

Then there’s the pink moment. That perfect witching hour when silence falls in the valley and an ethereal pink glow slowly heads from east to west, disappearing just as quickly as it arrived. To best catch this moment, the Olivella Bar and Restaurant offers several outdoor terraces.

The vision of the “new Ojai” includes adding contemporary touches while remembering the historic character of the space. EDG will continue its commitment to maintaining this historic landmark, now and into the future.

*For those who are wondering…

“In the American entertainment industry, the thirty-mile zone (TMZ) is the area marked roughly around a 30-mile (50 km) radius from the intersection of West Beverly Boulevard and North La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, which at one time was the location of the headquarters of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the negotiating body for most studio management. This area includes almost all of the southern half of Los Angeles County, as well as slices of eastern Ventura County and northwestern Orange County. Entertainment industry unions currently use this area to determine rates and work rules for union workers. The zone also largely determined the location and success of the original movie ranches in or near Hollywood.”

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