*ATTENTION YELPERS* if you've made reservations to this place, please cancel it. It is NOT worth the 400, 800 dollars ur paying. Especially if you're coming here expecting the old Ballard Inn. This is not the same Ballard Inn of yore. EVERYTHING has changed! -first of all they used to welcome you with a whole spread of charcuterie board with both meats and cheeses. And a whole line up of many different wines. Now, they only have one small plate of a few cheeses and fruits and a couple of wines that are not even checked on frequently to replace. Also, the welcome champagne is only given to you if you specifically ask for it. -instead of the usual chocolate chip cookie that's placed on your bed to welcome you. It is now just in a jar in the lobby. -They used to turn down the bed for you when you got back to your room at night. The only thing turned down now is their neglectful hospitality. -and don't get me started on the breakfast. It used to be that you would get a menu with a whole bunch of items on it, and you can order as many items as you want and it's all included. Now all you get is a small selection of continental items. And they give you one hot item which is the same for everyone, and it was a very mediocre breakfast sandwich. I am appalled that a place that charges SO much treats you this way. What are you paying for? Just the ambiance and to sleep there? They killed 3/4ths of the Ballard experience. But wait, there's more. Their fine dining restaurant isn't there anymore, and you have to have dinner elsewhere. I am so glad I paid the weekly deal and didn't pay the obscene amount of money they charge for the holidays. This was so not worth the money I paid. I miss the old Ballard Inn! If anyone knows of a similar place to the old one please shoot me a message with the name. Thank you! read more

Look at the photos of the room we were given and compare them to the website. Pictures are worth a thousand words. We did not have a good experience at The Ballard Inn, and the Manager, Josh, was argumentative and did not offer us a different room or resolution. There were flying insects that got in our drinks and mold in the bathroom. The room was nothing like the photos or descriptions on the website. I expect more for $500/night. read more

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This is truly one of the best inns/hotels I have ever stayed in. So much so I would love to have a wedding here. The service is excellent and the place is just gorgeous. It's in a very quiet area and is a very quiet hotel. They offer free cooking every night and they serve different flavored waters everyday near reception. Overall I love this place and could not recommend it more. read more

Ballard Inn - Hotels Near Me - Ballard, California

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This past weekend was our first stay at the Ballard Inn. The front desk was unmanned when we checked in. It took almost 10 minutes for someone to come out to help us. The first room we were given had a busted concave mattress. The kind man at the front desk assigned us another room which, although having a better mattress, was still past end-of-life. I had to fold a bedspread and lay it under the bottom sheet just to sleep semi-level. The room -- although spotlessly clean -- had no coffee maker, tea kettle, TV, phone, or desk/workspace. There was also no information about hotel policies or local sights. There is no room service. I went downstairs at 8:30 pm to try to find a cup of tea and found the front desk closed for the night. A young woman was knocking on the locked front door, and when I let her in she asked if I worked there and explained she was late for check-in. No one was available to help her. The "breakfast" doesn't open until 8 am (even on weekdays) and is muffins and fruit only. If you want a real breakfast, cross the street to Bob's Well Bread (which is awesome). Do not expect to get any work done during your stay, as the wifi is unusably slow. Neither is there any cell service (at least not on AT&T). (As a side note, I had to cancel a stay here six months ago. It took eleven calls over four days for someone to pick up the phone to process the cancelation. How does this place stay in business, especially given the nice local AirBnbs??) We went to check out at 8 am but the front desk was still closed, so we dropped off our keys and left, never to return. read more

Obsessed It's like a home away from home, I just feel so well taken care of here. I love the location. I think it's a good value. I like to come during the week it's way more affordable!!! So so many small details the staff does too be hospitable from your booking, to your arrival (yes I will have a glass of champagne) and intake, room placement and all staff interactions are impeccable. Breakfast is legit too AND I LOVEEEE the complementary Wine Cheese evening hangout from 4-6!! NOTES; Some of the rooms have carpet Pets allowed, which is awesome and I think it's a $50 extra charge a night. No TVs No in room refrigerators. No luggage assistance. Free parking Bike rental across the street 2nd Visit decorated so cute for the holidays and staff says they have an incredible Halloween Party!! 1st Visit can't find the dang pics!! read more

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Wow! So hospitable, so accommodating, and so nice. The gentleman at the front was the very best! He was so kind! A nice quiet place to stay about 7 minutes from Solvang. Very nice quaint place with a home feel! Definitely recommend! read more

Do not stay at this hotel. A one star is being generous. We made the decision to check out a day early due to the unacceptable condition of our room -- including strong odors, stained carpet, an unpleasant bathroom, and an armoire with such a pervasive odor that we couldn't use it for our clothes. In addition to those issues, the mattress was severely worn and dipped noticeably in the center, resulting in a miserable night's sleep and back pain the next day. These were not minor inconveniences -- they significantly impacted our ability to enjoy or even remain in the room. Frankly, the condition of the room raised serious concerns about cleanliness and safety. Between the strong odors, visible stains, and outdated furnishings, I genuinely questioned whether the room met basic health and hygiene standards. If these issues are not addressed, I believe they would warrant attention from the appropriate local health authorities. We checked out a day early, they offered us 50% off the first night which I found to be unacceptable. Also please note that their employees were unhelpful, disnt really care, rushed me off the phone and didn't want to admit that it was wrong to put any customer in this room. Clearly they know this is an issue as all of the rooms in the main building have been remodeled. Ephrym and Paige were semi helpful but both rude on the phone and Veronica who is supposedly in charge couldn't even return my call or emails. read more

Ballard Inn - The mattress dipped in the center, probably the most disgusting and uncomfortable mattress ever. - Hotels Near Me - Ballard, California

Ok so just got home from a stay here and if you can handle no TVs in the rooms ( I did it!) then you should live this place. Basically situated in a cute neighborhood with almost no commerce except a nice bakery across the street. Comes with an excellent breakfast with fresh Oj, fruit, muffins, scones and the breakfast of the day. Typically some sort of egg dish. In the afternoon they have a wine and charcuterie hour and very relaxing places to sit and enjoy inside or outside the property. After the dinner hour they have homemade chocolate chip cookies and they are also good. I'm picky about my cookies and these were great. The ladies working there were very helpful. When we arrived we had no reservations and I asked to see the available rooms. We chose the vibe room upstairs. I recommend an upstairs room. Our room was spacious and comfortable. The whole Inn is just a beautiful place inside and out. The breakfast restaurant area could be painted in a lighter color as the room gets very little natural light and is very dark. If you can stay here Sunday thru Thursday you can save a lot of money. Rates will vary on those day between $200-$300. More like $400-$500 on the weekends. No extra parking or resort fees which is nice. You basically get about $100 worth of extras if you eat breakfast there and have a glass or two of wine. First class operation that the ladies will love. read more

Ballard Inn - Pic of seating area from bed. - Hotels Near Me - Ballard, California

I rarely write negative reviews, but I felt compelled to share this experience given the current state of the Ballard Inn, especially at $800+ per night. I work in hospitality and travel often, partnering with some of the best hotel brands in the world. I understand the pressures and complexities of running a property, and I approach every stay with empathy and realistic expectations. That said, what we experienced here was not a matter of things going wrong. It was a pattern of neglect and disregard. Here's what guests should be aware of: * Lost Booking We booked through Booking.com two months in advance, with prepayment and confirmation. Upon arrival, the front desk had no record and immediately blamed the third-party platform with no apology, no ownership. They eventually found a room, but it was a downgrade from what we reserved. No refund or gesture was offered. * Non-Existent Staff Staffing appeared to be minimal at best. It was nearly impossible to find someone when anything was needed. * Unprofessional, Dismissive Service The front desk experience was jarringly poor. Requests were met with eye-rolls, blame-shifting, or flat-out inaction. Even a basic ask, like a set of cutlery, was treated as an inconvenience. * Poor Housekeeping in Public Spaces While the shared spaces have potential, they're consistently neglected. Breakfast plates sat out well into the evening. Glassware from the previous night's happy hour was still on tables at breakfast. It gave the entire property a sense of being unmonitored. * Room Condition & Cleanliness The rooms are in need of a serious update: stained rugs, broken furniture, dusty drapes, and a pervasive musty odor. We found ants in the room and rust on the bathroom fixtures. A requested air purifier was unusable due to an overstuffed, filthy filter. In most cases, poor conditions can be softened by attentive, empathetic service. Unfortunately, that was entirely missing here. What could have been addressed with grace was instead met with indifference or even hostility. After speaking with friends in the local industry, I learned the property has changed ownership twice in recent years and is now operated by the Kirkwood Collection, based in Beverly Hills. Sadly, that disconnect is evident. What once had a reputation for warm hospitality now feels completely misaligned with the spirit of the valley. I truly hope the Ballard Inn can return to its former standard one day. But until meaningful changes are made - both operationally and culturally - I'd recommend looking elsewhere. read more

AVOID THIS HOTEL AT ALL COSTS! Last weekend we visited The Ballard inn which cost almost $600 per night. We have stayed in numerous hotels that charge a similar room rate and have always found them to be a luxury experience that surpassed our expectations. This couldn't have been further from the truth in this establishment. On arrival the front desk staff member couldn't find our booking and had a terrible attitude while staring at her computer and not communicating what she was actually searching for. This continued for over 5 minutes when miraculously she found our booking. However, as the decor on the ground floor was tasteful and appeared well maintained we felt hopeful that the stay would still be a memorable one. It was, but not for the right reasons. Upon entering our room we were shocked see furniture and furnishings were worn and in some cases broken. In fact, one lamp on the nightstand had a shade that was literally hanging on its base and could not be reattached. The bed was shabbily made (extremely creased sheets, not tucked in correctly) and the brown carpet was stained in various places. The bathroom was even worse. There were ANTS on the sink area and towels, the sink unit had a drawer that could barely be opened unless you wrestled it, the shower barely worked (the tap constantly ran on the shower setting) and the ceiling paint was cracked and flaking in various places. There was no TV, no safe, no fridge, no minibar, no phone and a tiny table top ironing board which was almost unusable due to its size and the lack of a large enough surface to place it. The balcony was a welcome addition but the paintwork was peeling and some of the wood in this area had been heavily damaged by termites. Basically the room was lacking in every aspect. As far as the (lack of) service was concerned, it appeared there was only ever 1 member of staff on duty and they were not present for the whole day. At these times it was impossible to reach anyone if you had an issue, question or concern. The so-called "breakfast" consisted of a little chopped fruit, an unsightly looking bowl of whipped yoghurt and muffins and on one occasion there were no plates available so guests couldn't even eat most of it. I wouldn't even advertise this as an actual "breakfast" as there was so little choice. On our second day during "wine hour" (free wine served between 4-5pm) we sat down outside and realized the table next to us still had dirty dishes from breakfast on it. By this point we realized that the hotel and service was not going to improve and had to laugh at the fact we had paid such a high dollar amount for this disastrous experience. My photos document a lot of the above. And I know it's a cliche, but I wouldn't usually bother writing a review....but this was so bad that I felt compelled to. read more

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We decided, on a whim, to just pick up and get out of town for a bit and head north. We knew of this place but didn't have a res and just decided to stop in and have a look around. This place is an absolute delight. Warm and inviting, they had me when I saw the fresh cookies by the door! It's just what you'd think a little "inn" would be in this part of the state. The lobby had a crackling fire going, fresh coffee and tea all day (and cookies!), wine and charcuterie in the early evening, and just a relaxed and easy going feeling that was perfect to exhale. The room was really nice (ours was at the top of the steps) and had a great view out the back (beautiful trees and rolling hills) and was quiet. No TV in the room (no problem there!) The sink is in the room while the small bathroom holds the toilet and tub/shower. Wifi is a bit sketchy and there is no cell service in that area. Free parking in the big lot in the back. Breakfast is included and was wonderful. We WILL be back, especially when/if the restaurant opens again for dinner at some point. read more

Such a beautiful & romantic Inn! Looks & feels like a vintage historic lodge, yet is relatively new & very modern. Customer service is amazing! Perfect central location to all of the Santa Ynez Valley! read more

If you're looking for a chain hotel, this is most definitely not it. If you're looking for a getaway to unplug in a quiet and beautiful neighborhood, look no further. Ballard Inn is a cute bed & breakfast boutique with lots of character. From the moment we stepped inside, we were taken back by the uniqueness of this place! The front desk staff were so lovely, the complimentary breakfast was delicious, the happy hour was a nice touch and who can say no to cookies available by the front? On the second morning of our stay, the chef was not able to make it in due to an emergency. Kris at the front desk offered to put something together and it was absolutely perfect and so appreciated. This speaks volumes to the level of service. My only fair warning is that the rooms to do not have a TV but after a day of fresh air and delicious wine, we were ready go to bed anyway so that wasn't a deal breaker for us. Make sure to stop by Bob's Well Bread across the street! read more

Charming little bed and breakfast feel inn. Cozy, the morning comp breakfast is AMAZING!! Super fresh muffins fruits and an egg special. Easy access to wineries and to get around the Inn itself. One star off because the fire alarm went off at 11pm and there's no one at the hotel to handle an emergency so you have to call the emergency number to get a hold of someone to take care of anything. Otherwise, will stay again! read more

It's a charming building that is very old. We were given a room in what looked like a converted garage or help's quarters directly on the street. Mind you it's almost $400 per night. The bathroom was ancient and had bugs in it and the bathtub. The bed was old soft and creek-y. The worst part was the a/c that would come on at night instead of heat. In 40 degrees all night the a/c would trigger even if we set on heat. We couldn't shower in the morning! We told the owner in the am but she didn't even apologize as if she knew! Not one "so sorry" uttered! I would never stay there again because of how she dealt with the situation. I'm sorry she's having financial issues but that not the guests problem. read more

Old spit shined hotel that has has cracks and weaknesses at every turn. This run down hotel should be between $99-120 max. Anything over 200 is out of range. They lure you with past high rates and nice pics. What you get is a 2 story old hotel with no elevator, one stairway out of commision ( the main stairway to the parking area ) and a 1 hour happy hour that ran out of water before wine! Ha ha...The wine was as horrible as the snacks! The rooms are small (queen beds only), NO TV, NO REFRIGERATOR, moldy shower, leaking shower valves, musty rooms, stained carpet, and loud door slamming in the hallway. They do have some nice commonrooms downstairs to hang out although nobody really use's them. The location is in Ballard so you can't walk anywhere like Los Olivos. This can be inconvenient if you are staying multiple days. I will say the free added breakfast is really good. The front desk person does all the waitressing at the same time so she was running around like crazy trying to serve and keep everything stocked. Another person helping would have given guests a more peaceful experience. read more

I was conflicted whether to rate The Ballard Inn as a 4 star, or 5 star experience. The ONLY reason I would have chosen 4 stars was because the photos on their website do not accurately reflect the location. Based on the lovely photos, I expected the Inn to be in a more rural setting, but it is in a residential area. The hotel sits on Baseline Rd - a 25mph road with limited traffic. However, our "Garden view" room with a balcony overlooks Baseline Rd. In the evening it was very quiet with almost non-existent traffic, but starting around 7 or 8am, the traffic picked up enough that we made sure the balcony doors were closed to minimize any traffic noise. I did not expect a "garden view" room to actually have a view of a road and bakery across the street. Note: the other side of the hotel overlooks the hotel's parking lot and side of a neighbors house. Having said that, I ultimately decided on a 5 star rating for all the features we enjoyed at The Ballard Inn. The decor is absolutely charming and consistent throughout the Inn. The room was spotlessly clean and a nice size. As mentioned in other reviews, this is not intended to be a full service inn - rather more typical of a Bed and Breakfast. The complimentary breakfast was made to order with a limited menu. The complimentary happy hour included a nice charcuterie and generous wine availability. I really appreciated the wine glasses available for use with our own bottle. A game room included a backgammon table, several board games, seating, and a large table for more game-playing opportunities. In addition, the downstairs included a large dining room with individual tables, a large, comfortable living room, and another dining room with one long wood table ideal for family gatherings. One of our favorite features was the large front porch with comfortable seating and tables. We enjoyed chatting with many other guests while relaxing on the front porch. Coffee, chocolate cookies, and water are available all day and into the early evening. Location is convenient to downtown Solvang and many local wineries. We would definitely stay at the inn during our next visit. read more

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If you're looking for a quaint, old-world charm, this hotel delivers. It feels like stepping into a European boutique stay, with beautifully designed interiors and cozy sitting areas perfect for conversations or curling up with a book. The ambiance is relaxed, and the wine region location adds to its serene vibe. That said, this hotel is definitely different from the typical American chain experience. The service can be a bit slower, and some amenities you might expect--like a TV, mini fridge, or late-night bar/restaurant--aren't available. It's a place to unplug, but if you prefer the convenience of having everything at your fingertips, it might not be for you. A heads-up on the breakfast: while it's made to order and uses high-quality ingredients (the produce and coffee bar are excellent), it does take a while to be served. Be sure to leave some extra time in the morning if you're planning on enjoying breakfast here. Another thing to note: the walls are thin. Most guests seem to turn in early (as you'd expect in wine country), but if you happen to have a louder neighbor, you'll hear them. On the plus side, the hotel offers a lovely wine happy hour and warm cookies, which were a nice touch. If you're looking for a unique, more relaxed stay away from the usual chain hotels, this place offers that--just be prepared for a few trade-offs in modern conveniences. read more

We really enjoyed our stay here. We were offered a complimentary glass of champagne at arrival. Room was cozy and comfortable with a fireplace, very peaceful and quiet. Happy hour was great, good wine with cheese and crackers. Breakfast was delicious and made to order, service was wonderful. Will definitely make it back here. read more

I tried to get dinner reservations here based on rave recommendations from a friend. Tried to use their website and emailed for reservations. Received no response. Only after calling, I was told the restaurant is closed indefinitely and they are focusing on breakfast offerings. I wish the Website had been updated to reflect the updated information so I wouldn't have been wasting time emailing and calling. To Summarize: restaurant is closed indefinitely. read more

Lovely stop! Needs a bit of tweaking But overall a beautiful place to rest and unplug! No TVs in the bedroom Lovely cheese spread Coffee/tea/hot chocolate setup Great on-site restaurant Great location to access restaurants in neighboring towns. Rooms are cozy but need a bit of attention Reception was great! Overall glad I came and will return! read more

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My husband and I had a great stay at Ballard Inn! We came to explore the Christmas festivities of Solvang and Los Olivos and the location was a perfect inbetween. The entire inn was spotless , the staff was incredibly kind, and the fireplace in the room mixed with Christmas lights throughout made me feel like I was in a hallmark movie! My only disappointment/ disclaimer would be there has been a change of ownership and the inn no longer serves dinner or has a restaurant. There is a very limited vegetarian breakfast that is delicious - just no full menu and dinner option as mentioned in reviews and on their website . There are also no TVs at all on the premise which is lovely to disconnect .. when it isn't football season! :) read more

This place is the cutest! We definitely be coming back to stay There are no tv here so I would bring a good book or come card games But very quiet and relaxing read more

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What an amazing experience all around! Our family was displaced due to the fires. This sweet boutique B&B felt like a home away from home. Super dog friendly! Breakfast is an added delicious bonus. The service and front desk angels were deeply appreciated. Highly recommend read more

A quaint little Inn near Los Olivos. Some of the rooms have REAL WOOD fireplaces! It is my eternal search to find a charming Inn with a fireplace. Kris is hospitable and engaging! In a world where hospitality is a lost art you can find refreshment here. Included is a breakfast. Plus champagne and cookies on arrival. Rooms are super reasonable right now. It is a Kirkwood Collection property. Go ahead and break away! read more

Ballard Inn - Room decor - Hotels Near Me - Ballard, California

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The staff here is so friendly and hospitable - and it's a great location with really good value.

VEGAN EATERS HERE.....Did you know the charming Ballard Inn has new ownership? Did you know it's undergoing a complete reboot, inside and out?? Did you know they have a brilliant new chef??? I didn't think so, after all it's been an institution in Los Olivos for decades. Well, change is in the air and it all looks, feels, tastes AMAZING!!! Also, this is not a review of the hotel/inn as we didn't stay there. This is for the restaurant only. We went for (my) Birthday dinner a few days ago and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. Not to say that the BI hasn't had its share of wonderful chefs, it certainly has, and each one has brought something new and different and Executive Chef Brendan Collins is no exception and, he is exceptional. Most recently from Park 1039 in SLO (San Luis Obispo) he has serious cred and deep experience in some of the best kitchens around, including more than one Michelin starred spot. He is thoughtful, seriously committed to local being best, creative and more than willing to accommodate the guest as some chefs are not. "Sorry, Chef doesn't do it that way"??? Sorry, chef isn't paying for my dinner, SNAP! While the main dining room is absolutely lovely, newly re-envisioned and still maintaining the intimate nature it's always had, it felt more relaxed, seating arranged to mitigate the volume in the space when it is full, something that was always vexing in the past. I like to hear myself eat. Still, we chose to eat on the beautiful front terrace, warmed by newly installed heaters above each table, overlooking the newly landscaped entry area which will be very private when the plantings fill in a tad. We ordered a range of things, (see photos) and were blown away by the food, the presentation, the quality and the off menu vegan entrees we were offered without any fuss. The menu, btw, is not too large and very interesting, offering something for virtually anyone. Not that we eat it but have heard the "cola brined fried chicken" is off the chart! Dishes very sharable. New manager, Kip Antonelli-Friedman, himself a trained professional sommelier is charming, helpful, as we asked questions, he was forthcoming with future plans for the outdoor areas including a really exciting and new concept for dining in the very near future, more on that when the time comes. There is such a pleasant, unhurried vibe and it is easy to understand when we were told that the new owner is a truly remarkable source/owner who really understands acknowledgement and quiet quality. The New Ballard Inn is likely to become a favorite spot for us and anyone else who is lucky enough to dine there. All the best to them, owners, management, staff! BRAVO read more

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What a disappointment! This place used to be so amazing. Ballard Inn was a special place for us. We went back after many years and many fond memories. Since it got bought out, the exterior got remodeled, but all the personal details and charms of the place is gone. They no longer offer amazing wines with an array selection of appetizers. They don't offer full restaurant with amazing meals. The hotel is barely staffed. The guests are so loud and you can hear the loud phone ringing so early in the morning. And not to mention how expensive it is - for nothing special. read more

The Ballard Inn is absolutely the best place ever! From the moment we walked in to this beautiful inn we were made to feel so welcome by the staff. We were there to go wine tasting and had no idea where to begin with so many choices and the staff were so helpful with suggestions as where to go. As well as recommending an amazing place for dinner. Our room was super cozy and really beautiful! After a very relaxing evening and night we were treated to the most delicious breakfast the next morning. Thank you to all the staff at The Ballard for making our trip so memorable. read more

We came here for our anniversary dinner after driving up from LA. We had a reservation and were seated quickly with complimentary drinks. The interior design was fantastic and the colors were very rich. Our somm and waitress were both incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in deciding what to order. We came in the summer and ordered the peach burrata with the short rib and blackberry sauce and a dessert that I no longer know the name of. Everything was impeccable and absolutely delicious. Would recommend this place wholeheartedly, we will be back and next time we will be staying at the Inn! read more

Our previous experience with Ballard Inn in the Spring was quite good. However this October we had all kinds of problems. The breakfast was very poor. Eating across the street at at Bob's Eat Well, was a wonderful delight. Our heating system did not work and after several people said it did...it didn't work. Yes we had a fireplace but having that on all night was not to our delight. Our bathroom sink was stopped up. We talked to several people until my husband found a service person who took the plumbing apart and made it work correctly. They kept telling us that everyone is training with no-one in charge. The Kirkwood Collections will need much improvement for our room which is in a three room structure adjacent to the hotel. This is the only handicapped room available. The toilets in the other two rooms are so close to the floor that no one will use them. read more

I spent two nights at this hotel and was informed by both of the employees that would receive some sort of compensation back because we were absolutely freezing in our room because the heater was not working. Supposedly an electrician came out to fix it while we were gone on Saturday but it was still broken. They gave us a tiny roll away heater to "fix the problem" which clearly didn't work. We did not sleep either night and, we're informed that the room beside ours also didn't have working heater either. The staff was incredibly rude and the manager Rodney Stillwell sent me an email totally disregarding my concerns and didn't bother to call me back when I asked multiple times for them to do so. Worst bed and breakfast ever! Don't stay here. read more

We came here after a mix up for our second night booking at another local boutique luxury inn that was considerably less expensive. We had high hopes for The Ballard Inn ($725/night). It was BEYOND disappointing. The room lacked basic amenities, like a a phone, a clock, a television, a safe, a refrigerator, drawers for our clothes, and working electrical outlets (the bottom plug on every duplex was not powered). One of the two operable windows did not have adequate... tension? Whatever it is that keeps a window from losing its grip in the frame and slamming shut. I'm glad my hand wasn't in the way. It took more than 3 minutes for the water to get warm at the bathroom sink (we were in the Western Room). My companion turned on the hot faucet in the shower to try to get hot water to the room faster, and water sprayed from behind the tap. The towels? Not exactly as nubby as what you'd get at the pool at the YMCA, but not so different. A robe? Haha. Barely a place to hang one. There were four small pillows on the queen sized bed. The staff went home at 7:00pm, so there was no one to call to send up more. I am not sure what a "Kirkwood Property" is, but if this meets their "luxury" standard, buyer beware. read more

My room door only opened half way because the bed blocked the door... there was no chair, no closet, no place to put my clothes. The window opened to the street and was open when I arrived. I had to remove the huge portable AC unit because someone could climb through the window and into my room. Even the cable was poor with only half the channels working. I would never book here again! read more

My wife and decided to spend a few days wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley. We decided to try the Ballard Inn because it was close to many of the wineries we would be visiting. The good news is the staff is very professional, friendly and accommodating. The common areas have been updated and are very welcoming and relaxing. They also give you homemade cookies every night and have complementary wine and cheese available in the afternoon. Complementary breakfast is included as well. Now the bad news. Since this building was built in the 1800's there is no elevator therefore if you have any physical impairment good luck motoring up and down the stairs. The rooms have no TVs or phones so this is an " unplugged " experience. Cell service is spotty at best to nonexistent. Additionally the bathroom is small with the sink outside the bathroom in the main sleeping area. I have read many reviews regarding the excellent food at the restaurant however the restaurant has closed. At least management should note the above items on their website so consumers could make an informed decision. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and the ambience. Even the chef came out to say hello, which was a nice touch.

Coziest place to stay in Los Olivos! The staff is attentive. Enjoyed the wine and cheese.

We booked this hotel for the location and charm. When we went to our room we learned there was no TV. We were told they were an "Unplugged" resort, which is fine. However neither us or our friends were aware of that, but they did have a TV in the lobby sitting area (?). They also have no coffee available until 8am when their breakfast starts, which is very good. Bob's Well Bread across the street has great food and yummy cookies, but they don't open until 8am. The beds are very soft and there's no elevator. If you need a TV and/or coffee before 8am this is not the place to stay. read more

Built in the 1850's, this GORGEOUS establishment is an absolute gem in all of California in my opinion. As an interior designer, I was on sensory overload. The Decor is excellent, whimsical and many of the pieces are antiques and priceless. Spencer and Jaisey are so welcoming, professional yet warm. I imagine they have so many guests during the month yet they seemed so patient and friendly. The Rooms are all unique. No room is identical. LOVED the Beds- very comfortable, and If I am not mistaking, I smelled LAVENDER when I went to bed at night.I think they may spray it during the turn down service? LOVED The wine and charcuterie hour. The cheeses were delicious and the wine was fabulous. Location is STUNNING. VERY Peaceful. Plenty of seating if you want to just relax in the parlor, sitting room, living room, etc. Even better, they have wonderful seating outdoor on the porch which was very relaxing. Complimentary breakfast to order was a wonderful touch. The restaurant is shabby chic style and the service was spectacular. Cant wait to go back ! read more

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After dreaming of staying here for years, we finally made our 2 night reservation for the Christmas holiday. It's a beautiful old Inn, but it could use some minor fixes and upgrades. The bed was very broken in so I woke up with a sore back. Our door was difficult to shut close and had a large gap once we did get it closed. No closet so had to hang clothing on curtain rod over French doors. I would rate our stay a 4 out of 5 , but the experience we had on our last morning really left us feeling upset and we both agreed we could not recommend The Ballard. We arrived to the dining area for breakfast at 9:00 and there was one other couple seated eating. Our order was taken after a 20 minute wait. Coffee pot was empty and we had to ask the server if she could refill. 2 other parties came and they ordered and received their meals. 40 minutes passed. Still.no food and server ignored us. At 55 minutes later, our food arrives and she said that our ticket had fallen and cook didn't see our order. I find that hard to believe. She clearly saw us waiting and she served others without ever checking on us. We never received an apology or even asked how are stay was, but I wasn't surprised because our server was also the receptionist at the checkout desk. Maybe she wasn't happy working Christmas morning but it really ruined our day and left a bad impression of what could have been a beautiful stay. read more