Hotel El Roblar
Ojai, California
Hotel El Roblar
122 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai, California 93023 Original Property Opened in 1919 Historic Hotels of America member since 2026In 1908, Ohio native Edward Drummond Libbey arrived in the village of Ojai, California and quickly became enchanted by the Topatopa Mountains, verdant citrus groves, and Spanish, indigenous Chumash, and Mexican heritage. Libbey led a civic plan to transform the village into an idyllic California town, which included a charming hotel he named “El Roblar,” meaning “oak grove” in Spanish. The Spanish Colonial Revival-style Hotel El Roblar opened in 1919 and has remained one of the longest-operating hotels in the region. Stewarded by Eric Goode, Ramin Shamshiri, Warner Ebbink, and Jeremy McBride, the historic hotel has been thoughtfully restored to a deluxe, modern retreat. With handcrafted touches, the hotel features innovative dining venues, a Spanish walled garden with pool, and 50 sophisticated guestrooms, suites, and bungalows. Itself inspired by Ojai’s history and landscape, Hotel El Roblar invites guests to discover the same remarkable destination that captivated Edward Drummond Libbey more than a century ago.
Discover
- Discover the mural that wraps around Hotel El Roblar’s lobby. The lobby depicts Ojai’s cultural and natural history, including the Chumash, the valley’s original inhabitants, and famous residents including Edward Drummond Libbey, Beatrice Wood, and Jiddu Krishnamurti.
- Arrange a history tour of the Spanish Revival-style Hotel El Roblar through the concierge. Make sure to view the extensive hand-carved wall relief in the Mariposa Ballroom with carvings that show the agricultural roots and natural landscapes of Ojai.
- Discover the Spanish walled garden. The lush landscape features ponytail and Canary Island palms, dragon trees, fountains, and vibrant flowers, all set against the pink glow of the Topatopa Mountains.
Explore
- Explore the local arts and culture in Ojai. Bart’s Books, open since 1964, is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, while the historic Ojai Playhouse hosts music, film, and comedy programming year-round.
- Adventure into Los Padres National Forest. The protected landscape extends from Big Sur on the California coastline across the Transverse Ranges and is ideal for camping, cycling, and horseback riding. The Matilija Wilderness and Sespe Wilderness are two sections of the National Forest closest to Hotel El Roblar.
- Spot the native wildlife that may reveal itself in the Ojai backcountry. Alongside bighorn sheep, horned lizards, black bears, and roadrunners, the valley supports more than 200 bird species. Hotel El Roblar’s Condor Bar especially takes inspiration from the California condor, the largest land bird in North America with a wingspan of up to ten feet. Guests can even visit the nearby Condor Sanctuary.
Experience
- Experience a tour of the local Turtle Conservancy, a proud partner of Hotel El Roblar. The Turtle Conservancy safeguards vulnerable species and offers invitation-only conservation visits through its membership programs. Guests at Hotel El Roblar may also get the chance to meet two Giant Tortoises, who are visiting the hotel from the Turtle Conservancy.
- Hike the Ojai valley, from the shaded canyon views and creek crossings of Horn Canyon Trailhead to the quiet gardens of Meditation Mount. The region offers trails for every experience level.
- Visit the Ojai Valley Museum to learn about the history, art, and culture of the region. The museum brings living history to the museum through native plant gardens, working with studio artists, and historic preservation. The museum is housed in the former Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church that dates to 1918.
Taste
- Sample the curated agave selection at Snug Bar, Hotel El Roblar’s intimate lobby bar. Agave-based spirits include tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and bacanora, and the bar maintains an extensive collection of international and regional distillers alike.
- Taste the bold flavors served from the custom Santa Maria-style wood-fired grill at Hotel El Roblar’s Condo Bar. The wood-fire grill lends delicious flavor to the hotel’s signature beef dishes, the freshest seafood from the central California coast, and the local produce from the Ojai valley.
- Savor the bounty of Ojai’s agriculture. Visitors can attend the annual Tangerine festival, join local olive oil tastings, or browse the fresh picks at the weekly Farmers’ Market.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
