Fess Parker Wine Country Inn

My husband and I make time on our annual Californian trip to stay at the Fess Parker simply because we love it there. Previous five star ratings still stand but only just because something has changed..the breakfast. The newly opened Bear & Star restaurant may be trying to hard to make their mark and so miss the mark. The 'farm to table' concept could be simplified further by just serving regular sausage without tomato concasse and smoked salmon without pickled vegetables. Might be being picky but it seems a real shame to over complicate the food as the basics stripped back are very tasty indeed. The hotel itself remains unaltered and so is still splendid , with a great pool and spa and the very well stocked boutique beautifully curated by Tricia. Wouldn't consider passing by without another stopover but hope Bear and Star pay heed..

I gave the Fess Parker Los Olivos Country Inn a 4 out of 5 because the mattress in our room was way too soft. They might consider replacing all of the mattresses that are incredibly soft. Not good for your back:) I valued it as "average" because it is expensive to stay there unless you find a "special deal".

We have stayed at many luxury hotels around the World and I am writing this to let you know this was one of the most disappointing stays ($600/night room) we have ever had. This was a trip booked to celebrate our wedding anniversary and stayed the night of July 29th, a very hot day in the valley, about 95 degrees. We were out wine tasting during the day and arrived to check in around 6pm. My husband booked a beautiful room with a fireplace (hoping to use for romance) across the street from the main check in. When we first walked in the hallway to our room was close to 95 degrees.... then our large room was over 85 degrees. After 1 hour it was not cooling off so we called the front desk for help. A nice young guys showed up and said it was probably the filter.... what? He proceeded to change our air filter to no avail and offered to bring a bottle of wine (which he never did). We asked for a hotel manager but the one that showed up was the restaurant manager who seemed to know nothing about the hotel. We asked to move to another room which he explained none was available. After we went out for dinner and left all the windows open and a small fan the hotel brought up (see picture), it dropped to a balmy 78 degrees and remained there the rest of the night. Finally in the morning at 5am it was 74 degrees (see picture, I was up all night not able to sleep). Needless to say, this was the worst night sleep (and I have 2 toddlers!) and not the romantic anniversary night we expected. When we checked out, they offered a $150 credit.... WHAT?! our room was a $600 room and told us the hotel manager would be calling us to follow us which they DID NOT! POOR CARE, POOR FOLLOW UP. I am sure Fess Parker himself would be terribly disappointed.

We've stayed in the Fess Parker Inn in Los Olivos every year for the past five and, despite the obvious attractions of San Diego, Los Angeles or even San Francisco, it's probably our favourite destination in California. Set in beautiful wine country, just forty minutes from Santa Barbara, Los Olivos is a tiny heaven on earth. The Fess Parker is a luxury Inn - with luxury prices to match! - offering some of the most comfortable and attractive rooms we've stayed in in America. This year we were lucky enough to land in the Epiphany Suite, a wonderful room with a marvellous bed, soft sleep-inducing pillows and a great shower in the bathroom. Molton Brown toiletries abound! The infinity pool is just perfect, and with sun from morning to night, Los Olivos is a place to relax and enjoy. The former restaurant that was "Petros" has been converted to "The Bear and Star". There's no point in denying that the new menu wasn't exactly to our taste, but some will appreciate the difference and if you don't, there's a great menu at great prices in the Los Olivos Cafe on the other side of the street. If you're looking for luxury in the sun then Fess Parker Inn is not to be missed.

My husband, sisters and I stayed at this wonderful inn for three nights celebrating a "0" birthday and we couldn't have chosen a better destination. It was perfection! Everyone was really friendly and helpful and the rooms were amazing. Everything about this inn is first class, elegant and comfortable. The restaurant was fantastic and the food delicious. I think this has to be my favorite place to stay anywhere and I have traveled all over the world. It is great value for money!