The Ballard Inn & Restaurant

Look at the photos of the room we were given and compare them to the website. We had a terrible 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.

We booked the room with the fireplace. The Fiesta room. The bed was like sleeping on a sway back horse. They tried to fix it with one of those cheap foam waffle mattresses, that didn’t work. The bathroom was actually disgusting with falling off tiles and mold and none of the drains drained well. There is an actual window in the shower that goes directly to the front of the building where a street is. So if you are showering at night you are definitely giving the street a show. The fireplace is gas and that’s it. No fake log set so we never even used it because there is a warning that you could set off the fire alarm by using it. There is deferred maintenance everywhere. Pumpkins and Christmas decor still out where you can see it. It is in a good location but we will never stay there again. I called ahead to see if we could check in 2 hours early and was told that we would get a text when it was ready. We never received a text. When we checked in at 4 they had a welcome wine that we weren’t offered. They didn’t even offer for us to leave our luggage early. The public areas have definitely been upgraded but our room was probably great in 2000. Do not suggest you stay here.

Stayed at the Ballard July 13, 2025 and was so disappointed that we checked out a day early even thought we lost a non refundable nights lodging. Sadly the original ambience has completely disappeared. What was once a luxury Inn and restaurant is gone, I do want to say the front desk personnel was professional and helpful but not enough to make up for the lack of basic amenities. We stayed in the Cynthia Room which was above the front desk and dining area plus faced the business across the street. The bed was very comfortable. I had asked for a quiet room but this probably was the noisiest one at the location. I did ask for a change of rooms but was told the inn was full. We could hear conversations below our room and at 6:30 am a large delivery truck backed into the business across the street with its warning horns beeping while parking the vehicle. The room had a musty smell from the wood burning fireplace so strong that I thought someone had been smoking in the room. One of the chairs was stained from who knows what and one of the bedside lamps had a flickering light bulb that I had to unscrew it. No TV, clock and poor WIFI reception. The final issue was the lack of water pressure in the shower and the almost more than 5 minutes wait for semi hot water. I started to take a shower in tepid water as I didn't think it was ever gong to get any warmer, This is an area with a water shortage so running the water for any length of time is unacceptable.

The Ballard Inn is a perfect location when visiting Solvang and Los Olivos. Rooms are comfortable and Spacious (Mountain Room). Just a heads up , the walls are thin, we could hear or neighbors conversation next door. I hope they have plans to open their restaurant in the near future. We will return soon .

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.