The Ballard Inn & Restaurant

We've stayed at the Ballard Inn several times over the past decade when traveling between San Diego and the Bay Area. More than an overnight rest stop, it's a pause that really refreshes with beauty and calm in the gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley. Now the hotel and its restaurant have vastly improved under owner/chef Budi Kazali. The rooms have been stripped of fussy, "quaint" B&B touches; they are now both modern and warm. The restaurant, "the Gathering Table," is terrific. The room is somewhat crowded, with a big central table and surrounding booths, but it's so friendly that we didn't mind. The food is fabulous, featuring creative combinations of flavors that really work together. And the prices are reasonable, which helps accounts for the many local residents now joining hotel guests for dinner.

If you haven’t been here since the format changed, go ASAP. The flavors and freshness are wonderful. Prices are quite reasonable and there is a very good local wine list. Share as many dishes as you can.

Everything about this Inn is truly exceptional. Charming, lovely and helpful staff, beautiful decor. The food is superb (both dinner and breakfast). My only issue is with the dining room service, which was friendly but a bit slow. But it’s vacation, so what’s the rush. I would definitely go back next time I’m in the area.

Have stayed at the Ballard Inn in past years for the New Years holiday and for their special New Year's Eve dinner. It's a very small hotel but outdoes any large luxury hotel any day. Each room is of a different theme and is outstanding in it's décor and furnishings. The dinner is above the norm of any high end restaurant you'll find anywhere in the world - have traveled all over and experienced many. It may seem expensive at @ $150 per person but it's worth the "once a year" splurge to treat yourself. Large sitting room with roaring fireplace and finger food throughout the day/evening.

We celebrated an anniversary with a weekend at the Ballard Inn, and booked the Gaviota Room. The room was very comfortable, and was furnished with a queen bed and period antiques. No TV or telephone, but we did not miss them and they would have seemed odd in a room at an Inn that harkens back to a bygone era. Our room had a balcony overlooking the entrance to the Inn. Ballard is a tiny "town", and there is not a lot of traffic, so even a front room was very quiet--with the quiet broken only by the hooting of a couple of owls. There is a daily reception between 4-5, with wine and a charcuterie platter. The platter had a good assortment of cheeses and meats, along with nuts, dried fruits and grapes. There were house-made crackers to accompany, and there was a choice of three local wines to try. The nightly turn-down includes freshly baked cookies, which were really delicious. There is an ample breakfast with a few standard cooked choices (eggs and breakfast meats or steel cut oats), along with two breakfast specials, which change from day to day. On one day the Inn offered a quiche and on the other the specials included eggs benedict or a waffle with housemade blueberry compote and fresh whipped cream. There is also a cold buffet with cereals, fresh fruit, juice and yogurt. There is not much else to Ballard, other than the Inn and its superb restaurant. There is a schoolhouse from the late 1800s a short walk away, and it is still in use. There is also an interesting cemetery, and several people seemed to use the path that encircles the cemetery as a walking path. But Ballard is very convenient to Los Olivos with its abundant tasting rooms, the Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez wine region, and Solvang, so there is plenty to do nearby. The Inn is a bit pricey, but you are paying for amazing service, comfort and a unique experience of feeling transported in time.