Emerald Iguana Inn

We’ll definitely be back. The inn is on a quiet street, so it’s peaceful, yet much closer to downtown than a lot of hotels nearby. Our room and the grounds were spotless and welcoming, and the staff were wonderful.

Emerald iguana Inn has lovely, carefully kept grounds, and the view from our main-room window felt wonderfully tropical. We found it easy enough to walk into town, though we often drove to the grocery store, shops, restaurants, and golf course. The room was clean, and we slept comfortably; the shower was great, too. The bathroom was cramped, with nowhere to set both our toiletry bags. A fan in the main room would’ve helped move the air. We didn’t really need the AC, but leaving the door open wasn’t an option because the entry fountain was so loud. Also, the parking area is unpaved, so our car got dirty. I’d wholeheartedly recommend this inn for a pleasant stay in Ojai.

We chose the Peacock Suite for three nights while visiting my brother nearby. Its private patio was a lovely spot for breakfast, and the ground-level suite had a full kitchen, generous storage, a living room with a fireplace, plus a bathtub in the bedroom and a separate water closet. The shower and sink area has no door, though a curtain separates it from the bedroom, which felt a little odd. The bed was harder than we liked. The landscaping is lush and the place was quiet, which we appreciated since it’s adults-only. One drawback: parking gets very limited if you return after 9 or 10 at night.

Clean, quiet, and private, which are the things I care about most when I’m trying to rest. I stayed one night on a random Monday in June and got all three. The Emerald Iguana is exceptionally good, with high-quality suites that give off a tasteful 1920s feel while still being updated for guests today. The native-stone cottages are cool, and there’s a nice pool and hot tub. The bathroom was modern, with none of the plumbing trouble you can run into at other vintage places. Parking was easy and free, and the staff were attentive and helpful.