Pastel colored motel in Ojai, CA with the right amount of nostalgia
Capri Hotel / Ojai / CA / USA
Some years ago there was a TV-show called ”Brothers and Sisters”. In this show we could follow the Walker family who ran orchards in this little place called Ojai in California. Ever since I saw this show I’ve had a wish to go there and see it for real. So when in L.A. we decided to make this happen, take the 1,5 hour drive northwest into the Topa Topa mountains and stay at the cute Capri Hotel.
Capri Hotel is one of those mid-century motels that have been given a second lease in life by giving it a full make over. This work was done by Manola Studios and they managed to keep the soul of the motel and create a design that is a nod to its past. Capri first opened in 1963 and is since 2020 under the management of Shelter Social Club. They run another 4 hotels in this area.
The hotel has a relaxed, very casual look and feel. And the same goes for the service. The design is all about soft light, neutral pastel colors and sunshine (well, not so much during our stay when it was pouring down non-stop). This way the mid-century look is still intact but in a 21st century version. And just like back in the day, the pool place centre stage, which should always be the case in any classic motel.
The rooms at this 30-key hotel are spacious with the same kind of subtle pastel colors like the rest of the hotel. And for someone like me who is a big fan of firm mattresses, the bed in our room was so comfortable. The outside is all about the palm trees and banana plants, framing the view from our room, where the pool was just visible through the foliage.
And since we didn’t get to experience sunny Ojai, I guess we have a very good reason to come back and stay at Capri again in the future. I just hope the weather Gods will be on our side then.
Welcome to Capri Hotel! This entrance is everything!
The lobby is a cozy affair, with one wall totally covered in stone, headlined by an open fire place.
A splash of primary color among all the pastel, wood and stone.
In the lobby you’ll also find a great little hotel shop where you can find some cute things to bring back home.
I love this soft color scheme where everything comes together in a very cohesive look.
Our room was on the second floor.
Hand made, tactile room numbers.
Our massive room with the equally massive and comfy bed.
This lamp is just bonkers and I am so here for it.
Don’t know how I did it, but it actually looks like the sun is out in this photo. It wasn’t…
Cork floors, a semi painted wall, several small lamps and a wooden feature wall amplifies the coziness in our room.
Obsessed with the color scheme in the bathroom. Both the tiles and the terrazzo counter top.
Fancy key chain
M took this photo and he was so happy with the result that I felt obliged to include it in my post.
The classic motel pool. And yes, we did go in regardless the weather. Some (heavy) rain doesn’t stop two northerners.
Safety first!
There are bikes to loan at the hotel. We skipped them this time since we didn’t bring any proper rain gear. Amateurs…
There are several great places for food in Ojai. This is from one of them, The Nest, located in the centre of town.
Night time at Capri. The facade facing the main road is lined with tall palm trees, sheltering it from people driving by.
Under normal circumstances a romantic spot for an evening of relaxation with a glass of wine in the garden…
…but due to the weather we had that glass of wine in our room instead, hoping the sun would come out tomorrow. (Note: it didn’t)
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are a motel lover, just like me. If you appreciate small town America where the pace is slower and so very casual and you want a hint of nostalgia in your hotel, then this could totally be your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the color scheme. It is rare that you find a hotel with a design that is this cohesive. Where the colors and the design goes hand in hand in the most subtle but still kind of bold way. It feels timeless.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…to grab one of the bikes (if you are a little more lucky with the weather than we were) and explore this small town from the saddle. There are plenty of watering holes to stop at when needed and even though the surroundings are mountainous, Ojai is actually fairly flat.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Callicoon Hills, Callicoon Centre, NY, USA
Pearl Hotel, San Diego, CA, USA
Anvil Hotel, Jackson, WY, USA
