The Ballard Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

Stayed here over birthday weekend in June. Hotel was clean and the breakfast was good. We checked out and they texted me my husband forgot his shirt they offered to mail it for a fee. Great his my cc number and please make it. Flash forward 4 months later and no shift. I have probably tried half a dozen times to get the shirt with no luck. They went so far as to send me a fake tracking number that says UPS never received the package. I really hope this hotel is not marketing itself as a high end hotel because the service is horrible. Do not offer to accommodate a customer and then lie and fall flat. It’s just sad that these hotels are charging so much and treating their customers like this. If fine if you can’t mail but don’t offer and then lie about it.

This Inn has a lot of potential. The staff there could extend themselves a bit more and see how the guests are doing during their stay. There’s no connection between the staff and the guests. The restaurant has potential. Breakfast was ok. Choices are limited. The happy hour is really nice with a lovely charcuterie board and wine put out for the guests. There is a charm about the Inn, but I just didn’t feel it from the front desk employees upon checking in and during our 3 day stay. An Inn to me is supposed to be warmer than a Marriott hotel

We've been here a few times and always enjoy our stay. The rooms are quiet. Actually the entire property is incredibly quiet. We love sitting on the porch in the afternoons and evenings. The breakfast is delicious (an actual hot, made to order breakfast, not a "continental breakfast"). There's coffee in the lobby all day and wine in the evenings. The rooms are comfortable, showers are great. Staff is helpful.

A beautifully done inn in a quaint town in the middle of wine country. It's decorated with an interesting and tasteful mix of antiques and contemporary pieces. Although the restaurant was not open for dinner, the breakfast was excellent. The hospitality provided was perfect after a long days drive - a fire in the fireplace, wine and cheese in one of the common rooms, and turn down service.

Beds are great but this is NOT a hotel. There’s no service, literally none after a very small breakfast option that is included but doesn’t compare to the breakfast options over the road. The prices we were charged were insane - 750-800USD per night. There’s no one to look after you after 21:00 and NO food service after breakfast so a terrible option for families and at the price they charged us….. well. Thoroughly disappointed and ripped off

My husband and I returned to the Ballard Inn after an 11 year hiatus; we had visited in the fall of 2012, when there was a full service restaurant. The inn at that time was owned and managed by an amazing chef. How disappointed we were during this recent visit! Though the staff were kind, they do not seem knowledgeable in how to run a "luxury" inn! Our breakfast in the very dark eating area was adequate. We had to ask for fruit and cappuccino-the first course was not on the menu and the only reason we got them was that overheard others' requests. The rooms were okay but not worth 400$/night! Yikes! I'm embarrassed that we paid that! The carpet was dark and not plush at all. The towels were skimpy and worn and the toiletries were nothing special. A bathrobe and slippers would have been a nice touch. The air conditioner was on some sort of timer; we could not get it to work at night and opened the windows. There was an issue with water pressure at the sink and the bathroom seemed dated. It gives me no pleasure to write this review.The location of the inn is special, which is why we returned. Wine and cheese at 5 pm is still a lovely touch as is sitting on the front porch. Its vicinity to Los Olivos and Solvang make it a great choice for wine tasting in the area. For the cost, folks wanting to enjoy this most wonderful area of California would be better served by accommodations elsewhere.

Warm welcome from the time I walked in the door for the 1st time visiting at The Ballard Inn. Beautiful well thought out decor throughout the entire property. New owners definitely have a keen eye for attention to detail. The rooms are well thought out for complete comfort and total relaxation. My dinner experience was at the top of my all time dining experiences. The dining area is intimate and inviting. From being greeted with a smile by the host, specials of the evening described by our server with enthusiasm, plates delivered by chef, with suggested wine pairings from him….. the Ballard Inn did not disappoint. Truly a special and remarkable property, well thought out to deliver the ultimate guest experiences. Attention to detail, caring staff and a truly exceptional chef make this a property one that I cannot wait to go back to stay and dine. I remarkable and special place that makes you feel taken care of from the time you arrive til the time you say goodbye. Oh… I forgot to mention.. fresh quiche selections, coffee and scones for breakfast. Charcuterie and wine tasting in the afternoon, all compliments of the Ballard Inn. And also, rumor has it that more seating and a pizza style oven and more seating are being put in the front. Cannot wait to see that on my next visit. If you haven’t visited the Ballard Inn this is a must. Definitely already looking forward to planning my trip. Thank you Ballard Inn. Remarkable!

My wife and I stayed at the Ballard in for two nights in July of 2021. It was a Covid era visit, so there were some understanable limitaitons on services. Here's the good news, The Ballard Inn is a 1980's era bread andbreakfast built in the traditon of a Victorian Inn, with charming rooms, an excellent on-site restaruant, and a good breakfast. The little (and I mean little) town of Ballard is smack in the middle of the Los Olivos wine country of central California, and a good base for exploring the many wineries. It's out of the way, with no crowds, easy and free parking, and friendly staff. Here's the bad news, and there's really very little bad news. Most people (like us) stay here because you can't get a room in Los Olivos four miles up the road. Los Olivos is where many of the tasting rooms are, and the few restaruants. But the Ballard Inn is a nice alternative to the crowds, and if you have a car (or better, bikes like we brought) then you can enjoy the Los Olivos scene when you want and leave the bustle behind. There's really nothing in Ballard but a few homes and the great, quirkly little bakery accross the street. Don't miss it. But you'll enjoy sitting on the veranda and talking to the other guests, sipping a complimentary glass of local wine. There's a small garden and no pool, so if that's what you want you need to stay in town at the Fess Parker for a great deal more per night. We quite liked the Ballard Inn and will be be back.

Have loved this place for many years! Still do. This is a great small hotel in a beautiful location. It's been a go-to in this area for a long time. Just a few notes from the last stay.... - Sometime within the past year, they remodeled the front porch deck, posts and railing. What used to be the cute white railings and roof supports with nice details that you see in all the pictures, have now been inexplicably replaced with stark ultra-modern dark wood with black and silver metal. Why? Just don't get it. it doesn't match the rest of the building style , trim or balconies at all! Who thought it was a good idea to do this to this charming quaint place? It's jolting and a detriment to the Ballard Inn. Makes no sense. Sad and disappointing IMO. - They have reduced the breakfast offering form full breakfast to just continental. A small detail, but noticeable when you are paying this much. - No comment on the restaurant. Haven't eaten there. I just know it has gone through a lot of changes in the past few years. IhaI have read some good things though! Like I said, still love this place. Just sorry to see what I think are not good changes. I hope they don't change it much more, or a good amount of the appeal will be gone.