The Ballard Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel - Ballard, California

Rachel Gelfandbeyn

If you’re looking for a chain hotel, this is most definitely not it. If you’re looking for a getaway to unplug in a quiet and beautiful neighborhood, look no further. Ballard Inn is a cute bed & breakfast boutique with lots of character. From the moment we stepped inside, we were taken back by the uniqueness of this place! The front desk staff were so lovely, the complimentary breakfast was delicious, the happy hour was a nice touch and who can say no to cookies available by the front?

On the second morning of our stay, the chef was not able to make it in due to an emergency. Kris at the front desk offered to put something together and it was absolutely perfect and so appreciated. This speaks volumes to the level of service.

My only fair warning is that the rooms to do not have a TV but after a day of fresh air and delicious wine, we were ready go to bed anyway so that wasn’t a deal breaker for us.

Make sure to stop by Bob’s Well Bread across the street!

Teresa Tims

Obsessed 🤩

It’s like a home away from home, I just feel so well taken care of here. I love the location. I think it’s a good value. I like to come during the week it’s way more affordable!!!

So so many small details the staff does too be hospitable from your booking, to your arrival (yes I will have a glass of champagne)🥂 and intake, room placement and all staff interactions are impeccable. Breakfast is legit too AND I LOVEEEE the complementary Wine Cheese evening hangout from 4-6!!

NOTES;

Some of the rooms have carpet

Pets allowed, which is awesome and I think it’s a $50 extra charge a night.

No TVs

No in room refrigerators.

No luggage assistance.

Free parking 👍👍👍

Bike rental across the street 👍

2nd Visit decorated so cute for the holidays and staff says they have an incredible Halloween Party!!

1st Visit can’t find the dang pics!!

Gary Abramson

I recently stayed at The Ballard Inn in Santa Ynez, and it was an unforgettable experience. This bed and breakfast has a unique charm that makes it feel like a hidden gem. The décor is cozy and beautifully maintained, with so much character in every corner.

The location is ideal for a quiet, peaceful retreat. It’s conveniently close to the charming towns of Los Olivos and Solvang, and surrounded by beautiful wineries—perfect for wine lovers and those wanting to explore the scenic beauty of the area. Despite being near so many attractions, the inn itself is in a very tranquil setting, allowing for a restful escape.

The breakfast was absolutely delicious—fresh, flavorful, and a wonderful way to start each morning. The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly, always ready to help with a warm smile. One of my favorite parts was the jar of freshly baked cookies available for guests. It was such a thoughtful touch, perfect for a little sugar boost throughout the day!

Overall, The Ballard Inn provided a delightful and memorable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and charming place to stay in the Santa Ynez area. I can’t wait to visit again!

Garth or Kathy N

Ballard Inn "manages revenue" so price declined dramatically--beware/take advantage of this. For a stay of one night starting Dec.17, 2024, we on Dec 16 booked thru the website a king room at a total cost of $233.01 including room, taxes, and a $20 resort fee (for what, who knows?). By Dec 17 early afternoon, the total price on the website for the same room was $154.57. This is a reduction of $79. A call and personal conversation at check in did not lead to a refund but we upgraded to the larger Mountain room as a compromise. Solid structure, quiet, nice bedding, skimpy breakfast but coffee available at 7:00 AM.

Holly McHaffie

Absolutely loved our stay at the Ballard Inn in Los Olivos! The decor is beautiful and the warm hospitality from the staff made us feel right at home. We had a beautiful breakfast that set the perfect tone for our day. Can't wait to return!

Wes Carlson

Recently stayed here with some family to celebrate mine and my brother’s birthday. My wife and I had stayed here under the previous ownership several years ago and had a magical experience, so we were excited to recreate it.

Unfortunately, the experience was sub-par from start to finish. It seemed like the new owners were trying to cut corners wherever possible.

Upon arrival at 5:30 we waited for 10 minutes, tried calling out for assistance but no one came. Finally my wife had to go into the kitchen(employees only) to get someone to check us in. We were told we would get champagne in the welcome email upon checkin but that did not happen. There was no brochure of hotel policies, what to expect or local attractions provided to us. Upon arriving at our room we found our door cracked open, making us think we got the wrong room, but it was in fact ours. There was no firewood stocked in the main living room so it was too cold to hang out downstairs. There was no toilet paper in the lobby bathroom and our personal bathroom toilet paper was almost gone. Breakfast was served, but by the time we got done all the tables still had dirty dishes on them which prevented the next guests from being able to sit at a clean table. We were not asked about our stay upon checkout.

It became clear that this inn is severely understaffed. One person trying to do the checkins, serving food, cleaning dishes, etc. Not worth the money. It’s a shame because it really has the potential to be magical. But it just seems the hotel group who owns it now is not interested in investing the time/money to adequately staff the property and train their employees how to provide great service.

Sharon F

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

Kasey Rose

Original Review: I recently stayed at the Ballard Inn for what was meant to be a very special night—my wedding night. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from beginning to end. Earlier in the day, my then fiancé dropped off our bags with the hotel staff, who assured us they would be delivered to our room. However, when we returned to the hotel at 2 am, we were shocked to find our bags hadn’t been delivered. After such a long day, we were left without our luggage, and the room itself was underwhelming—no celebratory touches, not even the complimentary champagne they had promised.

At over $600 per night, I expected exceptional service and a room that felt special. Instead, we walked into a space that was entirely ordinary, with nothing to make the evening feel like the milestone it was. As a local from the Santa Ynez Valley, I’d always looked forward to staying at the Ballard Inn, especially after its much-talked-about renovation years ago. Sadly, the hotel feels dated, and the service was far below expectations.

Choosing the Ballard Inn for our wedding night was a choice I deeply regret. We would have been better off staying elsewhere, where the importance of the occasion might have been acknowledged. I can no longer recommend the Ballard Inn to anyone visiting the SYV and will certainly be looking elsewhere for future stays.

Update: The business reached out quickly after my review and provided us with a refund, which we greatly appreciate. Their offer of an upgrade and/or special treats for a future stay shows a commitment to improvement. It's rare to experience this level of service, and we’re thankful for their efforts to make things right.

That said, for the price, the staff could benefit from more customer service training, perhaps using the hospitality of Japanese hotels as a model. Also, adding amenities like shaving & hair kits and blackout shades would also enhance the guest experience. With these changes, the hotel would be more well-rounded.