The rooms are cozy, the staff is amazing, and the food (both breakfast and dinners at the on-site restaurant) is unparalleled.

There was only one thing that I didn't like about this B&B: They have all of these wonderful services......the front desk clerk physically shows you to your room and offers to carry your bags, they have wine and cheese in the evenings, nighttime turn down service, etc. However, they DON'T tell you up front that you will be paying a 10% automatic gratuity to all of these people when you check out! That was an extra $38 surprise (it is not optional)! I don't like surprises like that. Seems a little sneaky and I have never experienced such a charge before. Otherwise, it is a beautiful place and we were very happy with the facilities.

We spent four days at The Ballard Inn and had a wonderful experience. The staff seems to anticipate your every need: There is ice water with lemon on the porch for hot afternoons, coffee in the lounge mornings and evenings, cookies on your pillow at bedtime and delicious breakfasts! I loved sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch and just relaxing. The restaurant was open on two of the evenings we were there and we had absolutely delicious meals. The reputation of the chef is well-deserved and you shouldn't miss an opportunity to eat there. I look forward to returning!

Perfect downtime inn, and a great getaway from civilization. The staff manages to be on top of things, without being "there" to interrupt the overall tranquility (minus the occasional loud truck on what passes for a "busy" street in Ballard) of the venue. Excellent breakfasts, a dinner menu that doesn't change often enough for my liking, and little touches like gratis bottled San Pellegrino in the room, unobtrusive turndown service, and lazy rockers on the porch make this a repeatable respite from the office. Located midway between Los Olivos and Solvang (try Cecco for dinner), it's a very leisurely 35-minutes from Santa Barbara, yet seemingly miles away into a former, much quieter rural environment. It was packed--only 15 or 16 rooms--on the weekend we were there, and I imagine that's the case from Thursdays through Sundays. But, it can probably seem like your own home the other nights.