Ojai — I had fallen hopelessly out of step with my cardio-step classmates at the Oaks at Ojai. When they zigged, I zagged -- and far too slowly.
"That's OK," chirped Randi, our instructor, politely trying not to look right at me. "You just do whatever you like. It's your vacation."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday October 05, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 62 words Type of Material: Correction
Oaks at Ojai -- An article in Sunday's Travel section about the Oaks at Ojai health spa said guests could stretch a two-night stay into nearly four days of classes. Because guests are allowed to take classes throughout the day, even before the 2 p.m. check-in and after the noon checkout, they can stretch a two-night stay into three days of instruction.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday October 10, 2004 Home Edition Travel Part L Page 3 Features Desk 1 inches; 64 words Type of Material: Correction
Oaks at Ojai -- An article in last Sunday's Travel section about the Oaks at Ojai health spa incorrectly stated that guests could stretch a two-night stay into nearly four days of classes. Because you're allowed to take classes throughout the day, even before the 2 p.m. check-in and after the noon checkout, you can stretch a two-night stay into three days of instruction.
Randi made me laugh. I grinned a lot during my recent two-night stay at this 46-room destination spa in the artsy town of Ojai, near Ventura.
Although the Oaks takes fitness seriously, the atmosphere was more summer camp than boot camp. Guests took classes together and ate together. It was like visiting a favorite aunt who makes you feel comfortable but doesn't put on airs.
That's the way it's been for 27 years at the Oaks, the creation of Sheila Cluff, an exercise guru who advocates a sensible, fad-free fitness formula and still leads some classes here. Even the prices haven't changed much in the last decade.
It was those prices, plus curiosity and a few unwanted pounds, that inspired me to visit the Oaks last month for my first-ever stay at a health spa. I was glad I did.
I paid $212.29 per night: $179 for the room, plus a $25.06 service charge and $8.23 in taxes daily. Because I was traveling alone and trying to economize, the Oaks (unaware I was a journalist) arranged for me to share a double-bedded room with a quite-nice stranger from Santa Monica. (Private rooms started at $220 per person, plus the service charge and taxes.)
A scheduling conflict meant my weekend escape had to be a midweek escape, but had I stayed Friday and Saturday, I would have paid only $10 more per night.
The prices include three low-calorie meals per day, snacks and unlimited access to about 15 exercise classes per day. Spa treatments, massages and private consultations are extra. (Some multi-night packages include one or more of these options.)
My trip wasn't cheap. But the tab was half that of fancier, pampering spas.
The Oaks' lowest rate, $159 plus the service charge and taxes, was just $20 more than what the spa charged in 1995, according to a Weekend Escape published by this newspaper then.
On Jan. 1, the Oaks, which is undergoing a five-year renovation to upgrade its 1919 Spanish Mission-style complex and restore its period touches, is raising most room rates by $5 to $10.
But because you're allowed to take classes throughout the day, even before the 2 p.m. check-in and after the noon checkout, you can stretch a two-night stay into nearly four days of instruction.
