This review is more for the non response from Mark of Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals. A group of…read moreladies, celebrating turning 70 in 2014, stayed at OLIVE HILL RANCH in April 2014. We originally rented a condo in Buellton but Mark called a few days before and told us the owners decided not to offer it for rent anymore. So Mark scheduled us to use Olive Hill Ranch, we stayed Tuesday through Thursday - April 2 through 4th. The house was very nice and private, the road up to the house was a little scary, very, very steep - but we made it up each time - even in the rain. I left Mark a voice mail to let him know one of the folding chairs, in the bedroom with twin beds and one double bed, collapsed with a lady sitting in the chair. This was on Wednesday about 11:30 a.m. No response from Mark. The lady was hurting quite badly. She went to the ER when she returned home to L.A. County, the x-ray showed a small fracture. She could hardly walk, couldn't drive and was in a lot of pain. Just in the last few weeks that pain has subsided. I also sent Mark an email about the chair collapsing with the lady in it. NO RESPONSE! This is very UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR for a business. I read the previous review about the lady leaving her cell phone at a rental and Mark said he had it and would return it. DIDN'T HAPPEN, SHE NEVER RECEIVED HER CELL PHONE. Here is the email I sent to Mark on 04/04/2014: Olive Hill Ranch Rental Jo Ann 4/04/14 To: Mark Worth Hello Mark, "I left you a voicemail yesterday morning before we checked out, letting you know that the chair xxxxxxxx was sitting in collapsed. Three of us had been sitting in the chairs in the bedroom talking and applying make-up, I left the room to change clothes - not long after that while xxxxxxxx and xxxxx were talking ... the chair just collapsed and xxxxxxxx collapsed to the floor on her butt/tailbone. We all loved the house and thought it was a wonderful place to have one of our mini-reunions. But the house does need some attention ... this really isn't to complain about what didn't work ... but to make you aware of some things that need a handyman's touch. One other thing ... whoever you pay to clean the house ... they aren't cleaning as well as they should be doing. Here is our list: The pool was uncovered when we arrived. The spa was on when we arrived - we never used it and didn't know how to turn it off, so we left it as is. The ice-maker does not dispense ice. The microwave door must be loose because each time we microwaved something we had push on the door to hold it closed or it wouldn't work. There is open food in the pantry/cupboards which could attract little critters. In the corners behind the twin beds ... dirty and dusty. I took pictures if you would like to see them. (as I said this isn't to complain, but to let you know that whoever you are paying to clean ... that person is not doing a very good job.)" ... end of email. We paid a $225 cleaning fee and it could have been cleaner. The collapsing chair sort of ruined what would have been a very good few days. So I am, to say the least, very upset that SANTA YNEZ VACATION RENTALS COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO RESPOND TO MY EMAIL. Again, a very unprofessional business practice.

Santa Ynez Vacation Rental does not disappoint! I had the pleasure of enjoying a perfect gals trip…read moreto their Rancho Maroma property last weekend and it could not have been more cozy and relaxing. The property is stunning and the layout is perfect for a large group. We cooked in the immaculate kitchen overlooking the property and enjoyed cocktails while watching the sunset. The rooms are spacious and the beds are crazy comfy. Everything is pristine and beautifully decorated, which made me want to never leave. I cannot wait to get back up to the valley and enjoy another girls weekend. Thank you again, Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals. I'll be back!!

We live in Santa Ynez and have used this rental many times to house our visiting guests. The rental…read moreis conveniently located and professionally managed by owner. Everything is clean, nicely decorated and in good repair. This rental is a great value in a very expensive market.

A very lovely place to stay in the Los Olivos area! The apartment was very nice, comfortable, clean…read moreand centrally located to wine tasting and dining around the Santa Ynez Valley. The owner, John, was prompt in returning my call inquiring about the unit and very friendly. He even brought us freshly picked plums during our stay. I have stayed at many hotels in the area over the years and will stay here from now on! For the same price as a not-so-great hotel, you get a really nice 2 bedroom apartment - can't beat that! The only slight negative is the traffic noise during the night, as I like to sleep with the window open. But I just closed the window and turned up the ceiling fan and was fine. We'll definitely return to Shady Oak!

We were genuinely so disappointed with the inexcusable neglect of our room. The public areas are…read morerenovated and inviting, but that's where the hospitality ended. A unusable shower due to mold, rusted out shower head and faucet, rusted drains and broken tiles. Ive never seen a hotel bathroom this bad, and this room was about $700. per night in what is advertised as a 4 star hotel. Wrong! There was an open hole above the bed that exposed whatever is above the ceiling. Creepy and gross. Window blinds were broken and the room wasn't clean. This is the first time I've ever written a bad review but really think people deserve to know what they are paying for. I do not recommend staying here!

*ATTENTION YELPERS* if you've made reservations to this place, please cancel it. It is NOT worth…read morethe 400, 800 dollars ur paying. Especially if you're coming here expecting the old Ballard Inn. This is not the same Ballard Inn of yore. EVERYTHING has changed! -first of all they used to welcome you with a whole spread of charcuterie board with both meats and cheeses. And a whole line up of many different wines. Now, they only have one small plate of a few cheeses and fruits and a couple of wines that are not even checked on frequently to replace. Also, the welcome champagne is only given to you if you specifically ask for it. -instead of the usual chocolate chip cookie that's placed on your bed to welcome you. It is now just in a jar in the lobby. -They used to turn down the bed for you when you got back to your room at night. The only thing turned down now is their neglectful hospitality. -and don't get me started on the breakfast. It used to be that you would get a menu with a whole bunch of items on it, and you can order as many items as you want and it's all included. Now all you get is a small selection of continental items. And they give you one hot item which is the same for everyone, and it was a very mediocre breakfast sandwich. I am appalled that a place that charges SO much treats you this way. What are you paying for? Just the ambiance and to sleep there? They killed 3/4ths of the Ballard experience. But wait, there's more. Their fine dining restaurant isn't there anymore, and you have to have dinner elsewhere. I am so glad I paid the weekly deal and didn't pay the obscene amount of money they charge for the holidays. This was so not worth the money I paid. I miss the old Ballard Inn! If anyone knows of a similar place to the old one please shoot me a message with the name. Thank you!

Reviewing The Bar. Love The Bar at Mattei's Tavern. Dark…read morewood, fireplace, historical vibes, great people watching. The service is always impeccable. The cocktails are excellent and wine list is great. The food is amazing. I love the French onion dip, wedge salad and mushroom toast. The smashburger is really good, my husband's favorite, and really large portions so he usually splits. Fries are so crispy, just perfection. Mud pie is sort of deconstructed, chocolate mouse, marshmallow cream, brownie, chocolate cookie pie shell and the very best coffee ice cream. Amazing. It is pricey, it is a bar in an upscale resort, so take that into consideration.

My wife and I had a very fun evening at Mattei's. The wait staff were just fab, informative and…read morefriendly. When they found out it was my birthday, they treated me very nicely and that was greatly appreciated. The Tavern is also a pretty space for dining and that made it even better. My wife had the kale salad (she loved it) and we shared the fried cauliflower and mashed potatoes (also good). The one downside was that I had the pork chop as my main and it was way overdone. It was a bit tough to eat. Otherwise Mattei's would have been 5 stars for sure. The next morning we went back and visited the coffee bar. Drinks were excellent, we got the cheesy eggs/toast which was very good and they have a nice seating area.

We booked this cottage for our first trip to Solvang for the Danish Days Festival. The festival was…read morecanceled due to Covid, but we decided to visit "Little Denmark" anyway. We stayed in the Daisy 2 cottage and it was the best part of the visit! So many good things: very clean, great location, easy parking, comfortable bed, all the amenities of home and a wonderful porch with rose garden to relax and enjoy. People walk by with their coffee and pastries and often stop to look at the cottages and take a brochure. We walked everywhere as we are so close to the bakeries, restaurants and shops. The manager David is awesome and will answer all your questions. Super highly recommend the Solvang Alisal Cottages. You will not be disappointed, I promise!!!!!

Stayed in Orchid (#4) and it was beyond my expectations. The cottage was spotless, very quiet and…read morevery comfy. Parking was super easy (dedicated/reserved spots) and the location is exactly where you want to be - right on the edge of all the action and a short walk to just about everything. It was a HOT weekend and the A/C was very efficient at keeping the cottage at the perfect temperature. If you are in the area and looking for a place to stay - skip the hotels and opt for one of these... it is worth it.

Villa Montecito -particularly, Mainstays Luxury Estates:…read more This was a very high-cost stay; planned over many months for my grandmother's 85th birthday. At this price point and in this area (which I have stayed in previously), the experience fell far short of expectations. The primary issue was management. Our main contact, Matt, was dismissive and condescending, most notably on the day of our celebration. Despite clear communication about our large, multi-villa family group, there was a major disconnect between what was planned and what was executed. Management also spoke disparagingly about prior guests in front of our group, raising concerns about how future guests might be treated. The orientation meeting emphasized the owner's wealth and the value of artifacts rather than logistics, guest flow, or service expectations. It felt scrutinizing and unwelcoming, leaving critical operational details unresolved. Matt also made it a point to inform us (for whatever reason he felt relevant) that he himself has multiple vacation rentals... GREAT! So do we... so do plenty of other PEOPLE... so what?!?? You shouldn't need to build credibility in this way. Villa Montecito is not suitable for celebrations or large family gatherings. Approval processes were contradictory: management referred us to the concierge for planning, then later claimed the plans were "not communicated or approved." We were told the owner did not want "random people" entering, despite these being immediate family; making it clear large gatherings are not supported. The concierge was able to provide basic activities, but vendors outside of their familiarity are strictly restricted. For example, the one photographer allowed by management was the only one we could hire but does not offer print-quality images or editing. Hospitality basics were missing. Staff did not introduce themselves, handle luggage, or verify who was staying versus visiting. Several pre-approved guests (including adolescents on our guest list) were stopped at the door on the second day and nearly turned away as "unauthorized guests". Kitchen access was extremely limited. Guests cannot cook independently at all (if you plan to cook at all this is not the place for you); all meals (2x/day) are staff-provided. Food quality was MID at best. We were charged thousands $$ more for extra rooms based on headcount, yet those rooms were locked and inaccessible. Guests ultimately stayed bunked in rooms with their parents and at a nearby second villa. Charges for unusable rooms were never clearly explained. While the property is visually impressive (esp. from the outside), the layout felt segmented and poorly suited for hosting. Preserving untouchable furnishings outweighed creating a space that felt comfortable or conducive to gathering. A few staff were helpful (including Matt's assistant Shannon... probably the best person to deal with) and the setting is a place to be grateful to stand in. However, service, communication, and guest experience (the foundation of a luxury stay) failed. Our family has decades of experience in hospitality and understands service standards. Ultimately, this property did not meet expectations for service, communication, ambiance, or suitability for celebrations. The stress and lack of accommodation during a major family milestone were deeply disappointing. I would not book this property again under any circumstances. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a response in argument to the facts stated above as that seems to be the response for anything less than a 5-star review. ...but I can confirm from experience and so can my 85 year old grandmother (separate conversations) that Matt is extremely unprofessional, rude, dismissive, and a poor reflection of this management company all around.

I missed the opportunity writing a review on the Airbnb, so I am posting here…read more My stay March 12- 17, 2026. Home in Puerto Vallarta I don't even know where to start--this home was absolutely amazing, exactly as shown in the pictures, if not even better. My girlfriends and I (a group of 10) planned this trip to celebrate my 50th birthday, and it turned out to be truly unforgettable. We initially had to cancel due to the situation in Puerto Vallarta back in February, but we changed our minds and decided to move forward with the trip. Michele and Matt were incredibly supportive and accommodating in helping us reschedule our stay, which we truly appreciated. The property itself is spectacular--luxurious, spacious, and beautifully maintained. The rooms and bathrooms are large, the beds are extremely comfortable, and everything was spotless and well organized. We genuinely felt treated like royalty. One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible staff. Ramon, our chef, and Carlos, our server, made the experience exceptional. They spoiled us daily with delicious food and outstanding service, all while being warm, friendly, funny, and genuinely caring. They truly made our stay even more special. The concierge service with Alexa at MexiTravels was also excellent. Transportation was clean, comfortable, and always on time. The drivers were fun and made every ride enjoyable. While I did find the pricing a bit high for short trips, it was something we were able to discuss and manage. At the beginning, the booking process was a bit confusing for me since I had never rented an entire property with flexible room options. The contract structure was different from other Airbnb experiences I've had, even luxury ones. My advice would be to take your time reading everything carefully and ask for detailed information beforehand to ensure you fully understand the different rates and options. The only real issue we experienced was with the access codes--they didn't always work consistently and had to be reset a few times during our stay. That said, I would absolutely recommend this place with my eyes closed. Everything was wonderful, and I would definitely stay here again without hesitation.

The rooms are huge and central location is great. Pretty quiet despite being close to the center of…read moretown. There's no front desk or lobby, just a phone number. Last time they didn't send me the access code so I was slightly delayed getting into my room, but otherwise the self service aspect is fine.

The hotel is beautifully decorated. However there's no Iive staff and though they leave a text…read morenumber there's no response. The room is definitely worth it. Check in process can be challenging. They text me the same day of check in to ask me for my email and a credit card. I was not comfortable replying as I thought it might be spam. I waited until I arrived. I had to call a number, and provide my credit card for incidentals over the phone. I was hoping they would have a check in machine similar to vegas hotels since no live staff. It was pretty loud to hear as another group was trying to check in too. I am giving a 3 due to service. The balcony door's lock was not working. I text them when we checked in to report issue with no response. The hotel room was beautiful and pleasant. I loved the nespresso coffee, the lounge area. They also had a reading lounge. Everything was artistic with great color, very new and clean. Another issue I had was that I booked through a 3rd party and prepaid room when over night I received an extra charge notification. When I called in the morning around 6:30 am I was advised no manger was available until 7 am and someone would call me then. I waited until 7:30 am as no one called me I called again. I was advised they were having systems issues with their app. Since it was a 3rd party the app was charging me the 3rd party charge. Which was $50 less what I paid to the 3rd party. I advised them I had already prepaid. They advised me they would release hold in 2-3 days. I called the 3rd party to advise the above. They called Winston staff as they shortly after sent me a text. I do believe Winston was in error to charge me while I had already paid the 3rd party. The funds were released the next day. Keep an eye on credit card notifications if stay here. Other than the above issue and Check in service I would stay here again. The room was comfortable with the exception of the balcony door not locking.

Het huis is meer geweldig dan 100 tulpen in de voorkant van uw molen!…read more Ahem... Sorry, I got caught up in the moment. As I was saying, this house is more awesome than 100 tulips in front of your windmill! More awesome than a 12 pack of Fat Tire delivered to you by bike courier. More awesome than that little kid that saved the town by sticking his finger in the dam! Okay, so I don't know much about the Netherlands, or Dutch culture. But I do know a fantastic vacation home when I see it. Stay here with your family, your old college roommates, or that missed then found encounter from Craigslist. Well maybe not the Craigslist guy, but whoever you bring with you on vacation will absolutely adore this house. Just check out the pictures (sorry, I'm not writing a thousand more words and you wouldn't read them anyway), then book your vacation. It's that easy.

I LOVE this place!! My boyfriend and I stayed here for a couple nights and it was amazing!!!! The…read morelocation was perfect as it was at the starting point of Solvang downtown area. I love how all of the bakeries, wine tasting, shops, and restaurants were so close to this place. There's even a little market no more than 1 minute walking distance away. Not to mention the house was awesome inside. The decor was classy, the beds were really comfy, there were two fireplaces, a nice patio area with a hot tub, and it was incredibly spacious.Wish we could move in =). We will definitely come back and explore Santa Barbra since it's not that far either!! So happy we found this place!

I'm not part of the worldmark family but I did book our stay using my Chase points and so happy I…read moredid. I've been to Solvang many times since I grew up in Southern California and this was by far my favorite place I stayed. The buildings are just three stories and unlike some other worldmark resorts it didn't feel very crowded. We got a two bedroom condo and it was spacious, the kitchen and dining space was very comfortable. There was an outdoor balcony and we enjoyed spending time out there as it overlook the swimming pool. Though we were by the swimming pool it wasn't super loud.. And we were there Fourth of July weekend so there were a good number of people in the pool.Bed was comfy. Room was very clean. They have their own private parking lot, which is nice and it's just outside the main area of Solvang so it's a bit quieter. The staff were also amazing and friendly. There was an owner's lounge which had a pool table, ping-pong, foosball, etc. to keep your kids and adults busy. The pool is small, but good enough since the resort isn't huge. I would highly recommend this place, especially if you're part of a family or have kids.

This World Mark location was great. Small town but staff was nice when we arrived later in the…read moreevening. The rooms were very clean and the stay was comfortable during our two-day stay. It's within a 15 min drive of vineyards and wineries nearby. Great location as it's an easy walk to everything but near the end of the street where it's quieter.