Bella Maggiore Inn

67 S. California Street
805-652-0277

Duly recognized as one of “the Best of the West” for small inns, the Bella Maggiore sets the stage for your romantic getaway with “old world” flair. The charming and European-esque décor create a cozy atmosphere throughout the Inn.

On cold days, the large hearth in the lobby invites you to snuggle up by the fire and on warm sunny days the upstairs sundeck provides a quiet place to soak up the sun together.The Inn is located in the heart of downtown Ventura which means the best shopping, dining and nightlife is all within walking distance. Even better, C-street promenade, Ventura pier (two of the best places to catch a romantic sunset) and the beach is just a short stroll away.


The Bella Maggiore also comes with a fascinating history that gives it a distinct Ventura flavor and it has become a favorite stop on many walking tours. The inn was built in 1927 and originally named El Nido (the nest) and designed by AC Martin, the same architect who created the Ventura County Courthouse just up the street. Some locals believe the hotel is haunted by a guest named Sylvia, who is said to have roamed the halls of the 2nd floor since the 1930’s. The enchanting Inn is well worth checking out whether you are a guest of the inn or not. The staff is friendly and used to visitors dropping by.

The most romantic rooms overlook the ivy-covered Nona’s Courtyard Café and Wine Bar at the center of the inn. This café’s serene and intimate setting make it a local favorite for anniversaries and other special occasions (actually, we almost booked our wedding here but had plans for a little over-exuberance ourselves so we had to rule it out). The food at Nona’s is moderately priced and gets high marks on taste and portion size.

Guest of the Inn enjoy a complimentary breakfast from Nona’s Courtyard Café and can choose from anything on the menu, yes, anything. (That saved us about $50.00 for the weekend when we stayed here). The hotel also serves complimentary wine and appetizers in the afternoon.

While the rooms are not quite as charming as the rest of the inn’s décor, all 27 rooms have private baths and are clean and comfortable. Room sizes vary and larger rooms with fireplaces, spa-tub showers and bay window seats are available.

Tip: If you're a light sleeper and staying on the weekend, it's best to ask for rooms that don’t face California Street or you may be woken by over-exuberant club-hoppers at 2:00am.

Wireless internet access is available at the inn (but who has time for web-surfing on a romantic getaway?). Rates start at $75-$150 off season and $95-$180 in season. The Bella Maggiore doesn’t have a website, reservations can be made by calling 805-652-0277.

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