800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, California, United States | (251) 219-4428
Beautifully restored historic landmark with lovely interiors
Landscaped gardens overlook the ocean
Luxurious bungalow-style rooms have private patios
California coastal cuisine and fine wine served on an outdoor terrace
Bar and lounge does traditional afternoon tea, as well as offering craft cocktails
Top-notch spa and fitness center on-site
Outdoor pool is pristine
Freebies include Wi-Fi and bicycle rentals
Not within walking distance of downtown
Expensive rates for services, food, and drink
Fee for parking
El Encanto is a gorgeous historic landmark
in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond. It underwent
a long, expensive renovation that preserved its character while adding modern
perks to luxury bungalows, like automatic espresso machines and bathrooms with
heated floors. The spa is beautifully done, and even the fitness center
has aesthetic appeal with cardio machines set under an arbor on a
brick patio. Active guests can hop on free rental bikes to get around. For
everything else, expect to pay during a stay here -- a breakfast burrito costs
as much as buffets at less storied hotels.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Wonderfully renewed Craftsman and Colonial architecture, as well as lovely grounds
Renovations of this Santa Barbara
institution broke $134 million, and with them El Encanto was reborn with luxe interiors and extra -- but its original Craftsman style and
Spanish Colonial architecture still intact. Even the original brick arbors in
the gardens were carefully dismantled, restored, and then recreated using the original bricks. Airy interiors are covered in rich dark wood, and decorated with gorgeous pieces by artists like Damien Hirst and Charles Arnoldi.
Location
In the hills overlooking Santa Barbara
From its perch, El Encanto looks out
over Santa Barbara, known for the kind of Spanish-inspired architecture
that this hotel exemplifies. Home to several colleges and universities, as well
as a large yachting scene, the affluent downtown's shopping and nightlife on
State Street isn't close enough to walk to, but is only about a five-minute
drive southwest. Santa Barbara Mission and its historical park are also within
brisk walking distance to the west. Expect a 20-minute drive west to
Santa Barbara Airport.
Rooms
Writing desks, iPod docks, fireplaces, and espresso machines in plush rooms
Belmond El Encanto's luxe rooms and suites are in bungalow-style buildings spread across the
path-laden gardens. Red brick or terracotta tile patios lead into
beautifully restored rooms in rich earth tones. Hardwood floors, handsome wood
and leather furnishings, and breezy white curtains complement the fireplaces
that many of the units feature. Large writing desks, mini-fridges, and
iPod docks round out the standard necessities, with honor bars and automatic
espresso machines also on hand for more demanding tastes. The bathrooms are
large and impressive, with heated stone floors, big walk-in rainfall showers, and separate deep soaking tubs.
Features
Outdoor pool, full spa, fine-dining restaurant (with its own cow), and fantastic outdoor terrace
Seven
acres of meticulously landscaped gardens wind around the hotel's bungalows,
lined with brick paths, quiet benches, and pretty arbors. The original lily
pond, loved by locals and returning guests, was dutifully preserved.
An outdoor pool faces the Pacific Ocean, which can be seen from the
surrounding sun deck dotted with blue umbrellas and sun loungers. The spa has
seven treatment rooms, as well as a full hair and nail salon, a relaxation
lounge, and steam rooms. The neighboring fitness center doesn't have the
biggest equipment room, but everything is state-of-the-art and a few cardio
machines are outside on a connecting patio. There's also an attached dance/yoga
studio. The pricey restaurant serves California-coastal cuisine with
a serious dedication to locally sourced ingredients -- that includes keeping its
own cow (named Ellie) on the premises for making fresh cheese. An attached
bar and lounge serves cocktails and a traditional afternoon tea which
must be booked 24 hours in advance. There are two other special
seating areas found here as well -- a private wine room with its own menu
and an amazing outdoor terrace with views over Santa Barbara.
