Belmond El Encanto

This Santa Barbara icon is the most recent addition to the Belmond Collection. With its winding pathways and romantic bungalows with breathtaking views, Belmond El Encanto offers a memorable stay for the guests. This luxury hotel's California-styled suites and bungalows have terraced grounds featuring seven acres of gloriously landscaped gardens with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara.

Overview

El Encanto, a Belmond hotel, Santa Barbara, combines the original architectural features of the Spanish Colonial regime with modern-day amenities in rooms and suites. Moreover, a beautifully appointed boutique spa, well-equipped gym, and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean add to the hotel's luxury.

Additionally, the modern additions to the expansive pool and spa add to the magnificence of this hotel. The hotel also offers breathtaking views of Santa Barbara, a popular tourist destination in California, United States. Moreover, this five-star hotel has excellent and friendly service. Amenities include room service, free Wi-Fi, parking, tennis court, laundry, and more. The romantic Arbor & Lily Pond invite to hold celebrations and weddings.

Location

Situated atop a Santa Barbara hill, Belmond El Encanto sits between a crystal blue sea and lush green mountains. The hotel overlooks the Channel Islands. It is also close to the stunning California coast, fine galleries, exquisite restaurants, and boutique wineries. Moreover, the hotel is a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles and a 10-minute drive from the Santa Barbara train station.

Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera due to its temperate weather and sophisticated ambiance. The town is home to several colleges and universities and offers diverse shopping options. There is also an abundance of museums, galleries, and theatres. In addition, one can visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to see exhibitions of photography, painting, and sculpture.

Furthermore, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum provides a chance to explore local seafaring heritage. Besides, one can end the day on a high note with a tour of the Urban Wine Trail. This wine trail is an assemblage of wineries having tasting rooms and cellars.

Rooms and Suites

Belmond El Encanto has a large number of 92 rooms that are really bungalows. Some are in California Mission style with white stucco walls and traditional red-tiled roofs. The others are styled in classic California Craftsman, emphasizing simple, clean lines and earthy wood tones.

Additionally, there are beautiful wood and leather furnishings and hardwood floors. There are also white curtains complementing the fireplaces in some of the rooms. Many rooms feature balconies and patios, and some have walled patio gardens of large sizes. The rooms also have mini-fridges, large writing desks, iPod docks, honor bars, and automatic espresso machines.

The marble bathrooms have deep soaking or freestanding tubs, radiant heated floors, and big walk-in rainfall showers. Overall, the hotel has gorgeous rooms with fireplaces. Besides, 21 also have ocean views, 11 with private gardens, and 40 with private terraces.

Restaurants and Bars

The Dining Room is the only restaurant on the grounds of El Encanto. However, this hotel offers a high-quality California-coastal contemporary cuisine with a serious dedication to locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has 44 seats inside. Moreover, an open-air terrace also provides seating options.

The restaurant's chef John Denizot uses local herbs and vegetables to accent dishes. Dishes include Santa Barbara sea urchin, red wine-braised Kobe-style beef cheeks, plus seaweed custard with poached quail eggs.

Moreover, breakfast at the restaurant features a hearty breakfast burrito or Greek yogurt sundae with house-made granola and large fresh berries. The hotel also has a Holstein cow, Ellie, whose milk is used to prepare signature El Encanto cheese.

Additionally, guests can enjoy cocktails or a traditional afternoon tea at the bar and lounge. The hotel also has a private wine room which has its own menu.

Besides the dining options inside the hotel, guests can enjoy fine cuisines in nearby restaurants in Santa Barbara. For example, Bouchon on Victoria Street offers options of live fishing from the Santa Barbara Channel, along with fresh farm meat and produce. Local wines are also available at the restaurant.

Guests can also enjoy Kurobuta pork belly with potato rosti and poached duck egg at Los Agaves. Julienne is a local favorite and is famous for homemade charcuterie and ingenious dishes. Finally, municipal Winemakers is a boutique constructor set on Anacapa Street. Moreover, you can also enjoy a handcrafted cold one at The Brewhouse.

Spa

Belmond El Encanto has a fine spa to offer its guests a relaxing atmosphere away from the daily cares and pressures. There are seven treatment rooms in the spa. Moreover, a relaxation lounge, steam rooms are also available. Various treatments and therapies are available at the spa. However, a signature facial using the products from Beverly Hills skin-specialist Linda Ross is most famous.

Pool and Fitness

The outdoor swimming pool is built strategically so that the shallow end of the pool is nearest to the views of the ocean. Thus, guests can enjoy the views of the glimmering waters of the Pacific Ocean from this infinity-edged saline pool and deck.

Additionally, the fitness center at the hotel does not have a huge equipment room. However, everything present there is well-managed and runs smoothly. A dance/yoga studio is also present nearby.

Family-Friendly

The hotel is very family-friendly with a lot of activities for the children. They can have a fun time in the swimming pool or on electric bicycles. There are also old-fashioned games such as bocce and cornhole set up on the lawn. Moreover, the children's menu is present in the restaurant. Baby monitors and travel cribs are also free to borrow.

Takeaway

Due to its supreme location near the ocean and lush green mountains, Belmond El Encanto is a perfect vacation destination. You'll find the stay at this resort extremely relaxing and delightful due to its comfy rooms, fine dining cuisine, and top-notch service. Moreover, the breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains, and tourist destinations at Santa Barbara add to this luxury hotel's quality. So book your rooms now and have a memorable visit to the American Riviera.