El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

1. El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel Guest Rooms

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel provides a variety of accommodation choices through its 92 rooms. Guests have a choice of suites and specialty suites located in the classical building, as well as one of the many bungalows on hotel grounds. These bungalows are decorated in either California Craftsman or Spanish Revival-style, and provide a luxurious and intimate retreat.

The bungalow rooms contain either one king sized or two queen sized double beds, and the sleeping area comes with an oversized workstation desk and chair, widescreen LCD HDTV with premium channels, soft armchairs or couch and an iPod dock. The rooms also contain a Nespresso coffee machine and an honor bar for guests’ convenience and comfort. The marble bathrooms are truly a treat, featuring heated stone floors and indulgent bathtubs – either free standing or deep soak, depending on the room.

Rooms are divided by views, and some also boast extra features; generally, king sized rooms are advertised as possibly containing fireplaces while double rooms are not. Superior Bungalow rooms have garden views and a king sized bed, being the most affordable of all accommodation choices.

One step up are the Deluxe Bungalow Double and Deluxe Bungalow King rooms – many have patios or balconies with outdoor seating and views are either of the hotel garden or the Californian coast. A few Double Bungalow King rooms even have quaint fireplaces to lend a cozy glow to evenings. These are the only rooms which potentially boast a sea view, for those who want to be able to see the ocean.

Premier Bungalow Double and Premier Bungalow King have furnished private patios or balconies, and the views on offer are the garden or, in some cases, the city of Santa Barbara. These view choices are shared by the Deluxe Premier Bungalow Double or King rooms, though the latter options feature more space in which to spread out.

2. Dining at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel

Local reigns supreme at the hotel's artisanal restaurants. There are herbs picked directly from the garden, and cheese made from the resort’s very own dairy cow, Ellie. Menus change according to the time of day and the eatery chosen, so get dressed up for The Dining Room, make a reservation for Afternoon Tea in The Lounge, or grab a snack in The Bar.

The Dining Room and Terrace is the most formal restaurant, with menus that change for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner services. The cuisine is contemporary and influenced strongly by the Californian coast, and thus features fresh ingredients directly from the surrounding area. Large windows offer panoramic Santa Barbara views as well as create a light, elegant space to enjoy the dining experience. The Terrace is also available for outside seating, allowing couples to share romantic top-quality meals under the stars on balmy California nights.

In contrast, The Lounge is delicate and classic without being pretentious. It provides light dining options, or a British-inspired high tea menu filled with scones, French pastries and hand-made sandwiches. Reservations for tea must be made 24 hours in advance, but casual diners are taken all through the day.

The Bar is a much more low-key dining affair, preferring to offer simple and quick bites for busy travelers. Its menu is dedicated to re-imagining American bar classics, packing them with flavor and punch.

3. The Spa at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel

Whether you’re after couples massages, invigorating body wraps or exotic detoxes, The Spa at the hotel promises to satisfy your every need. Spread across seven exquisite treatment rooms, there are also showers, steam rooms, a relaxation lounge, a wet treatment room and private lockers within the spa complex, and treatments include a selection of detoxifying teas for guests to enjoy. This idyllic day spa promises to soothe and reinvigorate in equal measure.

All products make use of local ingredients and draw inspiration from the area in order to be truly natural. Treatments on offer include massages, facial therapy, oxygen treatments, bronzing, waxing, nail bar services, hair options and full- or half-day pampering escapes.

Spa specials change by the season, such as the Soothing Chamomile Body Treatment in the spring which is designed to celebrate renewal and revitalization, and is made with resort-grown ingredients. The Spa is the perfect place to try something new or re-visit an old favorite.

4. Plan your trip

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel is a charming location with up-to-date amenities and stunning surroundings, making it perfect to hire for weddings, corporate events or even private family gatherings.

The romance of the 1920s building and sprawling gardens, combined with the area’s perfect weather, makes weddings at the hotel an excellent choice. The garden makes for a beautiful outdoor wedding space on clear days, while the sumptuous ballroom will lend the ceremony total elegance.

Wedding planners at the hotel will help to organize everything from the menu to the décor, allowing the couple to take a step back and focus on what they want. Wedding day packages can also include pre-wedding treatments in the spa, or honeymoon accommodation in Santa Barbara.

Events in general can always find a space at the hotel, as there is 9,820 square feet of event space both indoors and outdoors, with the 3,000 square foot ballroom being perfect for large gatherings of up to 300 people. Business events can be catered to with video conferencing, climate control and flexible room set-ups, and corporate retreats can focus on team-building activities in the beautiful Pacific Southwest.

800 Alvarado Pl, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, Phone: 805-845-5800, Map