El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara ★ Book Spa Rooms, Wellness Deals & Guest Reviews

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About the Hotel

800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93103

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, a five-star property rated 9.2/10 on Booking.com, offers 90 luxurious suites, bungalows, and rooms within a beautifully restored 1920s setting. The hotel features an outdoor zero-edge pool, a spa, and lush terraced gardens spanning seven acres.

Rooms & Amenities

Guest accommodations at El Encanto include spacious rooms and suites featuring marble bathrooms, heated stone floors, and private terraces. The blend of Spanish Colonial and California Craftsman styles is complemented by modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi access.

Dining & Options

Dining options include a restaurant and a lounge serving sustainable seafood and locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy outdoor dining on the terrace with Pacific views or partake in afternoon tea and artisan-crafted cocktails.

Leisure & Activities

El Encanto's leisure facilities feature a spa offering nature-inspired treatments and a fitness center equipped with Technogym equipment. The expansive gardens encourage quiet walks, while the hotel provides bicycles for local exploration.

Services & Local Area

Located within easy reach of local attractions like the Santa Barbara Mission and the Urban Wine Trail, El Encanto offers a courtesy car service for transportation. Additionally, guests can access nearby public transport options, including bus routes within a short walk.

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Choose your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

King Room Terrace

Max:

2 persons

410 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Double Room

Max:

4 persons

520 sq. feet

Bed options:

2 Double beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Premier King Room Terrace

Max:

3 persons

540 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Fireplace

room details

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Price and Room Availability

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Getting around

Comprehensive guide to transport options for seamless travel

City Centre

Santa Barbara 1.1 mi

Airports

Santa Barbara (SBA) 12.3 mi

Presidente Itamar Franco (iza) 28.9 mi

Train

Santa Barbara Amtrak 1.9 mi

Santa Barbara Amtrak Station 1.9 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in rooms

Parking

USD 45 per day

Luggage storage

Locker room

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Hiking
Cycling
Yoga class
Sports trainer
Aerobics

Guest Parking

Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Services

Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Car hire
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Shoe shine service
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Babysitting/Child services
Board games

Spa & Leisure

Saltwater pool
Heated swimming pool
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Body wraps
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage
Make up services

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Rollaway beds

Bathroom

Separate tub and shower
Free toiletries
Bathroom telephone

Self-catering

Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV
HBO available
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93103

Map view

800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93103

City landmarks

Church

Old Mission Santa Barbara

4100 ft

Park

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

1.5 mi

Harbour

Stearns Wharf

2.2 mi

Museum

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

2600 ft

Park

Franceschi Park

3600 ft

Museum

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

1.5 mi

Park

Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden

4900 ft

Garden

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

2.0 mi

Peabody Stadium

1.2 mi

122 W Canon Perdido St # 122

Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum

1.4 mi

Park

Mission Rose Garden

2200 ft

Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

2.5 mi

Park

Alameda Park

4000 ft

Museum

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

1.3 mi

Museum

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

1.9 mi

St Francis Medical Center

2400 ft

1122 N Milpas St

Santa Barbara Bowl

3900 ft

Santa Barbara Parks Dept

2900 ft

316-324 State Street

Andalucia Building

3000 ft

I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival

3000 ft

Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

1.4 mi

Skofield Park

1.4 mi

Temple Bnai Brith

3400 ft

Theatre

Granada Theatre

1.4 mi

Park

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

1.6 mi

Amusement Park

Kids World

1.1 mi

Park

Rocky Nook Park

1.5 mi

Mall

The Historic La Arcada Courtyard

1.8 mi

Nearby

Riviera Theatre

1000 ft

Mall

San Marcos Building Courtyard

700 ft

Restaurants

The Dining Room and Terrace

100 ft

800 Alvarado Pl El Encanto

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews from guests about their experience.

64%

loved their spa retreat and can’t wait to return.

6.4/10

Nice

Rooms

8.6

Location

9.8

Service

8.0

Dining

8.0

Kelly

United States, February 2025

6.2/10

My experience at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, was enchanting overall. The amazing views of Santa Barbara and the luxurious accommodations truly made my stay special. I did face a few issues, particularly with the dining service on my anniversary dinner, which felt below the hotel's usual standards. Although the outdoor space needed more attention, the overall charm and comfort of the hotel still captured my heart.

Rooms

9.0

The bungalow-style room was spacious, well-equipped, and offered a feeling of privacy. Elegant touches enhanced the comfort of my stay.

Service

9.0

The staff's attention to detail was impressive, often going above and beyond to make me feel valued. Their friendly and personalized approach made me feel right at home.

Location

10.0

The hotel's hillside location offered lovely views of the coastline, a perfect backdrop for relaxation. Being tucked away from the bustling downtown added a serene atmosphere.

Dining

7.0

While the food was delicious and still met high expectations, I experienced service hiccups during my anniversary dinner. The dining area's atmosphere was a bit too chilly for comfort.

Facilities

8.0

The beautifully landscaped grounds provided a tranquil setting. However, I noticed that some outdoor areas were not as well-maintained as I expected.

John

United States, February 2025

6.2/10

My stay at El Encanto had some amazing moments, especially with the fantastic service and the beautiful grounds that truly felt enchanting. However, I was a bit let down by the pool area, which felt a little cramped and not very kid-friendly. Overall, the blend of great service and stunning views made it nice, despite some areas needing improvement.

Rooms

7.0

My room was beautiful with a comfy bed, but I did notice some dated furniture and wear in other rooms. I was hoping for a more luxurious feel given the cost of the stay.

Service

9.0

The service was great, especially from staff like Hugo and Mario, who went out of their way to ensure I was comfortable. They really made an effort to create a personalized experience for me.

Location

10.0

The views from the hotel were absolutely stunning, with amazing panoramas of Santa Barbara and the ocean. The gardens were beautifully landscaped, which added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Dining

8.0

Dining options were quite good, and I truly enjoyed the breakfasts, though I felt the lunch and dinner menus could be improved. The food quality was generally high, which kept me wanting to eat on-site.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were well-maintained, but the pool area was a bit small and could use more shade. Other aspects, like the valet and housekeeping, were very efficient, enhancing the overall experience.

William

United States, October 2024

7.2/10

My recent stay at El Encanto was a mixed bag. The views and luxurious accommodations were amazing, but I faced some challenges with service that fell short of expectations for a high-end hotel. While the atmosphere and dining options were lovely, consistency in service seemed to fluctuate throughout my visit.

Rooms

9.0

I was impressed with my room, which was stunning and offered a great view of the ocean. The comfort and amenities provided were great.

Service

6.0

Unfortunately, the service was a bit erratic during my stay. From the delayed check-in to slow breakfast service, it felt less polished than expected for a Belmond hotel.

Location

10.0

Perched high above Santa Barbara, the hotel's location offered amazing views and a serene environment away from the busyness of downtown.

Dining

7.0

While I had a great first dinner on-site, the menu lacked variety for a longer stay. Breakfast service, however, left something to be desired.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel grounds were beautifully landscaped and featured a stunning infinity pool. However, there were some delays in order fulfillment that detracted from the overall experience.

George

United States, October 2024

7.4/10

I had a fantastic experience at El Encanto. everything was exquisite, from the stunning ocean views to the incredibly relaxing accommodations. The staff were truly really good, making sure my friend's birthday celebration was lovely with thoughtful touches like champagne and fresh fruit. The only thing I noticed was that the pool area could occasionally get a bit crowded with kids. but overall, it didn't detract from our amazing stay.

Rooms

10.0

My cottage-like room was beautifully furnished, featuring a cozy fireplace and an ocean view that made lounging there a joy. I felt like I was in a peaceful retreat, perfect for relaxing and catching up with my friend.

Service

10.0

The staff were incredibly attentive. they went above and beyond to ensure we felt special throughout our stay. Macy, in particular, made everything happen seamlessly. I really appreciated how the team made my friend's birthday nice.

Location

10.0

This hotel is perched on the Santa Barbara hills, providing amazing views of the ocean. it felt like a slice of paradise, even with some rain during our visit. The grounds were enchanting, making it perfect for morning walks.

Dining

10.0

Dining on the covered terrace was a highlight. the food was really good, with delicious breakfasts that included perfectly prepared eggs and crispy bacon. I found myself wanting to indulge in every meal at the hotel, and the service was consistently excellent.

Facilities

10.0

The entire hotel was immaculately maintained, making it a lovely space to unwind. from the pool area to the exercise facilities, everything was inviting and comfortable. I also enjoyed the thoughtful welcome amenities that added a touch of luxury to my stay.

Russ

United States, October 2024

5.8/10

El Encanto is a beautiful haven tucked into the Santa Barbara hills with stunning views and elegant grounds. Unfortunately, my experience included some hiccups at check-in and room readiness that added stress. I appreciated the gourmet dining and cozy atmosphere, but the service quality did not fully meet my expectations, especially upon arrival.

Rooms

8.0

My room was luxurious and spacious, but I'd be cautious with room upgrades, as not every room matches the stunning offerings of the hotel. Some rooms may have noise issues from HVAC systems and neighbors.

Service

6.0

While the staff was generally friendly and attentive, my experience was marred by a lack of communication regarding my room readiness. I had to reach out multiple times, which detracted from the overall service experience.

Location

9.0

The location is perfect, offering amazing panoramas of Santa Barbara and the ocean, creating a peaceful retreat. However, the convenience of access can be misleading if service levels fall short.

Dining

8.0

Dining options were good, especially breakfast with perfectly prepared items, but some of the lunch and dinner selections lacked the same quality. It's worth dining on-site at least once to enjoy the views.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel amenities were impressive, including the spa services, but the pool area was a bit small and could get crowded. I enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and overall well-maintained facilities.