El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
The approach tells you everything. A winding road climbs through seven acres of lush, terraced gardens before revealing a collection of California Craftsman bungalows scattered across a hillside, each one oriented toward the Pacific and the Channel Islands beyond. El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara has occupied this perch since 1918, and the property carries its century of history with an ease that feels less like preservation and more like second nature. The original architecture has been meticulously restored, its low-slung rooflines, wooden trellises, and vine-covered pergolas blending into the coastal oak and bougainvillea that define the grounds. Arriving here is arriving somewhere that has always known exactly what it is.
The 92 suites and bungalows are spread across the hillside rather than stacked within a single structure, giving the property the feel of a private residential enclave. Many feature private patios or balconies with ocean or garden views, wood-burning fireplaces, and interiors that draw on a palette of soft neutrals and natural materials. The layout encourages a kind of unhurried wandering between accommodations and the property's public spaces, connected by garden pathways lined with jasmine, citrus trees, and heritage roses. An infinity pool sits at the edge of the hillside, its vanishing line dissolving into the coastline below. Nearby, the Lily Pond offers one of the property's quieter gathering points, a scene more reminiscent of a private garden party than a resort amenity.
Dining at The Dining Room and Terrace anchors the culinary experience, with a menu rooted in the Santa Barbara region's produce, seafood, and wine. The outdoor terrace, framed by ocean views and the soft geometry of the gardens, is where most guests choose to eat, particularly at sunset. The Lounge provides a more intimate setting for cocktails and lighter fare, while in-bungalow dining extends the property's sense of privacy. The spa draws on the California coast's wellness traditions, offering treatments in a serene setting that connects to the broader landscape. A fitness center and outdoor activities round out the on-property experience, though many guests find themselves content simply moving between the pool, the gardens, and the terrace.
Santa Barbara's American Riviera character is inseparable from El Encanto's identity. The property sits in the Riviera neighborhood above the city's red-tile downtown, within easy reach of State Street's galleries and restaurants, the Santa Barbara Bowl, and the region's celebrated wine country. Yet the elevation and the gardens create a genuine sense of remove. What stays with you is not any single feature but the continuity of the place, the way morning light filters through the oaks, the way the Pacific holds steady at the edge of every view, the way a property that has existed for more than a century still feels like a discovery.
The approach tells you everything. A winding road climbs through seven acres of lush, terraced gardens before revealing a collection of California Craftsman bungalows scattered across a hillside, each one oriented toward the Pacific and the Channel Islands beyond. El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara has occupied this perch since 1918, and the property carries its century of history with an ease that feels less like preservation and more like second nature. The original architecture has been meticulously restored, its low-slung rooflines, wooden trellises, and vine-covered pergolas blending into the coastal oak and bougainvillea that define the grounds. Arriving here is arriving somewhere that has always known exactly what it is.
The 92 suites and bungalows are spread across the hillside rather than stacked within a single structure, giving the property the feel of a private residential enclave. Many feature private patios or balconies with ocean or garden views, wood-burning fireplaces, and interiors that draw on a palette of soft neutrals and natural materials. The layout encourages a kind of unhurried wandering between accommodations and the property's public spaces, connected by garden pathways lined with jasmine, citrus trees, and heritage roses. An infinity pool sits at the edge of the hillside, its vanishing line dissolving into the coastline below. Nearby, the Lily Pond offers one of the property's quieter gathering points, a scene more reminiscent of a private garden party than a resort amenity.
Dining at The Dining Room and Terrace anchors the culinary experience, with a menu rooted in the Santa Barbara region's produce, seafood, and wine. The outdoor terrace, framed by ocean views and the soft geometry of the gardens, is where most guests choose to eat, particularly at sunset. The Lounge provides a more intimate setting for cocktails and lighter fare, while in-bungalow dining extends the property's sense of privacy. The spa draws on the California coast's wellness traditions, offering treatments in a serene setting that connects to the broader landscape. A fitness center and outdoor activities round out the on-property experience, though many guests find themselves content simply moving between the pool, the gardens, and the terrace.
There's a particular quiet that comes with elevation — the way a hilltop property in Santa Barbara holds you just above the energy of the city while keeping the Pacific stretched out in front of you like something you earned. El Encanto trades on that feeling, a sense of being tucked away in gardens that smell like native blooms rather than resort landscaping, where the palette leans coastal without performing it — blues, creams, warm wood, a fireplace in the room that actually invites sitting. It's a place that suits the kind of traveler who doesn't need to be entertained, who finds the view from a dining table as compelling as the plate in front of them. The distance from town is just enough to make returning at night feel like arriving somewhere private, the city lights visible but belonging to someone else's evening.
Member rates
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA publishes distinct room types below. The public rate is the live cash price anyone can see. Journey publishes an entry-tier member rate for this stay — a catalog offer, not a personalized quote. Journey members get member-only rates and unique custom benefits at Alliance properties. Join on journey.com to unlock the published member rate, then check dates to book.
Catalog room types at this hotel. Choose dates below for the public rate and the published entry-tier member rate. Those dated totals are not a personalized quote.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × Queen · 1755 sq ft · regular
This suite offers a fireplace. This spacious suite consists of a kitchenette, a seating area, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. The well-equipped kitchenette features kitchenware, a microwave and a toaster. The air-conditioned suite provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box as well as garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × King · 700 sq ft · regular
Firelight dances across hand-selected furnishings as evening settles over the garden beyond your private terrace. Within 700 square feet of refined sanctuary, the Premier Suite wraps you in warmth — a king bed layered in premium linens and cloud-soft down, a deep soaking tub beckoning after a day of exploration, and a sitting area beside a glowing hearth where time slows to a whisper. Step outside with espresso in hand to greet dewy mornings amid tranquil greenery. This is the kind of stillness that stays with you long after departure.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × King · regular
Golden light spills through tall windows and pools across garden beds where camellias bloom in unhurried elegance. Inside the Camellia Suite, two serene bedrooms anchor a retreat designed for lingering—a king bed swathed in premium linens and down, a sitting area where firelight dances against quiet walls. Mornings begin with the rich aroma of fresh espresso drawn at your own pace; evenings close with plush robes, turndown rituals, and the hush of blackout drapes drawn against the world. Here, stillness is not absence—it is the deepest form of luxury.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × King · 657 sq ft · regular
1 King Bed 660-sq-foot individually decorated room, furnished balcony/patio with garden views Layout - Bedroom, living room, and dining area Relax - Fireplace; in-room massage available Internet - Free WiFi 50+ Mbps Entertainment - 42-inch HDTV with premium channels, streaming services, iPod dock Food & Drink - Refrigerator, minibar (fees may apply), espresso maker, and electric kettle Sleep - Premium bedding, a down duvet, a pillow menu, blackout drapes/curtains, and turndown service Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, and deep soaking bathtub or rainfall showerhead Practical - Free international calls, double sofa bed, and laptop-compatible safe; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating Accessibility - Visual fire alarm Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries and eco-friendly cleaning supplies Need to Know - Toothbrush and toothpaste not available Non-Smoking, pet friendly Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Sleeps 3 · 1 × King · regular
Salt and cedar ride the morning air as you step into this two-bedroom Vista Suite, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Pacific's shifting palette of silver and sapphire. A king bed swathed in cloud-soft linens invites slow mornings, while the fireplace paints the sitting area in warm amber once twilight descends along the coastline. Brew espresso, wrap yourself in plush robes, and let the surf's cadence dissolve every trace of urgency. Each thoughtful detail—a curated pillow menu, nightly turndown—reveals the quiet devotion to craft that defines this retreat. This is where the ocean writes your itinerary.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × King · 904 sq ft · regular
Soft garden light spills across 904 square feet of quiet indulgence as you step into the Wishing Well Suite — a one-bedroom retreat where a crackling fireplace warms individually appointed living and dining spaces. Settle beneath a down duvet with your pillow of choice, breathe in the aroma of freshly pulled espresso, then draw a deep bath before drifting onto your furnished terrace to take in lush, verdant views. With in-room massage offerings and thoughtful turndown rituals, this is the kind of stay that stays with you.
Sleeps 5 · 2 × 2 King · regular
2 King Beds Individually decorated room Layout - 2 bedrooms Internet - Free WiFi 50+ Mbps Entertainment - 42-inch HDTV with premium channels, streaming services, iPod dock Food & Drink - Espresso maker, minibar (fees may apply), electric kettle, and room service (limited hours) Sleep - Premium bedding, a down duvet, a pillow menu, blackout drapes/curtains, and turndown service Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries Practical - Free international calls, laptop-compatible safe, and free newspaper; free cribs/infant beds available on request Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning, daily housekeeping, and heating Accessibility - Visual fire alarm Eco-friendly - Eco-friendly toiletries and eco-friendly cleaning supplies Need to Know - No rollaway/extra beds available, toothbrush and toothpaste not available Non-Smoking Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Sleeps 5 · 2 × 2 King · regular
Sunlight spills across the threshold like a quiet invitation, drawing you into a two-bedroom terrace suite where every surface speaks of thoughtful refinement. At this distinctive retreat, plush king beds layered in premium linens and cloud-soft down duvets cradle you through unhurried mornings. Pull a fresh espresso from your in-room machine, slip into a waiting robe, and step onto your private terrace—where the city's gentle pulse drifts upward like distant music. Eco-conscious details and evening turndown rituals remind you that true luxury honors both comfort and care. This is a stay that stays with you.
Sleeps 5 · 2 × 2 King · regular
A soft click of the latch, and two bedrooms unfold before you — each dressed in its own character, each crowned with a king bed swathed in down duvets and premium linens chosen from a curated pillow menu. The Wishing Well Suite carries the charm of individual artistry in every corner, from bespoke décor to the quiet ritual of pulling an espresso as morning light filters through blackout drapes drawn back at your leisure. Slip into plush robes, explore the minibar's temptations, and let turndown service ease you into nights of deep, uninterrupted rest. This is where wishes become waking life.
Sleeps 3 · 2 × King, Pull-out Couch · 646 sq ft · regular
Soft light filters through garden foliage and dances across your private terrace, turning each morning into a quiet ceremony of stillness. Within 646 square feet of gracefully appointed space, this suite invites you to linger—savoring espresso from the in-room maker, sinking into a deep soaking tub, or unwinding across a separate living area dressed in premium linens and a cloud-soft down duvet. At this Journey Alliance retreat, blackout drapes and nightly turndown service seal the evening in velvet silence. Here, every unhurried hour feels entirely your own.
Sleeps 5 · 2 × 2 King · regular
Dappled light spills through ancient oak canopy, tracing golden patterns across crisp linens and down duvets that dress two king beds in cloud-like comfort. The Oak Tree Suite unfolds across two serene bedrooms, each a sanctuary of quiet sophistication where mornings begin with the rich aroma of freshly pulled espresso and evenings arrive with turndown rituals that transform your space into a cocoon of calm. Slip into plush robes, select from a curated pillow menu, and let nature's gentle rustling beyond the glass lull you into stillness—a stay that lingers long after departure.
Sleeps 2 · 1 × Super King · 452 sq ft · regular
At 450 square feet, this deluxe suite offers heated stone floors, dual sinks, marble counters and a rain forest shower head in the private bathroom. Free WiFi, a flat-screen LCD HDTV, an iPod docking station and other modern amenities are provided. The maximum occupancy is 2 people. Please note: Bedding options for this room type is 1 king or 2 double beds. Bed type is by request only and is not a guarantee.
Sleeps 2 · 1 × Super King · 409 sq ft · regular
A seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk, a balcony and a private bathroom are available in this spacious double room. The unit has 1 bed.
Sleeps 4 · 1 × Super King · 538 sq ft · regular
The fireplace is the standout feature of this triple room. The spacious triple room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath. The unit has 1 bed.
Sleeps 3 · 1 × Super King · 657 sq ft · regular
This triple room features a fireplace. The spacious triple room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath. The unit offers 1 bed.
Sleeps 4 · 1 × Super King · 538 sq ft · regular
The spacious triple room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a balcony with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest
Exceptional
Guest
The Gem of the Central Coast El Encanto is my favorite destination. It’s luxurious, friendly and down to earth. My husband and I are celebrating our ten year anniversary. This is where we had stayed when we got married and have made several returns since. The atmosphere and ambience never disappoints. And not to mention, the cuisine is phenomenal. I love this hidden gem nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara.
Guest
Guest
Delightful. Beautifully maintained in every respect. An absolute joy to spend time there.
Guest
Service,ambiance and beautiful rooms and cottages
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