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El Encanto, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA • Riviera • OVER THE TOP

avg. $1,074 / night

Includes $57 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

LHW Leaders Club property

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5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

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Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Leading Hotels of the World

Location

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At a glance

A 1918 craftsman compound on Santa Barbara's Riviera with ten acres of gardens and ocean-to-foothills views.

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts and California history collectors

Highlights:

  • 1918 California craftsman compound restored by Alexandra Champalimaud
  • 92 rooms across ten acres of terraced gardens
  • Dining room overlooks Santa Ynez foothills to Pacific Ocean
Hillside-residentialinherited-elegance

PB hotel design editorial

Perched on Santa Barbara's Riviera hillside above the city's red-tile roofline, a cluster of white clapboard cottages has drawn writers, diplomats, and Hollywood figures to this address since 1918. El Encanto — the name translates simply as the enchantment — was reimagined after a seven-year closure by Orient-Express Hotels, reopening in 2013 following a restoration overseen by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud. Her brief was to recover the property's original California craftsman character while fitting it for contemporary expectations, threading 92 rooms and suites across ten acres of terraced gardens without disturbing the compound's deliberately residential scale. The herringbone brick motor court visible at the entrance, with its sandstone fountain and vine-draped porte-cochère, establishes a register that the main building — white-painted weatherboard, pitched shingle roof, multi-pane casements — sustains throughout. Champalimaud's interiors work through accumulation rather than declaration: wide-plank hardwood floors, woven lattice headboards, carved Spanish colonial armoires, and iron-and-glass nesting tables layered against cream walls with deep crown mouldings. Fireplaces anchored in white marble surrounds and French doors opening onto garden terraces give each room the atmosphere of a well-inherited house. The dining room's coffered ceiling and wraparound fenestration frame a panorama running from the Santa Ynez foothills to the Pacific, a curtain of amber late-afternoon light catching the rattan chairs and the cascading amber-glass pendant above the room's centre. The lap pool terrace, set into the hillside below mature eucalyptus, completes the picture — the ocean visible just beyond the treeline.

Travel notes

Formerly a Belmond property

About

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Amenities

Pool

Internet

Kids Activities

Shuttle Bus Service

Suites

Room service

Free Internet

Wheelchair Access

Restaurant

Bar/Lounge

El Encanto, Santa Barbara Reviews

1,628 reviews

"From the moment I walked through the doors the name resonated. It was absolutely enchanting. Our stay was everything I could hope for. We never left the property. We spent a lot of time at the pool. Extremely comfortable lounge, chairs! Excellent cocktails! And then there’s Sylvia. What an extremely sweet girl! She and Chloe made sure we were well taken care of! Travis and Alec are pretty amazing! It was nice to see how they jump in and support their team. Alberto, one of the waiters, went out of his way to greet us and welcome us even though at the time we were not his table. Chris Saputo you have put together an amazing team! I can’t wait to return and see all the wonderful things you will be doing with El Encanto!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 14, 2026

"Our 4 days could not have been more perfect. The transfer from a Belmond property seems to have been a positive move. Upgraded gardens, same warm helpful staff. Still an excellent spa experience, glad to see the same faces there. We can’t wait to return."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 07, 2026

"The hotel is well named: ours was an enchanting and luxurious two day experience, with every thoughtful amenity considered. The friendly check in staff offered us a chilled lavender/lemon cocktail or mocktail on arrival, then proceeded to show us to our beautiful room, which was ready early. A bowl of sweet ripe peaches awaited us, along with a handwritten greeting. The next morning we needed more coffee pods, which arrived within two minutes. The room was charming, complete with fireplace and a deep tub for relaxing with bath salts. We spent one day lounging by the pool, waited on by an attentive staff member. Dined that night on the terrace and enjoyed perfectly prepared halibut and salmon. Loved the oversized chess and checkers games laid out on the grounds, as well as the romantic fire pits. The steam room is available to all guests, not just those using spa services, and it's a revelation! Don't miss this experience. We came here to relax, and relax we did, enjoying the sumptuous gardens, the view, and the friendly staff. We even threw a penny in the wishing well, and wished to return again. Soon. Well done, El Encanto. Simply superb."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Aug 06, 2026

"Amazing! The property is beautiful, sprawling, with modern, clean, and comfortable rooms. Hard to find a boutique hotel in this day and age that is maintained with so much love and care. The staff are amazing - friendly, helpful, kind, and resourceful. The food is great, really fresh with good service. Located conveniently in the middle of Santa Barbara and easy to get around. It’s a comfortable atmosphere to hang out and relax between the pool, lobby, patio, and fire pits. New ownership is great and renovating the property in real time. We will be back!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jul 03, 2026

"Our stay at El Encanto was absolutely wonderful. The property is stunning, the atmosphere is peaceful, and every detail exceeded our expectations. A special thank you to Michael Noone, who went above and beyond to take care of our family during our stay. His kindness, professionalism, and genuine hospitality made us feel truly welcomed and made our experience even more memorable. Michael’s attention to detail and dedication to guest service are what make El Encanto such a special place. We highly recommend El Encanto to anyone visiting Santa Barbara and look forward to returning in the future. Five stars all around! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Jun 28, 2026

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