El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

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

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, a 5-star hillside sanctuary spanning seven acres of landscaped gardens, reflects 1920s style coupled with modern artistry across Spanish-colonial and Californian craftsman architecture.

Luxurious Room Features

The Belmond Hotel features rooms with heated stone floors, marble bathrooms, and private terraces. Each accommodation comes with underfloor heating, wood-burning stoves, and ocean-facing patios.

Farm-to-Table Dining Experience

The hotel has one restaurant with indoor dining room and outdoor terrace offering sustainable seafood paired with homegrown herbs and cheese made with milk produced by their own cow. The Lounge serves crafted cocktails and sharing platters with Pacific views.

Wellness and Recreation

El Encanto offers a zero-edge pool, seven-room spa providing coastal-inspired treatments, and a Technogym-equipped fitness studio with personal training options. A centuries-old lily pond lined with wisteria serves as a charming spot for turtle watching.

Central Location Access

Located 2.5 miles from Santa Barbara Amtrak and 12.5 miles from Santa Barbara Airport, the property provides courtesy car service within a five-mile radius to local attractions including Main Street's shops and Santa Barbara Mission.

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Select 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

Max:

2 persons

38 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Double Room

Max:

4 persons

48 m²

Bed options:

2 Double beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Premier King Room

Max:

3 persons

50 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Fireplace

room details

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Center

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

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in rooms

Parking

USD 45 per day

Baggage 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
Baggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center
Hiking
Cycling
Yoga class
Sports trainer
Aerobics

Guest Parking

Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Services

Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Car rental
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

Cribs
Babysitting/Child services
Board games

Spa & Leisure

Saltwater pool
Heated swimming pool
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness center
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
Patio
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 of America, 93103

Map view

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

City landmarks

Church

Old Mission Santa Barbara

4100 ft

Parks

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

1.5 mi

Harbor

Stearns Wharf

2.2 mi

Museums

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

2600 ft

Parks

Franceschi Park

3600 ft

Museums

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

1.5 mi

Parks

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

Parks

Mission Rose Garden

2200 ft

Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

2.5 mi

Parks

Alameda Park

4000 ft

Museums

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

1.3 mi

Museums

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

Museums

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara

1.4 mi

Skofield Park

1.4 mi

Temple Bnai Brith

3400 ft

Broadway Theatre

Granada Theatre

1.4 mi

Parks

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

1.6 mi

Amusement Park

Kids World

1.1 mi

Parks

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

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

84%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

8.4/10

Great

Rooms

9.0

Location

9.2

Service

8.2

Dining

8.0

Sophia

United Kingdom, April 2025

7.4/10

My stay at El Encanto was absolutely enchanting, characterized by really good service and stunning views. The unique accommodations provided a comfortable retreat, though I did find the pool area a bit cramped and lacking shade. Overall, it was a rejuvenating getaway that I cannot wait to revisit.

Rooms

10.0

I absolutely loved my suite, which featured a beautiful wraparound balcony that was always shaded. The bedroom was serene and spacious, complemented by luxurious amenities including down pillows and a lavish bathroom with a deep soak tub.

Service

10.0

The staff consistently went out of their way to ensure my experience was perfect, providing personalized attention and making me feel genuinely valued throughout my stay.

Location

10.0

Situated in the hills of Santa Barbara, the location offered amazing views of the ocean and a serene, picturesque environment that was simply peaceful.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was good, with nice breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the scenery. The meals were consistently well-prepared and enjoyable, though I did notice some delays in service on a couple of occasions.

Facilities

8.0

The overall facilities were beautifully maintained, providing a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. However, the pool area felt a bit small with limited shade, which might detract from the relaxation experience.

Lisa

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.6/10

My stay at El Encanto was a very nice one. The romantic atmosphere and attentive service made our anniversary feel special, yet the pool was unexpectedly shut for a couple of days during our stay, which was disappointing. Despite the storm that rolled in, I felt cozy and well cared for throughout my visit. 🌧️✨

Rooms

10.0

I loved staying in Bungalow 2201, which was spacious, stylish, and had a lovely deck to relax on. The room's elegant decor and modern amenities made it a true retreat.

Service

10.0

The staff was exceptionally hospitable and accommodating. They went above and beyond to deliver room service even during the heavy rain, which I deeply appreciated.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location in the hills above Santa Barbara provided stunning views of the ocean and a peaceful escape from the busy city life.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed the culinary offerings, particularly the lunch meals at the restaurant. Breakfast seemed a bit underwhelming at times, but I loved the ambiance.

Facilities

8.0

The lush gardens and tranquil surroundings made the atmosphere enchanting, although I was let down by the pool closure for two days during my visit.

Jacob

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.2/10

My experience at El Encanto was charming, with beautifully landscaped grounds and friendly service, creating a good ambiance. However, my room's location above the laundry facilities was quite disruptive during the night, affecting my overall comfort. The bed was not as restful as my previous stay, which added to my disappointment. Still, the hotel’s enchanting atmosphere will pull me back for another visit, possibly with a different room.

Rooms

8.0

I appreciated the spaciousness and elegance of my cottage, but the noise from the laundry facility was quite disruptive, particularly late at night.

Service

8.0

The staff was friendly and accommodating throughout my stay, making me feel valued and welcomed.

Location

8.0

The hotel's hillside location provided a serene escape from the downtown bustle, making it feel like a true Santa Barbara neighborhood.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed the diverse menu offerings and wonderful service during meals, but I didn't dine in as often as I wanted.

Facilities

8.0

The pool area was lovely, though it could get crowded; I noted that securing a chair can be a challenge if you arrive later.

Leslie

United Kingdom, January 2025

6.6/10

My stay at El Encanto was a mixed bag. The hotel is absolutely stunning, with amazing views and beautiful landscaping, but my arrival experience was a bit stressful. While I loved the spacious room and the exquisite service after I got settled, the wait for my room was frustrating and worrisome, especially before a wedding I was attending.

Rooms

8.0

The room was spacious and comfortably appointed, which made it easy to relax once I finally got in. I really appreciated the cozy furnishings and the luxurious vibe throughout.

Service

7.0

Staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, going out of their way to help once I was in the hotel. However, the breakdown in communication at check-in was disappointing.

Location

10.0

The hotel is perched in the serene hills above Santa Barbara, surrounded by lush landscapes. The views were absolutely magical and made my stay much more enjoyable.

Dining

8.0

Dining was a highlight with excellent food and a beautiful terrace view, though I was a bit let down by the breakfast experience, which did not meet my expectations based on what others raved about.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were beautiful and well-maintained, with a nice pool area. Other amenities like room service and the spa added to the allure of the stay.

Alfred

United Kingdom, January 2025

7.2/10

El Encanto boasts stunning views and a charming ambiance, making it a picturesque retreat. However, the service during my stay was somewhat inconsistent, particularly at the bar and pool areas, which detracted from my overall experience.

Rooms

9.0

My room was spacious and luxuriously furnished, featuring heated floors in the bathroom, which added a lovely touch to my stay.

Service

6.0

While the staff were generally friendly and helpful, I encountered delays in service, especially when I tried to get a drink at the bar late in the evening. It felt chaotic at times.

Location

8.0

Situated on a hillside with amazing views of Santa Barbara, the hotel's location was both beautiful and serene. though getting downtown required some effort.

Dining

7.0

The hotel's dining options presented delicious food, but the service was notably slow, which was disappointing during my visit.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel’s facilities were well-maintained and inviting, but I noticed the pool area could feel crowded, lacking a dedicated space for children.