El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel

My recent three-night respite at El Encanto (Belmond) in Santa Barbara was a welcome revelation. Arrived early evening to a swift yet gracious checkin, then assisted to my suite by a personable young man. Perks were acknowledged. Suite 703 is spacious, uncluttered with attractive comfortable furniture, fireplace, large bathroom with separate shower (rain) and tub, two sinks, toilet in alcove. AND (pièce de résistance) two terraces with comfy chairs. Because the grounds are gorgeously gardened and the Spanish-style bungalows so charming, the terraces delight, even in December. The venue is comprised of white bungalows with Spanish tile roofs, some 27 of them connected by smooth brick walkways and a few small stair sets. Many bungalows feature terraces and there is other outdoor seating. The pool is attractively fenced off, surrounded by seating and big shade umbrellas. The lobby building houses reception/concierge desk, bar, indoor/outdoor restaurant, assorted function rooms. F&B is quite good although very pricey. Sophisticated offerings as well as basic stuff. The fish & chips, and steak tacos were excellent as were my breakfasts of perfectly scrambled eggs, hash browns, toast, OJ, large rectangular muffin thing. Service, including prompt room service, was outstanding and then some. Courteous, engaging, super competent. It’s rare to experience service of this fine caliber in the States. Already planning my return, probably in February or March.

The rooms, the architecture, the amenities, the ambience and the amazing view were all spectacular, however the staff - every single one we encountered - were what made our stay. They all seemed sincerely happy to work there and sincere in wanting the guests to have the best stay possible. We highly recommend this hotel whether enjoying a meal, a massage but hope you all choose to stay the night too. You won’t be disappointed.

This was a repeat visit. I’m super frugal and this is a splurge. This is what I expect to pay for if I want a local getaway and feel like I’m really on vacation. The staff feels like family members and the entire property feels like a home. The views are magical and I cannot wait to return to this property. The highlight of this trip was seeing my son’s excitement when we walked into our room and he found his paw patrol bed! He didn’t want to leave!

Ditto, as mentioned your entire staff went out of their way to make us comfortable and feel important as guests

I am utterly appalled by our recent stay at Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara. This was our fifth visit, and what was once a beautiful, luxurious experience has turned into an absolute nightmare. It was hands down the worst hotel stay we’ve ever had, and I’m shocked at how far this property has fallen. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the level of service and care this hotel was once known for is completely gone. The check-in process was a disaster—unfriendly staff, no warmth or professionalism, and no acknowledgment whatsoever of the fact that we were there to celebrate a special occasion. This was a birthday trip, and not only was there no recognition of it, but they also gave us a subpar room that was downright embarrassing for a property of this caliber. The room was terrible—poorly maintained, unclean, and lacking any sense of luxury. It felt like no effort had been made to prepare it. The entire property looked neglected and unkempt, which only added to the disappointment. And the service? Nonexistent. We felt completely ignored throughout our stay, as if our presence didn’t matter at all. What makes this even worse is that we’ve had incredible experiences here in the past, which is why we returned. But this time, everything was so shockingly bad that it ruined what should have been a special and memorable occasion. For the exorbitant prices they charge, the experience we received was insulting. We won’t be returning, and I would strongly urge others to think twice before booking here. Belmond El Encanto is no longer the gem it once was—it’s a shadow of its former self, and frankly, it’s not worth your time or money.