Set in the hills of Santa Barbara, Belmond El Encanto provides guests with both seclusion and tranquility. It�s just a stone�s throw from central Santa Barbara and a few miles from the beautiful beach too so the location couldn�t be better. We experienced one of their Premier Bungalows during our stay. We had access to a huge outdoor terrace complete with a large outdoor sofa and armchair, perfect for relaxing and taking in the views. The views are stunning, you can look over the tree-lined resort with the ocean in the distance. It doesn�t get much better than starting your evening on the terrace with a drink under the clear sky of California.
Inside the Premier Bungalow we had a large marble bathroom with a huge bathtub and heated stone floor. The living area has a large desk so you can catch up on some work, or some comfy seating if you�re here to relax away from work. The amenities are well taken care of with an iPod dock, widescreen LCD TV, Nespresso coffee machine, and an honesty bar. A personal touch we loved was being greeted with a cushion in the middle of the bed with our initials embroidered on the front. The bedroom was spacious and had it's own gas fire in the corner next to a small sitting area.
�We can�t speak highly enough of the hotel, staff, and our experience.�
We have visited several Belmond properties before and luxury is something they do faultlessly. It�s always a pleasure staying with Belmond, and the Santa Barbara property is effortlessly chic and a great place to unwind. The heated swimming pool is a must, even if you just lounge next to the pool and admire the views. The whole resort is really special, the staff throughout are very friendly and welcoming.
The grounds are worth exploring as there are paths that take you through immaculately kept gardens filled with stunning plants, palm trees, and pine trees. A lot of which were here before the hotel was built and still stand proud today. We recommend visiting The Dining Room where they serve a wide selection of dishes in an elegant indoor dining room, or you can sit out on their terrace where you can dine under the stars.
We can�t forget to mention the two resident ducks that have become an attraction for guests too, I recommend you visit these before leaving. We had a wonderful time at Belmond El Encanto and can�t speak highly enough of the hotel, staff, and our experience.
The Bill: �480 per night
