El Encanto Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara - A 1920s hillside retreat with seven-acre gardens, Pacific views, and farm-to-table dining

Situated on a Santa Barbara hilltop amidst seven acres of landscaped gardens, this restored 1920s retreat features Spanish-colonial and California craftsman architecture. The luxury Santa Barbara hotel encompasses 90 rooms, bungalows and suites equipped with marble bathrooms and heated stone floors. El Encanto's dining venues include a restaurant with indoor and outdoor Pacific-view terraces, plus a lounge serving craft cocktails and sharing platters. The property features a zero-edge swimming pool and a spa offering seven treatment rooms for massages and facials. A state-of-the-art fitness center provides Technogym equipment and wellness classes. Located less than half a mile from the Santa Barbara Mission, Belmond Hotel offers courtesy car service within a five-mile radius to local attractions and Montecito's dining scene.

Pros

Seven-acre terraced gardens host migrating monarch butterflies and feature a historic wisteria-lined lily pond with resident turtles

Restaurant uses sustainable seafood and herbs from the on-site garden, with cheese made from the hotel's own cow

Custom botanical afternoon tea service includes zodiac-inspired tea blends and chef-crafted delicacies

Complimentary electric bicycles available for exploring the area

Cons

12.5 miles distance from Santa Barbara Airport

Hillside location requires transportation for beach access