A personal guide to authentic experiences
from a veteran travel journalist
Authentic Luxury Travel
[promoslider id="my_id" category="topbanner" height="200px"]
  • Home
  • About Elizabeth
    • Published Articles
  • Authentic Luxury Travel
  • Book A Trip
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Advertise
    • Contribute a Guest Post
    • Keep in Touch
    • Leave a Comment, Ask a Question
    • Plan a Getaway “Contest”
    • Send a Photo
    • Share a Travel Book or Movie
    • Write a Trip Report
  • Map of Posts by Location
  • Trip Planning
  • Africa
    • Botswana
    • Safaris
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Zambia
  • Air Travel
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
    • Bhutan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Myanmar
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Sydney
  • Authentic Travel
  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
      • Vancouver
    • Newfoundland
  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
  • Cruises
  • Europe
    • Czech Republic
    • England
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Poland
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Turkey
  • Hotels
  • India
  • Islands
    • Bermuda
    • Caribbean
    • Fiji
    • French Polynesia
    • Hawaii
    • Ibiza, Spain
    • Maldives
    • Palau
    • Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Dubai
  • New Zealand
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
  • Special Interest Trips
    • Ancestry travel
    • Bucket List Travel
    • Classic Car Adventures
    • Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    • fall colors
    • Family Travel
    • food tours
    • garden visits
    • Golf Vacations
    • Learning Vacations
      • Cooking schools
    • national holidays
    • Performing Arts
      • concerts
      • opera
    • Pet-Friendly Travel
    • Rafting
    • Recipes
    • Romantic Destinations
    • Shopping
    • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
    • Spa Vacations
    • surfing
    • Walking vacations
    • Wildlife Watching
    • Winter Holidays
    • Women's Travel
  • Staying Healthy
    • Dealing with Illness and Discomfort
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Insects
    • Mind and Spirit
    • Packing
    • Problem Prevention
    • Travelling with Kids
  • Travel Experts
  • U. S. Travel
    • National Parks
    • USA Eastern States
    • USA Midwestern States
    • USA Southern States
    • USA Southwest
    • USA Western States
      • Alaska
      • Central California
      • Montana
      • Northern California
      • Oregon
      • Southern California
      • Utah
      • Washington
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Voluntourism

My Favorite Santa Barbara Hotel (by far)

September 14, 2016 | Updated: September 14, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Which Santa Barbara hotel has an oceanview saltwater pool?

I love the view of the Channel Islands from the pool at Belmond El Encanto.

My favorite Santa Barbara hotel? That’s easy. Belmond El Encanto won my heart with gracious suites in historic cottages, beautiful gardens, and a panoramic ocean view.

Spread over seven acres, the hotel feels more residential than commercial. This isn’t surprising, since the bungalows here started out as lodging for students and faculty when a state teacher’s college was established on the site in 1909. When the school was relocated, the housing became private homes and later a small hotel where movie stars sought privacy in the 1930s and ‘40s

At Belmond El Encanto, wandering paths connect historic cottages and bungalows.

At Belmond El Encanto, wandering paths connect historic cottages and bungalows.

Authentic luxury in Santa Barbara

Belmond El Encanto is easily the most beautiful Santa Barbara hotel. In addition to 92 luxury suites, the property includes a vanishing-edge salt water swimming pool, a state-of-the-art spa, a  fitness studio, and several charming dining options. Every building on the property is original except the shared areas – a chic little bar, dining room, lovely covered verandah, and open terrace.

I love the history of this beautiful Santa Barbara hotel and also the fact that it sits on a hill in a neighborhood of older homes. While we were there, I noticed Santa Barbara residents dropping in to celebrate special occasions, watch the sunset, and relax in the spa…as they might do at a local country club.

At this Santa Barbara hotel, spacious suites are located in historic cottages.

At this Santa Barbara hotel, spacious suites are located in historic cottages.

Luxury Santa Barbara hotel with a view

The property’s 180-degree ocean view includes the five islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park. These lie five miles offshore and are visible on clear days. The inland view takes in a row of stately palm trees along the coast, a glimpse of Spanish-style buildings in the downtown area, and the San Rafael Mountains in the distance.

Our spacious bungalow, number 15, with a fireplace and sitting area, felt very welcoming. I loved the heated marble floor in the bathroom, luxe bed and bath linens, and the mellow colors.

The most beautiful Santa Barbara hotel is also the best place to linger over a meal and a glass of wine.

The most beautiful Santa Barbara hotel is also the best place to linger over a meal and a glass of wine.

Fun and good food at El Encanto

We didn’t have time to play tennis or take in a polo match (now through October 4), but we did have fun floating in the beautiful salt water pool. Guest services also include complimentary use of electric bikes and courtesy car service to area attractions.

In addition to luxury suites and lush gardens, the resort offers carefully-crafted meals that include herbs grown on the property and cheese made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s cow. Because of the flavors and the setting, we lingered over drinks and meals on the sheltered porch and under the stars.

For the best view of the Santa Barbara Harbor, go to the top of the Waterfront Center.

For the best view of the Santa Barbara Harbor, go to the top of the Waterfront Center.

There’s lots to do in this city, but when you’re staying at the most wonderful Santa Barbara hotel, it’s hard to tear yourself away. I did enjoy Tara Jones’ photography food and wine tour, and it was fun to walk around the harbor area and out on the wharf, but my best memories from this trip are of relaxing in our gracious lodging and pondering the ocean panorama.

Enjoy,

signature jpg 200

 

 

 

Elizabeth Hansen

img_4524-santa-barbara-hotel-edited-for-alt

Tags: accommodation, Belmond, Belmond El Encanto, california, Central California, El Encanto, historic hotel, historic places to stay, honeymoon destination, honeymoons, hotel, hotels, lodging, luxurious, luxury, luxury hotel, ocean view hotel, places to stay, resorts, romantic, saltwater pool, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara hotel, Santa Barbara luxury, spa

Category: Central California

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn

Comments (1)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Ricardo says:
    September 14, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    Thanks for sharing insights to this fabulous property with great ambiance.
    I have visited the Belmond El Encanto and definitely share your enthusiasm.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

« Peruvian Paradise – Eat, Ride, Love
Secrets To an Extraordinary SE Asia Holiday »

Subscribe

Join me and discover the joy of authentic travel experiences. Subscribe here. Watch your inbox for an activation email.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
[jr_instagram id="2"]
Let our Boutique Hotels inspire you
Discover the ancient and magical culture of  Peru
Discover Vietnams hidden treasures with the help of a private tour guide
Spectaular Italian Villas and homes for rent

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

I enjoy helping travelers plan custom itineraries that wander off the beaten path instead of following the well-worn trail of tourist sites. Elizabeth Hansen
Find out how I can help .

"I truly want to thank you for helping to make our trip a joyous adventure. We will always be grateful to you for enhancing our experiences." —N. Higgins, Black Mountain, NC

Find Authentic Luxury Destinations

Click the map to find articles and travel tips about your favorite destinations.

Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn
© 2023 Authentic Luxury Travel. All rights reserved. Design & Development by Acorn Interactive.