Santa Barbara

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

A Leading Hotels Of The World hotel. Rialto is a Virtuoso agency and can provide VIP access and offers.

Perched high in the hills above Santa Barbara, El Encanto is a timeless coastal retreat where sweeping ocean views, lush gardens, and quiet luxury come together effortlessly. Since 1918, this Forbes Five-Star hideaway has welcomed guests with its signature blend of elegance and ease, offering 90 bungalow-style rooms and suites designed for rest, romance, and connection. From sunlit mornings on the terrace to golden afternoons by the pool, El Encanto invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and experience Santa Barbara at its most enchanting.

800 Alvarado Place, 93103 Santa Barbara, CA, United States
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
One offer
4th Night Free
Stays until Dec 31, 2026

About El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

Insider tip

If you’re traveling with a small group, celebrating a family reunion, or planning an intimate wedding, consider reserving one of our signature suites. With spacious terraces, multiple rooms, and sweep

In the hotel’s own words

Located in the hills of Santa Barbara’s American Riviera, El Encanto is the city’s most storied luxury hideaway. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the property offers 90 individually styled California bungalows and suites set across seven acres of terraced gardens with panoramic views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. Guests enjoy a zero-edge outdoor pool, boutique spa, and access to bicycles, fitness classes, and wellness programming. El Encanto’s signature restaurant, The Dining Room and Terrace, is helmed by Chef Joel Viehland and features fresh, seasonal cuisine inspired by California’s Central Coast. Additional offerings include a private Wine Room for intimate events and activities for guests ranging from trips to the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market with Chef Joel to sailing off the California coast on a 50-foot Catalina sailing yacht. The property also boasts nearly 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, ideal for weddings, social gatherings, and executive retreats. Pet-friendly, ADA accessible, and minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, El Encanto remains a serene and storied escape for both visitors and locals alike.

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Accommodations 90 Suites & Bungalows infused with the textures and hues of the West Coast, each Bungalow or Suite brings the best of the outdoors inside. Private Bungalows boast king-size beds, marble bathrooms, garden seating and soothing heated stone floors. Suites offer added levels of luxury, with charming open-hearth fireplaces or patios to unwind on in privacy.

The Spa and Fitness Center

The Spa at El Encanto is a serene 4,500-square-foot oasis featuring seven spacious treatment rooms, including a couples room and a wet treatment room. Guests revive with an assortment of seasonal, organic and specialty body and facial treatments that enchant as thoroughly as our lush setting. The serene, co-ed relaxation lounge invites surrender. Lavish mens and ladies lounges offer steam rooms, showers, private lockers, vanities and dressing areas. The pampering concludes with a selection of detox teas enjoyed on the outdoor patio.

Those seeking nail services will find expert professionals along with manicure and pedicure stations that merge fun and primping for your whole party. In essence, The Spa at El Encanto offers a charming setting for releasing your stress or spending an afternoon with friends.

VIP Hotel Program · Invitation-only

Virtuoso benefits, included

All 976 Virtuoso hotels →

Virtuoso is an invitation-only network of luxury travel agencies. VIP rates generally meet or beat the hotel's website rates and include this hotel's own Virtuoso amenities below.

  • Room upgrade on arrival, based on availability
  • Daily breakfast for two per bedroom
  • $100 hotel credit per stay
  • Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability

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Rooms and suites

11 room types, as described by the hotel.
Rooms
Size
Bed options
1Superior King Room
These elegant rooms offer an intimate escape with beautiful garden views and a plush king-sized bed. These serene retreats welcome you to a natural wonderland of beautiful flora- just outside your door.
View: Garden
400 ft²
King-sized bed
2Deluxe King Room
On the edge of our elevated grounds, these sanctuaries offer a peaceful retreat with every modern convenience at your fingertips. Deluze rooms offer the comforts of a luxurious king-size bed and deep soaking tub.
550 ft²
King-size bed
3Terrace King Room
Step outdoors onto your own furnished patio or balcony to savor the garden views. Terrace rooms are the perfect place to unwind while enjoying a wide array of thoughtful amenities and a lavish king-sized bed. These well-situated rooms are a personal haven
View: Garden
Members only
King-sized bed
4Terrace Premier King
Reserve Now · Revel in Belmond El Encanto's largest non-suite accommodations featuring both a fireplace and patio/terrace. Ideally located throughout the seven-acre grounds with tranquil views of the garden or landscape. Maximum three guests. · ** Next available upgrade category - One Bedroom Suite
Members only
5Premier King Room
Ideally located in the heart of our grounds, these spacious rooms feature a king-size bed and deep soaking tub. Delight in the warmth of a zoxy fireplace that complements this gracious setting and let time pass you by.
Members only
King-size bed
6Deluxe Double
Ideal for families traveling with children or the girls getaway, these Deluxe Doubles feature two double beds, luxury furnishings, marble bathrooms with heated floors, and hard wood flooring. Some offer fireplaces, terraces, and the ability to connect to another guest room.
Members only
Two double beds
Suites
Size
Bed options
7One Bedroom Suite
Pamper yourself with a deep soaking bathtub and separate living space. These comfortable suites provide luxurious relaxation in grand proportions. Each One Bedroom suite is appointed with private bedroom featuring a plush king size bed and separate living room for relaxation and entertainment
Members only
King size bed
8Terrace Suite
These suites are an ideal vantage to set your scene at Belmond El Encanto. The beautiful garden setting affords the ultimate in privacy and tranquility. Each Terrace Suite is appointed with a separate bedroom with king size bed, as well as a separate living room with a sofa bed to accommodate additional guests.
View: Manicured landscape
Members only
King size bed
9Terrace Premier Suite
These spectacular suites offer the perfect combination of comfort and convenience. Located throughout the resort's prestine grounds, each Terrace Premier Suite is appointed with a king-size bed, an exquisite fireplace, a separate spacious sitting area and all the modern amenities you may desire.
View: Garden or Santa Barbara landscape
Members only
King-size bed
10Specialty Suite
Reserve Now · Each of these spectacular suites is excitingly different and serves as a perfect romantic retreat. Located throughout the resort's prestine grounds, our Specialty Suites are appointed with a king-size bed, an exquisite fireplace, kitchenettes, and a separate spacious sitting area.
Members only
Villas
Size
Bed options
11Garden Bungalow
Enjoy the privacy of your own free-standing bungalow with these spacious accommodations featuring generous furnished patios and romantic gas fireplaces. These rooms feature a large sitting area adjacent to a luxurious king-size bed, marble bathrooms with heated floors, hard wood flooring and ample natural light.
Members only
King-size bed

Room type data is subject to change and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does booking through Rialto cost more than booking with the hotel?

No - VIP rates under Virtuoso always meet or beat hotel's public, flexible rate, and provide valuable amenities and possible upgrades. Rialto also provides the hotel's non-VIP and corporate rates, so you can compare with full transparency.

What is the value of the VIP benefits?

Daily breakfast for two plus the $100 hotel credit come with every stay at this hotel - adding $100-200/day in value. A room upgrade could also be worth a substantial amount, in addition to early check-in / late check-out benefits when available.

How does this compare to other programs, like through AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, or Chase Edit?

Using a hotel's own VIP program may provide higher upgrade priority, additional VIP benefits and promotional rate offers, and a direct relationship with the hotel for special requests. Rialto offers more VIP hotels than any credit card program. In addition, Chase Edit rates can be substantially more expensive as they rarely run promotions whereas AMEX rates are often comparable but do not offer programs such as Upgrade at Booking.

Can my AI assistant book this hotel?

Yes. Connect Rialto to Claude or ChatGPT and ask for rates. You finish the booking on a secure Rialto page. Card details are not sent through the AI chat, so either you would approve the final checkout step and reconfirm all the information, or if you authorize your agent with Computer-Use permissions, it can fill out the checkout form as well.

Rates are shown to members

Rialto is invitation-only. Apply for access and hear back within 24 hours.