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  5. Reviews of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

Reviews of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara 5 stars

800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States

#2 of 64 hotels in Santa Barbara

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 97 hotel reviews

9.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.5

  • Comfort

    9.6

  • Location

    9.3

  • Facilities

    9.4

  • Staff

    9.6

  • Value for money

    7.9

  • Free WiFi

    5.8

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 15 May 2024

    10
    Gorgeous hotel with excellent service. Will absolutely return to another Belmond property!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful, well maintained grounds! Gorgeous views.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 April 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It’s an incredibly beautiful property, with an impressive view over Santa Barbara. The gardens are lovely, the smell of flowers everywhere you go, hummingbirds buzzing around. Is very special. The service is excellent.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 11 November 2023

    10
    Everything we expected
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rate and hidden fees

    Annual visit with wife for birthday

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 October 2023

    10
    Wonderful I would definitely go there again
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • One-Bedroom Suite
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There wasn’t anything

    It was a beautiful property and all of the staff made you feel very welcomed

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 July 2023

    10
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The restaurant could be a bit better, it's good, but definitely not to the level that the hotel is. If the hotel is 5, the restaurant is a solid 4. Service was very good, but some dishes were not up to the level.

    Everything was very very good.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 18 July 2023

    10
    Gorgeous & relaxing weekend in Santa Barbara
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The pool area is not that large, and no separate area (or not that we saw) for kids. So you may get some kids in the mornings jumping in. Additionally there were a few guests using their phones/face times at the pool which was quite loud.

    Food, service, the room, hotel amenities were all fantastic. Hard to beat the location tucked into the Santa Barbara hills, very peaceful and beautiful. We enjoyed hanging by the pool and taking in the incredible views. Our room was incredible, very spacious and had everything you need for a very comfortable stay.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 February 2023

    10
    very helpful and friendly staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    nothing

    The restaurant and spa

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 28 January 2023

    10
    Best
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 October 2022

    10
    wonderful stay, great experience and amazing team. We will be back.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    nothing

    gorgeous property

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 6 October 2022

    10
    A perfect relaxing resort
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    location staff and everything was just beautifully perfect as always with Belmond

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 31 July 2022

    10
    An incredibly gorgeous & intimate property with attentive service & eye to details. Highly recommen!
    • With a pet
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dinner service (particularly drinks/cocktails) was a bit slow due to staff shortages but the team that was there were all doing a great job regardless and very apologetic. The phones did not work our first full day and but it was fixed within a few hours.

    Gorgeous property & we got upgraded to a room with a balcony view which was large & well appointed. Staff was friendly and attentive at every turn and outlet. My pup was welcomed with a large bed & lovely grooming amenities, as well as dog muffins at breakfast. Food was very good, pool was relaxing & we always had water and snacks provided. The grounds were immaculate & cleanliness was excellent. A very unique and memorable experience & stay we hope to repeat. Will check out the spa next time!

    Stayed in July 2022

  • Reviewed: 25 July 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Incredible staff! It was a luxurious get away.

    Stayed in July 2022

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2022

    9.0
    Comfortable, luxurious, relaxing stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Pool area is small.....but on the upside, the intimacy means people make friends chatting to each other! We were locked out of our room despite being given a late checkout It's pricey.

    Love the view from the pool Great e-bikes available to get into town Complementary beverages and snacks provided in the room on arrival While not in town, you are above the fog and close to great cycling routes Really helpful valet staff

    Stayed in June 2022

  • Reviewed: 3 June 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    mattress was not good enough.

    the grounds are beautiful, food and views from restaurant are amazing.

    Stayed in June 2022

  • Reviewed: 11 May 2022

    10
    Suffice to say, it was painful to leave. I could stay at the El Encanto forever.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 5 nights

    Wi-Fi was unsecured.

    It's 7.5 acres of paradise. The best place I have stayed. Absolutely magical and "enchanting."

    Stayed in May 2022

  • Reviewed: 13 April 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The property is a blissful getaway that can not be compared. Elegance, class, attention to detail, and most importantly respectful staff. Always met with a “hello” good morning and goodnight- much appreciated for everything!

    Stayed in April 2022

  • Reviewed: 7 February 2022

    10
    Wonderful!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything! From the hospitality, to the personalized services, El Encanto had exceeded our expectations! We couldn’t have been any happier staying at their location. We look forward to staying there in the future.

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: 3 February 2022

    9.0
    property is beautiful and the view is gorgeous.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    room was a little dated with the furniture.

    amazing view. beautiful patio. great gardens. good food.

    Stayed in January 2022

  • Reviewed: 29 January 2022

    8.0
    We'd go back but when the rates are lower and not bother with breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    We've stayed at this property for 40 years. No one there seemed to care.

    It was not included as advertised. At checkout we were given a monetary credit. There was no point in pre-paying for an overpriced breakfast,

    Stayed in January 2022

  • Reviewed: 28 December 2021

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The bride's flowers and cake were accidently stored in a freezer instead of a refrigerated cooler.

    The entire staff was very hospitable and accomodating. The stay was very memorable for my daughter and her new huband. Once in a lifetime!

    Stayed in December 2021

  • Reviewed: 26 November 2021

    9.0
    Location, location location. Super accommodating and friendly staff. Serene, clean and luxurious
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room service food was so not worth it

    Breakfast was good. Coffee not so good Location was beautiful. Lunch was disappointing Room service was terrible Wonderful service and staff

    Stayed in November 2021

  • Reviewed: 9 November 2021

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premier King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The restaurant was absolutely phenomenal. We enjoyed our meal very much! They even upgraded us when we told them that we were staying at the El Encanto to look for a wedding venue. We had an amazing time!

    Stayed in November 2021

  • Reviewed: 13 October 2021

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • King Room with Terrace
    • Stayed 1 night

    Room pricing a little steep!

    Beautiful location with spectacular views and ambiance was fantastic. Breakfast was wonderful and equally enjoyed cocktails and dinner.

    Stayed in October 2021

  • Reviewed: 22 July 2021

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Superior King Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only thing missing was a hot tub!

    Loved the deep tub in the bathroom with heated bathroom floors, fireplace and infinity pool.

    Stayed in June 2021

Showing 1 – 25

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