My husband and I just came back from a week at El Encanto and are torn on how to rate the hotel. It was our second stay on the property and some aspects of the resort are truly 5 stars. The grounds and the service are both incredible! It is hard to find a more stunning and thoughtful property in California. Additionally, the staff is best in class. Everyone (and especially their manager Brendan) goes the extra mile to make sure your stay is perfect. The only down side to the visit is that their food and bar programs are surprisingly mediocre. We ended up picking up food on numerous nights because the menu is so lack luster especially at the 5-star price point. In reality they are a 4.5 and they'd be 5 stars if the restaurant was improved.

There simply isn't a better view to enjoy while having lunch in Santa Barbara. I have been to Encanto a handful of times and it has never disappointed. Do yourself a favor and eat on the deck as you will never forget this meal.

Beautiful and peaceful property. Staff was attentive and friendly. Valet was always prompt and helpful. Food service was a little slow both in the dining room and for room service (this may have been a staffing impact due to COVID). In the room, they did a great job of maximizing the space and had usable patios. The heated bathroom floors was a very nice touch. Spa service was excellent.

My review while for the Lounge/Bar will also include the parking valet and front desk. We called the day before to reserve the Lounge, as we wanted a drink and snack before our movie at the Riviera. The person that helped our party of 4 on the phone, said "we don't take reservations in the bar or lounge", only for the restaurant. We then showed up hungry the next day allowing 90 minutes for a drink and light dinner in the lounge. As our car door opened the Valet said "Are you checking in? We replied "we are here for a drink and snack in the Lounge. He asked us if we had a reservation. We replied, we called the day before and they said we don't need a reservation for the lounge. The Valet then says I can't let you in the Hotel without a reservation. We then asked to speak to the Front Desk, who reiterated what the Valet said. We then asked to speak to the Manager. The desk person then left for what seemed like 10 minutes and came back saying the Food and Beverage Manager said, they were short staffed and he could not serve us. She gave us the option to speak to him if needed. Did I want to speak to a Food/Beverage Manager that is in charge of hiring that doesn't have a handle on it, no. I think that would better be done by their supervisor. This was far from a proper luxury hotel experience. Good luck we will never be back nor will I reccommend the El Encanto to anyone.

UPDATE 2022: we returned with friends in May of 2022 and found the restaurant as good as ever. Because the weather is a bit fickle we weren't sure if we wanted to sit outside or inside. We started outside at the front edge of the patio in a corner and found it was too cold for the ladies. So we moved to a table closer to the covered patio. But despite them bringing first two blankets and then two more it was still too cold. It appeared they had too few heaters and one table had three while we had none. Well we understood it would be difficult to ask a table to give up one of their heaters my wife at least found it annoying. So we considered moving into the enclosed dining room but it was empty and it felt like we were out of the swing of things. So the staff very kindly seated us on the covered patio with some overhead heaters that was just right. I must say for tolerating our request to move THREE times the staff was very gracious each time. And the food was delicious. The diver scallops were excellent. ORIGINAL REVIEW: One of the top Santa Barbara restaurants, particularly because of the view. Unfortunately the patio was closed because of a couple drops of rain and we were forced into the back room. That wasn't much fun. But the food was delicious and the service was very very attentive. The whole roasted chicken for two was remarkably well cooked and very tasty. The ice cream desserts from Rori's was outstanding and the bread was a wonderful surprise. The charcoal apricot bread tasted amazing. It doesn't sound good but try it you'll love it.

I visited El Encanto for brunch in March 2023 as part of a weekend retreat and I was delighted. The quality of the food, service, and surroundings were impeccable. Five star service, with dulcet tones of live piano interrupted only by the continuous popping sound of Moet Chandon champagne. It was so heavenly I did not want to leave.

Absolutely gorgeous hotel and room, enjoyed my stay. Beautiful grounds and very peaceful ambience. Loved the infinity pool and the room service was good, food was delicious. Heated bathroom floors, a fireplace, nice big tub and separate shower. I will definitely come back, if I stay in Santa Barbara again! The staff and amenities were top notch, they even gave me a gift bag and small to go gifts placed in my car with valet when I left.

Five stars through and through we had the most incredible stay at El Encanto. The service and all the little details and thoughtful gestures were top notch. The property is gorgeous, lush, with beautiful views. We had great lunch at the pool and breakfast and dinner at the main dining room and both were awesome. I can’t wait to visit again!!!

TOO UNPREDICTABLE ---I have recently enjoyed excellent food and service in the restaurant (weekday lunches). However, I have also encountered a couple of El Encanto hotel employees who demonstrated such awful customer service skills that it was almost comical. It only takes a couple of bad employees to ruin a guest's experience and tarnish the reputation of a hotel.

I took my girlfriend to dinner here: Our server was polite and the place is very fashionable and comfortable, HOWEVER; we ordered the most expensive meal (a large steak for 2) and it came to the table cold, unfortunately not worth $185, our desert was also average and seemed overpriced as well. I wish this could have been a better experience but truth be told we both left the place feeling sick. All in all - this place feels and looks 5 star but isn’t the best food if you’re trying to spend money and get an experience.

Food and location where great but I wouldn’t feel comfortable coming here for a celebration again after the awful service. Our waitress was nonexistent for the majority of the meal and we wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt when the restaurant was busy but by the time our entree was cleared she only had one other table so no excuse there. Our bread was forgotten, napkins gone, water always empty and wine was poured half a bottle at a time so she didn’t have to come back. We had empty entree plates and glasses for 30 minutes before she came by to check in on us. This was also after she recommended the most expensive white wine on the menu..We had a birthday listed on the reservation and watched at least 6 tables get a dessert for celebrations and if we didn’t remind her after coffee it would have been forgotten as well.

Our favorite spot in Santa Barbara. This time we went for dinner with friends and a movie after in walking distance at the theatre. Dinner was perfect, best steak with sides. Complimentary veg crudo. Great steak tartar, roasted beets salad, tomato salad, everything really. Roasted marshmallow with grand manier flambé was a highlight

I came to this place for afternoon tea with my mother and it was fantastic. I would like to give a very special shout out to our waiter Peter. He is by far one of the most delightful people that I’ve ever met. This place is better than the Beverly Hills Peninsula tea room. You get a gorgeous view of the harbor. The dining room is spectacular. Other visitors who attended don’t seem pretentious at all. Very comfortable very welcoming the moment you step through the doors. I cannot sing my praises for the afternoon tea anymore than I already have. It’s $95 per person which is a good deal if you ask me. The sandwiches and desserts are top-notch. The guys who are in the valet are super sweet. I wish I could remember the guy’s name when we first entered but he was wearing glasses and he has an amazing accent, very charming and very funny. If I’m ever in the Santa Barbara area again this is my new go to spot. I highly recommend anybody who has the time to want to come in and enjoy the scenery you definitely need to go here. I’m not a big tea drinker but I got the Taurus tea and it was amazing. My mother got the Libra tea and she enjoyed hers as well. The atmosphere is relaxing, it’s elegant, and the music is perfect. Five stars all around.

I only went to the bar here. This is a swanky hotel, and in the beautiful Riviera area in Santa Barbara. This is definitely a good place to take a date if you want to impress. Don't be surprised when you get the check though. The have a beautiful hotel and a nice spa as well. If you can afford the price tag, it would be an amazing place to stay if you were visiting the area.

Although we didn’t stay at the hotel we stopped by for lunch on the patio. It was a beautiful Santa Barbara day full of sunshine, warmth and beauty. If you want to experience the high end hotel dining experience, this one definitely qualifies. The food, drinks and service were exactly what you’d expect.

Our lunch here was absolutely magnificent. We had the dining room to ourselves for almost the full duration of our visit, enjoying the rain as we looked out at downtown SB. Their halibut was probably the best fish we’ve ever had, and their Goleta lemon dessert is an absolute must-have. Will took great care of us, which made the experience near perfection. We will be back!

Just magical. Such a beautiful, tranquil property. Staff is so attentive and kind. Attention to detail is on point. Breakfast and lunch on the patio were delicious and portions were generous. I’m a professionally trained chef and this was the best omelette of my life. My facial at the spa was perfect. 10/10 stay!

One of the key highlights of El Encanto is its idyllic location, situated on a hilltop surrounded by lush gardens and oak trees. The hotel's serene setting provides a tranquil retreat for guests seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The rooms at El Encanto are spacious, elegantly furnished, and feature luxurious amenities, including comfortable beds, marble bathrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. Many rooms also offer breathtaking views of the city or the ocean, providing guests with an unforgettable experience. The hotel's dining options are also exceptional, featuring locally sourced, seasonal cuisine at The Dining Room and casual fare at The Lounge. The food is expertly prepared and presented, and the service is attentive and professional. In addition to its accommodations and dining, El Encanto offers a range of amenities, including an outdoor pool overlooking a stunning vista of the city and ocean, relaxing spa, five star concierge and Valet services. The hotel also offers event spaces for weddings, meetings, and other special occasions, making it a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers. Overall, El Encanto is a luxurious and serene retreat that provides guests with a world-class experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a peaceful escape, this Santa Barbara gem is a must-visit destination.

Thank you so much, Mr. Stitt, for taking time out of your busy day to make our stay such a pleasant experience. The hotel is beautiful and your thoughtfulness and generosity goes beyond measure. We will be recommending your hotel and staying again when we are in the area. Best of The Best!

The one thing we love about Santa Barbara are the pet-friendly luxury hotels. For years, we've brought our dog with us for a Thanksgiving &/or Christmas stay in Santa Barbara or Montecito. Christmas 2022 marked our first visit to El Encanto. We were excited to visit. We had canceled our 2020 reservations due to the pandemic, so we were ready for the El Encanto experience. Let's start with what we loved: The location. It's nestled in the hills of the American Riviera. The ocean views were magnificent. We loved our daily walks to see all the beautiful homes and views. It was a 5-10 minute drive to town. The hotel grounds and room. Everything was absolutely lovely. We stayed in a garden bungalow and couldn't have been more delighted. The valet team. They were always on top of it. They were very efficient and friendly - and they loved our dog. What we didn't like: Pet-friendly or pet-discriminatory? We indicated that we would be bringing our dog. As a result, our bungalow was set up with food & water bowls and a toy when we arrived. We also brought a crate for our dog because she's timid and her favorite safe place is her crate. She also prefers to sleep in her crate at night. If we left her in the room alone (which was very rare), we kept her in the crate. Every morning, around 10AM, I would call the front desk and request that our car be pulled up and the room be cleaned. I also told them our dog would heading out with us. On 2 different mornings, we came back 2-3 hours later, only to find our room untouched. I had to call for maid service again, and then wait outside for 30 minutes while the room was cleaned. We never got turndown service, even though we'd call and request it when we headed out with our dog. We'd come back to find the room untouched. When I checked out, I shared these concerns with the front desk. They explained that because we had a dog, they were being cautious. I reminded them that every time we left, I told them we were taking the dog with us. The valet team could vouch for us. They all knew our dog very well, as we went to town 1-2 times a day. Overall, I'm giving this experience an average rating of 3. They get a 5+ for location, hotel grounds, and the room. But they get a 0-1 for being "pet-friendly." They're not. We also had a poor dining experience, but I'll write about that in a separate review for The Dining Room. Since we always travel with our dog to Santa Barbara, we won't be staying here again.

We had the most beautiful wedding weekend staying at El Encanto. The staff are all friendly, helpful, and welcoming, especially to our furry companion! We love how quiet, well maintained, and thoughtful each corner of this property is. We will continue to return to this location for our anniversaries and would love to explore more of the Belmond properties. Thank you for the most magical stay!

Had lunch on patio. Beautiful setting, excellent service, the desserts were amazing! Salad was good, had to ask for additional dressing as very bland on flavor without. Otherwise, excellent place to have lunch! Valet parking only, but it is complimentary!

A great place to stay, away from crowded city environments, in Santa Barbara, CA. They offer shuttle service to drop / pick-up guests to downtown. All other facilities like complimentary breakfast. The restaurant is great, with live music on weekends.

Stayed here for the first time with my fiancé on our way to our wedding up north at the end of January. Will be back. I'm not sure if it's because the hotel was very low occupancy at that time, but they treated us like we were the only guests there. It's important for me to say Mia at the front desk was excellent. Valet was on top of it. The whole experience was absolutely first rate. We plan to return next year during the off season again. I grew up in SB and like to visit when I get a chance and now I don't imagine I'll be staying anywhere else. I would just say maybe get better quality toilet paper. I've noticed even the nicest hotels in the country have what seems to be dollar store tp. One of life's mysteries. Great hotel, great experience. 5/5 highly recommend.

We had a wonderful 3 night stay at El Encanto. I think it is even more beautiful in person than the pictures on the website show. The staff were so attentive and helpful including the front desk, valet and restaurant. We were also very impressed with the fitness instructors. We attended strength training one day and yoga another day. When we were there 2 classes were offered each morning.

Love this place! We arrived after 8pm to no wait on a Thursday night. Service was attentive and prompt. The meal comes with chips and 3 different salsas; we preferred the avocado one. This time I ordered the carne asada quesadillas with pico de gallo inside. YUM! The flour tortillas are so light and crispy! I wish I could make them like that at home.

The restaurant at this resort is amazing. They have the most wonderful views, good service, food and cocktails. We had drinks in the lounge area prior to dinner and then sat on the heated patio to enjoy dinner with a view.

The food and the view at the restaurant was superb! Highly recommend for a quiet date night up in the hills.

This property really has to be experienced. It is above the city and the main beachfront shopping areas of Santa Barbara, but worth at the very least one night of your time in SB. The property is so classic and over the top on staff attention. The views, the cocktails and food were exceptional. I cannot wait to return. I call this relaxed luxury - don't miss it.

Wonderful stay, staff super efficient and friendly. Highly recommend staying here! A short distance from downtown but worth the views! Truly spectacular!

Service!!! Food!!! Views!!! Tucked away in a beautiful hilltop location with views of the Pacific. So relaxing.

Dinner absolutely NOT five star restaurant worthy… food really not good. very bad service, also in Bar area you habe to wait forever for just getting a drink. Hotel is lovely and very nice location and rooms!

We drove 2 hours from Monrovia just to have lunch in this restaurant and it was phenomenal!! Valet parking was very nice and polite, the staff including our server Mario was absolutely wonderful! The food was just like we expected in a 5 stars Hotel restaurant. Our drinks very good!! I am not from California but I will definitely visit this place again if I find myself back in the Santa Barbara, CA

It’s about restaurant and poor management. We had to wait for almost 75 minutes to get our wine. It was Friday night and more than half of tables were empty. Food wasn’t that good either. Other than gorgeous view I won’t recommend this place to anyone.

Amazing! The villas were large and were so cozy, and the property was fantastic to meander through. Love the resteraunt and bar, with stunning views and enticing food. Kind of far from the town but you’re looking over it :P

My friend and I decided to have a girls get away and we could not have been happier with our choice of the El Encanto. Not only were the food, drinks and wine excellent, but the quality of the service was remarkable. Alfredo Silva is special, genuine and could not have made our stay better. He went out of his way to take care of us helping at every turn. He made the stay delightful -memorable- raising the level of our enjoyment Ten fold.