Hotel rating: 4-Stars
Chain: Orient-Express Hotels
Number of floors: 2
Number of rooms: 84
Year opened: 1918
Year renovated: 2004

El Encanto Hotel and Garden Suites is located hillside above Mission Santa Barbara, just two miles from downtown Santa Barbara, and 10 miles from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. Located on 7 acres of botanical gardens, the hotel offers a peaceful refuge, as well as outstanding views of the pacific ocean and nearby channel islands. Built in 1911, El Encanto has been a retreat for celebrities and the carriage trade seeking peaceful seclusion and energizing serenity. The hotel is a charter member of the Historic Hotels of America, a national trust historic preservation site. Facilities and services available at the hotel include a renowned fine dining restaurant with outstanding cuisine and views of the pacific ocean, botanical gardens, outdoor swimming pool, natural light meeting space for up to 75 people, access to nearby championship golf courses, and the ambiance of the hotel s early 20th century Spanish colonial revival and California craftsman-style architecture. Framed in lush foliage, each of El Encantos 84 unique suites and villas are individually decorated to provide a private, peaceful oasis for romantic relaxation and productive business retreats. Accommodations are California craftsman- or Santa Barbara Spanish colonial revival-style cottages, many with one or two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, fireplace, hardwood floors, pantry, patios and balconies. The hillside suites offer a spacious, contemporary Mediterranean ambiance. Nestled together, the hillside suites are ideal for groups. Amenities in all rooms and suites include minibar, coffee makers and natural aloe-based bath products. All beds feature down comforters and pillows and fine duvets. Several views are available, including mountain, garden, city and ocean views. Year hotel opened - 1918 Number of guestrooms - 64 Number of suites - 20 Number of floors - 2 Wings/buildings in property - 20 Other accommodations - garden villas Unique features - secluded and private, historical architecture/ambiance, Calif. Craftsman/Spanish Colonial style Renovation guestrooms - 2004