Located in the exclusive Rivera neighborhood of Santa Barbara, El Encanto Hotel offers charming cottages, bungalows, old brick pathways and sweeping lawns set within six acres of gardens, and features spectacular views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1918, the hotel once provided gracious hospitality to old world Hollywood starlets. Today, the property is owned by Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises, which is committed to preserving classic, historical properties. Just one half mile past the historic Santa Barbara Mission, El Encanto Hotel is five minutes from the downtown shops and restaurants on State Street. The 40 mile Santa Ynez Vineyards Trail begins five miles from the city.
El Encanto Hotel offers 84 guestrooms in one and two story California Craftsman and Spanish Colonial style bungalows decorated in French Country. Guestroom amenities include minibars, Internet access, down pillows and comforters, terry bathrobes, Penhaligon's toiletries, evening turndown service, and complimentary daily newspapers. Some guestrooms also have hardwood floors and fireplaces.

The hotel's restaurant features a French American menu that changes seasonally, along with an extensive wine list. The restaurant provides quiet, intimate dining in the alcove, while the upper terrace offers refreshing alfresco dining against the backdrop of glistening city lights and the Pacific Ocean. Popular with locals, the hotel's lobby lounge serves appetizers, martinis, and regional wines with a backdrop of live piano music and sweeping ocean views.

Hotel amenities include vine draped walkways to the hotel's lily pond, wishing well and outdoor splash pool patio. Maps for self guided nature walks and local wine country tour information are complimentary. The hotel offers four salons and outdoor garden spaces for meetings and events. Valet parking is complimentary.
Renovation Notice:
This hotel is currently renovating four of its cottages. Work will take place between 8 AM 5 PM, Monday Friday. Tennis courts will be unavailable during the renovation.
The hotel assures that it will make every effort to minimize construction noise and related disturbance.
The hotel is scheduled to close at the end of September 2006 for approximately one year for extensive renovations.
This renovation information supersedes all other information in this hotel's description that relates to these hotel amenities.