Belmond El Encanto: Historic 1918 Craftsman and Spanish Colonial bungalow retreat on Santa Barbara’s Riviera with zero-edge pool and spa

Perched high on the rolling hills of Santa Barbara’s prestigious Riviera overlooking the terracotta rooftops of the American Riviera and the sparkling Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, California, Belmond El Encanto opened in 1918 as one of California’s most iconic hillside retreats. Holding Forbes Five-Star honors, the 92-bungalow sanctuary is set across seven lush private acres of eucalyptus groves, terraced gardens, and lily ponds. Featuring the acclaimed coastal restaurant The Dining Room (with panoramic ocean-terrace dining), a heated zero-edge swimming pool framing the Pacific horizon, and The Spa at El Encanto, this property is Santa Barbara’s premier hillside haven.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished 1920s Hollywood Golden Age coastal charm: personal hosts greet guests beneath fragrant wisteria arbors beside bubbling tiled fountains with chilled local Santa Barbara Pinot Noir or fresh Meyer lemon spritzes. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Santa Barbara coastal, wine, and cultural pursuits: exploring the historic Santa Barbara Mission and Rose Garden (5 minutes away), browsing the boutiques and tasting rooms of the Funk Zone and State Street (10 minutes away), taking private yacht charters across the Santa Barbara Channel to the Channel Islands, swimming in the heated zero-edge pool overlooking the Pacific, indulging in botanical therapies at The Spa at El Encanto, and reserving sunset dinner on the terrace at The Dining Room.

Sanctuary living balances coastal relaxation with sublime California wellness: The Spa at El Encanto features private treatment suites, steam rooms, saunas, the zero-edge pool, and therapies utilizing organic local lavender, eucalyptus, and Pacific sea salt. Dining is extraordinary: contemporary California coastal gastronomy at The Dining Room (featuring local Santa Barbara spot prawns, farm vegetables, and Santa Ynez Valley Grand Crus), casual fireside dining in the Lounge, and afternoon tea on the terrace.

Accommodations comprise 92 private standalone bungalows and luxury suites styled in Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture ranging from 45 to 110 square metres. Each residence features private garden patios, wood-burning fireplaces, plush king beds with custom linens, and heated-floor marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs.

Riviera purists, wine lovers, and luxury travelers seeking 1918 California Craftsman heritage, zero-edge pool views, and Forbes Five-Star Belmond service in Santa Barbara should book Belmond El Encanto without hesitation. Travelers seeking generic beachfront highway motels should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.7 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 1,850 reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 on Google across 2,200 reviews.