Need to know
Rooms
Ninety-two rooms, including 22 suites.
Check–Out
Noon; earliest check-in, 3 pm (both are flexible, subject to availability).
More details
Rates exclude breakfast, a resort fee of $35 a room a night, and an additional local city tax of $4.40 a room a night, both of which are due at check-out.
Also
The sweeping ocean views and grounds dotted with fragrant fruit trees, tropical flowers, climbing wisteria and a lily pond take center stage. However, don’t overlook the carefully selected artwork. Damien Hirst created a silkscreen with butterfly wings in diamond dust that hangs in the lobby, and Charles Arnoldi’s dramatic abstract painting welcomes guests to the dining room.
At the hotel
Spa, seven acres of gardens, fitness studio with schedule of classes, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: iPod dock, minibar, coffeemaker and tea service, flatscreen TV and DVD player
Our favourite rooms
The Premier Bungalow poses a quandary: not how, but where to relax? Should you curl up by the open-hearth fireplace or steep in the soaking tub? Does the ocean look bluer from the private patio or the king-size bed? There’s no wrong answer. In fact, every single room on the property has been updated from the gleaming faucets down to the refinished floorboards, so you’ll find light, airy textures, locally carved furnishings and underfloor heating in all room levels.
Poolside
Gaze out towards the glistening waters of the Pacific Ocean from the outdoor heated infinity-edged saltwater swimming pool and sun deck. It's the perfect place to acclimatise to El Encanto's easygoing lifestyle.
Packing tips
Leave the binoculars at home. Peer through one of the telescopes found on the terraces to spy whales in the ocean or distant stars up above.
Also
Public and common areas are disability accessible, and there are several disability access rooms available.
Pet‐friendly
Pets can stay in any room; it's US$150 for the first pet and an extra US$75 for each additional pet. See more pet-friendly hotels in Santa Barbara.
Children
Welcome. Travel cribs and baby monitors are free to borrow. Additional guests are $85 per night (a $50 fee plus $35 and tax for an extra bed), though kids under 18 stay free in suites with sofa beds. The restaurant has a children’s menu and high chairs.
Best for
Up to 12
Recommended rooms
Families can stretch out in the Superior Bungalow Suite, with a spacious separate living room and comfortable sofa bed for two. Request a suite with a private patio over a fireplace to gain a slice of outdoor space.
Activities
Children’s activities – scavenger hunts, arts and crafts activities, trips to the Chef’s garden – can be arranged for families.
Swimming pool
The infinity-edged swimming pool with sun deck does have a shallow end.
Meals
Room service is conveniently available 24-hours a day. Children are welcome in the lounge and the dinning room with outdoor terrace, and both spots provide children’s menus and high chairs. The bar, however, is adults-only.
Babysitting
The hotel uses a fully licensed and bonded service, Child Time Nanny, which the concierge will book with six hours notice. The standard fee (subject to holiday rates and number of children) is $20 per hour, plus a $10 transportation fee.
No need to pack
High chairs, baby monitors or travel cribs.
Also
Hop on the hotel’s free shuttle for trips to town where you’ll have easy access to the beach, fishing pier, boutiques, restaurants and museums for those rare, rainy days.
Sustainability efforts
The hotel uses eco-friendly cleaning products, bathroom products and light bulbs. Many herbs and vegetables come from the on-site garden and the menu features locally sourced meat, fish and produce.