El Encanto Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States · ★★★★★ · 9.4/10 Exceptional · guest rating
Luxury hotel on the Upper Riviera hillside with a pool, spa, restaurant and bar, a few minutes by car from downtown and the beach in Santa Barbara.
El Encanto sits on a plot in the Upper Riviera neighborhood, in the Santa Barbara foothills, with low buildings and tile roofs that recall California architecture. From here you can walk to the Santa Barbara Mission and reach downtown in a few minutes by car. It is a quiet option, set apart from the bustle of the waterfront yet connected to the city's attractions.
The hotel has a pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant and bar, along with room service and a 24-hour front desk. Pets are accepted, and rooms have a fireplace or a spacious bathroom depending on the category. Nearby you will find gardens, the Santa Barbara Zoo and hiking and biking routes. Confirm hours and services with the hotel before you travel.
Why stay here
- Luxury hotel on the Upper Riviera hillside
- Pool, spa, restaurant and bar all in one place
- About a 17-minute walk from the Santa Barbara Mission
- Downtown, museums and theaters a few minutes by car
- Tip: book early if you are traveling in summer
The setting
The hotel is in an elevated residential area, surrounded by gardens with the mountains as a backdrop. Rooms and suites have double-vanity bathrooms, roomy beds and, in some cases, a fireplace and sitting area. The pool is ringed with lounge chairs and a patio with tables for dining outdoors. The mood is calm and secluded, ideal for resting after exploring the city and the coast.
What we like
- Quiet, garden setting on the Upper Riviera hillside
- Pool, spa, restaurant and bar all on site
- Walk to the Santa Barbara Mission, minutes by car to downtown
- Pets accepted, with conditions to confirm
- Spacious rooms with double-vanity bathrooms
Worth knowing
- It sits on high ground, so a car is best for downtown and the coast
- In summer and on long weekends the city is often very crowded
Don't miss
Walk to the Santa Barbara Mission and the neighboring gardens. Then explore the historic downtown, the art museum and the theaters, a few minutes away by car. For a different day, the zoo, Lotusland and local trails offer outdoor options.
Facilities
- Pool with lounge chairs
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Restaurant and bar
- Room service
- Breakfast available
- Pets accepted (ask about conditions)
- Business services
- Parking
- 24-hour front desk
- WiFi
- Air conditioning
Location
The hotel is at 800 Alvarado Place in the Upper Riviera neighborhood. The Santa Barbara Mission is about a 17-minute walk. By car, the Santa Barbara Bowl is roughly five minutes away, and the County Courthouse, the Arlington Theatre and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are about seven. Traffic varies, and downtown is often busy in summer.
Address: 800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
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Frequently asked questions
Is El Encanto on the water?
No, it is on the Upper Riviera hillside, near the beach but not on it. To reach downtown and the coast, plan on a car or other transportation, depending on your itinerary.
Does it have a spa and a pool?
Yes, the hotel has a pool and a spa. Hours of use, treatment bookings and access conditions should be confirmed with the hotel before you travel.
Are pets accepted?
The listing says the hotel accepts pets. Conditions such as size, number and extra charges are best checked directly with the hotel before you book.
What can I visit nearby?
The Santa Barbara Mission is about a 17-minute walk, and by car you can reach the art museum, the Arlington Theatre and the historic downtown in a few minutes.
Want to compare dates? Check availability for El Encanto Santa Barbara / see the current rates.
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