Belmond El Encanto

The standard of service in this hotel is the best we've ever experienced. The tranquil setting, the facilities (the pool is so warm) the gorgeous rooms, inspirational modern interiors and the super friendly staff who can literally not do anymore to ensure our happiness. I want to live here. Forever. It's heaven. A special thanks to Michael and Dylan who are Super-star-staff.

I have been visiting the enchanted spot for many years (before & after their charming renovation). I booked a quick trip to Santa Barbara last Sunday and had the most enjoyable experience. Maybe my best ever. The grounds & accommodations were in tip top shape. The staff was so kind & friendly. And my bungalow was perfect.

We have stayed here several times since they re-opened a few years ago. We love the ambience, the customer service is always impeccable, the views cannot be beat, the staff will bend over backwards to make sure you have everything your heart desires, and the grounds are some of the most beautiful you will find in all of Santa Barbara (and that is really saying something, people). This is truly a 5 star property, through & through.

This hotel is undoubtably beautiful and the grounds are amazing. It is just missing that extra something. We stayed for 2 nights, and we found the service to be lacking pretty much across the board. Everyone was very polite, and when we pointed out problems they tried to solve them, but for the money it should be perfect, and it was not close. I have stayed at the four seasons all over the world, and so we decided to try something different in Santa Barbara. My advice: If you are going to pay for that kind of hotel, just buckle and stay at the four seasons. I have never in my life not tipped at a restaurant. I have had bad service, but never so bad that I just did not tip. First time, breakfast at the Belmond. It just seemed like there were not enough people and virtually everyone (both days) was complaining about the slow service and the lack of attention to detail. When I complained, everyone was nice and tried really hard, but they just were not trained up to the standards required. It was amazing to watch everyone at breakfast experience the same thing. Room was big and clean and the check in was fine - front desk people bent over backwards to make sure we liked our room. Pool was wonderful - great view and good service. Car service? All over the website. If you need a car good luck. Don't put it on the website if you don't offer it to everyone. They would just say 'take a taxi'. Room service? 3PM return from the city and the room was still not made up. That is just strange. They say they clean the room twice a day - not ours. Need help? On average 3 calls before someone even answered the phone. I just don't think they have the staff trained up and they are not used to anticipating what you want and doing it. To be fair, I got the manager and told him we were frustrated and he sent us a bottle of Champagne (which was nice). Anyway - it is a nice place and all of the people were very nice and tried really hard. It is just not the sort of service I expected when I made the reservation. We will come back again - but next time to a place where I know everything will just work - perfectly - every time. That wont be this hotel.

Stayed at El Encanto at the beginning of July 2017. The hotel was beautiful, rooms were fantastic and service was excellent. The staff were very friendly and couldn't do enough for you. The grounds of the hotel were kept beautifully and view was fantastic. The only downside was that we were only staying for one night.