Hotel Spotlight: El Encanto, Santa Barbara
We had the delightful opportunity to go up to Santa Barbara and experience the luxurious El Encanto just before the end of last year. We adore Santa Barbara and have spent a lot of time in the area visiting with our fabulous wine and beer making cousins and enjoying the charm, culture and beauty Santa Barbara exudes.
The El Encanto was truly a divine and decadent perch for us as it was Mary's first time leaving the baby at home with Napper! A quick sister bonding trip that included spa treatments, fluffy bathrobes, wine, and no holds barred meals.
We love old historic hotels and El Encanto is a property with a rich history that includes overnights by FDR, Clark Gable and Barbara Streisand. The buildings have been completely renovated however-- $134 million worth-- and the hotel was unveiled in it's new incarnation last March, not even a year ago. Renovated suites and bungalows offer heated marble floors, rainforest showers, soaking tubs, fireplaces and patios. The property has a lovely spa where we had two of the best massages we've ever had at a hotel-- and although there isn't a whirlpool in the spa (we were happy to have a soak in our luxurious tub in the privacy of our room!), the stream room is heaven and the complimentary products in the women's lounge were top notch. There is also a fitness center which offers a variety of classes including yoga and pilates. It was too chilly to enjoy the pool-- which boasts the best views of any hotel in Santa Barbara, but on warmer days it would be the ideal spot to order lunch or a cocktail and relax.
We were spoiled by a wine dinner in the private dining room with handsome and personable Chef Patrice Martineau's delicacies which are exquisite in taste and presentation. He has breathed new life into El Encanto's historically famed "Floating Island" dessert, now christened the 'Oeuf A La Neige.' Served in a "cage" of crystallized sugary goodness you must break through, it's worth the effort! Chef uses almost entirely locally sourced ingredients including herbs from his on-site herb garden and cheese made from Ellie, the hotel's cow. Now that's fresh!
Equally delightful to us was breakfast on the terrace overlooking Santa Barbabra the next morning. Somehow coffee poured from one's personal silver carafe into hand painted china tastes better?
El Encanto has also just been awarded a spot on the Forbes 5 Star list, which is a tremendous honor especially considering it is the only property in SB to seize a mention. Makes it an even more illustrious and enticing spot to spend Valentine's Day indulging in the hotel's unique Monarch Butterfly package which we'll be detailing later in the week...
We look forward to returning as soon as is humanly possible and are excited to announce we are currently collaborating with El Encanto on hosting our next Wild Precious Life Retreat there! Stay tuned for details. xoxox