insideKENT Magazine Issue 84 - March 2019 | Page 97

GETAWAYS CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ CONT. Belmond El Encanto Offering 5-star modern Hollywood glamour, the Belmond El Encanto, from its enviable perch in the Santa Barbara hills, offers not only the best views of the American Riviera beyond, but also an iconic hideaway like no other. Spread across seven acres of secluded gardens, the hotel, which first opened in 1918 , offers a unique blend of glamour and luxury, presented in a relaxed and low-key way. The building – less modern hotel, more stately mansion – is a glorious example of early 20th-century Spanish Colonial- cum-Californian craftsman style and architecture, the result of a painstaking restoration that not only returned the resort to its 1920’s glory, but epitomised it as one of the most celebrated resorts on the West Coast. Arrival is to the fire-lit gentlemen's club-esque lounge – low-level desks replace imposing check-in counters whilst refreshing drinks were immediately in hand; just one example of the personalised service offered so exquisitely by Belmond. Check-in formalities completed, we were shown across the perfectly landscaped, yet delightfully lush gardens, past the pond complete with El Encanto Turtles, to our deluxe premier interconnecting bungalows; two of just 92 bungalows and suites at this exclusive hotel. The bungalow suites were light, bright and airy – the Spanish style rustic tiled floors, warm underfoot from the underfloor heating, led the way to the marble bathrooms complete with stand alone showers and WCs, sumptuous bathtubs (who needs rubber ducks when you have rubber Belmond El Encanto turtles?) and huge closets; and onwards to the huge bedrooms, the children’s with two double beds and more than enough room for a cot, and our own King bedded room with desk, TV and Nespresso machine. Modern artworks in natural muted colours of greens and browns, complimented by locally carved furnishings and feature fireplaces, provided us not just with ample space but with a truly welcoming relaxing abode. soaked loungers that offer unparalleled views of the Santa Barbara hills with its red-tiled white houses and the palm tree-lined Pacific Ocean beyond. Whilst you won’t get the Pacific sunsets here (due to the southwest rather than west coast position of Santa Barbara), the vista is no less breathtaking. This harnessing of the hillside position continues in the restaurant where dining is available not just in the indoor colonial-style dining room, but also under the stars or for sunrise at the tables of the outdoor ocean-facing terrace; which is, of course, where we enjoyed our hearty breakfasts of house-made granola, buttermilk pancakes and fruit and the renowned ‘steak and eggs’ which proffered New York steak, eggs your way, hash browns and heritage tomatoes – a proper way to start the day! With bicycle hire and courtesy transportation within a five-mile radius in the hotel’s Mercedes Benz Sprinter, the Belmond El Encanto is perfectly situated to explore Santa Barbara’s must-see hotspots and perfectly appointed to escape from it all in absolute luxury. Belmond El Encanto 800 Alvarado Place Santa Barbara California 93103 [email protected] www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/usa/ca/santa- barbara/belmond-el-encanto/ elencantohotel Once settled we headed straight to the outdoor heated infinity pool. It was secluded and private with sun- elencantohotel 97