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Front of Hotel, El Encanto, California, USA
Home Hotels Belmond El Encanto

Belmond El Encanto

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Located on the hillside in Santa Barbara, between the lush green mountains and the Pacific Ocean. El Encanto is a beautiful hideaway with Spanish design, fantastic views over the ocean and close to the buzzing town of Santa Barbara.

The elegant boutique hotel has undertaken a seven-year restoration period to rejuvenate the historic building which dates back to 1913. Expansive swimming pools and a beautiful spa offers the opportunity to relax, and with the town of Santa Barbara on the doorstep, there is plenty to explore.

Why we like Belmond El Encanto

Spanish colonial design, full of elegance and set within stunning surroundings. Take a romantic dinner on the terrace under the stars looking out across the ocean and the lights of Santa Barbara below.

Ideally suited for

  • Romantic/Honeymoon
  • Child Friendly

Price guide

£££££

Location

Idea
USA
The Civil Rights Trail
Encompassing important historic sites that include the Old Slave Mart (the only known surviving building used as a slave auction gallery in South Carolina) and the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in America’s Deep South, this trip examines the sites and estates…
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Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, Deep South, USA
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USA
Self-Drive Adventure in the American West
Get behind the wheel to embark on an independent self-drive through the American West, travelling off the beaten track at your own leisurely pace with the 24/7 support of our local team should you need them. Opt for the remote roads that…
14 days from £7,240pp
Zion National Park, Utah, USA
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Idea
USA
Self-Drive the Pacific Northwest
This journey by road through the lesser-visited Pacific Northwest state of Oregon encompasses miles of coastal roads, expansive wine valleys and an iconic National Park that boasts the deepest lake in the United States. Whether staying in a cabin on the Rogue…
12 days from £5,735pp
Mount Thielsen, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Cowboy Experience: Ranches of the USA
Unveiling some of the most visually stunning landscapes of the USA, our cowboy adventures go far beyond the tourist trail to working ranches in places like Big Sky Montana, Elk River Valley, Zion National Park or the Colorado Prairie. Encompassing anything from…
10 days from £5,795pp
Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
National Parks by Private Jet
Utilising a private jet to fly between arguably the most visually stunning national parks in the USA – Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Grand Teton – this flight-seeing adventure offers remarkable birds’ eye views of the country’s most iconic landscapes.
9 days from £14,435pp
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Wild Alaska by Plane & Boat
Utilising charter flights and nimble boats to travel between arguably the most visually stunning landscapes in Alaska – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Glacier Bay and Frederick Sound – this beyond the ordinary adventure offers an in-depth insight (not to mention a remarkable…
15 days from £16,445pp
Ultima Thule Lodge activity, Wrangell St. Elias National Park
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Sail the Hawaiian Islands
Sail on board a boutique 36-passenger yacht, passing through remote waters to the islands of Molokai, Lanai and Maui, beginning or ending on Big Island. With a backdrop of dramatic volcanoes and marine-life-rich waters, navigate to lesser-visited sites and embark on kayak…
10 days from £4,850pp
Polulu Beach, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
View Cruise
Idea
USA
Self-Drive Journey in New England
Explore the quaint countryside towns, coastal beauty and US revolutionary history of New England, discovering its variety of stunning scenery from white sand beaches to granite coastlines.
12 days from £5,290pp
Nantucket, Massachusetts, New England, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Deep South Road Trip by Mustang
Embark on a world-class road trip in a vintage Ford Mustang, navigating between some of the most significant musical and cultural sites in all of the USA and stopping over in the big cities of Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis and the…
13 days from £6,210pp
Music, banjo, deep south, Nashville, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Explore Yosemite & Camp Big Sur
Unveiling some of the highlights of California, this itinerary takes in San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and the scenic Highway 1 on a journey that seamlessly blends an artsy city stay with time spent in a densely forested wilderness. Plus, to top…
11 days from £6,440pp
Glacier Point, Yosemite, USA
View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our USA holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the USA holidays that we love today.

Idea
USA
The Civil Rights Trail
Encompassing important historic sites that include the Old Slave Mart (the only known surviving building used as a slave auction gallery in South Carolina) and the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in America’s Deep South, this trip examines the sites…
9 days
Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, Deep South, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Self-Drive Adventure in the American West
Get behind the wheel to embark on an independent self-drive through the American West, travelling off the beaten track at your own leisurely pace with the 24/7 support of our local team should you need them. Opt for the remote…
14 days from £7,240pp
Zion National Park, Utah, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Self-Drive the Pacific Northwest
This journey by road through the lesser-visited Pacific Northwest state of Oregon encompasses miles of coastal roads, expansive wine valleys and an iconic National Park that boasts the deepest lake in the United States. Whether staying in a cabin on…
12 days from £5,735pp
Mount Thielsen, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Cowboy Experience: Ranches of the USA
Unveiling some of the most visually stunning landscapes of the USA, our cowboy adventures go far beyond the tourist trail to working ranches in places like Big Sky Montana, Elk River Valley, Zion National Park or the Colorado Prairie. Encompassing…
10 days from £5,795pp
Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
National Parks by Private Jet
Utilising a private jet to fly between arguably the most visually stunning national parks in the USA – Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Grand Teton – this flight-seeing adventure offers remarkable birds’ eye views of the country’s most iconic…
9 days from £14,435pp
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Wild Alaska by Plane & Boat
Utilising charter flights and nimble boats to travel between arguably the most visually stunning landscapes in Alaska – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Glacier Bay and Frederick Sound – this beyond the ordinary adventure offers an in-depth insight (not to mention…
15 days from £16,445pp
Ultima Thule Lodge activity, Wrangell St. Elias National Park
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Sail the Hawaiian Islands
Sail on board a boutique 36-passenger yacht, passing through remote waters to the islands of Molokai, Lanai and Maui, beginning or ending on Big Island. With a backdrop of dramatic volcanoes and marine-life-rich waters, navigate to lesser-visited sites and embark…
10 days from £4,850pp
Polulu Beach, Big Island, Hawaii, USA
View Cruise
Idea
USA
Self-Drive Journey in New England
Explore the quaint countryside towns, coastal beauty and US revolutionary history of New England, discovering its variety of stunning scenery from white sand beaches to granite coastlines.
12 days from £5,290pp
Nantucket, Massachusetts, New England, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Deep South Road Trip by Mustang
Embark on a world-class road trip in a vintage Ford Mustang, navigating between some of the most significant musical and cultural sites in all of the USA and stopping over in the big cities of Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis…
13 days from £6,210pp
Music, banjo, deep south, Nashville, USA
View Holiday Idea
Idea
USA
Explore Yosemite & Camp Big Sur
Unveiling some of the highlights of California, this itinerary takes in San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and the scenic Highway 1 on a journey that seamlessly blends an artsy city stay with time spent in a densely forested wilderness. Plus,…
11 days from £6,440pp
Glacier Point, Yosemite, USA
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Post Ranch Inn £££££

  • USA
  • Boutique

Perched high atop the rugged cliffs of Big Sur and set amidst a private 100-acre estate, Post Ranch Inn is a striking architectural building, built using recycled material creating a rustic yet elegant design that blends beautifully with the peaceful surroundings. The 40 guest rooms and cabins have wood burners, and private decks and all make the most of either mountain or ocean views. Infinity pools and spacious decking take advantage of the seemingly never-ending views with superb floor to ceiling windows. This, along with an in-house spa, ensures that this adult-only hotel is a beautiful destination to relax and rejuvenate the senses.

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Airstream Yosemite Camp £££££

  • USA
  • Unusual

Featuring custom Airstreams with spa-inspired bathrooms, thoughtfully designed tents with wood-burning stoves, and contemporary cabins with stylish interiors and kitchens, this camp offers wanderlusting travellers a new type of well-appointed outdoor lodging experience at the gateway to Yosemite National Park. With private patios and campfires at all sites, as well as a communal freshwater pond and heated pool, Airstream Yosemite Camp effortlessly blends high-end indulgences with traditional camping traditions, all set amongst one of the world’s most sought-after natural landscapes just half-an-hour away from the park.

View Property

Carmel Valley Ranch £££££

  • USA
  • Wellness and Spa

Carmel Valley Ranch is the quintessential Californian resort, offering a huge range of fascinating activities. It has all the facilities that would be expected with pools, tennis courts, a golf course and a full-service spa but beyond this, there is so much more. With nearly 500 acres of lush grounds, the Carmel Valley Ranch offers a vineyard, organic garden and a world-class bee apiary. Many daily activities are on offer from adventure kitchen hands-on demonstrations and lavender soap and oil making, to mountain top yoga and stargazing.

View Property

The Ahwahnee Hotel £££££

  • USA
  • Wilderness

The Ahwahnee Hotel is a treasured lodge, nearly as famous as the park itself. Completed in 1927 and designed with the natural surroundings in mind. Public spaces are grand, with wooden beams, huge stone fireplaces, high ceilings and both the dining room and lounge having floor to ceiling windows. The 123 spacious rooms and suites, many with balconies, offer views of the surrounding wilderness. With access to many of the best walks and sights including Glacier Point, this is a fantastic place to stay for exploring the park.

View Property


More luxury accommodation

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?


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