El Encanto Santa Barbara
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Book it if you want a full 5-star resort stay with a spa, pool and restaurant on site and the budget is not a concern. If you mainly want a well-rated room, our Best Value pick matched its score at roughly a third of the price.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits, and who should skip it
El Encanto is for travellers who want to spend most of their time at the hotel. The property lists a spa and wellness center, a pool, a restaurant, a gym, a garden and a terrace, plus family rooms, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. For a special occasion, that full set of facilities is the reason to choose it.
Anyone watching costs should skip it. At about €811 per night in our reference check, it cost close to three times the sample median. Guests who plan to be out all day will get far more for their money at our other two picks.
Location and getting around
The address is 800 Alvarado Place. Guests rate the location 9.4 out of 10, although we do not have comments explaining what they like about it.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is about 1.7 km away, roughly 21 minutes on foot. Lotusland is about 4.4 km, around 55 minutes walking. That is far, so plan a taxi or public transport. These walking times are straight-line estimates and have not been verified. We have no data on the distance to the beach or the town centre, so check a map.
What guests say
The hotel scores 8.9 out of 10 and was joint first on score among 9 eligible properties in our sample. The review base is small, though, at only 97 reviews. A handful of new reviews could move the score more than it would at a larger hotel.
We have no summary of specific guest likes or dislikes. Service, room condition and noise are all unknown to us, so read recent reviews before paying a 5-star price.
Price and what you get, compared with our other two picks
Our reference price was €810.76 per night, about €1,622 for 2 nights. These are reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 (10 to 12 Nov) for 2 adults in one room, not live quotes. The sample median was €293.40. Check today's price for your dates.
Our Best Value pick, Harbor View Inn, was about €293.40 per night with 4 stars and the same 8.9 score. Our Budget pick, Motel 6-Santa Barbara, CA - Beach, was about €118.77 per night with a score of 8.1. What El Encanto adds is 5-star status and its spa, pool and restaurant.
Breakfast is listed as gluten-free and American. Whether it is included in your rate is not confirmed.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 9 eligible hotels in Santa Barbara. Our Luxury slot goes first to officially 5-star hotels, and El Encanto is one, with the joint highest guest score in the sample. That combination earned it the place, even with a small number of reviews.
Before you book
Room size, noise, renovation condition, breakfast inclusion and cancellation terms have not been assessed. At this price, read the cancellation policy closely. Check spa and pool opening times and any fees for your dates. Parking is not listed in our data, so ask about it if you are driving.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
How much does El Encanto Santa Barbara cost?
In our reference check it was €810.76 per night for 2 adults, seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026. Rates change, so check today's price for your dates.
Does El Encanto have a spa and pool?
Yes, the property lists a spa and wellness center and a pool. Opening times and any fees are not confirmed.
Is El Encanto worth the price?
It is if you will use the spa, pool and restaurant. For a room alone, Harbor View Inn matched its 8.9 score at about €293 per night.
Can I walk to Lotusland?
It is about 4.4 km away, roughly 55 minutes on foot as a straight-line estimate. That is far, so take a taxi or public transport.
Does El Encanto have parking?
Parking is not listed in our data, so it is not confirmed. Ask the hotel about availability and cost.