Santa Barbara’s only Forbes Five-Star resort is an enchantinghideaway for thosewho
cherishprivacyand serenity.
BelmondEl Encantositshigh in thehillsamid lushgardens, offeringadazzlingviewover
Santa Barbara and the sparkling ocean beyond. An icon since the 1920’s, its original
architectural features havebeen lovingly brought back to life, whilemodern additions
includeanexpansiveoutdoor swimmingpool andbeautiful boutique spa.
True to itsCalifornian roots, this isa luxuryhotel thatcombinesglamourwith laid-backstyle.
BelmondEl Encanto
Santa Barbara
Quintessential laid-backretreat inthehillsofSantaBarbara
Located right on thebeach, andwithviewsover SantaMonica
pier, Shutters feels verymuch likeagrandprivate residence. It
seems toblendoldandnewwithease, juxtaposingdarkwood
floorsandold leathersofaswith light,whitewashed roomsusing
sandandseacolours togiveyou thatbeachhouse informality.
A seat in thehotel lobby isoneof themost sought after spots
inLosAngeles. Ifyou'dprefer, skip thesandandsoak in thesun
by the poolsidewhere spectacular ocean views await you at
the largestbeachsidepooldeck in thecity.Stylishandspacious
guest roomsandsuiteshavenewly redesigned interiorsby the
freshlyappointedObamaWhiteHousedesignerMichaelSmith
-understated luxurywith the feel of aprivatebeachcottage.
Shutterson theBeach
SantaMonica
LosAngeles favouritebeachsidehotel
DiscoveringSouthernCalifornia
20
much toseeanddoacrossLAyoumightbewise toconsider
basing yourself in not one but two key locations - Beverly
HillsandSantaMonica, home to twoof LA’smost cherished
hotels.
OnceLA isbottled its time to cruise. Perhaps a jaunt up the
rugged coast, past the star-studded hideaways of Malibu
Beach and the famousHearst Castle, to theelegant seaside
community of Santa Barbara, one of the world’s prettiest
coastal cities, with red-tiled roofs,mountainbackdrops and
sea views that earn it the nickname of “The American
Riviera”. Visit inOctober andyouwill discover amonth-long
food andwine festival, Epicure. And herein lies one of the
region’s charms, the vineyards of Santa Barbara County,
located less than an hour north from the city in the Santa
YnezValley.Somereckonthatthebestwines inUSAarenow
beingmadehere! Tucked in thehillsbehindSantaBarbara
you will find another treasure, Belmond El Encanto.
Originally opened in 1918 thismuch-storied, iconic hotel
has hosted Hollywood luminaries going back to Silver
Screen starsClarkGableandCaroleLombard.
EscapingLAseems tohavebeenapre-requisite for thestars
of the silver screen and theemergenceof thedesert cityof
PalmSpringsowesmuchtothepatronageofshowbusiness.
Hermost famous resident, Frank Sinatra, spent 50 years of
his life enjoying the striking and contrasting natural
landscape, and it is not hard to appreciate his enthusiasm.
