Lessons in Wellness from Santa Barbara’s El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the unwinding began — was it the moment when the facialist kneaded her fingers tenderly between my furrowed brows? Was it snuggling under a blanket beside the lily pond during a guided meditation, rose petals scattered down my body? Or maybe it was simply arriving to the wisteria-lined white, bright, and charming bungalow, a warm fire already aglow as I let down my luggage and began a steady dropping of my shoulders as well, a feeling that pervaded my stay at the El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara.

I’m a teacher, and I had just locked the door to my classroom heading into summer when I was invited to experience the launch of the El Encanto’s “Seasons in Bloom” program (running through December). Obviously, I jumped at the chance.

“As El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel sits above the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by seven acres of rolling scenery with lush gardens, the sense of serenity and connection to nature is immediate once guests step foot on the property,” said Janis Clapoff, general manager. “The program encourages guests to dive deeper into this connection through the several immersive, garden-themed activities.”