El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, a serene hideaway nestled above the Pacific Ocean in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, today announces the launch of Seasons in Bloom, a year-long program offering immersive, garden-themed activities that celebrate the property’s sensorial gardens and intimate connection to nature. El Encanto provides guests with a delightful respite from city life, where they are surrounded by seven acres of rolling scenery with exquisite flora, citrus aromas, and an endless panorama of the ocean and mountains. A beautiful green oasis, guests can soak in the property’s relaxed nature amongst Californian palms and magnificently landscaped gardens that attract a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of Monarch butterflies and Ruby Throated hummingbirds that dance and enchant with their vital beauty.

With the exciting introduction of Seasons in Bloom, El Encanto will inspire guests to unwind and immerse themselves into this blissful retreat through various nature-focused offerings, from hands-on workshops and exclusive partnerships to locally-sourced cuisine and immersive wellness experiences.

AFTERNOON TEA STEEPED IN ENCHANTMENT

El Encanto has launched a new afternoon tea service, Botanica, where guests can indulge in the ‘Art of Afternooning’ atop the Santa Barbara hills complete with astrobotanical infusions from Ojai-based ceremonial tea brand, Magic Hour. A selection of custom blended teas, herbs, and adaptogens will be available designed for guests’ sun sign. Savory delights, seasonal scones, and divine desserts will feature local ingredients hand-picked from El Encanto’s garden, such as Mélange of Chicken with fresh herbs, mustard seed and turmeric on beetroot levain; Smoked Salmon Mousse with lemon-zested crème fraiche and garden dill on charcoal loaf; Buttermilk, Fresh Rosemary & Lemon Zest Scones served warm with strawberry basil jam, clotted cream, and butter with local honey;  and Lavender Macarons with tart lemon cream. Botanica Afternoon Tea will be served Monday through Thursday from 2:30pm to 5:00pm.

DISCOVER THE POWERS OF KELP

In partnership with Kelpful, guests will participate in El Encanto’s brand new Ocean’s Garden workshops, where they will be taken on a wondrous voyage to learn about the benefits of kelp, ocean sustainability, and wild foraging practice on the central coast of California. Over a cup of freshly made warm kelp broth and seasoned popcorn, guests will make their own edible sea salt sprinkles with organic sesame seeds, seaweed, and organic sea salt, pairing their blends with a classic avocado toast. Guests will end their experience with hand-blending therapeutic bath salts with citrus and lavender essential oils, designed to provide essential minerals and aid in healing. The Ocean’s Garden by Kelpful workshops will take place on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 4 | 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
• Thursday, June 1 | 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
• Thursday, June 15 | 4:30 PM-6:00 PM

BOTANICAL TREASURES WITH SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDENS

To further enhance the Seasons in Bloom programming, El Encanto has partnered with Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens to offer an exceptional ‘Plant with Purpose’ program where guests will have the unique opportunity to book two nature-focused exclusive experiences:

• A Charming Picnic Amongst the Gardens: El Encanto’s guests will enjoy a private picnic provided by the property’s skilled culinary team, while taking in stunning Channel Islands views and native plant landscapes at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The beautifully styled picnic will feature plush cushions, charming fringed umbrellas and a low-set table featuring a stunning tablescape with lush floral arrangements.

• An Exclusive, Behind-the-Scenes Experience: El Encanto’s guests will have the opportunity to meet Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens’ Executive Director, Steve Windhager, Ph.D., and gain backstage access to the Garden’s Pritzlaff Conservation Center. This exclusive tour will include exciting interactions within the center’s working labs and a peek at Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens’ extensive herbarium collection.

WELLNESS EXPERIENCES ROOTED IN NATURE

El Encanto will offer garden-inspired wellness experiences that will allow guests to rejuvenate and unwind in the property’s relaxed setting. Guests can embrace the soulful connection between mind, body, and mother nature in an outdoor sound bath experience, with sound healing by Sacred Divine Alchemy and reiki by Palma Colectiva,  where they can bask in the glorious sun in the enchanting gardens of El Encanto’s Lily Pond. At the spa, decadent spa treatments invite visitors to relax and revive, including a signature body regeneration treatment uniquely handcrafted by celebrity facialist Linda Ross, featuring high-quality and natural ingredients, including lemongrass, rosemary, bergamot, peppermint, lavender, and tangerine. A tranquil lunch by the serene spa gardens completes the experience.

El Encanto will also introduce a new collection of well-being programming in June, encompassing the hillside hideaway’s commitment to showcasing curated experiences for guests that are rooted in nature. From June 5 – 8, “Rooted in Nature” wellness week will include a curated selection of experiences set within the serene setting of El Encanto’s Lily Pond, from Kundalini Yoga with Master Teacher Siddhi Ma to sound baths, breathwork and reiki led by Lara Elliott, holistic and integrative healing arts expert, which is accompanied by channeled song and sound alchemy courtesy of intuitive guide and healer, Dorothea Barth.

LOCALLY CRAFTED CUISINE

New Executive Chef, Conny Andersson, has come on board at El Encanto to develop an indulgent selection of new dishes of mountain and sea provenance at the property’s restaurant. Passionate about cuisine created with a plant-based philosophy, Andersson will utilize ingredients hand-picked from El Encanto’s garden, from basil, lavender, sage and rosemary to fresh fruits such as oranges, limes, peaches and apricots. Additionally, El Encanto will be activating the organic Chef’s Garden throughout the spring, where guests can enjoy seasonal dishes surrounded by regeneratively farmed beds of all local vegetables grown on property.

For those seeking a more intimate culinary experience, El Encanto has launched a brand new “Art of Afternooning” package, which includes a complimentary picnic set amongst its enchanting gardens. Featuring a culinary delight prepared by Chef Andersson with artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and seasonal fruits, this relaxing and quintessential picnic experience will allow guests to feel time slow down while taking in the property’s stunning natural beauty. Available through the end of the summer season, the package is valid for guests who book a minimum two-night stay on property.

PROTECTING MOTHER NATURE

El Encanto not only offers proximity to nature and incredible experiences as part of the Seasons in Bloom program, but a commitment to its preservation, with a growing number of initiatives which seek to protect the ocean and environment. Recognizing the need for regenerative practices, the property is one of the most progressive in the city for waste reduction, with an impressive 90% waste conversion rate. Alongside this, El Encanto has received its California Green Business Certification. The property’s restaurant is working towards an Ocean Friendly certification, recognizing its commitment to keeping oceans and beaches clean by conserving fresh water, eliminating single-use plastics, and sourcing sustainable seafood.

El Encanto will continue to roll out garden-themed experiences for guests throughout the year. For more information, please visit belmond.com/elencanto.com or contact reservations.ele@belmond.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Images of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara can be downloaded here.

For more information, please contact:

Christie Devine, Divisional Communications Manager - North America

christie.devine@belmond.com