McIver appointed as GM of Santa Barbara’s El Encanto

US: Orient-Express has appointed Laura McIver as general manager of El Encanto in Santa Barbara, which will reopen in March 2013.

McIver will oversee all day-to-day operations, ensuring “optimal product quality and service standards”. She was previously GM of the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara and has more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including spells at Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach. 
 
“Laura’s vast experience in the hospitality industry makes her the ideal choice for El Encanto,” said Ali Kasikci, regional managing director for Orient-Express North America, Mexico and Caribbean. “Beyond her proven expertise to successfully run and manage luxury properties, her intimate knowledge of Santa Barbara positions her to be a strategic force behind the reopening of this community icon.”
 
Part of the Orient-Express portfolio since its purchase in 2004, El Encanto has been closed since June 2006, undergoing an extensive restoration to recapture “the romance and glamour that made it a favourite getaway of Hollywood’s elite”. 

Nestled on seven-acres of gloriously landscaped and historic gardens, El Encanto enjoys sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from its commanding hilltop perch.

It features 92 bungalows, a boutique spa, signature restaurant featuring California coastal cuisine and a Santa Barbara dedicated wine list, an outdoor swimming pool, a ballroom with private terrace, three meeting rooms with ocean views, and a range of outdoor event venues.
 
www.orient-express.com
www.elencantohotel.com