Santa Barbara, California- Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. recently announced Laura McIver as General Manager of El Encanto, the iconic Santa Barbara luxury hotel that has been closed for renovations since 2006. Beginning August 6, McIver will oversee daily operations and ensure optimal service standards and product quality for the hotel’s March 2013 reopening.
McIver brings over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry to the table as the new General Manager of El Encanto. She recently served as General Manager of Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara and held senior positions with ETC Hotels including Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach. In addition to her impressive resume, McIver is an avid supporter of local businesses and non-profit organizations. She is currently the Board Chair for Santa Barbara Conference and Visitor’s Bureau, Board Secretary of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce, on the Executive Leadership Committee for the American Heart Association and a member of the Dream Foundation’s Advisory Board.
“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.”
El Encanto, which Orient-Express purchased in 2004, is currently undergoing an extensive restoration to recapture the romance and glamour of the iconic getaway destination. The revamped luxury hotel will maintain its breathtaking views overlooking the Pacific Ocean on seven-acres of pristine land. The hotel will include 92 California-style bungalows and will offer guests numerous amenities including a boutique spa, signature restaurant with California coastal cuisine and a Santa Barbara dedicated wine list, outdoor swimming pool, window-lined ballroom with private terrace, three meeting rooms, and outdoor event venues.
Related
Content from our partners
