(SANTA BARBARA, CA; November 18, 2020) – Belmond El Encanto, a picturesque hideaway located in the exclusive Santa Barbara Hills, is thrilled to welcome Janis Clapoff to the team as General Manager. Clapoff brings over 30 years of luxury hotel experience to the 2020 Condé Nast Traveler World’s Best-listed hotel to oversee its 92 charming cottages and suites, California Coastal cuisine concepts, tranquil destination spa, a zero-edge pool and fitness facilities, and stellar property team.
Clapoff brings a strong and authentic Santa Barbara perspective to her new role, having held leadership positions at the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara, San Ysidro Ranch, Simpson House Inn, and the Ojai Valley Inn. At Belmond El Encanto, Clapoff will work with various hotel teams to continue to explore innovative ways to engage guests during a historic time in the travel industry. This includes advising on social distance-friendly programs such as its new Exclusive Places private cottage offer, al fresco dining experiences, private outdoor movie screenings, guided hikes, wellness programs, gourmet sailing excursions on the Pacific, and much more.
“I am excited to help our team lead this incredible landmark hotel to continued success,” says Clapoff. “So many one-of-a-kind experiences are brought to life at Belmond El Encanto, and I look forward to sharing them with our guests and Santa Barbara community.”
In addition to management of large-scale resort facilities and five-star dining throughout her career, Clapoff has overseen several reconstructions and renovations, major re-branding and marketing efforts, and programming development at her properties. Under Clapoff’s direction, Lake Austin Spa Resort earned its title as Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 #1 Destination Spa Resort in North America and #2 in the World. During her time at Honolulu’s Halekulani, the property won Best Hotel in Hawaii from Travel + Leisure and landed them a place on the World’s Best Hotels from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure lists.
Clapoff holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Management from Antioch University in Santa Barbara and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from York University in Toronto. Janis launched her hospitality career in 1977 when she helped open Montreal’s Hyatt International. Janis later held leadership roles in Toronto, New York City; Stowe, Vermont; Honolulu, Ojai, California, and back to Santa Barbara, where she has lived for over the course of 15 years.
