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The Spa Indulgence Circuit |
As enjoyable and enriching as it is to discover new places, cultures, and culinary delights, there comes a time when a person feels a need to relax and be restored. Naturally, Santa Fe County offers a variety of spa and new-age destinations that aim to provide physical and spiritual respite.
Perhaps one of the most well-known spas in the area is Ten Thousand Waves (http://www.tenthousandwaves.com). Juxtaposing the zenlike ease of a Japanese retreat with its high-desert mountain setting, “The Waves” is a favorite weekday getaway for Santa Fe locals, and a greatly adored spa destination for visitors. Private hot tubs (teak, tile, or rock; some with cold plunges) begin at $29 per person for a 55-minute soak; communal tubs are an affordable $18.80 per person, with no time limit, and there is also a communal tub reserved for women for the same price.
One of the most exquisite sensory experiences imaginable is soaking in a private hot tub in late fall or winter while snowflakes drop poetically onto your exposed skin, followed by a steamy shower with their signature piñon-and-juniper-infused Hinoki soap. Daily lodging ranges from $99 in the “Capsule Room” (a 19-foot Airstream Trailer decked out to mimic the “capsule” hotels near Japanese train stations that lodge people who have missed the last train), to the luxurious “Emperor Class” suites, with courtyard gardens and wood stoves, beginning at $269.
Among the many delicious spa treatments offered at Ten Thousand Waves are: Indo-Asian hot oil treatments using sandalwood powder stimulate, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the skin, followed by a hot wrap with linen soaked in ayurvedic herbs and oils; the ecstasy-inducing Yasuragi head and neck treatment, designed to create deep relaxation, from the neck to the scalp, ending with hypnotic facial point work. Deep-stone, Thai, four-hands, and hot rock massage are other options for those craving serious pampering.
To reach Ten Thousand Waves, take Artist Road out of town towards Ski Santa Fe. Artist Road turns into Hyde Park Road, and Ten Thousand Waves 3.4 miles from the traffic light, on the left.
If you would prefer to experience Native American-styled spa treatments, an excellent option is the SháNah Spa & Wellness Center at the Bishop’s Lodge just north of town (http://www.bishopslodge.com/shanah/about.cfm). SháNah is lauded as a one-of-a-kind spa, merging contemporary treatments with the ancient wisdoms of Native American healing, in tune with the ways of Mother Nature herself.
Among the special amenities include an authentic Native American Teepee, private outdoor massage gardens, and a modern fitness center where one can take a Pilates, yoga, or aerobics class. Full facial, nail and hair care services are available, along with Ayurvedic treatments, and deeply thoughtful wellness sessions intended to engender and exemplify the Navajo meaning of the name “SháNah”: "vitality and energy."
The venerable Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa (http://www.bishopslodge.com) itself offers a variety of activities including horseback riding, tennis, an excellent skeet shooting facilty, and a varied children’s program. The Bishop’s Lodge is a revered retreat amongst the cognoscenti, with the luxurious lodging and world-class dining at Las Fuentes Restaurant & Bar. Leaving no stone of indulgence unturned, the staff will even arrange for a sunset picnic if you so desire.
Bishops Lodge celebrates its 90th year of operation in 2009, demonstrating an impressive longevity, due in no small part to the attentiveness of its staff and the quality of its services. (505) 983-6377.
While the concept of “spa-hopping” may sound like a contradiction in terms, there exists yet another spa, just further up the Bishop’s Lodge Road in Tesuque that offers a completely different type of experience: The Spa at Encantado, An Auberge Resort. Encantado’s spa specificity is a six-point purification ritual: initiate (shower rinse and exfoliation), relieve (warm soak in an outdoor pool); purify (steam bath with eucyalpytus inhalation); refresh (outdoor rainwater rinse); rest (restoration wrap); replenish (hydrate with local elixirs) that is certain to increase the benefits of their treatment offerings.
At The Spa at Encantado, one can treat oneself to such exotic-sounding cures as the “Luminous Crystal Chakra Balancing,” the “Blue Corn and Honey Renewal”, the “True Grit Body Treatment” for men, or for couples, the “Mountain Spirit Initiation” which includes a soak, steam, sauna, mask, scalp and foot treatment, and hot stone massage for two. Special half-day programs, some including a light lunch, are offered in the $300-$450 range. Lodging at the internationally acclaimed Auberge properties is top of the line, with one-bedroom suites and casitas starting at $275, and increasing during the high season.
If you would like to experience bodywork or spa treatments without springing for a full-out retreat, the practitioners at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Wellness Center (http://www.pojoaquewellness.com/HealingArts.html) offer a variety of services at a reasonable price. These include massage, acupuncture, seaweed wraps, cranial sacral therapy, and many other modalities. The Pojoaque Wellness Center is located at 101 Lighting Loop, off 285/84. Call them at (505) 455-9355 for more details.
The Inn at Sunrise Springs, south of town offers transformational alternative health treatments that are delected by visitors and locals alike. Offering “graciousness and lush solitude” on a 70-acre compound, Sunrise Springs is Santa Fe's original eco-resort, with elegant rooms and casitas nestled in serene La Cienega Valley (242 Los Pinos Road.) Their spa services practitioner also operates a sliding-scale alternative health clinic by at a private location also in Santa Fe County. The clinic is open by appointment only, on Thursdays more information about the clinic or the services at the Inn at Sunrise Springs, call (505) 466.4400 or
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Places to stay in the area:
The Bishops Lodge, Ten Thousand Waves and Encantado, an Auberge Resort all offer luxurious accommodations. Other lodging in the area includes:
The Triangle Inn in Tesuque is a B and B catering to the LGBT community.
The Hacienda del Cerezo (Tesuque).
Rancho Jacona (Pojoaque).
ITINERARY FIVE: OFF THE BEATEN PATH – Sporty, Artsy, and Offbeat Ways to Spend a Day:
To venture off the beaten path, many visitors to Santa Fe County literally opt to take a hike. Such breathtakingly beautiful vistas clearly call out to be explored, and with over 68 mountain peaks and summits (http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/list-mountains.asp?cid=140445), a myriad of hiking trails, a rejuvenated Rail-Trail system and other amenities, adults, children, horses, and even dogs can have a great time in the great outdoors, year-round. Here are some highlights.
South in Edgewood: More than A Zoo To You
Located in Edgewood, in the far southern reach of the County, The Wildlife West Nature Park (http://wildlifewest.org) describes itself as an “enhanced zoo,” and it is quite worth the drive. Its focus is on the plants and animals that are native to New Mexico and the Southwest. Native animals who can no longer survive in the wild are housed here, in habitats that allow for comfortable viewing for the humans and pleasant living for the critters.
The “enhanced” part of the “zoo” concept results from The Wildlife West Nature Park’s open-minded approach to programming. Making use of a terrific covered amphitheater as well as an indoor theater, the Park presents lectures, festivals, concerts and other special events. Xeriscaping, an important agricultural technique that uses water-wise techniques steeped in centuries of tradition, is demonstrated and implemented at the Park, showing visitors how water harvesting and other sustainable methods can create harmonious gardens and green spaces in the desert.
Bird-handling, junior zookeeper camps, educational field trips and even overnight adventures with the cougars or working on Mexican Gray Wolf recovery are also offered to the intrepid visitor, and animal feedings are especially fun. Food is not simply doled out to the bored animals, but feedings are turned into a time for the animals to exercise their brains and bodies. The feeding techniques include putting a meal inside a gourd or suspending it from a hanging surface, in order to encourage the animal to recall its natural hunting, climbing, and even playing skills.
Every Saturday night in the summer, the Park hosts a Chuckwagon Supper and Show, hayrides, and all sorts of merriment. Vegetarian options are also available if notified in advance. For reservations, call (505) 281-7655. From Madrid, continue South on Hwy 14 to I-40 or old hwy 66, then about 7 miles east to exit 187 Edgewood. Go 3/4 mile west on the North I-40 Frontage Rd to the park.
Animal activities of the equine kind can be enjoyed at the Windsong Dressage Center (http://www.windsongdressage.com), also in Edgewood. This full-scale facility boards horses and offers private and semi-private lessons and training in dressage (competitive horse training). This training is offered for riders of all ages and ages, and other services include video review of your riding, and all sorts of technical training. If you wish to bring back a truly memorable souvenir from your trip to Santa Fe County, Windsong also has horses for sale! Located at 733 State Road 344, in Edgewood. (505) 615-5050
Further north, but still in southern Santa Fe County, the Village of Cerrillos offers Western horseback riding at the Broken Saddle Riding Company, with trail riding at Cerrillos Hills Historic Park, both of which are detailed in the “Wild West” Itinerary (insert link). The 1116-acre park is a terrific venue for horseback riding, hiking, biking, or even a run.
If you don’t like to miss out on your training routine, a best-kept secret, even to many Santa Feans, is the extraordinary fitness center located on the campus of Santa Fe Community College (http://www.sfccnm.edu/fitness). For a $6 guest pass, visitors can utilize the indoor and outdoor tracks, warm pool, resistance training center, tennis courts, and one of the few chlorine-free swimming pools in the Santa Fe area. The weight room is closed for classes at certain times of the day, the but the Witter Fitness Center’s general hours are 6:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m Monday-Thursday; 6:30 a. to 7:00 p. on Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Call first to check for any special closings: (505) 428-1615.
Northern Stars
A fine day of activity north of Santa Fe combines culture and sport. Begin with a discovery of Santa Fe’s most obvious landmark, the mountains. This southern range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains contains the Santa Fe Ski Basin area, which welcomes scores of outdoor enthusiasts every day of the year.
Begin by taking Artist Road to Hyde Park Road, and driving up towards the Santa Fe Ski Area (http://www.skisantafe.com), which is located 20 miles out of town. In winter, of course, Ski Santa Fe has terrific skiing from November through early April, with a base area elevation of 10,350 feet, among the highest in the continental United States. Lessons are given for all levels, and the experienced can enjoy steep bump runs, powder filled chutes, gladed tree-skiing, and more. In early Fall, the Scenic Chairlift operates on weekends, giving visitors awe-inspiring vistas of the aspen trees in their fall-color glory (https://www.skisantafe.com/index.php/fall_scenic_chairlift).
In the spring and summer, it is enjoyable to drive up the base of the ski basin and take a beautiful hike along the trails and meadows. Several campgrounds are open to the public, such as Black Canyon Campground (http://www.explorenm.com/camping/BlackCanyon), eight miles up the mountain, open from April to November. Big Tesuque Campground (http://www.explorenm.com/camping/BigTesuque) is a tent-only facility offering year-round camping, and serving as a gateway to outdoor adventures of all kinds.
Hyde Memorial State Park (http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Hyde.htm), eight miles out of town at 740 Hyde Park Road is a favorite picnic area, sledding area, campground, and base camp for exploring the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest. It has sites for group gatherings of up to 50 people, a playground, a Visitor Center, and a Lodge which is a popular nuptial locale. Gate Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Call (505) 983-7175 for more information.
Returning down the mountain and into town, turn left onto the Bishop’s Lodge Road and follow this to the Village of Tesuque. This neighborhood is a haven of green in the high desert, and home to Shidoni Foundry (http://www.shidoni.com), one of the more interesting day trips in the Santa Fe area.
In Navajo “Shidoni” is a word used to greet friends, and the aptly named foundry attracts sculptors, art collectors, and picnicking visitors alike. Bronze pourings — when molten bronze, at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit is poured into ceramic shell molds — take place on most Saturday afternoons, giving visitors a chance to learn about this artmaking process.
The sculptures posed on the expansive lawn invite frolic, and in indoor gallery and shop present collectibles of many styles. Shidoni is located along the Tesuque River; if you walk all the way to the rear of the sculpture garden in nice weather, you are certain to hear and see children playing in the stream. If the weather is warm enough, you might be tempted to join them!
The bronze gallery is open Monday-Saturday: 9:00-5:00; the Foundry’s visiting hours are Monday-Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 and Saturday: 9:00-5:00. The gardens are open year-round during daylight hours. Shidoni is located at 1508 Bishop’s Lodge Road and their phone number is (505) 988-8001.
Located less than a mile north on Bishop’s Lodge Road is the Tesuque Village Market, which is a favorite destination for just about everyone in the area. The varied and delicious menu includes Northern New Mexican cuisine, gourmet oven-fired pizzas, and many vegetarian items. A true “village market,” the restaurant is attached to a general store where one finds everything from aspirin to tequila. (Route 22 and Bishop’s Lodge Road) (505) 988-8848.
Take Tesuque Village Road south from the Market towards US 285/84; upon arriving at this road, bear slightly right to cross over it. You are now on Opera Drive; follow it as it bends right and leads up a hill to the entrance of the Santa Fe Opera (http://santafeopera.org). One of the world’s leading opera companies, the Santa Fe Opera holds a season of five operas, one of which is always a contemporary work, in July and August.
Opening Night of each opera is a festive affair, with cowboy boots often outnumbering ball gowns, and groups of ebullient friends enjoying elegant tailgating parties in the parking lot, or attending a free pre-performance lecture. Behind-the-scenes visits include a one-hour backstage tour held Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m., from June 1 to August 29. The tours, which are free for children ages 6-17, and $5 for adults, commence at the box office and reservations are not required.
Most people wouldn’t imagine that a high desert climate would yield a passable wine, but the vineyards of Santa Fe County far surpass casual expectations. The Estrella Del Norte Vineyard and Tasting Room (http://www.estrelladelnortevineyard.com) features some of Northern New Mexico’s finest wines, including some unexpected beverages as port and mead, all locally cultivated.
Merriment abounds at Las Estrellas, with cooking classes, winemaker dinners, wine festivals and fairs take place during the summer and early fall. In late September, thousands of wine and culinary enthusiasts embark upon the region to enjoy the Annual Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta (http://www.santafewineandchile.org) which includes fine dining, classes, and all manner of special events for the oenophile.
Finally, let’s not forget good old Rover. If you are traveling with your dog, he or she has by now enjoyed hiking up the mountain and perhaps in Cerrillos Hills Historic Park or elsewhere, but let’s face it — dogs love to sniff out other dogs. The Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society operates two large, off-leash, enclosed Dog Parks where your darling pooch can run to his or her delight. It’s also a great place to meet real Santa Feans enjoying their pets.
Water, benches, and waste bags are provided, and there are two enclosed parks: one for social dogs, and one for shier canines. The parks are located next to the Animal Shelter, at 100 Caja del Rio Road. To get there, take 599/Santa Fe Bypass south to the Caja Del Rio Road Exit (near the I-25 exit). Follow the road as it veers to the right and you will see signage for the Animal Shelter. Woof!
Places to stay in the area:
Hacienda del Cerezo (Tesuque)
The Bishop's Lodge (Santa Fe/Tesuque)
The Triangle Inn (Tesuque) |
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