One of many Greatest Motels in Santa Fe Lately Debuted Model-New Casitas

Everybody has a special motive for coming to Santa Fe: Some are drawn by its ties to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and others are focused on studying concerning the Native American heritage and native structure. The ski resorts, the famend opera, Christmas-style burritos (doused in purple and inexperienced chile sauces), and the semi-arid local weather are equally alluring. My journey rationale was two-fold: Discover a brand new metropolis with my dad and go to the just lately renovated 4 Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado.

Named top-of-the-line resorts in Santa Fe by Journey + Leisure readers within the 2024 World’s Greatest Awards, the 4 Seasons property accomplished a three-phase revitalization earlier this yr. Led by boutique agency Langlois Design, the updates had been centered primarily on the visitor casitas, marking the primary time the lodging had been up to date since 2008 — 4 years earlier than the resort took on the 4 Seasons title.

“We knew we wished to maintain the unique footprint of the rooms and suites however improve it in a refined, fashionable manner,” basic supervisor Melissa Sims instructed T+L. This new chapter is closely accented by copper and shades of coral and rust, and every minimalist, pueblo-inspired area options domestically sourced art work and artisanal touches.

With solely 65 visitor rooms, the 4 Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is definitively one of many smallest resorts within the hospitality model’s portfolio (the 57-room 4 Seasons Resort Tokyo at Marunouchi is thought to be the smallest). Don’t let its dimension dissuade you; it’s all a part of the appeal. The casitas are unfold out in a manner that creates a facade of a bigger vacation spot, however it doesn’t take lengthy to acknowledge fellow vacationers and type a familiarity with the employees. In spite of everything, says Sims, “The frequent thread for all [guests] appears to be connection,” whether or not it’s to at least one different or the “inherent mysticism of Santa Fe.”

Learn on for my full evaluate of the 4 Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado.

The Rooms

“We’re lucky the property had wonderful bones to start with,” says Sims. Nonetheless, the current revitalization has ushered in a brand new, decidedly extra modern really feel that deliberately honors the standard design of the Southwest.

My dad and I shared a 770-square-foot deluxe two-queen casita, however my favourite parts of this explicit class can be found in many of the rooms and suites: heated flooring, a wood-burning hearth, a deep-soaking tub, and the splendid linens and pillows that furnish all 4 Seasons’ beds. The personal patio was additionally conducive to balancing respiratory within the humidity-free air and sending off a couple of emails all through my keep.

In case you’re touring with a bigger get together or need more room, the two-bedroom interconnecting premier casita or the 1,100-square-foot Rancho and Encantado Suites could also be higher. Along with a king mattress, the suites could be outfitted with a settee mattress, rollaway, or crib. Every has a visitor powder room to enhance the complete marble bathtub.

Meals and Drink

The principle constructing is the center of the resort. Right here, friends get their room keys, take pleasure in a drink on the elevated watering gap, aptly named The Bar, and sit down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Terra. The signature restaurant’s service was on par with all different 4 Seasons I’ve visited — environment friendly, considerate, and delightfully nice. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, showcasing the “flavors of northern New Mexico,” are well-curated, and the every day dinner specials present a second of appreciated intrigue for friends on their second or third meals on-site.

I used to be significantly keen on the extra informal lunch gadgets, a couple of of that are additionally on the all-day eating menu at The Bar. The inexperienced chile queso, the Terra Signature Burger (topped with inexperienced chile and candied chile bacon), and the meat brisket tacos took heart stage in my culinary journey on the resort. (I’d even go so far as to say that the queso was the most effective factor I ate all the time I used to be in Santa Fe.)

Actions and Experiences

Whereas the resort epitomizes rest, this isn’t a sit-by-the-pool-for-multiple-days sort of lodge — though you’re welcome to take action if the climate permits. As an alternative, most friends, myself included, come to find the artwork, nature, Indigenous tradition, and historical past of the better Santa Fe space. After utilizing day one for post-flight restoration and acclimating to the elevation (Santa Fe sits almost 7,200 ft above sea stage), I used to be able to sort out our first exercise: a Native American cultural tour with one of many Journey Middle guides. The half-day tour to Bandelier Nationwide Monument and its 800-year-old cliff dwellings could be adjusted based on pursuits and climate; on account of rainfall from earlier within the week, our tour was tweaked to incorporate Valles Caldera Nationwide Protect.

One of the distinctive facets of the 4 Seasons property is its unbeatable proximity to climbing trails; the Camino Encantado Path brings you alongside ridges and arroyos to among the most breathtaking views I noticed in the course of the journey. When you might make the trek alone, some friends favor the every day guided tour. “This scenic hike is led by our Journey Middle workforce and contains nice nuggets of details about our setting, together with the native vegetation and animals,” added Sims. “I discover that point in nature — surrounded by extensive open areas — permits for deep contemplation and the area to reset.”

In case you favor extra adrenaline-pumping actions, the workforce can organize hot-air ballooning, white-water rafting, horseback driving, or Jeep excursions by way of the backcountry. {Golfing}, mountain biking, and even a self-discovery course with horses (The EQUUS Expertise) are additionally doable itinerary additions. One of many more difficult components of the journey was merely choosing from the intensive vary of choices the Journey Middle has on deck.

The Spa

A gentle, barely noticeable hum radiates throughout the 57-acre property, setting a baseline for a stillness that encourages friends to breathe deeply and immerse themselves, albeit quickly, of their instant environment. Nowhere is that this extra tangible than the ten,000-square-foot, 15-treatment-room spa, stated to be located on a non secular vortex.

The menu contains anticipated providers (therapeutic massages and manicures) and people tailor-made particularly for the resort. Following an hour of pure blissful solitude inside one of many personal spa courtyards — the place I rotated between the new tub, sauna, and chaise loungers — I started the regionally-inspired Mountain Spirit Purification therapy. Incorporating sage smudging, an adobe clay physique masks, physique wrap, and scalp and foot therapeutic massage, the 110-minute therapy was one in every of my most refreshing spa experiences. Through the physique wrap, I existed in that snug, not-quite-cognizant state that’s solely achieved proper earlier than you go to sleep.

Household-friendly Choices

Based on Sims, many of the resort’s clientele are {couples} or these on “girlfriend getaways,” however the concierge and employees on the Journey Middle might help plan acceptable actions for friends of all ages — from horseback driving and biking to excursions of Diablo Canyon and academic hikes. The heated outside pool can be a favourite for youthful vacationers, and youngsters ages 5 and below obtain complimentary meals at Terra.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Accessible guestrooms can be found in 4 classes: the two-bedroom interconnecting deluxe casita, the deluxe two-queen casita, the patio casita, and the Encantado Suite. Every has a roll-in bathe, seize bars, and an accessible bathroom. Sims additionally notes that there’s golf cart transportation between the primary constructing and the casitas “for friends’ comfort.”

Sustainability is prime of thoughts all through the property. Electrical automobile charging stations can be found, there are not any single-use plastic water bottles or toilet facilities, and the workforce makes use of eco-certified cleansing merchandise. Terra’s menu options native, sustainable, and seasonal gadgets, and the on-site Chef’s Backyard offers produce and homes the on-site apiary. “We additionally planted indigenous landscaping for water conservation functions,” added Sims.

Location

The 4 Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is situated within the Sangre de Cristo foothills, simply 10 miles from downtown Santa Fe and somewhat over 19 miles from Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF). The biggest airport in New Mexico, Albuquerque Worldwide Sunport (ABQ), is incessantly the higher possibility for vacationers, as Santa Fe’s smaller airport solely gives direct flights to and from Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. It’s essential to notice, nevertheless, that Albuquerque is a 65-minute drive from the resort, so renting a automotive or arranging an airport switch is critical.

Whereas the 4 Seasons property isn’t inside strolling distance of Santa Fe’s galleries, eating places, and museums, the resort does supply complimentary every day shuttles to and from the historic Plaza.

How one can Get the Most Out of Your Keep

4 Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe has a wide range of ongoing and limited-time packages for friends to contemplate, together with a proposal for a complimentary fourth evening and a “Ski Santa Fe” deal, with Ski Butler leases and two grownup elevate tickets for 2 days on the close by ski resort.

American Categorical cardholders obtain early check-in and room upgrades (when accessible), in addition to complimentary late checkout, every day breakfast for 2, and a $100 property credit score to make use of throughout their keep; eligible Chase cardmembers obtain the identical deal when reserving by way of The Edit by Chase Journey.