A Desert Five-Star Getaway in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado
By Marla Cimini
If escaping to the desert during the chillier months sounds like a blissful getaway, then the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe, New Mexico is an ideal destination for catching some exhilarating rays and recharging your battery during the winter.
Guests arrive at this sprawling yet quiet, picturesque resort to be pampered while enjoying spectacular sunshine, scenery and the outdoors. Hiking, biking and rock climbing are just a few of the activities available in the immediate area, while shoppers and foodies can easily explore the diverse city of Santa Fe, just a ten-minute drive away (via the resort’s fleet of shiny new Mercedes cars and SUVs). And no pressure, either. For guests who wish to simply chill and embrace the mountainous landscape, a morning of yoga or an afternoon lying by the pool and soaking in the hot tub – is truly blissful.
The resort’s 65 casita guestrooms are modern, posh and private, featuring upscale amenities and spacious terraces that overlook stunning high desert views and are situated on nearly 60 acres tucked gently into the Sangre de Cristo foothills.
Those guests who appreciate gourmet dining are treated to diverse dining and imbibing experiences, as the rustic, modern restaurant, Terra, and adjacent bar offers a seasonal menu, along with sweet and savory craft cocktails made with fresh juices. For an authentic dining opportunity, Executive Chef Andrew Cooper introduced his special VIP table in the middle of the busy kitchen, and invites guests to truly be a part of the action during an extra-special evening dining amongst the professionals serving up the delightful appetizers, entrees and desserts. The most exciting element? Guests are made to feel welcome and are invited – and encouraged – to assist the chefs in the various kitchen stations, participating in supervised cooking, chopping, sautéing and preparing desserts as well. (Avid foodies, please note: the chef’s kitchen table is a hot ticket and booked up most nights, so advance reservations are required.)
And the resort’s stunning spa is not to be missed. Although the resort is a relaxing experience itself, the spa takes visitors to a new level of relaxation, with several lovely indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage guests to luxuriate at their own pace and in their own style. Some locally influenced spa services are treatments that address the needs of bodies exposed to the high desert. These include the Mountain Spirit Purification massage; Blue Corn and Honey Renewal; the Sacred Stone Massage. On my recent visit, I was fortunate enough to enjoy their specialty, an altitude adjustment massage, which helps establish equilibrium at Santa Fe’s elevation of over 7,000 feet. The treatment focuses on easing respiration, relieving headaches and other altitude-related symptoms.
As an added amenity for guests, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado has recently launched an ‘adventure center,’ a one-stop shop for booking exclusive adventures. The resort also debuted a new shop, the Trading Post, offering a variety of specialty items for visitors to take home a memory of their time in ‘The Land of Enchantment.’ The Trading Post features exquisite items from local galleries and artists, including jewelry and pottery, authentic Navajo rugs, handmade necklaces and scarves, local art and clothing.
For more information visit www.fourseasons.com/santafe