With its mineral springs and ancient Native American healing arts, it’s only natural that northern New Mexico should be a great spa destination. While many of the region’s hotels and resorts offer stellar spas, there are also a number of destination spas that welcome group outings.
"Many of our spas use the local Native American ingredients in their treatments, so it’s a cultural as well as a spa experience," says Keith Toler, executive director of the Santa Fe CVB and a spa enthusiast.
Located 40 miles southwest of Taos and 50 miles north of Santa Fe, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa is set on 110 acres adjoining thousands of additional acres of national forest land. Dating from 1868, the spa features an array of natural mineral springs, including private pools in secluded settings with kiva fireplaces. Mud baths and a full menu of spa treatments are also offered.
With 48 units, most of them in historic cottages, Ojo also offers a restaurant, wine bar and several unique meeting spaces, including an adobe round barn and a yurt. Small groups of 25 or less can stay on the property, while up to 100 people can be accommodated on day visits, says Wendy Gelfound, director of marketing.
"Groups can use the spa facilities and also conduct business," she says. "In addition, there’s hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting and skiing in winter. There’s something about being in a secluded atmosphere that is very conducive for a retreat."
At the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana pueblo near Albuquerque, the Tamaya Mist Spa features treatments using ingredients from the local environment. Its Three Sisters Salt Scrub is made from blue corn meal, mineral-rich desert salts and pumpkin seeds. Desert herbal wraps and mud masques infused with New Mexican red chile are also on the menu.
In Santa Fe, the eco-friendly El Sagrado Living Resort & Spa offers the recently expanded Living Spa, where the Sacred Circle meditation area provides a calming environment surrounded by trees and waterfalls. Among its signature treatments is the High Desert Body Treatment, which uses indigenous plants and flowers, volcanic ash and desert salts.
Just outside Santa Fe, the new Encantado, An Auberge Resort, features a spa drawing on both local Native American and Asian-inspired treatments. Participants can enjoy such signature treatments as a Blue Corn and Honey Renewal, Chile Pepper Foot Warmer and Mountain Purification.
One of Toler’s favorite spas is the Tranquility Flotation Massage & Healing Center, a new day spa in Santa Fe that features New Mexico’s only flotation tanks. Participants float in pools of warm water infused with 800 pounds of Epsom Salt.
"You just lay there and float—the salt makes you very buoyant," Toler says. "It’s very relaxing."
For More Info:
Encantado, An Auberge Resort
505.946.5812
www.encantadoresort.com
Hotel Santa Fe
505.982.1200
www.hotesantafe.com
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort
505.867.1234
www.hyatt.com
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort
505.583.2233
www.ojospa.com
Tranquility Flotation Massage & Healing Center
505.983.5628
www.tranquilityflotation.com
