Arizona and New Mexico feature a fascinating mix of culture against a backdrop of red rock canyons, broken mesas and cactus-studded deserts. While clear elements of its deeply rooted history remain—Native American design here, Spanish colonial architecture there, a bit of Old Mexico feel, a dash of Old West frontier—Southwestern culture has become a spirit all its own.
Many of the region’s top meetings properties embody the art, customs and values of the land and serve as cultural gateways to the beauty and heritage of the Southwest. The following options are among the many standouts for everything from ambience and decor to events and activities that will enlighten and entertain groups.
ARIZONA
Enchantment Resort
Sedona
www.enchantmentresort.com
Long before Enchantment Resort was winning awards as one of the world’s top destination resorts, its 70-acre setting in the Secret Mountain Wilderness was revered as the birthplace of the Yavapai-Apache tribe. Today its red rock scenery, dotted with ancient cliff dwellings, creates a stunning backdrop for inspirational meetings.
"Enchantment Resort is located in a pristine canyon setting that is rich in Native American history. They use this to their benefit and educate guests about the true Native American culture in the area and in all aspects of the property," says Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.
The resort provides learning opportunities for guests each week, including programs such as talking circles, cooking demonstrations, Native American drum and flute concerts and weekly lectures. These can be customized for groups of any size. Documentaries about Native American culture and history can be shown to groups as large as 540.
Of course, food is also an important part of any culture, and the four-star cuisine at Yavapai Restaurant provides this aspect in style. The private dining room seats 24, and buyouts are available for 150 people.
"Our Native Spirit dinner recreates an Indian village, and the menu features items such as smoked buffalo tenderloin and pan-seared rainbow trout complete with charred tomatillo and black bean salsa," says Tina Newman, director of sales and marketing for Enchantment Resort. "Entertainment options can include Native American flautists, hoop dancers and sand painters to make the night complete and honor the Native American traditions."
The property’s award-winning spa, Mii amo, offers treatments designed to heal the body and awake the spirit using pure, local ingredients.
From the daily morning ritual in the Crystal Grotto to evening stargazing and luxury lodging in adobe casitas, each day at Enchantment is filled with cultural reminders. Even a day of meetings is spent in serene spaces with panoramic canyon views or in breathtaking outdoor spaces like Enchantment Circle and Village Terrace, boasting endless possibilities for cultural encounters and team exploration.
A recent $4 million renovation at the property boosted its meeting space to 13,000 total square feet.
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass
Chandler
www.wildhorsepassresort.com
From the ground up, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is infused with the spirit of the land. Owned by the Gila River Indian Community, the property, located 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix, incorporates the history and culture of the Pima and Maricopa tribes in every possible detail.
"This resort was created to tell the Gila River Indian Nation’s story, and every single person who stays here returns home with a deeper understanding of the American Southwest and this particular community’s storied history," says Stephanie Heckathorne, director of public relations at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass.
The property’s 60,000 square feet of meeting space features native decor motifs, and the event staff specializes in Wild West and Native American theme functions. Local Gila River artisans can be invited to share and teach their ancient weaving, beading or pottery skills as a hands-on group activity with as many as 50 people.
The AAA Five Diamond Kai restaurant serves authentic Native American fare. Menus include dishes such as grilled tenderloin of buffalo with smoked corn puree, sweet corn panna cotta and wood-grilled butternut squash puree with Pima cotton candy. Private dining is available for groups as large as 36.
Even after-hours affairs can take a cultural turn. Groups as large as 200 can go on a guided tour with Ginger Sunbird Martin, the resort’s cultural concierge. A Pima and lifelong local, Martin holds a degree in American Indian Studies.
Additionally, the highly rated Aji Spa offers sacred treatments performed by Native American healers.
Wild horses still roam the Sonoran Desert, and true to its namesake, the resort presents groups with the chance to ride. Nearby Koli Equestrian Center welcomes groups as large as 15 for private rides through beautiful desert scenery.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Scottsdale
www.scottsdale.hyatt.com
Cultural opportunities are important enough to warrant their own staffed center to educate and entertain guests at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, framed by the McDowell Mountains in the Sonoran Desert.
"At the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, guests will be fascinated by stories of the destination through the eyes of the Hopi people," says Renee Angeles, director of sales and services at the Scottsdale CVB. "The Native American Learning Center and weekly performances shed light on a history that still influences much of the art and culture of Scottsdale today."
Nearly every aspect of Hopi and Navajo art, craft and knowledge can be experienced by groups via the center. This comprehensive resource enables the resort to provide authentic cultural opportunities for meeting delegates, including tours of the center itself for groups of 25 or fewer. Events as large as 500 (the maximum group size at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale) can request demonstrations by Native American dancers, basket weavers, flute makers or sand painters. Even hands-on jewelry making and salsa preparation classes are possible for groups of this size.
Speaking of hands-on, there is also horseback riding for groups as large as 50.
The resort’s Native American and Environmental Learning Center is also an outstanding resource for spousal events, opening general session presentations and team-building programs, according to Terri Benich, director of sales and marketing at the property.
"Having the Native American cultural interpreters on our staff makes it easy for the meeting planner to coordinate and provide these opportunities to showcase the Southwestern culture and true experiences of the destination," Benich says.
Tanque Verde Ranch Resort
Tucson
www.tvgr.com
Attendees with a longing for the open frontier can satisfy their inner cowboy at Tanque Verde Ranch Resort in Tucson.
"Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is set in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains and combines the adventurous lifestyle of the Old West with the comfort and amenities of a premier resort," says Paul "Gus" Gustafson, general manager of the property. "With modern meeting spaces to accommodate from 10 to 160 people, mouthwatering cuisine, world-class service and tons of exciting activities, this Sonoran Desert experience is not to be missed."
Founded in 1868, the resort has been providing a true Southwestern experience to eager visitors ever since.
Tanque Verde is home to a stable of 180 carefully trained horses, and there are 60,000 acres of untouched nature upon which to ride them. Riders of any skill level can be accommodated.
Groups from 10 to 160 can participate in all activities. On horseback, events can include a rodeo with a contest to see which team can round up the calves the fastest or a private morning ride to a mesquite-cooked, alfresco breakfast. Out of the saddle, planners can arrange a barbeque with a cowboy singer as entertainment, a Mexican fiesta or an Old West-style carnival with a variety of games.
Another option is to explore nearby Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest on guided hikes. The ranch also features a nature center where visitors can learn more about the area’s abundant wildlife, which includes coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, bobcats and mule deer.
NEW MEXICO
Heritage Hotels
Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe
www.hhandr.com
Just as New Mexico has been shaped by numerous cultures into a colorful personality all its own, each of the seven properties owned by Heritage Hotels reflects these Southwestern influences in unique and distinctive ways.
"Heritage Hotels and Resorts is one of the most unique hotel companies in the country," says Ed Pulsifer, vice president of sales and marketing at Heritage Hotels. "We achieve this by incorporating a very deep process of Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Western history and culture of the region into each property in its own unique way."
Heritage has created a special page on its website, Journey Along the Camino Real, to highlight some of the most interesting sights along the historic road between Santa Fe and Las Cruces. This interactive map allows groups of any size to explore the region on a self-guided tour.
Ideally located in the heart of Albuquerque’s historic Old Town and museum district, Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town captures the essence of Albuquerque style with its blend of Pueblo, Spanish Colonial and Western styles. It’s a great jumping-off place for exploring 400 years worth of history.
"The Heritage Hotels and Resorts organization is extremely committed to maintaining the culture that is so special to Albuquerque," says Atchison of the Albuquerque CVB. "Every detail, from handcrafted light fixtures to New Mexico- inspired culinary choices, reflects that commitment."
The property’s 40,000 square feet of meeting space includes the striking 1930s Franciscan Ballroom.
Hotel Encanto overlooks the Mesilla Valley in Las Cruces and showcases a blend of Spanish and Mexican colonial designs.
"Hotel Encanto is a full-service hotel decorated in beautiful Spanish Colonial style featuring the rich colors, fabric and textures that give this property a true Mexican feel," says Chris Faivre, media and publications manager at the Las Cruces CVB. "It is one of our nicest properties, and anyone looking to experience traditional Mexican heritage will love staying here."
From the statues in the entrance to the guest room furniture and pottery decorations, the flavor of Mexico is everywhere.
The hotel has 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
The recent facelift at Santa Fe’s Hotel St. Francis evokes the tranquility of the early Franciscan missionaries who were among the first to bring Spanish culture to New Mexico. The new design focuses on a meditative simplicity set off by touches such as the baptismal font in the lobby and decorative crosses arranged on the walls. The oldest hotel in a very old city, the property boasts membership in both the National Register of Historical Places and Historic Hotels of America.
Special packages are available that spotlight the rich history of Santa Fe, which this year celebrates its 400th birthday. Groups as large as 80 can book the Four Cardinal Points package, for example, which includes a private one-day guided tour of Santa Fe and a three-night stay at Hotel Santa Fe, plus breakfasts and a commemorative gift.
Hotel St. Francis can host meetings as large as 75 in its De Vargas Room.
Hotel Santa Fe
Santa Fe
www.hotelsantafe.com
Owned and largely staffed by the people of the Picuris Pueblo tribe, Hotel Santa Fe welcomes groups into an atmosphere permeated by this ancient civilization.
"Hotel Santa Fe brings to the city a rich piece of Native American life," says Keith Toler, executive director of the Santa Fe CVB. "The hotel is the largest Native American business in the city. Tribal members work throughout the property, which features native art, decor and native-based spa treatments."
The ideal group size for meetings at Hotel Santa Fe is 150 or fewer. The property’s Native American Celebrations program brings tribal performers and artisans in to share their skills at events. A drumming ceremony or a Native American blessing are great ways to kick off or wrap up an event, and tribal speakers, dancers or musicians are available. Groups as large as 150 can enjoy guided tours of Picuris Pueblo, and as many as 100 can go on historic tours of Santa Fe with the property’s in-house historian, Alan Osborne. A Friendship Dance, suitable for groups of 100, is a perfect way to close an event.
For smaller groups, hands-on activities can provide an even more immersive experience. As many as 20 can take a class from local potters, painters or weavers to gain a new appreciation for these traditional arts. More intimate groups of 10 can book a teepee celebration.
In the spa, rituals like "Healing Waters" and "Wind and Mountain" invoke the power of nature to stimulate and restore. Spa packages booked in advance for groups of 10 or more receive a 20 percent discount.
"Our hotel offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in an ancient culture that is rooted in the Earth, the seasons and the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us," says Paul Margetson, general manager of Hotel Santa Fe.
Planners can send groups home with handcrafted gifts such as kachina dolls, dream catchers or pottery to make the memories last even longer.
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa
Santa Ana Pueblo
www.tamaya.hyatt.com
The people of the Santa Ana Pueblo own one of the most beautiful stretches of land between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. At the base of the Sandia Mountains, Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa is built on 500 picturesque acres next to the Rio Grande.
"The Hyatt Tamaya is a beautiful property that reflects every detail of the Native American land it sits upon as well as the culture and heritage of the pueblo," says Larry Atchison, interim vice president of convention sales and services at the Albuquerque CVB.
The property houses Tamaya Cultural Museum and Learning Center, dedicated to the history, culture and art of the Santa Ana Pueblo. Private, 45-minute tours are available for groups of 10 at a time. Hyatt Tamaya also offers a number of cultural event themes for events, including a Mexican fiesta, a tribal celebration and a chuck wagon supper. Groups as large as 22 can also take a hop on the saddle for horseback rides that take in the pretty surroundings.
Tamaya Mist Spa and Salon specializes in five-hour "journey packages" inspired by the long migration of the people of the Santa Ana Pueblo before settling in their new homeland. The wholesome power of locally sourced blue corn, desert sea salt and mud from the Jemez Mountains are applied in rituals designed to detoxify and relax.
"The Hyatt Regency Tamaya is constantly working to enhance the cultural experience and share the flavor of old New Mexico with its guests and visitors," says Jerry Westenhaver, general manager at the resort. "We feel that it is imperative to pay homage to the great culture and educate those who are here for business or recreation."
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa
Taos
www.elmontesagrado.com
Boutique property El Monte Sagrado (Spanish for the sacred mountain) is built around a Native American sacred circle with tall trees and tranquil water features. With 84 rooms and 7,000 square feet of function space, gatherings are limited to around 68 in size but boundless in cultural opportunities.
"El Monte Sagrado’s facilities, design and decor all reflect the history and local philosophy of Taos and its Native American culture by striving to live in harmony with Earth but without sacrificing the luxury and modern amenities groups expect from a contemporary upscale resort," says Jeannie DiGrappa, regional director of sales at The Kessler Collection. "Utilizing extensive eco-sustainable systems and practices, the property is able to offer a very unique meeting experience. Groups are sure to sense and appreciate this deeper cultural connection than is found in standard meeting facilities."
Events of any size can begin with a Cherokee Blessing from Grandmother Jean, a 10th-generation spiritual cleanser and ceremonialist who uses sacred feathers and crystals to bless the four corners. Smaller groups of 10 to 30 can participate in a Native American drumming session, and up to 25 can opt for a sweat lodge experience.
One of the most popular team-building exercises at El Monte Sagrado is teepee building near the banks of the river. The group builds and raises the teepee together, decorates it, and shares a meal in it. Later, it’s donated to the local boys and girls club.
In the summer, groups of as many as 30 can take advantage of the property’s partnership with the Fort Burgwin campus of Southern Methodist University to go on an archeological dig, which often uncovers arrowheads and other artifacts.
"For the elite smaller group, there is no finer meeting property than El Monte Sagrado," says Jeanne Kitzman, sales and marketing manager at Taos Convention Center. "Their attention to detail and exceptional levels of customer service make them the first choice for board meetings, executive retreats and specialized groups requiring nothing less than top-tier accommodations."
—Kelly Crumrin’s answer to the chile question is green. A travel writer based in San Francisco, Kelly spends most of her trips to the desert looking up at the stars.
