Four Seasons Santa Fe – Hot Kivas, Prickly Pear Margaritas and Pueblo Festivals!

So many reasons to visit Santa Fe – cultural activities, endless blue skies filled with puffy white clouds, countless fine art galleries, delicious dining, hiking, and spa visits.

I hadn’t visited in a few years, so I included a stay at newly refurbished Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado – so happy I headed to the hills! The hotel is tucked in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just outside of downtown Santa Fe. The resort is a luxurious oasis of privacy, serenity and calm. New Mexico is known for its mystical energy and the resort and spa are designed to incorporate wellness and rejuvenation.

I’ve been to the resort many times for dinner. One awesome addition since the Four Seasons took over management is the on–site Adventure Center, offering bike rides, guided tours of Taos and Georgia O’Keeffe Country to hiking excursions.

Every morning, a local guided hike is offered by the hotel naturalist, take off from the lobby and be high above the resort in minutes, the dramatic views are amazing. Walk past the adobe home of the original Ranch owner, Betty Egan. The property was once a 57-acre dude ranch and gathering spot for western movie stars practicing their horseback riding skills. If you’re a western buff, the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado proudly displays Betty Egan’s saddle, right next to the bar. There is also a wall display of eclectic western riding gear; John Wayne was a regular and good friend of the original owner; an old tale suggests that he gave Betty his favorite horse. She apparently christened the property with the name “Enchanted Ranch”.

Floating SUP Yoga in the pool. Take your yoga practice to the next level with an invigorating one-hour open-air experience on a paddleboard. The teacher will guide you through a thoughtful and light-hearted flow, allowing you to cherish the inspiring views of the Sangre de Cristo foothills. Please wear your swim attire and bring an open mind and a playful spirit.

SPA At the Spa at Four Seasons Santa Fe, indulge in the unique experiences in the spa or on your outdoor terrace. Retreat through a guided journey of peace and enlightenment to purify and restore from the outside in. Begin with a sage smudging ceremony, clearing unsettled energy. Reduce the visible signs of aging with a Chocolate Truffle Body Wrap. The active ingredients – cocoa, macadamia nut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, ginseng and lecithin – offer antioxidants to help refine your skin’s appearance, plus a boost in collagen production for deep hydration.

Relax and reset with a detoxifying activated charcoal body scrub that will nourish and renew your skin followed by a skin hydrating body wrap, rejuvenating scalp massage and black pearl eye mask to purify, balance and promote well-being.

Casitas and suites – Perfect for family vacations or getaways with friends, the two luxury Suites deliver rustic luxury in a secluded setting, with separate living, dining and sleeping areas that combine effortlessly with sweeping mountain views. Casitas are large and cozy yet minimalist with wood burning adobe Kiva fireplaces, soaking tubs, and terraces. It all feels very private and spacious. I enjoyed breakfasts and a massage on the terrace and fires each night. There’s nothing quite like an adobe Kiva, for me it was the cozy star of the room. One afternoon was spent in the fabulous Four Seasons bed with Kiva burning all day while I read and wrote in my journal. If you haven’t slept in a Four Seasons bed, you must – I think they are the best beds in the world, and you can purchase them on line.

Prickly Pear Margarita Four Seasons Santa Fe

Dining at Terra – Begin outside at the Terra Bar with dramatic views and sunset sipping! Experience an array of favorites, choose from an array of Santa Fe Queso, Green Chili Chicken Wings, Spanish Cheese Board and Encantado Shrimp Tacos. Sip on a selection of tequilas and do order the special, Prickly Pear Margarita Cocktail, Yummy!

The restaurant menu draws on local techniques and organic seasonal produce, utilizing the finest ingredients to create memorable regional cuisine. Arrive early for a cocktail and enjoy the sunset before heading to dinner. In my case, lightening slashed the dark sky, thunder pounded like a drum, all in the distance, as a yellow ball of sun dipped below the thunderclouds.  A dramatic evening finale!

Terra Bar Four Seasons Santa Fe

Situated in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, at over 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is known for year-round outdoor adventure, a vibrant arts scene and rich Native American history. The art and sculpture dotting the public spaces and rooms provide a strong sense of place.

On my last night after dinner, the security guard saw me waiting in the cold for a buggy back to my casita. He said if you don’t mind the truck, I’ll take you back. Ok, I’m fine with a little truck! After stopping for the full moon photo, he built a fire in my casita Kiva, and gave me a little s’more package with a stick!

He then told me about his Native tribe… and their Pueblo… I’m fascinated by local culture and always thrilled to hear personal stories! It’s what makes Travel worthwhile. He invited me to bring my friends to a Feast, every July 14, in his Pueblo, the Corn Dance. All the grandmothers prepare food, there’s singing and dancing… come with your friends!

Making friends, a new story for my Journey!

The corn dance takes place on July 14th at Cochiti Pueblo as part of the annual St. Bonaventure Feast Day.

And an indication of Four Seasons service: an unexpected buggy ride, moon photo, kiva fire, s’more’s and a personal story! Grateful. Highly Recommend!

Santa Fe Style – Essential The Best of Georgia O’Keeffe

Coming soon, a mini–Santa Fe Journey and hotel reports! Santa Fe Musings – The Spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe Retreat offered by one of our favorite small hotels, Inn of Five Graces.

A sneak peek at an offering by Inn of Five Graces: New Mexico, as seen through the eyes of Georgia O’Keeffe, offers a profound entry into the heart of the Southwest. This highly curated program presents some of the most intimate, off-the-beaten-path, and often privately accessed opportunities, guiding you through her private home and studio, the landscapes of some of her most famous works, and the archives at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. 

Georgia O’Keeffe Home

Combining this experience with a retreat at the Spa of The Five Graces creates the Ultimate Georgia O’Keeffe Artists Weekend.

Start the day with complimentary Yoga in the Meditation Room at Spa of the Five Graces. Breakfast on the Courtyard Patio. Relax and savor their complimentary à la carte dining with fresh fruits, bread, house-made granolas, and some of the best New Mexican dishes in the state.

Explore The O’Keeffe Museum Featuring one of the most extensive collections of O’Keeffe’s works. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), was devoted to creating imagery that expressed what she called “the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.” 

Shop Santa Fe Vintage – Have our concierge book you an appointment at this unparalleled collection of vintage Levi’s, hats, and jackets. This is where the in the know glam stars shop for their looks!

Santa Fe Hat Company For the best selection of hats in the Southwest. A legend since 1976, offering custom, artisan and high end brands.

Lucchese Bootmaker if you have one more shopping stop in you, Lucchese boots is a short walk and offers the best you’re going to find.

Lunch at The Shed or La Choza; try a local’s favorite at one of these beloved New Mexican establishments.

Treatments at Spa of the Five Graces – Treat yourself our favorite, the “Scrub, Steam, and Massage Treatments” where you will receive cleansing, full-body exfoliation, a private aromatic steam shower, and restorative side-by-side massages.

Dinner at The Compound One of my favorite restaurants! Designed by O’Keeffe’s close friend, Alexander Girard, in the heart of the historic Canyon Road arts district and near O’Keeffe’s Santa Fe residence.

Take in a Show at the Lensic or The Santa Fe Opera. In the heart of summer experience Santa Fe Opera’s world-renowned performances or find some of the world’s most exciting performers at the Lensic, in their grand Pueblo Deco style structure on West San Francisco Street.

A day trip to Abiquiu. Breakfast on the Courtyard Patio – Have you tried their Chilliquillas or Juevos Motelenos yet? Always on my breakfast menu!  Then depart for a day Journey, head North on your Five Graces Private Experience, one of our favorite day trips. The Essence of Take in a Show at the Lensic or The Santa Fe Opera. In the heart of summer experience Santa Fe Opera’s world-renowned performances or find some of the world’s most exciting performers at the Lensic, in their grand Pueblo Deco style structure on West San Francisco Street. via a Georgia O’Keeffe lens, which includes Plaza Blanca – only accessed via special permit. Plaza Blanca is a majestic landscape made up of beautiful white sandstone cliffs made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe through her series of paintings called The White Place.

Bosshard Gallery in the village of Abiquiu. This gallery was once the home of the original Bode’s Mercantile. Today, the gallery offers a fine representation of Northern New Mexican history with an extensive collection of Indigenous textiles, jewelry, and ceramics.

Lunch at Abiquiú Inn at Café Abiquiú: champagne lunch on the patio at the historic Café Abiquiú & The Terrace. The menu is comprised of fresh local ingredients featuring New Mexican specialties.

O’Keeffe Home Tour: Enter the private home of Georgia O’Keeffe, built into one of the oldest Northern New Mexico haciendas, offering a peak experience to an extremely small number of visitors each year.

Ghost Ranch: Finally, head to Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre retreat situated on the Colorado Plateau, to take in the afternoon light as it paints the colorful ribbons of Entrada sandstone and the timeless Morrison, Chinle, and Todilto formations.

Dinner & Drinks at The Dragon Room – Home in time for a reservation at The Pink Adobe’s Dragon Room, a historic bar and favorite of Georgia O’Keeffe and Robert Redford. Dine at the bar or in one of their booths enjoying seasonal fair, delicious craft cocktails and live music.

Saturday Spa Day Start the day with a private Tibetan Mindfulness Meditation session, designed to ease the mind, and prepare the ground for insight and wisdom.

Breakfast in Your Room – If it’s fall or winter, light a fire, featuring a farm-to-table menu with some great healthy options too.

Treatments at Spa of the Five Graces – Treat yourself our favorite, the “Scrub, Steam, and Massage Treatments” where you will receive cleansing, full-body exfoliation, a private aromatic steam shower, and restorative massage.

Relax & Read by the Soaking Pool – Accompanied by snacks and cold-pressed juices. *In colder months the warming pool is between 90-102 degrees.*

Explore Your Creativity with their captivating painting experience in this two-hour Santa Fe Painting Workshop with an amazing professional painting teacher and some great wines.

Take a Drive to Aspen Vista – This 7-mile drive into the Sangre De Cristo mountains for a stunning view of the region.

Dinner at Izanami – Along the Hyde Park Road (below Aspen Vista) you will find exceptional Japanese countryside style cuisine.

Lunch, Shopping & Coffee on Lena Street – Get a coffee and a Japanese Lunch in Santa Fe’s Arts district at Ikonik Coffee & Ozu Santa Fe.

One advantage of Inn of Five Graces is the walkability around town. Shop in town at: Living Threads – for photography, Oaxacan pottery, indigo kaftans and hand-carved Palo Santo vessels.

Whiskey + Clay – for ceramics and home goods.

From Inn of Five Graces, walk to Canyon Road – filled with amazing art and galleries, including Morning Star, you can shop some of our favorites here;

Shop 4Kinship – This Navajo-owned (Diné) boutique for indigenous pieces, colorful up-cycled fashion, vintage denim, along with blankets courtesy and modern silver-turquoise jewelry

Cielo Handcrafted, a few doors down you can shop local New Mexico and Latin America wares; colorful pillows handmade from Cusco, espresso mugs planters and more.

Secret & Sons. I am transfixed in this exotic souk shop, transported across the world with their impeccable taste in carpets, hand painted furniture. You don’t need a passport to shop here! 

Mediterrania Antiques, furniture, a significant collection of Uriarte Talavera  pottery,  and they are only 2 doors away from Seret & Sons. 

Dinner at The Pink Adobe, their Signature New Mexican and Cajun-inspired restaurant.

Night Cap at Bar Analco for a Mezcal flight, margarita menu or craft cocktails.

Tucked into the inky blue mountains of Northern New Mexico, a week in the high desert Santa Fe, might not be long enough to enjoy all this town has to offer. The oldest state Capital in the United States, inhabited since 1607, by members of Native American pueblos. The city is brimming with creatives, eccentrics and solitude seekers. City Map 2025 published for locals and visitors.

Highly Recommend Inn of Five Graces and Santa Fe! Postcards soon on the new spa at Inn of Five Graces and other boutique properties.