Resort suggestion for New Mexico?

December 30, 2007 6:22 PM

What vacation destination would you recommend in New Mexico -- spa-like, quiet, upscale, desert environment?

A few years ago we stayed at The Boulders in Scottsdale and really enjoyed it. We're now living in Cleveland, OH and we're looking for a place a wee bit closer (NM?) but similar environment to The Boulders. Haven't been to Santa Fe, but hear it is wonderful. The Boulders is situated miles from downtown Phoenix and off the beaten path -- and that's the kind of place we're looking for in New Mexico. Doesn't have to be particularly upscale as long as the place is charming and has a desert environment.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

posted by pallen123 to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

I've never been, but I heard many wonderful things about Ten Thousand Waves.
posted by sugarfish at 6:27 PM on December 30, 2007

I've never stayed overnight, but I second the recommendation for Ten Thousand Waves as a great place to relax (especially after a long hike - watching the stars in the clear sky while you soak in a (public or private) outdoor tub is a peak expernience. Santa Fe proper is nice an definitely upscale and certainly desert, but may or may not meet your definition of quiet. There are a lot of day hikes in the area that are quiet though - get a good guide to local sites and trails, and pick some of the less prominent ones, and you could find yourself all alone among Anasazi ruins and pottery shards.
posted by zippy at 6:39 PM on December 30, 2007

ojo caliente. there are 4 or 5 natural mineral pools to soak in, plus pretty setting way out in the desert, good restaurant, and mud baths. it;s also pretty close to abiquiu, which i spelled wrong, but is an absolutely gorgeous area well worth exploring.
posted by genmonster at 6:49 PM on December 30, 2007

it's up in the mountains (8600 feet or so) but there's natural hot springs and naturally heated pools at The Body Mandala, in or near Jemez. it's a Buddhist temple/shrine, but you don't have to convert.

stayed there quite a few years ago, the night before i hit an elk on that same road. the hot pools were better than anything after the elk.

it's about an hour from Albuquerque, about the same from Santa Fe. both are places i would love to spend a vacation at.
posted by KenManiac at 7:22 PM on December 30, 2007

ten thousand waves and ojo caliente are both great. Ojo being probably cheaper and the pools are natural. Much larger range of accomodation pricing than Ten Thousand Waves and they have a lithia water spring in the middle that you should probably drink from allllll dayyyyyy looonnnnggg.
Ten Thousand Waves is awesome too, though...if you were really looking to pamper yourself you probably would want the four hands massage...umm...it's better than sex...anyhoo
posted by Soulbee at 8:46 AM on December 31, 2007

genmonster, you were correct in your spelling. abiquiu is wonderful. my favorite place in the world, thus far. pronounced AA bick -queue for all of you who don't want to make a fool of yourselves trying to pronounce it the first time, like i did.
posted by Soulbee at 8:48 AM on December 31, 2007

Seconding Ojo Caliente, though the accommodations aren't spacious or anything it feels very relaxing and summer-campy. Great food and lovely yoga classes, and it's a few hours from Albuquerque.

For something more formal and near civilization, consider the Hyatt Tamaya. It's near ABQ, but it feels VERY far away like The Boulders does.
posted by answergrape at 4:10 PM on December 31, 2007