Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

Nestled in the cedar-studded foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Santa Fe, the Rancho Encantado makes its gorgeous location a focal point. Lovely views can be had from much of the property, including Terra, the Rancho Encantado’s acclaimed fine-dining restaurant, the pool, and certain rooms. The hotel also has taken efforts to preserve the natural beauty of its setting; it is dedicated to retaining the original flora in the hotel’s grounds, and employed green practices in the hotel's construction.As a place to escape the crowds and soak up the high desert, the Rancho Encantado is a good distance from Santa Fe (about 15 minutes by car), so any shopping or sightseeing will mean a drive. The Rancho Encantado offers a shuttle into town, and also provides a few new Mercedes Benz vehicles that are free to use. Guests should plan on reserving a car ahead of their stay in order to ensure availability.There is plenty to do on-site, too. A nature trail offers runners and walkers a chance to immerse themselves in the desert, and the large heated pool takes advantage of the views. For art lovers who aren’t satiated by the abundant art that’s placed throughout the hotel, there’s a separate gallery. The spa emphasizes healing in its design, and its facilities includes saunas, outdoor Jacuzzi tubs, a serene warming room, and a circular main building design that mimics a kiva, the spiritual chamber used by Pueblo Indian societies.The hotel lobby is tiny but expertly decorated with works of art and a painted concrete floor. An adjoining courtyard is big enough for wedding parties. Beside the lobby, Terra restaurant and The Bar at Rancho Encantado exhibit a modern, sleek look, and feature outdoor seating and a fire pit ideally situated for enjoying the sunsets.

The Rancho Encantado occupies a lovely setting in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 11 miles north of Santa Fe. There’s nothing within walking distance beyond the surrounding hills, but a shuttle service offers rides to and from Santa Fe (until 10 p.m.). Also, the hotel offers guests free Mercedes Benzes for getting around.Santa Fe means “Holy Faith” in Spanish and is home to about 70,000 people of varying cultural backgrounds including Hispanics, Native Americans, and Anglos. New Mexico’s fourth-largest city is also the nation’s highest capitol and its oldest: It was founded in 1607.The “City Different,” as it’s known, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet at the southern edge of the Rockies, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Although the cool summer hiking and skiing in winter offer great reasons to visit, it’s best to keep in mind that the high elevation also means more stress for the body while acclimating. Most people become used to the thinner air after two or three days which means that strenuous physical activity will become easier and less dangerous if you wait a day or two after arriving in town. One more caution - one alcoholic drink at this altitude will equal three drinks at sea level!The Spanish influence seen so often throughout Santa Fe stems from the missionaries who arrived in the 1600s to convert the local Native American population. Old missions such as the San Miguel can be seen scattered across New Mexico and offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history. Often times, these missions are located at or near Native American pueblos, such as Tesuque or Cochiti, which are home to the various Pueblo peoples. Visiting New Mexico’s pueblos offers a chance to interact with the locals, purchase art and wares, and gain a better appreciation of New Mexico’s rich history.Today, Santa Fe is the nation’s third-largest market for buying and selling art. In addition to the many galleries at the Plaza and along Canyon Road, several museums including the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum (showcasing the painter’s long relationship with New Mexico) celebrate the creative spirit in Santa Fe.- 2-hour drive from Albuquerque International Airport

• 30-minute drive from Santa Fe Municipal Airport
• 1-hour drive to Taos
• 5-minute drive to the Santa Fe Opera House
• 20-minute drive to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
• 20-minute drive to the New Mexico Museum of Art
• 20-minute drive to the Plaza, the shopping and cultural center of Santa Fe
• 25-minute drive to Canyon Road, home to over 100 art galleries and studios
• 45-minute drive to Ski Santa Fe

Rancho Encantado's 65 rooms are spread out in adobe buildings across the property, with entrances from outdoor pathways. There are only two types of rooms available: studio-style Casitas, and One-Bedroom Suites. Many have good views, but booking a Vista Casita will ensure one of the better views.Rooms have high-end amenities, including robes, private patios, wood-burning fireplaces, and high-thread-count linens on the beds. Concrete and wood floors, Native American-style rugs, wood ceilings, and spare placement of local art, such as Native baskets and pottery, create a modern Southwestern look.Bathrooms are huge and feature double vanities, deep soaking tubs, radiant floor heating, fossil rock counters, and glass-walled showers. Organic toiletries come in large, refillable bottles that eliminate plastic waste.- High-end linens

• Flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and iPod hook-ups
• Wood-burning fireplaces
• Robes
• Bathrooms with radiant floor heating, deep soaking tubs, and walk-in glass showers
• The 56 Casitas are 630 square feet, and come with either a king or two queen beds. They have kiva-style wood-burning fireplaces, and select units also have fireplaces on the patio.
• The nine One-Bedroom Suites are 930 square feet and have king beds. All have two fireplaces (one indoor and one outdoor).
• Most buildings are standalone, but a few have split-level arrangements. Complaints of second-floor noise in the first-floor rooms have surfaced.

• Outdoor heated pool, open seasonally, with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; Jacuzzi open year-round
• A spa that emphasizes healing in its design; facilities includes saunas, outdoor Jacuzzi tubs, a serene warming room, and a circular main building design that mimics a kiva, the spiritual chamber used by Pueblo Indian societies.
• Free rentals of several Mercedes Benz vehicles; guests should request in advance to ensure availability.
• Huge, modern fitness center with yoga studio, cardio machines featuring individual TVs, strength training machines, free weights, and lots of natural light
• On-site art gallery
• Nature trail where runners and walkers can experience the desert
• Free Wi-Fi
• View full list of amenities

Terra is an acclaimed fine dining restaurant led by Chef Charles Dale, serving modern rustic cuisine with some regional influences. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has an outdoor seating area equipped with heat lamps. Sample dinner items include Kobe Beef Hanger Steak.- The Bar at Rancho Encantado serves light fare including quesadillas, burgers, and salads; an outdoor seating area has a large fire pit.

• Room service available