There is nothing like a relaxing skin care or luxurious body treatments to regenerate your health and well-being. These three spas in the high desert of New Mexico combine a luxury hotel stay with nutritious treatments that you will love. I recently visited the New Mexico spas in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos, and that’s what I learned.
I was welcomed by New Mexico True and Heritage Hotels and Resorts. All opinions are mine.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
Hacienda Spa at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque
The Hacienda Spa sums up the wellness philosophy of Los Poblanos with spa experiences that are committed to a rich life. Wellness on the farm involves a botanical cocktail in the Campo courtyard overlooking the lavender fields, farm beds and herbs, a fork-fed field dinner at the award-winning Campo and our luxurious farm room complemented by products lavender craftsmen. We have found a serene and relaxing environment, which offers the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the healthy balance of peace and happiness.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
1. Historical elegance
The historic Hacienda Spa includes the original ancestral home designed by John Gaw Meem, the father of the Santa Fe style. The luxurious lounges, the stunning courtyard with a cozy fireplace, the star-shaped Morrish Fountain, the floral landscape and the unique treatments in elegant spaces provide a rich and immersive atmosphere.
Ancient scenes of bathrooms on panels painted by Paul Lantz in 1936 line the walls of women’s dressing rooms, initially serving as doors to the La Quinta dressing room, designed by Meem. I noticed that the artwork appears on the labels of Los Poblanos organic lavender skin care oil and facial toner products.
2. Himalayan salt stone massage
After putting on a warm robe and slippers and disconnecting from the outside world with a cup of herbal tea, I met my massage therapist Michele for an 80-minute Himalayan salt stone massage. The combination of deep massage pressure with the balancing properties of the warm Himalayan salt stones releases stress and toxins while providing a gentle exfoliation.
Himalayan salt contains 84 minerals and salts that support a healthy respiratory system. Salt improves circulation and improves bone health while preventing muscle cramps. Heated salt emits negative ions that cause greater mental alertness and protect against germs in the air. While lightly exfoliating the skin, it relieves anxiety, treats insomnia, improves digestion and reduces acid reflux.
I was relaxed, my sore back was gone and I slept like a baby that night. I was so impressed with the results that I bought a Himalayan salt lamp when I got home.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
3. Seasonal facial
After breakfast at Campo the next morning, I went to the spa to do a seasonal seasonal facial with Leigh Ann, an illustrated beautician. He used botanical skin care products from Sorella Apothecary and EmerginC Organics, along with the Los Poblanos line of lavender products. After an in-depth consultation and a careful formulation of the treatments, I received two cleansing, exfoliation, a facial and scalp massage, personalized masks, serums, nourishing moisturizers and personalized sun protection for a luxurious experience in the unique high desert atmosphere. I could see a new glow on the skin and a facial clarity.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
4. Great Hall
I explored the Sala Grande living room designed by John Gaw Meem with a fireplace, massive, sculpted adobe, wooden beams, and shelves adorned with Native American vases. There were sculptures, Spanish Madonnas in perforated tin frames, carved wooden chests and modern village paintings. I strolled among the folded woven blankets in old wooden boxes, woven baskets, old wooden chairs, and a table lined with unique art books with notes for owner Penny Rembe hidden as a page saver. I was surrounded by fascinating pieces of historical art.
5. Yoga in the wellness yurt
I ended my spa experience with yoga in the wellness yurt, hidden in a serene, wooded area, improving flexibility and strengthening the body, contributing to my renewed sense of well-being.
Professional advice: I bought Los Poblanos lavender skin care oil to continue my moisturizing regimen.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
Spa in Loretto
The Inn and Spa at Loretto on the Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, a Heritage Hotel & Resort, reminds me of the famous Taos Pueblo with its iconic adobe architecture. Founded in 1975 by the Kirkpatrick family, the boutique Inn and Spa at Loretto is located on the former location of Our Lady of Loretto Academy and is next to the famous Loretto Chapel with the miraculous staircase. See here my story about the three mysteries surrounding the Miraculous Staircase in Loretto Chapel.
Located in the heart of the city center, one block from historic Santa Fe Square, Governors Palace and the Canyon Road Art District, the hotel has 136 individually decorated suites and rooms. My tour included the penthouse suite where the founding Kirkpatrick family once lived, the award-winning spa and lounge, a good casual dinner at Luminaria, the gardens and year-round heated garden pool overlooking the mountains of Blood of Christ.
Professional advice: The Crafted Café is now open at the Inn and Spa at Loretto and offers breakfast croissants made with chocolate, spinach, feta or leek and Parmesan cheese. Add Aroma New Mexico coffee, espresso, chai latte pumpkin pie, Old Barrel Tea Co or fresh juice. For lunch or light snacks, savor a table of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses or green chili hummus. Enjoy New Mexico wine tastings from Gruet, Vivac or Milagro wineries and liqueur tastings such as Santa Fe Spirits malt whiskey, bourbon, vodka or KGB Spirits gin and Left Turn Distilling gin.
6. Effective treatments
The Loretto Spa features regional-inspired spa treatments with an elegant Southwestern setting. My facial at Loretto Spa was the famous Desert Glow Facial, a personalized treatment created to help my skin regain its natural, healthy glow, and it worked. I was pampered with a soothing facial massage, cleansing pores, an exfoliation and personalized masks and serum. My skin looked brighter and firmer.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
7. Algae lavender ritual
The spa offers “Spirit of Loretto”, a series of aromatherapy blends of essential oils tailored to relieve stress and good health, including meditation, sacred, soothing and angel. The Seasonal Algae Lavender Ritual includes oils with a moisturizing bath infused with lavender and seaweed salts. Then, designed to balance dry skin, follow a relaxing 80-minute massage with seaweed infused oil that will relieve tension.
8. Aches Away Ritual
If you experience stiffness, pain, or stress, the Aches Away ritual will tell you your name. Immerse yourself in a ritual bath with CBD infusion, then continue with a personalized 80-minute full-body massage with a moisturizing CBD massage cream that eliminates any discomfort. It is really medicinal.
Professional advice: I took home an advanced retinol product recommended by Dr. Dennis Gross to create a repairing barrier and visibly seal my skin. My beautician Terry added a sunscreen, a hyaluronic sea mask, and a deep C + collagen cream, all from Dr. Dennis Gross.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
The Sacred Mountain In Taos
We took the scenic route from Santa Fe to Taos along the river, passing by Vivac Winery, the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center, and the Church of San Francisco de Asis at Ranchos de Taos. Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams, and many other artists painted and photographed the church.
Our destination was El Monte Sagrado, a Heritage Luxury Hotel & Resort in Taos, on Kit Carson Road, surrounded by tall cotton trees, naturally landscaped grounds, and scenic mountain views at over 7,000 feet. The resort is just a few blocks from the historic Taos Square and 20 miles of first-class skiing in the Taos Ski Valley. Savor seasonal dishes and local cuisine from award-winning executive chef Christina Martinez at De La Tierra Restaurant and Garden Patio. The giant anaconda sculpture at the Anaconda Bar, which means endless life, is home to a lively atmosphere for signature cocktails and ever-changing creative cuisine.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
9. Organic and Natural Products
Named one of the best spa resorts in America by Forbes, The Living Spa uses only organic and natural products from Naturopathica and Sagrado from Body Bliss, a private label.
Photo credit: Janie Pace
10. Treatment of sacred restaurantolite
On Saturday morning, I met my spa therapist Heidi for the treatment of Sacred Staurolite, a balance and regeneration regimen that uses the sacred stones found only around Taos. Fairy crosses, twin crystals found in restaurantolite, have been used as a healing tool that helps to release destructive habits, achieving feelings of security and stabilization of emotions. Heidi started with a dry brushing all over my body to exfoliate the skin and stimulate the lymphatic system. They then covered me with detoxifying turquoise mud and then wrapped me like a cocoon. Heidi applied a moisturizing mask to my face to moisturize and rejuvenate. Reflexology balances the chakras while using the energy of ancient restaurantolite crystals. I then received a warm shower cleaner under multiple jet sprays. Then I received some luxury moisturizers and head restorative creams. I can’t explain the refreshing feeling I felt.
Professional advice: I researched the source, visited the Taos Minerals and Jewelry Store, and bought several rare restaurantolite stones to take home.
11. Additional treatments at the Living Spa
Additional spa experiences are reflexology that improves circulation and relieves tension, or reading the astrology birth chart called the soul map. Add treatments such as hot rocks, CBD oil, manual therapy or the healing effects of arnica gel. Assign your next year with a tarot reading combined with astrology with the house astrologer.
Professional advice: Shop for great gift ideas at the spa, including power cleaning kits, sage wand, handmade gloves and woven socks.
Holidays often provide a relaxing atmosphere, but adding some spa treatments enhances the experiences:
