The Best Spa’s in Santa Fe
Dreaming of a delicious getaway after months of winter hibernation? So are we! In our new series, we’re introducing you to our favorite soaking destinations, beginning with two gems around Santa Fe, New Mexico – a magical, high-desert city worthy of a visit and loaded with historical charm.
East meets Southwest at Ten Thousand Waves: Imagine melting stress away in steaming outdoor tubs surrounded by a canopy of piñon and juniper trees. This is the serene experience at Ten Thousand Waves, a hotel and spa inspired by traditional Japanese hot spring resorts and nestled in the mountains just 15 minutes from Santa Fe. Stay on-site for maximum pampering, or take advantage of the incredibly affordable day rate (under $40), which lets you enjoy the chlorine-free waters from 9:00 AM until well after the sun goes down. When you arrive, they’ll give you everything you need to bliss out: kimono, towels, sandals, lockers. Enjoy the co-ed Grand Bath (swimsuit required) or the women’s bath if you prefer a soak au naturel. You’ll find wet/dry saunas, cold plunges, and sunning decks, plus private tubs, spa treatments and massages at additional cost. Head to the on-site restaurant in your kimono to share izakaya-style plates (think Japanese tapas). With a national forest, hiking and skiing just minutes from the grounds, we can’t think of a better all-seasons escape!
History and Healing at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa:
Midway between Santa Fe and Taos are the natural springs of Ojo Caliente, used for millennia by native peoples and now home to one of the oldest health resorts in the country. The resort and spa opened in 1868 at the foot of a Posi pueblo ruin, offering soothing mineral pools drawn from lithia, iron, soda, and arsenic springs – considered beneficial for a variety of ailments – and a mud pool with local clay for all-over skin purification. A day pass ranges from $30-$45 and lets you soak to your heart’s content under the big blue skies. The surrounding landscape of majestic mesas also begs to be explored: hike or bike to discover archeological sites peppered with painted pottery shards, thankfully – and miraculously – left in place by modern visitors. If a day of bliss just isn’t enough, lodging is available at numerous price points, from cottages and suites to simpler accommodations in their 1917 historic hotel, vintage trailers, and at camping/RV spots under the cottonwood trees. Skin and body treatments, yoga, a farm-to-table restaurant, wine bar, and gift shop are also available on-site. As the night falls, cozy up to a kiva fireplace, gaze at the shining stars, and enjoy the cool air filled with the intoxicating scent of piñon.
Writing this is all too much. Forgive me as I sign off and search for tickets!
Images by: Paje Victoria, Ojo Caliente & Ten Thousand Waves