he Bishop's Lodge Resort is located outside the historic town of Santa Fe, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos Mountain Range in New Mexico. This one-hundred-and-eleven room, 450-acre resort welcomes you to nature, relaxation, exploration, activities, and a full service spa. The Bishop's Lodge Resort, had been a former private retreat owned by the Pulitzer publishing family. The Thorpe family purchased the resort in 1917 and has since become a world-class resort catering to celebrities, international business people, and travelers looking for an elegant and adventurous getaway.
As I arrived through the entrance of The Bishop's Lodge property, I felt as though my breath had been taken away. The main road to the resort wound through trees, darned with magical twinkling lights. There was a calm about the place, lovely and still, and I began to feel as if I had stumbled on a hidden secret. The magical kind.
The main building looks as if you've stepped back in time--or onto a movie set--complete with lit paper lanterns placed neatly across the top of its roof lines. That theme is carried around the resort and into the guest rooms, each elegantly decorated with a southwestern flair. We suggest you request the deluxe fireplace room with a balcony view of the mountain ranges.
The resort boasts a wonderful award-winning restaurant, called Las Fuentes Bar and Grill, where "continental meets local western cuisine". Check out their Golden Tomato & Tequila Gazpacho or the New Mexican Green Chile Crab Cakes. They also offer a great Sunday brunch that is not to be missed.
The warm and hospitable staff will gladly help to schedule the resort's many activities such as hiking, tennis, horseback riding, skeet and trap shooting, spa treatments at Sha'Nah Spa and Wellness Center, or a tour and dinner in Santa Fe. Activities such as white river rafting, alpine skiing, hot air ballooning, and golfing can be reached by the Lodge's complimentary shuttle.
One of the many tours offered on the property is the trail ride through the foothills adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest. I'm an early riser, and if you are too, be sure to take the two-hour ride to the Mesa Vista campsite, where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast and "cowboy coffee". With the guided help of head wrangler Sadie, and wranglers Christina and Slim, I was feeling like a true cowgirl by the time my adventure was over. I also learned that The Bishop's Lodge regularly hosts Rodeo style "team building" event for groups. Wranglers teach you how to handle livestock, how to dress, mount and ride horseback, and compete with your horse in relays.
All this cowboy fun can be exhausting and what can be better than a nice "rub down" to sooth your aching body. I booked Lenka, 'masseuse extraordinaire', at the Sha'Nah Spa and Wellness Center. Offering more than 30 treatments, this makes Sha'Nah the ultimate in "spa-tique". Try the Native Stone Massage, which combines massaging your body using smooth, heated basalt river rocks and Swedish massage techniques. You and your body will be in Heaven. Also try the Sedona Mud Paraffin Facial, the Tesque Clay Wrap, and the Enchanted Desert Massage on one of the spa's private outdoor verandas.
Men, there is no need to feel left out! There is a "For Men Only" spa journey, which begins with a 60-minute custom deep tissue massage, scalp treatment, and a specialized facial just for men.
There are so many adventures in Santa Fe, I hardly knew where to start. I toured the Taos Pueblo and the Anasazi ruins, and found them to be worth checking out.
There's plenty of shopping and art galleries to check out. Before you leave, make sure have at least one meal at Geronimo restaurant. Try their roasted lobster bisque, oven roasted sea bass, flourless chocolate cake with Chambord syrup, and brown sugar crème brulee with Burgundy poached pears.
Notes: Santa Fe, New Mexico can be reached easily by most major airlines, and Southwest airlines, offers direct flights via Albuquerque. You can also fly into Albuquerque International Airport and rent a car for the scenic hour drive, north to Santa Fe.
*The Sha'Nah Spa and Wellness was just named Most Outstanding Spa in North America and the Caribbean by Conde Nast Johansens. Conde Nast Johansens' Recommended Hotel Guides, are the most comprehensive illustrated reference to independently owned, annually inspected hotels throughout North America, Great Britain and Europe.
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Check them out online at www.BishopsLodge.com
The Bishop's Lodge Resort is located outside the historic town of Santa Fe, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos Mountain Range in New Mexico. This one-hundred-and-eleven room, 450-acre resort welcomes you to nature, relaxation, exploration, activities, and a full service spa. The Bishop's Lodge Resort, had been a former private retreat owned by the Pulitzer publishing family. The Thorpe family purchased the resort in 1917 and has since become a world-class resort catering to celebrities, international business people, and travelers looking for an elegant and adventurous getaway.
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