One of my great domestic travel pleasures is landing at a small, Southwest airport, knowing bouquets of dried chiles and Native-inspired patterns will be leading the way to a weekend of natural beauty at a slowed pace. On a recent weekend escape to Santa Fe, a wide-open desert drive ended at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, the most intimate Four Seasons in the country, made of just 65 adobe casitas tucked into the Sangre de Cristo foothills, close enough to hike ancient cliff dwellings by day and wander the city’s gallery-filled streets by late afternoon.
Upon checking into the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, a golf cart whisked me to my quiet casita, outfitted with not one, but two fireplaces: one inside the guest room and one outside on a private patio with more than enough room for a luxe breakfast spread al fresco the following morning. A poolside lunch was a natural transition from travel hustle to resort-chill, followed by cocktails and dinner at Terra. After-dinner s’mores by the firepit are a perfect excuse to stare upward in awe at a canopy of stars above. For anyone not familiar with building the perfect fire back at the casita, a fireplace butler service can ensure perfect flames.
The next morning, one of Four Seasons’ own local guides pulls up in an SUV stocked with snacks and lunch for a journey to Bandelier National Monument, as part of an “Ancient to Present” half-day tour. As someone who typically resists long drives on a weekend escape, I found the hour-long drive through ancient Pueblo lands essential to appreciating the scale and gravity of the region, as it relates to ancient history and the 20th century Manhattan Project which was headquartered nearby.
We arrived early to avoid crowds. A flat hike led us along a creek and a preserved 14th century Pueblo village with kivas before depositing us at the base of Bandelier’s main attraction: tall, prehistoric cave dwellings. We climbed ladders into prehistoric cave structures and examined ancient petroglyphs up-close. Our guide explained the many ways the Pueblo people used this area from prehistoric times until the 16th century.
Upon return, it was time to meet the resort’s bees in a complimentary experience the property calls its Fly By. The property’s beekeeper shared an overview of hive production onsite, though for those interested in a deeper dive, a Hive Dive experience is an immersive, two-hour adventure complete with bee suits. Steps away, the property’s 10,000 square spa awaited. During an Earth and Sky massage, a grounding foot scrub, warm oil scalp treatment and traditional deep tissue massage relaxed me enough to think I was now one with the Santa Fe energy vortex.
Once thoroughly relaxed, I hopped on the hotel shuttle for the 10 minute ride into town for some gallery-hopping and a healthy bite at Henry & the Fish. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a highlight, its intimate scale feeling almost like a private home. A three-minute walk to design-forward dispensary Verdes; led me to helpful budtenders and an ample selection. After a leisurely dispensary outing, a visit to Chaine on Burro Alley was in order. This charming macaron shop features flavors ranging from lemon lavender to chimayó red chile. After, it was time to take the shuttle back to the property for one last desert sunset.
