Luxury Travel Advisor - December 2008 - (Page 24) HOTELS A ONE-BEDROOM SUITE is pure Southwestern design throughout and offers unfettered mountain vistas. SANTA FE’S Encantado Auberge Resorts’ latest incarnation is a popping oasis amid the New Mexico landscape. Since its opening in August, Encantado (www.encantado resort.com) in Santa Fe has already welcomed actor and director Robert Redford—twice. If it’s good enough for the Sundance Kid, we say it will knock the socks off your top VIPs. The property, an Auberge Resort, is set in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, cut well back into the desert landscape. All told, it’s spread out on 57 acres and dotted by 65 casitas, which includes nine suites, all offering stunning views of the Jemez Mountains in front and the Sangre de Cristo in back. There are four different room types: Patio Casitas, Pinon Casitas, Vista Casitas and Encantado Suites. Our Pinon Casita, No. 3, was a study in Southwest style, exemplified by the whimsical cow-skin-patterned bench that rested against one wall. The remainder of the room was just as fun: matte-finished, ash-colored concrete is used as flooring. Hint: At the flick of a switch, the floor in the bathroom can be heated (think bare feet on a warm floor, post shower). The bathroom was expansive and included a large stone-laced rainforest shower, deep soaking tub and double sinks. The bedroom looks directly out on the spacious private patio. What a treat it was to enjoy a cup of coffee there, early one morning. When the weather turns brisker, a working kivastyle fireplace inside will keep your clients toasty. Luxury travel advisors can contact Director of Sales and Marketing Angie Cross (across@encantadoresort. com; 505-946-5814) with any accommodations-related queries. Leisure Sales Manager Juan Vigil (jvigil@encantadoresort.com; 505-946-5816) is the contact to call for your VIPs. Note: The Vista Casitas offer premium mountain and sunset views, with most featuring a balcony. The top suites here are Nos. 63, 64 and 65, which are set a bit back on the property and perched on an incline for maximum views. They also feature wood flooring and outdoor fireplaces. Tip: Apprise your clients that Santa Fe is 7,000 miles above seal level, so shortness of breath can occur. The resort operates a fleet of Mercedes and golf carts to shuttle guests around. The 10,000-square-foot Spa at Encantado blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape—it’s low and spread out with a mix of indoor and outdoor areas. Fifteen treatment rooms are available for a mix of indulgences, none more popular than the invigorating Mountain Spirit Purification: a two-hour ritual beginning with a smudging 24 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | December 2008 http://www.encantadoresort.com http://www.encantadoresort.com
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