New Spa!: The Spa at Encantado in Santa Fe

Auberge Resorts is opening a new luxury hotel and 10,000 square-foot spa in Santa Fe on August 30, 2008 called The Spa at Encantado. It comes with an impressive pedigree: its other properties include Auberge de Soleil and Calistoga Ranch in California. The ultra-chic property is located just outside the city in Tesuque, with 57 acres bordering the 1.6 million-acre Santa Fe National Forest plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Its 65 casitas have wood beams, polished cement floors and fireplaces for chilly nights, and the restaurant called Terra is helmed by Daniel Boulud protege Charles Dale.

But what about the spa? With 15 treatment rooms, it's big, but not too big, and incorporates the outdoors with pools, fountains, courtyards, and outdoor garden soaking tubs and showers. There's plenty of room in the 1,200-square-foot Fitness Center and 800 square-foot movement studio for yoga, Pilates and meditation. Its treatments are inspired by local talent, like the creator of "Life Impressions Bodywork." This unique modality uses gentle non-invasive techniques "to safely release historic imprints held in our bodies from stress or repetitive patterns." (I wonder how many treatments it would it take to get my left shoulder to finally relax.)

Regionally inspired treatments include Mountain Spirit Purification, which begins with a smudging ceremony, followed by adobe clay body mask and wrap with scalp and foot massage, rain shower rinse and a juniper-sage massage using hot stones. There's also a menu of Ayurvedic treatments inspired by Dr. Vasant Lad, director of the Ayurvedic Institute in nearby Albuquerque. And it wouldn't be New Mexico without some chili peppers, so treatments begin with a Chili Pepper Foot Warmer Ritual incorporating tea tree oil, honey and chili peppers.