One of the Best Hotels in Santa Fe Recently Debuted Brand-New Casitas

Everyone has a different reason for coming to Santa Fe: Some are drawn by its ties to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and others are interested in learning about the Native American heritage and local architecture. The ski resorts, the renowned opera, Christmas-style burritos (doused in red and green chile sauces), and the semi-arid climate are equally alluring. My travel rationale was two-fold: Explore a new city with my dad and visit the recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado.

Named one of the best hotels in Santa Fe by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2024 World’s Best Awards, the Four Seasons property completed a three-phase revitalization earlier this year. Led by boutique firm Langlois Design, the updates were focused mainly on the guest casitas, marking the first time the accommodations had been updated since 2008 — four years before the resort took on the Four Seasons name.

“We knew we wanted to keep the original footprint of the rooms and suites but enhance it in a subtle, modern way,” general manager Melissa Sims told T+L. This new chapter is heavily accented by copper and shades of coral and rust, and each minimalist, pueblo-inspired space features locally sourced artwork and artisanal touches.

With only 65 guest rooms, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is definitively one of the smallest hotels in the hospitality brand’s portfolio (the 57-room Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is known to be the smallest). Don’t let its size dissuade you; it’s all part of the charm. The casitas are spread out in a way that creates a facade of a larger destination, but it doesn’t take long to recognize fellow travelers and form a familiarity with the staff. After all, says Sims, “The common thread for all [guests] seems to be connection,” whether it’s to one other or the “inherent mysticism of Santa Fe.”

Read on for my full review of the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado.

The Rooms

“We are fortunate the property had excellent bones to begin with,” says Sims. However, the recent revitalization has ushered in a new, decidedly more contemporary feel that intentionally honors the traditional design of the Southwest.

My dad and I shared a 770-square-foot deluxe two-queen casita, but my favorite elements of this particular category are available in most of the rooms and suites: heated floors, a wood-burning fireplace, a deep-soaking tub, and the sumptuous linens and pillows that furnish all Four Seasons’ beds. The private patio was also conducive to balancing breathing in the humidity-free air and sending off a few emails throughout my stay.

If you’re traveling with a larger party or want more space, the two-bedroom interconnecting premier casita or the 1,100-square-foot Rancho and Encantado Suites may be better. In addition to a king bed, the suites can be equipped with a sofa bed, rollaway, or crib. Each has a guest powder room to complement the full marble bath.

Food and Drink

The main building is the heart of the resort. Here, guests get their room keys, enjoy a drink at the elevated watering hole, aptly named The Bar, and sit down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Terra. The signature restaurant’s service was on par with all other Four Seasons I’ve visited — efficient, thoughtful, and delightfully pleasant. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, showcasing the “flavors of northern New Mexico,” are well-curated, and the daily dinner specials provide a moment of appreciated intrigue for guests on their second or third meals on-site.

I was particularly fond of the more casual lunch items, a few of which are also on the all-day dining menu at The Bar. The green chile queso, the Terra Signature Burger (topped with green chile and candied chile bacon), and the beef brisket tacos took center stage in my culinary journey at the resort. (I’d even go as far as to say that the queso was the best thing I ate the entire time I was in Santa Fe.)

Activities and Experiences

While the resort epitomizes relaxation, this isn’t a sit-by-the-pool-for-multiple-days kind of hotel — although you’re welcome to do so if the weather allows. Instead, most guests, myself included, come to discover the art, nature, Indigenous culture, and history of the greater Santa Fe area. After using day one for post-flight recovery and acclimating to the elevation (Santa Fe sits nearly 7,200 feet above sea level), I was ready to tackle our first activity: a Native American cultural tour with one of the Adventure Center guides. The half-day excursion to Bandelier National Monument and its 800-year-old cliff dwellings can be adjusted according to interests and weather; due to rainfall from earlier in the week, our tour was tweaked to include Valles Caldera National Preserve.

One of the most unique aspects of the Four Seasons property is its unbeatable proximity to hiking trails; the Camino Encantado Trail brings you along ridges and arroyos to some of the most breathtaking views I saw during the trip. While you could make the trek alone, some guests prefer the daily guided tour. “This scenic hike is led by our Adventure Center team and includes great nuggets of information about our setting, including the native plants and animals,” added Sims. “I find that time in nature — surrounded by wide open spaces — allows for deep contemplation and the space to reset.”

If you prefer more adrenaline-pumping activities, the team can arrange hot-air ballooning, white-water rafting, horseback riding, or Jeep tours through the backcountry. Golfing, mountain biking, and even a self-discovery course with horses (The EQUUS Experience) are also possible itinerary additions. One of the more challenging parts of the trip was simply picking from the extensive range of options the Adventure Center has on deck.

The Spa

A steady, barely noticeable hum radiates across the 57-acre property, setting a baseline for a stillness that encourages guests to breathe deeply and immerse themselves, albeit temporarily, in their immediate surroundings. Nowhere is this more tangible than the 10,000-square-foot, 15-treatment-room spa, said to be situated on a spiritual vortex.

The menu comprises expected services (therapeutic massages and manicures) and those tailored specifically for the resort. Following an hour of pure blissful solitude inside one of the private spa courtyards — where I rotated between the hot tub, sauna, and chaise loungers — I began the regionally-inspired Mountain Spirit Purification treatment. Incorporating sage smudging, an adobe clay body mask, body wrap, and scalp and foot massage, the 110-minute treatment was one of my most refreshing spa experiences. During the body wrap, I existed in that comfortable, not-quite-cognizant state that’s only achieved right before you doze off.

Family-friendly Offerings

According to Sims, most of the resort’s clientele are couples or those on “girlfriend getaways,” but the concierge and staff at the Adventure Center can help plan appropriate activities for guests of all ages — from horseback riding and biking to tours of Diablo Canyon and educational hikes. The heated outdoor pool is also a favorite for younger travelers, and children ages 5 and under receive complimentary meals at Terra.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Accessible guestrooms are available in four categories: the two-bedroom interconnecting deluxe casita, the deluxe two-queen casita, the patio casita, and the Encantado Suite. Each has a roll-in shower, grab bars, and an accessible toilet. Sims also notes that there is golf cart transportation between the main building and the casitas “for guests’ convenience.”

Sustainability is top of mind throughout the property. Electric vehicle charging stations are available, there are no single-use plastic water bottles or bathroom amenities, and the team uses eco-certified cleaning products. Terra’s menu features local, sustainable, and seasonal items, and the on-site Chef’s Garden provides produce and houses the on-site apiary. “We also planted indigenous landscaping for water conservation purposes,” added Sims.

Location

The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is located in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, just 10 miles from downtown Santa Fe and a little over 19 miles from Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF). The largest airport in New Mexico, Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), is frequently the better option for travelers, as Santa Fe’s smaller airport only offers direct flights to and from Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. It’s important to note, however, that Albuquerque is a 65-minute drive from the resort, so renting a car or arranging an airport transfer is necessary.

While the Four Seasons property isn’t within walking distance of Santa Fe’s galleries, restaurants, and museums, the resort does offer complimentary daily shuttles to and from the historic Plaza.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Stay

Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe has a variety of ongoing and limited-time packages for guests to consider, including an offer for a complimentary fourth night and a “Ski Santa Fe” deal, with Ski Butler rentals and two adult lift tickets for two days at the nearby ski resort.

American Express cardholders receive early check-in and room upgrades (when available), as well as complimentary late checkout, daily breakfast for two, and a $100 property credit to use during their stay; eligible Chase cardmembers receive the same deal when booking through The Edit by Chase Travel.