One of the things that I loved the most about my visit to Santa Fe, NM was the sense of history I felt when walking along the streets and in speaking to the people I met during my visit.
My friend Sandra and stayed at La Posada, a RockResort, and this only served to really compliment that experience. The resort is a gorgeous retreat right in the middle of Santa Fe, only steps from shops, galleries, attractions and great restaurants, providing guests with luxurious accommodations among its 157 rooms and suites characteristic of the adobe art colony previously found on the site.
The resort’s original foundations were built by an immigrant German Jew, named Abraham Staab who in 1882 would build the Victorian mansion as a promise to his future wife that she would have all the amenities and comforts from their previous home upon her arrival to New Mexico.
The history of the Staab House and how it came to be known as La Posada is interesting, and one I encourage you to read more about here.
Situated on 6 acres of beautiful landscape, with most guest rooms made up of casitas – one of which we stayed in – the resort fits in with the natural beauty delivered by Santa Fe itself, with its glorious sunrises and majestic sunsets.
All the things I love about RockResorts are present here, such as the respect for its surroundings and environment. All the rooms adhere to a minimum of 10 environmental standards, called “Green Rooms”, and are designed to engage the guests in the conservation efforts. Other things I love, such the hospitable staff at all levels, and the luxurious room – ours included a fireplace, two double beds, and a bathroom bigger then my first NYC studio apartment, are also present and have become in my mind the things that best define any RockResort I have ever visited.
But for all the standards I have grown to love and know about RockResorts, La Posada also stood on its own by truly representing and highlighting all the things that make Santa Fe unique and a wonderful place to visit.
One of the highlights of the resort itself is its collection of art all managed, selected and carefully curated by their very own Art Curator Sara Eyestone, a prominent painter in her own right, celebrated artist and superb human being. We not only had the pleasure of enjoyed her paintings displayed throughout the hotel, but also that of artists she has personally sought out to display their work in house. Ms. Eyestone oversees about 250 works of art from 22 notable artists.
The beauty of it all is that it feels as if you are staying in a gallery and guests can purchase any of the art displayed. The hotel happily does this, not because it serves as an income generator for them – in fact, they don’t mark up the pieces like a gallery would or any other art distributor might – but because it serves to help generate business and income for the artist, as well as continue to celebrate and support the artistic community in the area, which also is a big part of La Posada’s history.
Sandra and I took a beginner’s painting class with Ms. Eyestone. We painted apples and I think I did pretty good for my first try. It was a pretty empowering experience, as well as inspiring. Ms. Eyestone has a gift not only in her craft and her ability to make her love for it feel contagious. If you visit La Posada, I encourage you to take the class with her. She’s a gem. And I also encourage you to ask her for her “list”. She has a wonderful list of places to visit and shop at while in Santa Fe. She offers it for free, and it’s just a treasure of information. She also hosts weekly “Meet the Artist” sessions where guests have a chance to listen to the artists talked about their displayed art work, as well as speak to them directly.
Another fun activity hosted for guests are weekly Chef’s Tastings where guests are invited to try a few treats from the chef himself, and enjoy some wine and mingling.
Other facilities we got to enjoy in the resort itself were:
The fitness center – Not too big and if you arrive early enough in the morning you are guaranteed an elliptical or two. The machines also come with a tv monitor for individual channel surfing.
The Spa – Sandra and I spent hours in here getting massages, hair styling, pedicures and yes, even margaritas. The epitome of a girl’s getaway is located in this one space. Even if you don’t go nuts like we did, you definitely should check them out for pampering treatment of your own. They specialize in indigenous treatments, which I honestly have no idea what that means, but sounds divine. If not, just have the margarita pedicure…that was worth every minute just on its own.
Restaurants and Bar – We tried them all, and all were great. We spent most of our time in Fuego. Both late dinner and brunch were delicious here. My favorites were the corn soup and the churros with Mayan hot chocolate (don’t worry about the calories, just do it!).
The resort has other space facilities as well, for meetings and weddings, a roof top terrace for sunset watching, and pool and hot tub for more relaxing in case the spa didn’t fit into your schedule.
La Posada really enriched my experience in Santa Fe. I will most remember sleeping next to the fireplace at night, walking past the casitas in the early morning as the sunlight glistened through the bright yellow and orange foliage, and the warm Mayan hot chocolate that Sandra showed me was even more magical when mixed in with the Starbucks coffee at reception. Well, that and Ms. Eyestone complimenting my apple painting and of course drinking margaritas with foil in my hair at the spa with my girlfriend.
Best time ever.
For more information on La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa please visit their website at http://laposada.rockresorts.com/ or call 877-964-7625 for reservations.
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Disclosure: I was the guest of La Posada RockResort and Santa Fe Tourism. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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