Lodge Glorieta Opens in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was named the greatest metropolis within the U.S. by Journey + Leisure readers this yr, is commonly praised for its charming downtown and attractive artwork scene. It is outside journey choices are not often lauded as the principle draw. The brand new Lodge Glorieta is able to change that.

“Santa Fe is a kind of wealthy American cultural cities the place the pure magnificence is not going to hit you within the face,” says Jeff Burns, companion on the lodge’s possession group, Bullwhip Capital. “However by the third day, guests actually begin to see it.”

He wished to open a lodge that will appeal to others in search of a higher connection to the outside. Burns and his enterprise companions purchased The Lodge, a 128-key lodge a mile north of downtown, and have spent the final yr giving it a classy new look.

I checked in a couple of weeks after the property’s reopening. With its north-of-downtown location and a perch on a hill, it additionally boasts among the finest views of town. Whereas vestiges of the constructing’s authentic incarnation as a Sheraton circa 1976 stay, it’s had a top-to-bottom refresh, led by buzzy native design agency French & French. They stored among the furnishings and paintings from The Lodge, which operated for the final 20 years, however added significant upgrades to make the property really feel new.

“The earlier lodge homeowners had assembled an exquisite assortment of furnishings and artwork, and we felt it was vital to honor that historical past,” says Heather French, the design principal. “The strong wooden Mexican beds, for example, are superbly crafted and timeless, so we selected to maintain them and design round them.” Talking of the beds, the plush Sealy Beautyrest felt like a cloud, clad with crisp Italian-made Sferra linens.

The artwork within the newly repainted visitor rooms contains woven wall hangings and historic black-and-white images of native Indigenous communities. Luxe Schumacher materials add texture and pops of coloration all through. Whereas the loos are a throwback to an earlier time, my spacious King Suite featured a residing space with a leather-based pull-out couch, a workspace with a desk overlooking downtown, and a large wall-hung flat-screen tv.

I did not have a automotive, which made the journey difficult. The great thing about Lodge Glorieta is that it’s faraway from downtown, however meaning nothing is in strolling distance. With wheels of my very own, I may need struck out to see close by Abiquiú, the place famed artist Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch is, or spent a day luxuriating in spring-fed swimming pools at Ojo Santa Fe. To keep away from disappointment—or racking up Uber fees—do your self a favor and lease a car.

Considerate touches abound at Lodge Glorieta, a reputation meaning “gathering spot.” There’s a free of charge espresso bar within the foyer, stocked with urns of drip espresso, a trio of flavored syrups, and takeaway cups; in-room glass bottles are stuffed with filtered water to assist cut back single-use plastics; and the breakfast buffet—with dishes akin to house-made granola, scrambled natural eggs, and fried potatoes with spicy-tart salsa—is a cut price at $10.

One morning, I walked by means of the lodge’s again parking zone and up one of many sand-covered hills rising up on the rear of the property. I discovered easy accessibility to the La Tierra community of 25 miles of trails. One other afternoon spent lounging on the property’s kidney-shaped pool was a pleasure, because of the ample umbrellas and a pleasant bartender-slash-DJ spinning tunes and mixing up a first-rate paloma. Morning yoga on the grassy central garden is obtainable a number of occasions every week, and for days when the climate isn’t cooperating, the trainer can transfer the category to the diminutive chapel (it additionally doubles as a venue for occasions and weddings). The Marigold Room, simply off the foyer, is an intimate music house and listening room for simply 150 visitors that’s already pulling nationwide touring acts.

A number of the additions to Lodge Glorieta are but to return. With the official grand opening in late October, the on-site eatery and cocktail bar Woman Duff’s Lounge will debut a brand new cocktail menu and desk service with a small menu of things akin to steak with chimichurri fries, oyster ceviche, and Mexican flan with mint-berry syrup. The lounge can even host reside jazz performances. Moreover, the crew will add a barrel sauna on the pool deck, making the “leisure membership,” with its present pool, sizzling tub, and bar, an all-weather haunt spot.

With the enlargement of the restaurant’s choices, Burns says they plan to supply different companies for visitors desirous about exploration. “We wish to be an city journey lodge. The entire thought is which you could check-in and we’ll ask, ‘The place do you wish to go in the present day? What do you wish to do?’ And we will pack you a Yeti cooler, with sandwiches, drinks, and no matter else you need, and also you’ll have the ability to exit and hike or discover,” he says.

Charges begin at $165 per night time and could be booked at hotelglorietasantafe.com.