Tag: New Mexico

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Travel

The Santa Fe Experience-Hotel Santa Fe Review

Hi, Everyone!  January was a busy month, and I like so many people who thought the month drug on, I thought it went by super quick and was excited to attend my first retreat of the year and enjoyed a stay-cation at Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

+Getting to Hotel Santa Fe– Santa Fe, New mexico, located about an hour north of Albuquerque is very easy to get to and located just a five minute drive from Santa Fe Plaza. Definitely, a must see when visiting Santa Fe. The hotel also provides shuttles and has the cutest London looking cabs to take you to and from the hotel to the plaza, which came in handy on my snowy day visit.

+About Hotel Santa Fe-Hotel Santa Fe is the only Native American owned hotel in Santa Fe. The property is beautiful and WELCOMING, with an exquisite multi MILLION-DOLLAR Native american art collection throughout the hotel and property. You can spend time sitting my the cozy, enjoying a cocktail or two at the bar, eating at Amaya restaurant located onsite, or taking a dip in the pool or hot tub.

+Rooms at hotel Santa Fe- my room at  Hotel Santa Fe was a two room suite with a sitting area which opened up to a private balcony. Let me tell you, this was such a treat with the blanket of snow outside. You have several options to choose from when staying at Hotel Santa Fe, hotel Santa itself and the hacienda at Hotel Santa Fe, which come with your own private butler. All rooms are newly remodeled and start at $150/night. I also must add the hotel is pet friendly and you are welcomed to bring your pets along with you to enjoy the stay! This makes life so easy if you often have to take your furry friend with you.

+Food-As mentioned earlier, Hotel Santa Fe has an amazing restaurant located onsite, Amaya. We had the pleasure of dinning at Amaya during our stay. The food was outstanding!! Mixing Northern New Mexican and Native pueblo cuisines. It was one of the best meals I have had in a while. You do not have to stay at the hotel to eat Amaya and can make reservations online or by calling Hotel Santa Fe, however, you will not be disappointed in your stay or meal. The hotel also provides room service, breakfast in the lobby in the morning and complimentary coffee and tea on every floor each morning. Perfect for sipping out on your balcony early in the morning.

If you are looking for a cozy hotel in the Santa Fe area when in town or looking for a place for a great stay-cation, Hotel Santa Fe is a great choice. From now until April of 2020 you can use the code SFExperience for 20% off your Stay at Hotel Santa Fe.

Hope you all stay and enjoy!!

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY HOTEL Santa Fe, ALL VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of charming jay blog.

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Travel

Meow Wolf Guide-Everything You Need To Know

Happy fall, everyone! My favorite season is underway and I am here to share another adventure from my home state with you all. If you have read any of my past blog posts about New Mexico, you know I love my state and love sharing things for you all to do if you happen to visit.  Today, I am sharing an indoor activity surely to be on your list if visiting the Land of Enchantment, Meow Wolf!!

Meow Wolf, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico is a unique, immersive, art attraction unlike any I have ever seen. The House of Eternal Return is based on the premise, something has happened to a family inside a mysterious house and it’s your job to piece together clues to figure out what exactly took place. Visitors are encouraged to venture through the house of the family, and discover secret clues and passageways. There is no one way to explore this art attraction and goers will climb and crawl through many spaces, find hidden rooms and try and make sense of the attraction.

In my opinion, the best way to explore and enjoy Meow Wolf is to get lost, and not spend too much time worrying about clues to find or which way to go. Just take your time to explore every room. Some rooms you will run into more than once, others you will pass a few times before realizing there is some thing new to be seen or crawled through. Every room is different and the unknown really is a great part of enjoying Meow Wolf. Take your time, enjoy each room, sit in your favorite rooms a little longer and just take it all in.

+Getting to Santa Fe– Santa Fe is located 65 miles, about an hour drive, North of Albuquerque. You can easily make the day trip from Albuquerque or Taos or spend the evening in Santa Fe enjoying the city. If you do not have a car on your visit, riding the Rail Runner from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is also an option. Once you arrive at the Santa Fe Plaza (also a must do in Santa Fe) you will have to take a ride share to Meow Wolf, located few miles away.

+Hours of Operation

  • Sunday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday – CLOSED
  • Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

+Ticket Prices

  • General Admission
  • Adult $29
  • Child $21
  • Senior/Military $25
  • NM Resident Admission
  • NM Adult $24
  • NM Child $17
  • NM Senior/Military$22

+Things to consider– Meow Wolf in an indoor experience but it is important to keep in mind you will be crawling and climbing through tight spots, wearing appropriate attire will be helpful. There is a snack bar located on the premise serving food and cocktails to enjoy during your visit. There are also several restaurants within walking distance, which offer discounts to patrons of the exhibit for an alternative option.  Lastly, Meow Wolf also is also known for the amazing concerts and events hosted at the venue throughout the year and worth attending if able during your visit.

+Other things to do while in Santa Fe– As mentioned earlier, while in Santa Fe, it is worth visiting the Santa Fe Plaza and the famous Santa Fe Cathedral. Here are a few ideas of events and attractions in and around the Santa Fe area to help you fully enjoy your visit to New Mexico. Visit Sunrise Springs Resort, take a drive to Tent Rocks or enjoy the World’s Longest Tramway. Find all the blog links below: https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/09/05/sunrise-springs-resort-and-spa/ https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/11/20/hiking-the-kasha-katuwe-tent-rocks-national-monument-in-new-mexico/ https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/12/12/sandia-peak-tram-albuquerque-nm/

Thank you all for checking back in with me! I hope this guide will help you plan your first or next visit till New Mexico. Until next time!

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Travel

Sandia Peak Tram, Albuquerque, NM

There are so many things to do up and around Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico, many of which involve getting outside and admiring the beauty of the state of New Mexico. If you are visiting Albuquerque, road tripping through New Mexico, spending a weekend at the Balloon Fiesta, new to the area, or are just in town to experience what Albuquerque has to offer, the Sandia Tram is a must do in the city!

Sandia Peak Tram

Located at the feet of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, the tram runs year round and is the longest tram in the United States and the third longest in the world. Ascending from 3,000 ft. to just over 10,000 feet, the tram provides the most spectacular areal view not only of the city of Albuquerque but the gorgeous Sandia Mountains. With a quick 15 minute ascent you can enjoy the view, explore the mountain trails up above, eat  at the High Finance restaurant, reopening in Spring of 2019.

During the winter months the Sandia Tram Ski Basin is open for skiing and snowboarding. If you own your equipment, you can purchase a lift ticket, take your equipment with you, ride the tram up and ski/snow board down. If you do not, you will need a vehicle to drive around the mountain, through the town of Edgewood, up to the Sandia Tram area. There are also several hiking trails, such as the La Luz Trail, which I will be writing about a little later, you can hike from the base of the Sandia Mountains to the top and ride the tram back down. Along with hiking trails there are many mountain bike trails open during the spring and summer months. You cannot take you bike and equipment on the tram so you will have to have a vehicle to access the mountain bike trails. 

However you choose to experience this amazing site in the Albuquerque area, riding, biking, hiking or skiing, it will be worth your time and an experience you will not forget. 

For more ideas about things to do in and around the Albuquerque Area, check out my blog posts on https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/11/20/hiking-the-kasha-katuwe-tent-rocks-national-monument-in-new-mexico/ or the https://thecharmingjay.com/2018/09/05/sunrise-springs-resort-and-spa/.

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Travel

Hiking the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico

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As a New Mexico native, I have to admit, I had never made the time to hike Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, until recently. I know, it is almost embarrassing, but I am so glad I made the time to explore my home state and see this beautiful national land mark for myself.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks is located on the Indian reservation of Cochiti Pueblo, and is about an hour northeast from the city of Albuquerque and a 50-minute drive west from the city of Santa Fe. Created 6-7 million years ago from volcanic rock and ash deposits, which with erosion and weathering have created these tent rocks and slot canyons.

The hike up to the mesa, up above the tent rocks is not very difficult and is often busy with hikers, families and kids. Two trails are available to hikers. The Tent Rocks Canyon Trail is slightly longer of the two hikes, a total of 3 miles out-and-back, accompanied with beautiful views along the way. The Cave Loop trail is an easier, flatter mile with similar rocks but with less scenic views.  As the trail progresses, you will make your way through narrow slot canyons, with a final 630-foot ascent up to a mesa, where you are rewarded with panoramic views of Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia mountains, and the Rio Grande Valley. It’s spectacular, truly, a must see in New Mexico.

img_7165Arrive at the park early, as it is visited frequently and you can end up waiting in line to enter the park as cars are leaving and parking. It is also a good idea to arrive early as the park allows entry between 8 am-4 pm, and often begin closing procedures at 3:30 pm daily or based . A bottle of water may be a good idea depending on the season and time of day of your hike. During the summer months temperatures in New Mexico are known to rise well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and you will definitely need water.

For more info on the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Canyon Trail, visit the official site of the Bureau of Land Management.

If you are looking for more things to enjoy in New Mexico check out Giggling Springs Mineral Water Pools, in Jemez, New Mexico or Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa both very close to tent rocks and doable within a day.

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Travel

Giggling Springs Mineral Water Pools, Jemez, NM

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As you may have figured out by now, I love me some hot springs! Not only are they relaxing but they have amazing health benefits. Soaking in hot mineral springs increases your circulation bringing blood to areas that may not have been receiving enough of it. It also has a relaxing effect on the muscles, calms the nerves, relaxes the mind, and pulls toxins out of the body through the skin.

If you are a New Mexico Resident, planning a trip to the Southwest or just love yourself some hot springs like me, Giggling Springs Mineral Pools are some of the best I have experienced recently.  Tucked away in the Jemez Mountains, Giggling Springs is a serene outdoor paradise surrounded by nature. A quick hour drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe makes these mineral pools a perfect destination for a quick week day or weekend getaway.

There are four pools geothermic pools on the property which are heated from a natural water source. The Inner Peace Pool, Meditation Pool, Fountain of Youth Pool, and The Reflecting pool, all vary in temperature, all containing  therapeutic mineral water.  The 142 degree (F) geothermal source water on this property is rich in calcium, magnesium, lithium, potassium, iron, silica and several other minerals, and offers a variety of benefits as these minerals are absorbed through the skin during soaking.

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An added bonus on the property is it location to the river, which you can see and hear from a few of the pools, but is also available for guests to sit and lounge on chairs and take in the Southwest landscape and calmness of the river. You do not need to make reservations to enjoy Giggling Springs, in fact they don’t take reservations. If planning a trip it would be best to look into peak hours and or plan to wait or grab a bite to eat if the pools are full for the when you arrive, however, the earlier the better. If you are lucky enough to arrive with a rain storm looming you may find you have the entire place to yourself, just like we did. The cool rain drops hitting my skin as I soaked in the hot geothermal water make for a perfect mineral spring day.

Definitely add this to your list of mineral springs to visit in New Mexico!

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Travel

Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa

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I’m a big believer in self-care and I love a beautiful spa to help me relax and unwind. Sunrise Springs Resort and Spa an Ojo Spa Resort is a new favorite on my list and is a great place to visit in New Mexico. Located about 40 miles from Albuquerque, NM in Santa Fe, NM, Sunrise Springs offers a variety of spa services and the grounds will blow you away with their beauty and tranquility.

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Spa goers can enjoy a soak in one of the resorts private tubs(reservations required). These private tubs can fit up to six people and each room has its own private area with locking door and fire-place. Each room overlooks the spring-fed pond and offers time away from other spa-goers to relax and enjoy your soak. Standard soaks run for an hour and magnesium soaks for 30 minutes. All resort goers can also enjoy the eucalyptus infused wet sauna and steam showers for an unlimited time before or after your spa service. Sunrise Springs Spa offers a variety of services from massages, skin treatments and rejuvenation treatments.

 

Spa goers can enjoy shopping for items local to the Southwest region as well as spa products at the market on the grounds. After some relaxing treatments and perhaps a little shopping, sit down and enjoy a meal a the Blue Heron Restaurant located on the grounds. The restaurant overlooking the pond is a perfect way to enjoy a meal and enjoy your stay at the resort.

 

Not only does Sunrise Springs offer tub soaks and spa treatments but also, beautiful lodging to further enjoy the resort. Standard rooms and casitas are available by reservation and allow you to enjoy other activities such as yoga, wellness exercises, craft projects and resort retreats. Activities vary each month and are posted on the spa calendar for reservations. There are also many areas to relax and enjoy the scenery around the grounds, from the swimming pool to the many hammocks and swings to the on site garden used to grow herbs and vegetables for the Blue Heron restaurant.

Ojo Spas really knows what it is doing when creating these resorts. Balancing services with the beauty of nature and giving you an enjoyable resort experience. If you’re looking to recharge and rejuvenate Sunrise Springs is definitely a place to check out!