Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, located just outside of the oldest city in the continental United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico is a romantic mountain spa resort that will simply take your breath away.
As a long-time resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico-The City Different-I think the luxurious spa resort Ten Thousand Waves is one of the most delicious destinations in our small town. Santa Fe has been chosen by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine as the country’s Number Two tourist destination. And Ten Thousand Waves is a favorite of both locals and tourists alike. I try to make a visit at least a few times a year, usually with my handsome husband in tow for a romantic mini-vacation.
Despite its location in northern New Mexico, Ten Thousand Waves has the feeling of a Japanese onsen. When you enter The Waves, you enter a quiet world where you’re enveloped in the aromatic and fresh smell of the piñon and pine that are indigenous to our Rocky Mountain foothills. There are hot baths, saunas, and cold plunges, most of which are outside with big mountain vistas or sheltered by the pine and outcroppings of stone. The water for the spa comes from a highly mineralized 900-foot deep well, and it’s sparkling clean. Ichiban is one of my favorite baths. It’s also the owner’s favorite! You can see the mountains from the wooden deck where you can relax outside of the bath while cooling down, and there’s also a small and lovely sauna for you to use.
A variety of massages are available, including my personal favorite The Flowing River Stone Massage in which the massage therapist alternates hot and cool stones in her practice. It both relaxes and energizes, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so yummy. After one of those, I’m ready to melt into a cozy, world-class bed with my significant other. Spa treatments include a Deluxe Herbal Wrap and a Salt Glow. There’s nothing like Ten Thousand Waves’ signature Japanese Nightingale Facial to put a glow on your skin and some serenity in your soul.
And guess what? In the tradition of the Japanese ryokan, just a short walk across the forest floor through the trees are Ten Thousand Waves’ charming Houses of the Moon-thirteen charming and beautifully appointed hotel suites where a few guests may spend the night. The names of the houses are almost lyrical-Silver Moon, Rising Moon, Luna, Crescent Moon.
You can luxuriate in the silence afforded by the twenty surrounding acres of juniper and pine, throw open your windows and breathe in the fresh and invigorating mountain air (one of the best remedies available for stress and highly conducive to snuggling and romance!). Imagine a night of sleep without the sounds of automobiles or people passing by your windows on the street. And while Ten Thousand Waves is a ten-minute drive to all that downtown Santa Fe has to offer, you can step outside of your private house into the velvet black night and count the many stars above. Here in New Mexico, we can still see them.
Pets are welcome in too. Both in the rooms and in the private baths at the spa.
One of the best things about The Waves is that you don’t have to think about it too much. They provide you with nearly everything you’ll need for your luxurious, world-class spa resort experience once you step inside. Clothing is optional in most of the tubs, and visitors are welcome to spend their entire stay in their yukata around the grounds. No dressing or dressing up required! Ten Thousand Waves is one of the best places in beautiful Santa Fe place to enjoy yourself, unwind, have some fun, and, if you’re with the right person, have a fabulous romantic getaway experience.
