Romantic Santa Fe (by the Santa Fe Travelers)
(Reposted courtesy of Santa Fe Travelers)
It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day or even a special occasion for a romantic getaway. Sometimes you do it just because. Santa Fe is one of the most romantic places I’ve ever been to. The Old World feeling of the city sets the stage; you do the rest.
Romantic Lodgings
From hotels to small inns to intimate bed and breakfasts, there is a place that spells romance for you. Book a room or suite with a wood burning fireplace (gas doesn’t quite do it for me), get a good bottle of wine and canoodle. Romantic accommodations do not come cheap. Here are a few places that really spell romance:
A romantic bedroom at the Inn of the Five Graces photo/courtesy Inn of the Five Graces
Inn of the Five Graces
The Casbah meets Santa Fe at this high end Relais and Chateaux property. Décor is chic bohemian and not for everyone. Owners, Ira and Sylvia Seret, import decorative items and antiques mostly from Asia. The suites, many with fireplaces and soaking tubs, are furnished with their finds. Arrange for a romantic dinner to be delivered to your rooms.
Inn on the Alameda
While not a luxury property, in many ways, it feels like one. Its a welcoming place for your romantic getaway. Book a one bedroom suite with fireplace to set the tone. Enjoy a Champagne toast or bottle of your favorite wine and cuddle on the sofa. Two of their suites have soaking tubs.
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Resort
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Resort, about an hour north of Santa Fe is the ultimate in romantic getaways. Book a suite with a fireplace for your tryst and book one of the private soaking pools with kiva fireplace for an after-dinner soak. If the stars are out overhead, you have a bonus. All rooms come with access to the public soaking pools daily. Suite perk: the private Kiva Pool set in the plaza shared by the three suite buildings. Want to pamper yourself more, book a spa treatment.
Romantic Restaurants
315 Restaurant and Wine Bar
Enjoy an intimate dinner meal with your SI at this cozy spot. We’ve celebrated our anniversary and other occasions here for years.
Dinner for Two
The name says it all, the dark interior is lit by fairy lights and screams romance. Dinner for two is family owned and run, the mom runs the front of the house, the son is the chef and the dad bakes. The other perk is prices are reasonable for Santa Fe.
Geronimo
Geronimo is one of the most romantic spots in town and one of the most expensive. Opt for one of the cozy corner banquettes in their front dining room or in winter, a table by the fireplace in the back dining room.
Il Piatto
Journey to the Italian countryside without a passport at Il Piatto. Dine in the romantic ambiance of an Italian farmhouse kitchen right in Santa Fe. An added bonus: their wine cave has a great selection of Italian wines.
Romantic Things to Do
A romantic Santa Fe sunset, photo by Steve Collins
Watch the sunset
The Cross of the Martyrs, set on a hill above the downtown area, is one of the best in-town sunset viewing spots. If you’re up for a bit of a ride, head for the overlook almost to the top of Hyde Park Road. Pull over and enjoy the view. For a really romantic sunset view, head to either the bar or restaurant at the Four Season’s Rancho Encantado Resort. The views are incomparable, the bar and dining rooms chic and upscale. Though you can’t do it without a guide, a sunset horseback ride can be pretty special.
Take a private soak
Both Ojo Caliente (see above) and Ten Thousand Waves offer private soaking pools and tubs.
Get a couples massage
Santa Fe has some wonderful spas to pamper you. Almost all the luxury hotels have their own and if they don’t, they will know a good massage therapist who can do an in-room massage. Each spa has its own ambiance and there’s probably one that will speak to you the most. If you want total privacy, many hotels, even those with spas can arrange for massages in your room.
Head for the Hills
There are a lot of hiking trails in and around Santa Fe. It’s pretty romantic out there in the woods alone.
Slot canyon at Tent Rocks National Monument, photo by Steve Collins
Tent Rocks (Kasha Katuwe)
The slot canyon trail at Tent Rocks gets a bit busy in summer but off season is less crowded. The narrow mesa-top affords panoramic 360 degree views. Be aware that it can get icy in winter and use appropriate equipment.
Tsankawi
These cliff dwellings are a separate part of Bandelier National Monument. It’s a bit tricky to find. Coming from Santa Fe t’s on your right shortly after you get onto NM Route 4. It’sis usually fairly quiet. Explore the mesa top and cliff dwellings accessed by this loop trail.
Bottom line; if you’re with the right person, any place you go will feel romantic. Discover romantic Santa Fe; it awaits you and that special person.
What’s your favorite romantic thing to do or place to go?