Santa Fe’s BEST Spas: Relax and Rejuvenate in the City Different
When visiting Santa Fe, it’s tempting to see everything and do everything the city has to offer, from pristine hiking trails to historic monuments to world-class restaurants and everything in between. But half the fun of a vacation is taking a little time to unwind, rest, and relax – and luckily Santa Fe has plenty of spots you can do just that.
There are three world-class spas in the Santa Fe area, all of which are worth taking a trip to soak in hot pools, take in the ambiance, and maybe even book a treatment or two. Ten Thousand Waves, which takes its inspiration from Japanese onsen, is nestled in the foothills of the mountains just a few minutes north of Santa Fe. Ojo Santa Fe (formerly known as Sunrise Springs) is located a few miles to the south of Santa Fe amidst the lush greenery and countryside atmosphere of La Cienega. Sister spa Ojo Caliente is a developed natural hot spring about a forty-five minute drive north of Santa Fe, and offers great hiking trails and fantastic views of the night stars.
All three of these spas offer soaking pools, spa treatments, food and drink, luxurious accommodations, and more. But they each have different offerings and atmospheres that make choosing one over the other largely a matter of personal preference. Maybe you’d like to soak in heated pools in the blue twilight while the snow falls, or stay up late and stargaze in your own private pool, or take yoga classes and cuddle with therapy animals as part of a comprehensive spa package. Each spa has something that makes it a little unique, and there are plenty of relaxing activities to choose from.
Our Favorite Santa Fe Spas
Best for winter: Ten Thousand Waves
Best for summer: Sunrise Springs
Best for overnight stays: Ojo Caliente
Ten Thousand Waves
Ten Thousand Waves features outdoor soaking tubs, world-class food, lodging, and more. The spa is modeled after Japanese onsen hot springs resorts, and also offers massage therapy and other wellness services. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo mountains just minutes from town, it feels a world away from the bustle of Santa Fe.
Soaking at Ten Thousand Waves
Ten Thousand Waves has several public soaking pools as well as private pools that can be reserved by the hour. There is a public pool open to men and women that requires swimsuits, as well as a public womens-only pool where swimsuits are optional. Visitors can also book their own private pools in advance. While Ten Thousand Waves is a great place to visit any time of year, we think it’s especially magical on chilly winter evenings (and surreally beautiful when there’s falling snow!)
Eating at Ten Thousand Waves
Ten Thousand Waves is also home to Izanami, an upscale Japanese restaurant serving small plates and sake. It’s a wonderful place to stop for a meal before or after a long soak. Choose from dishes like wagyu tartar, lobster ramen, Asian-style pork belly tacos, and more.
The patio at Izanami offers some of the best views of the foothills surrounding Santa Fe
Other Services
Ten Thousand Waves also offers a variety of spa treatments. These include therapeutic massages, Japanese shiatsu massages, ashi anma foot massages, CBD massages, and more. Visitors can also book an overnight stay at Houses of the Moon, artfully decorated lodging in the tradition of a Japanese ryokan.
Ojo Caliente
Ojo Caliente (Spanish for “hot eye” in reference to the abundant natural hot springs in the area) is a spa located about forty-five minutes north of Santa Fe. Where Ten Thousand Waves whisks you away to another world, Ojo Caliente immerses you in the high desert environment and the beauty of O'Keeffe Country.
Soaking at Ojo Caliente
Ojo Caliente boasts five public soaking pools, one semi-private pool, and private outdoor pools that can be booked in advance. The hot springs are powered by the underground geothermal activity in the region, and the mineral waters are said to have therapeutic powers. Public pools include the Lithia Spring, Iron Spring, Soda Spring, Arsenic Spring, and the Mud Pool.
If you choose to stay overnight at Ojo in the Plaza, Pueblo, or Cliffside Suites, the Kiva pool is another soaking pool available to overnight guests in these suites. We particularly recommend the Cliffside Suites, which back up against the mountains and feature private outdoor mineral soaking tubs and kiva fireplaces - the perfect place to pour a glass of wine and soak in the open air under the New Mexico stars.
Eating at Ojo Caliente
Ojo offers two options when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat: the Artesian Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and the adjacent Wine Bar, which serves drinks and lighter fare. Both restaurants feature New Mexican inspired cuisine, and many of the ingredients are grown just a few miles down the road at Ojo Farm.
Other Services
Ojo Caliente offers therapeutic massages, deep tissue massages, hot stone massages, and more. The spa also features energy healing treatments including cranial sacral therapy, polarity therapy, and reiki. There are also therapeutic skincare treatments featuring face massages and organic skincare products.
Ojo Santa Fe
Ojo Santa Fe is a sister resort to Ojo Caliente, and was formerly known as Sunrise Springs. This spa is located in La Cienega, a lush green area near the Santa Fe airport on the south side of town, about a twenty-five minute drive from the Plaza.
Soaking at Ojo Santa Fe
Ojo Santa Fe features a variety of spring-fed pools in the lush oasis of La Cienega, as well as private soaking pools, an Olympic-size saltwater pool, and an immersive float tank. These pools are filled with water from nearby springs and streams that feed into the Santa Fe River.
Eating at Ojo Santa Fe
Ojo Santa Fe is home to two restaurants: Blue Heron and Moon House. Both feature farm-fresh ingredients from nearby Ojo Farms, and place a special emphasis on whole foods, healthful ingredients, and artful presentation.
Other Services
Ojo Santa Fe takes the cake when it comes to spa packages, activities, and other services. They feature similar massage and therapeutic offerings as Ojo Caliente, including massages, enhancements, and energy healing. They also offer a variety of guided experiences and classes, including yoga, hiking, disc golf, archery, gardening, and therapy puppies and silkie chickens.
Which Spa to Choose
With so many wonderful options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down if you’re only visiting Santa Fe for a short period of time. Here are some of our staff top picks to help you decide:
Maggie’s Pick: Ojo Caliente
Ojo Caliente was the first spa I visited in Santa Fe, and it still has a special place in my heart. The drive to the spa gives you a good feel for the diverse landscapes of northern New Mexico, from high desert to lush river valleys and everything in between. The spa itself is charming, with a rustic, slightly old-fashioned air. During the fall and winter, pinon smoke fills the air and there’s a crackling kiva fireplace in every corner.
The pools themselves are warm and soothing, and it’s a lot of fun to hop from pool to pool and try them all out. I recommend booking a stay in the Cliffside Suites, where you can soak in your own private pool under starry New Mexico skies.
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