Era Of Luxury

Santa Fe meets the demands of modern times amid its rich cultural heritage.

- Eugenia Lazaris

THE ‘‘CITY DIFFERENT’’ CAN BE DECEIVING. With a laid-back attitude and roots grounded in art and nature, Santa Fe appears unassuming but quickly proves to be anything but. Boasting a bustling art scene, an intensely rich cultural heritage and a stunning natural landscape, the city appeals to the most discerning tastes of the pickiest traveler.

Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa, located just minutes from downtown, raises the local bar for luxury and elegance. The resort, dating back to the 1860s, when it was a private retreat for Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, is undergoing an $82 million transformation into a high-end dude ranch-style resort that takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the area and caters to guests’ every need.

Auberge Resort Collection, which manages 19 world-class properties, will supervise the 312-acre property. Designed by architect Nunzio Desantis in conjunction with lead developer Richard Holland, Bishop’s Lodge is expected to take its place as one of the top luxury resorts in the world.

The renovated property, expected to open by spring 2019, will consist of 92 guestrooms, 12 residences (or casitas) and three glamping tents. In addition to the usual amenities — like spa treatments, pool and fitness studio — guests can experience hiking and mountain biking trails as well as horseback riding instruction and trail riding through the Santa Fe National Forest bordering the property. A manmade trout habitat fed by a natural spring offers on-site flyfishing. The trout fishing experience “will enable someone who has never fly-fished before to whet their appetite before possibly moving on to fish in some of the private streams and waters that our guests will have access [to],” said John Volponi, general manager and vice president, Bishop’s Lodge.