stateside | SANTA FE
Era of Luxury Santa Fe meets the demands of modern times amid its rich cultural heritage. BY EUGENIA LAZARIS VISUAL ARTS:
(Left to right) Aritst's renderings of Bishop's Lodge Resort and Spa and Sky Fire restaurant, burro sculpture downtown, and colorful columns in the downtown plaza PHOTOS: © BISHOP’S LODGE RESORT AND SPA, © BONITA CHESHIER | DREAMSTIME.COM, © SANDY MARAK | DREAMSTIME.COM
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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
globaltravelerusa.com
SEPTEMBER 2018
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. The resort’s main restaurant, Sky Fire, will feature a menu designed by conceptual chef Dean Fearing, the “father of Southwestern cuisine.” An art and artist-in-residence program will add to the unique charm of the property. Guests will have the opportunity to observe and learn from various artists who will take turns residing at the lodge to teach and showcase their work. The property’s unique Bunk House residence will include 12 separate bedrooms and a community living room area. This log cabin-style building may not follow the resort’s traditional Santa Fe style of architecture but will make an ideal destination for corporate retreats. An abundance of event and meeting space will include a 3,000-square-foot indoor venue (dividable into three separate
