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SantaFe

Striking a Pose at Santa Fe's Encantado

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels



Flooring isn't a topic that gets a lot of attention in hotel reviews, but what you're standing on definitely contributes to the sense of luxury in the room. I've gotten to the point where I can pinpoint what the price range of an accommodation should be simply by slipping off my shoes and socks and walking across the floor. The best quality flooring is soft and caressing when it's carpet, just scratchy enough when it's sisal, pleasingly variable when its stone or wood. (And as for the rooms where I don't want to take my shoes off -- well, that's not what we discuss here on Luxist.)

There's far more to Encantado in Santa Fe than terrific flooring, like the kiva-style wood burning fireplaces in each casita, a private patio from which to admire that sky in its particular shade of blue, décor which tells you you're in New Mexico without hitting you over the head with it, a plush bed that you don't want to leave. But it was when I slid my socks off and discovered that the extra-large bathroom had radiant floor heating, I became officially delighted. Since I was, after all, in Santa Fe, I immediately assumed the yoga posture called Adho Mukha Svanasana, better known as downward facing dog. I was reluctant to break the pose, it was all I could do to not curl up on the floor for a nap. In a cold climate, it's the small, warm touches like that one can help justify a room rate that can stretch to over $1,000. See the gallery for more Encantado enchantments,

Villa de Piedra, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's home is a Southwestern masterpiece tucked into the luxury community of Las Campanas, Santa Fe, New Mexico. This classic adobe home is around 12,000 square feet of luxury designed with Anasazi and Pueblo influences. The five-bedroom home belongs to a member of the family that owned the company that conceived the product Rice A Roni and introduced it to the world. The family also owned Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. The owner's wife has been an international architectural and interior design consultant for a number of celebrities.

The home is constructed mostly of adobe with 24 to 48-inch-thick walls which keeps things cool in the summer time. The home's large entertaining spaces have floors of imported tile, stone, and cherry wood. What sets this estate apart is the fine details such as custom iron and glass work, hand crafted, hand adzed custom built doors, fine millwork, and nine uniquely designed fireplaces. Large windows show the mountains in the distance. Massive ancient vigas support the ceilings and add a rustic look especially in the glassed in curved dining room with a skylight. More pictures are available on the property website. The home is listed at $8.2 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Rancho Alegre, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's home in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area is on 175 acres of scenic ranchland with the Ortiz Mountains in the background. The home is a nearly 14,000 square foot residence that is distinguished by a chapel. The property has a central plaza courtyard, guest and caretaker's quarters, carriage house, infinity-edge pool, hot tub, and cabana. There are also equestrian facilities that include twelve casita-style horse stalls and a large riding arena. The pueblo-style main house features dramatic barrel vaulted ceilings, custom light features, a stone spa shower area. This home is listed at $12.9 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.


Gallery: Rancho Alegre

Rancho Escondido, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates



Santa Fe, New Mexico is home to a lot of pricey real estate but this is the most lavish home I've seen in the area. Rancho Escondido is a large home on over 11 acres high in the hills of Tesuque with red rock box canyon cliffs and a waterfall as a backdrop. The home is also surrounded by a 40 acre conservation easement for open views of the mountains and plenty of privacy. The impressive property includes an equestrian facility, guest house, guest casita, pool cabana and an infinity pool with perfect mountain views. The home itself includes eight bedrooms and details like a handcrafted copper entry, indoor/outdoor fireplaces, limestone and oak floors, hand crafted tiles, custom cabinets. The home is being sold with all those dark brown furnishings for a list price of $21.5 million.


Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

5 Peregrine, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


If you are a fan of Santa Fe style, this is the one for you. It's a newer Bob Ritter built stone and adobe home that took more than 500 tons of native moss rock and 53,000 adobe bricks to complete. This home is located in the Club Estates area and is on over 9 acres overlooking the 14th fairway of the Sunrise golf course. There are four bedrooms and over 7,000 square feet of space total. The details here, like the wood beamed ceilings, the smooth adobe fireplaces and the hallways rimmed with stone are nice but there is something about this home that feels off and chilly. Perhaps adobe does not lend itself to the vastness or perhaps its the ultra Southwestern staging job. This home is listed at $4.6 million, which seems a bit high.

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Bishop's Lodge, Estate of the Day


This home on historic Bishop's Lodge Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico manages to update an abode home without robbing it of its charm. The home is in the Tesuque Village area and has 5.7 acres of space that include a pool, spa area, koi pond and a waterfall off the master suite. There are six bedrooms, five bathrooms and 13 fireplaces all in smooth adobe. The home is a good melding of the modern with the traditional. Weathered rugs and the rounded adobe walls and exposed rustic beams speak to the past, while the stainless steel kitchen and updated contemporary bathroom fixtures provide a modern touch. It is listed at $4.675 million. After the jump, just what is that large wooden structure in the center of the room?

Casa de Estrelles, Santa Fe's New Luxury Boutique Hotel

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels


Travelers to Santa Fe desiring an authentic and luxurious New Mexico experience can now look to Casa de Estrellas. This new boutique hotel located in the heart of the city is designer Jay Payne's vision of high end, low key pampering.

With an emphasis on privacy and service, the Casa de Estrellas, or House of the Stars, offers guests private villas instead of rooms, complete with gourmet kitchens and the availability of a personal chef, butler and host. Originally built in the 1930's, the one and two bedroom villas feature mediterranean inspired, adobe style architecture, filled with ancient antiquities from around the world. The property also boasts a full service salon and spa as well as a wedding garden inspired by the work of Kadee Strickland, star of the TV series Wedding Bells. The one bedroom villas start at $195 per night. For larger parties, the 1,200 square foot Aria Townhouse will soon be available starting at $500 per night.

Santa Fe, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


This Santa Fe, New Mexico home has already had its Architectural Digest cover moment. The home sits on a 4.5 acre knoll that has views of the city and mountains. There is a 7,535 sq. ft. adobe main residence, a gatehouse, guesthouse,very long pool, spa, putting green & nature trails. The interior is decorated in muted earth tones that match the landscape. It is listed at $9.5 million. After the jump, does anyone else think the pool and putting green look a bit out of place with this desert home?

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