Santa Fe, NM, founded between 1607 and 1610 and situated at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, is the oldest and highest capital in the U.S. The captivating city attracts visitors near and far who come to admire Santa Fe’s stunning landscape, Pueblo-style architecture, and thriving arts scene. Color, culture, and history are always on display throughout the city, including at The Spa at The Inn of The Five Graces, located in the historic Barrio de Analco, the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood in the U.S. Here, guests can relax and be pampered while enjoying an array of colors and textures that awaken the mind and body and soothe the soul. In fact, the name “five graces” refers to an Eastern concept that sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste all need to be honored to fully experience life. “We think of The Spa at The Inn of The Five Graces as a world-class experience for both the body and soul, almost like a portal to a new state of being,” says Roseann Bruno, spa manager at The Spa at The Inn of The Five Graces. “With the exquisite interior design focused on antiques and materials from far-flung locations, all housed in the centuries-old adobe walls for which Santa Fe is so famous, there is a feeling of otherworldliness that our spa exudes, unlike many neutral spaces, which can feel more bland than rich and inspiring.”
The spa features five treatment rooms boasting a mixture of fireplaces, fountains, skylights and crystals; men’s and women’s locker rooms; and a relaxation lounge with a heavenly skylight, kiva fireplace, and hand-tiled fountain. Intricate mosaics, exposed adobe walls, elaborate ceiling panels, and peaceful statues can also be seen throughout the spa. “The spa design was a work of heart—and a work of art,” says Bruno. “Every detail has a story. From the lapis lazuli ceiling along the hallway, the Mughal-themed steam shower, and the marble Mughal cutwork arches in the hallway to the artifacts and tapestries, massive crystals, and Buddha statues and thangkas, the spa truly is an enchanting space.”
However, the spa’s design can also create some unique challenges as well. While the adobe walls of the more than 400-year-old building provide a great deal of character to the spa, they can also bring some challenges, such as Wi-Fi connectivity issues and walls not being plumb and square. “The walls are three feet thick,” says Bruno. “It’s such a blessing because it embodies history of the area, but it does have some limitations in the modern world.”
Enjoying the spa’s artful and colorful design is just one element of a visit to The Spa at The Inn of The Five Graces. Guests can also expect to receive top-notch pampering during their visit. The spa’s menu of services includes a range of face and body treatments with a number of add-on enhancements to elevate the guest experience, such as cupping ($30), CBD oil ($30), a mud detox ($50), an eye mask ($25), and a foot scrub ($30). Facials, like the High Mountain Hydration ($210, 60 minutes; $290, 90 minutes) help to invigorate, firm, and nourish the skin with a peel, a lifting mask, and a face massage inspired by Kobido techniques that help soften wrinkles and revitalize skintone.
The Five Graces Signature Massage ($190, 60 minutes; $280, 90 minutes) is a popular choice for spa-goers, and it includes a combination of long, fluid strokes in tandem with light-to-moderate pressure, and a soothing foot scrub. Another popular treatment is the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage ($230, 75 minutes), which includes heated Himalayan salt stones to provide deep muscle relaxation and help replenish the body, elevate mood, and neutralize toxins. “Our spa-goers are seeking tranquility when they enter our spa, especially after their long days walking in town,” says Bruno. “They are looking for massage treatments and facials. Guests really want a good, solid treatment, and especially here at altitude with a lot of walking, our massage and our signature foot scrub are our most-popular treatments.”
While the busy season sees local visitors and international travelers, the off-season attracts guests mainly from Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. Regardless of how far guests travel from, they can all expect a memorable experience that will leave them feeling more rejuvenated, relaxed, and recharged while at the spa and throughout their stay at The Inn of The Five Graces. Says Bruno, “This is a place where one is invited to leave the mundane behind, embarking on a visual odyssey, a feast for the senses, that is hospitality at its very finest.”
Owners: Ira and Sylvia Seret
Spa Manager: Roseann Bruno
Space: 4,081 square feet; 5 treatment rooms
Opened:1996
Renovated: 2019
Client Base: 85% female, 15% male
Product Lines and Equipment: Body Bliss, Book4Time, Comfort Zone, iSun, Monarch Cypress, Will2Wow
Spa Talk with Roseann Bruno
Meet Roseann Bruno, spa manager at The Spa at The Inn of The Five Graces, who has worked in the spa industry since 2001 and the hospitality industry since 1995.
What has surprised you most about working in the spa industry?
What surprised me the most is how many people have never received a massage. It brings me great joy to hear about a first-timer's experience and they almost always say that they wish they had done it sooner.
Where do you think the industry is heading?
I believe that the spa industry is going to grow exponentially in the coming years. As we made it through 2020, people started to gravitate to the spa, acknowledging that self-care is not just an overindulgent trend, it is a necessity.
How would you sum up your personal philosophy?
Is this going to matter in five minutes, five days, or five years? React accordingly.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
Away from work, I am usually catching up with my friends and focusing on my own self-care.
What are your three greatest priorities in life?
Self-love, self-care, and self-evolution. How can I show up for my friends and loved ones if I am not first showing up for myself?