*Outdoor terrace at Spa at Chaco (Credit: Emily Okamoto)*

Spa at Chaco is a gateway to a realm where stress melts away and rejuvenation begins. Hosted inside the renowned Hotel Chaco, this luxury spa embraces New Mexico’s history while celebrating holistic, full-body wellness in the Land of Enchantment.

As a born and raised New Mexican who watched the construction of Hotel Chaco years ago, I’ve been waiting for my chance to experience the magic of this property. When the opportunity finally presented itself, I didn’t think twice.

The Best Spas in Albuquerque, New Mexico

At A Glance: Here's What You’ll Love about Spa at Chaco

Spa at Chaco’s location offers both relaxation and adventure. It’s ideally situated in Historic Old Town Albuquerque and directly across the street from the urban Sawmill Market, a popular food hall with a variety of excellent dining options.

Complimentary valet parking is offered to the hotel’s guests and the spa’s visitors.

This luxury spa offers unique, transformational treatments inspired by New Mexico’s history and infused with local ingredients and brands.

Spa amenities include an outdoor steam sauna and shower, six treatment rooms, a relaxation area, wrap around terrace, and boutique.

The view from the spa’s exclusive terrace is one of the best in the city.

Alongside luxury brands, local products are available for purchase in the spa’s boutique, so you can support New Mexico businesses when bringing a piece of the magic home with you.

Complimentary yoga classes are available for the hotel’s guests every Saturday morning.

There are a variety of choices for your pre- or post-spa eats on the property, whether you’re looking for a cup of coffee at Equinox Café & Bar, a specialty cocktail at Crafted Tasting Room, or a gourmet meal made with local ingredients at the rooftop Level 5 Restaurant.

*Hotel Chaco’s courtyard (Courtesy of Hotel Chaco)*

Hotel Chaco Tells the Story of Chaco Canyon’s Ancestral Puebloan People Through Art and Design

When first arriving at Hotel Chaco, I’m greeted with the grandeur of its inspired architecture. The property was specially designed to tell the story of the Ancestral Puebloan people from the hotel’s namesake, Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern New Mexico famous for its dramatic architecture and mysterious ancient society.

Natural elements abound in the hotel’s lobby. Soft colors, stone masonry, and exposed, natural wood harmonize to create a luxury escape amidst the desert terrain. I’m transported into an experiential art piece that invites me to discover every detail. Water gently emanates from the entryway’s inlaid stones, contrasting with a small fireplace where sage is regularly burned to highlight the opposing elements of fire and water. The waterfall is set to a soft trickle, emphasizing the limited resource that is so precious to us desert dwellers. The specially textured floor resembles a dry riverbed, exemplifying how every element of the hotel lends itself to an immersive, authentic experience. Even the circular shape, designed as an homage to Chaco Canyon’s great kiva holy sites, is aligned with the cardinal points.

*Sage-burning fireplace in the entryway of the hotel*

Matthew Troche, hotel manager, takes me on a tour of the hotel and highlights the melding of exemplary design and Ancestral Puebloan history. Hotel Chaco, a Heritage Hotel and Resorts property, was built by New Mexicans to celebrate the local art and culture of the Land of Enchantment.

Chaco Canyon’s great kivas are believed to have been used by Ancestral Puebloans as ceremonial locations, and modern kivas, a Hopi word, are still used by Indigenous people. While fully aware that Chaco Canyon’s kivas are holy sites and this property is “simply a hotel,” Hotel Chaco collaborates with Indigenous artists to bring the essence of Chaco Canyon into the heart of Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town. The hotel’s specially crafted front doors are embossed with a water serpent known as Avanyu, the Tewa guardian of water. It’s found in petroglyphs and pottery throughout the southwest, including Chaco Canyon. Unlike most hotels who utilize glass doors to “invite” visitors in, Hotel Chaco’s doors are designed to shut out the outside world, creating a living sanctuary for visitors.

*Avanyu water serpent, designed by Tammy Garcia, on the front doors*

One-of-a-kind artwork is also featured throughout the property. Jemez Pueblo artist Joe Cajero’s Oneness sculpture is the lobby’s centerpiece, showcasing a dual-sided feminine and masculine visage painted with colors inspired by the setting and rising sun. The ceiling hosts a stunning backlit oculus designed by Tammy Garcia of the Santa Clara Pueblo, the same artist who also designed the hotel’s extraordinary front doors. The oculus is painted with three eagle figures to represent the sky. No matter where I look in this lobby, my eyes land upon an incredible work of art that helps tell the story of my home state’s Indigenous community.

*“Oneness” by Joe Cajero and the hotel’s oculus designed by Tammy Garcia (Courtesy of Hotel Chaco)*

Hotel Chaco’s dedication to an immersive art experience doesn’t stop at their interior design and architecture – renowned fashion designer and Project Runway runner-up, Patricia Michaels, crafted staff uniforms that further transport visitors. Michaels is from the Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico, and her uniform designs are inspired by the pottery shards found in Chaco Canyon. These wearable art pieces add to Hotel Chaco’s impressive creation of a luxury guest experience.

Indulge in Local Boutiques and Gourmet Cuisine Without Ever Leaving the Hotel

*Sitting area near Equinox Café and Bar, with pottery by Lee & Flo Vallo*

Located within Hotel Chaco’s lobby is the Equinox Café and Bar. Its natural wood countertop welcomes guests to enjoy coffee and cocktails surrounded by recreations of Chaco Canyon pottery. Just ahead lies the hotel’s courtyard where a basalt stone fountain creates a tranquil setting perfect for taking in the sights and sounds of New Mexico. Cottonwood trees and native plants are placed throughout, bringing elements of the nearby Rio Grande bosque into an already rich sensory experience.

The hotel’s community area has a cozy reading lounge complete with a crackling fireplace. Guests can borrow from a collection of books celebrating Chaco Canyon and local Pueblos. I was generously gifted a copy of The Great Houses of Chaco, which tells the fascinating history of the area’s Ancestral Puebloan people with stunning visuals of the area.

Numerous locally owned stores are nestled throughout the hotel, including the athleisure store, Rubber Rabbit; the specialty gift shop, Dakkya Boutique; and local, fine-art gallery, Gallery Hózhó.

The gallery allows you to bring some of Hotel Chaco’s art into your home, including pieces from my favorite art installation, a glass antler cloud by Ira Lujan of the Taos and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblos. The sacred symbols of the antler and the cloud combine to create this jaw-dropping piece. The artist adds an antler every year during Albuquerque’s renowned International Balloon Fiesta, creating a living art piece that evolves with the landscape surrounding it. The individual antlers are sold in Gallery Hózhó and are one of the most popular souvenirs.

A state-of-the-art fitness center, complimentary yoga classes, and a men’s hair salon are also available to guests. For those interested in experiencing Chaco Canyon in-person, Heritage Hotels partners with Heritage Inspirations to offer day tours and deluxe glamping excursions that include gourmet meals and luxurious accommodations.

New Mexico is the oldest wine region in the country, surpassing even Napa Valley, which means Hotel Chaco would be remiss if it didn’t highlight this important facet of the state’s history. Crafted Tasting Room features local liquors and wines for visitors to enjoy, emphasizing local brands that further speak to the Land of Enchantment’s story. The bar’s floor-to-ceiling windows and décor merge the area’s rich history with modern luxury, making it a great place to enjoy a drink after a spa treatment.

Level 5, Hotel Chaco’s rooftop restaurant and lounge, pairs exceptional eats with creative libations. Panoramic views of the city are available from almost every table, offering a backdrop of Albuquerque’s famed sunsets while guests enjoy mouth-watering cuisine that utilizes local ingredients.

Right below Level 5 lies the Terrace Suite, Hotel Chaco’s most luxurious of accommodations – President Biden and Hollywood’s elite have all called this room home during their Albuquerque stays. The suite’s 2000-square-foot terrace features a fire pit and a private staircase to Level 5, and its exceptional size has made it the venue for beautiful weddings.

The Spa at Chaco is a Wellness Oasis in the Desert Southwest

Hotel Chaco’s second floor is home to Spa at Chaco. It overlooks the hotel’s lobby, offering visitors a bird’s eye view of the impressive architecture, design, and unique pottery.

*An up-close look at pottery on the second floor of the hotel*

After admiring the view of the popular Sawmill Market across the street (seriously, the view from every window is breathtaking), I make my way down the second floor’s art-lined hall. A cloud of aromatic essential oils floats me to the spa’s glass doors and the awaiting self-care oasis. A gentle waterfall greets me, and soft lighting and earth tones match the hotel’s luxury design.

The reception desk is centered in the spa’s boutique, which houses a variety of prestigious wellness products and accessories. As I’m welcomed in, I take some time to explore the impressive collection of items lining the shelves. Continuing Hotel Chaco’s emphasis on celebrating New Mexican artisans, many local brands are featured, including:

Albuquerque-based Spanish Clover Candles, which smell divine and include unique, decadent scents like Cactus Flower and Cashmere Violet.
Taos Bee Company, whose products are created with honey from the southwest’s largest bee colony.
New Mexico’s Native Scents, featuring sustainable and organic smudge sticks, sage, incense, herbs, and more.

Healing crystal jewelry and a diverse selection of top-tier brands like Naturopathica and knesko are also available for purchase. I could easily spend hours exploring Spa at Chaco’s small but beautifully curated boutique.

As I stand in awe before the many products lining the spa’s shelves, Jana Wofford, spa director, greets me, and we set out on a spa tour that doesn’t disappoint.

Spa at Chaco’s six treatment rooms are named after native New Mexican plants, like Yucca, Agave, and Sage. The Relaxation Space provides fruit-infused water, and a delicious spread of healthy snacks and teas guests can enjoy before or after treatment.

*Artwork in Spa at Chaco’s relaxation space*

The spa’s stunning terrace features a wraparound balcony with a breathtaking view of both Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains. This outdoor paradise is home to lush greenery, fire pits with plush lounge chairs, as well as the spa’s outdoor shower and extra-large steam sauna.

With our tour just about complete, it’s almost time to start my treatment, Journey to Renewal, one of Wofford’s favorite offerings. This service is one of three Holistic Wellness Journeys, each lasting three hours and promising different benefits. Each session begins with contrast therapy utilizing the spa’s steam sauna, soaking tubs, and cooling in-room showers and ends with a customized tea service. The Journey to Renewal specifically focuses on harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit through a salt soak, chakra balancing massage, energy work, and sound therapy.

If you don’t have three hours to spend at the spa, Spa at Chaco’s diverse menu of services offers treatments that can fit any schedule. To read more about the spa’s wellness offerings and get insider tips about your visit, check out my interview with Jana Wofford.

The Journey to Renewal is A Journey Within Oneself

To kick off my treatment, I’m led to the co-ed locker space and my dedicated locker. I’m given a plush robe and slides, as well as a reusable tote bag that allows me to carry any needed items with me.

After changing, I’m introduced to the amazing Stevie, my therapist for the day. She takes me back to the large treatment room, complete with two massage tables, a dreamy bathtub, fireplace, and a luxe in-room shower. Laid out is a collection of seven aromatherapy essential oils and seven crystals, each used to harness a chakra’s individual characteristics. A small selenite crystal bowl holds palo santo and sage, and a wooden pendulum sits nearby.

*Chakra balancing crystals and essential oils are laid out for the Journey to Renewal*

On the farthest massage table, a collection of sound therapy devices is displayed. Varying-sized singing bowls, a gong, glass triangle, rainstick, drum, and weighted tuning forks are all prepared for my treatment. I have a lot of questions about what to expect, and Stevie answers each and every one. With her extensive knowledge of numerous healing therapies, she explains how the sound therapy works: vibrational resonance moves through the body, and different tones were selected with the intention to affect specific organs on a cellular level. The tuning forks sound on a mid-om frequency, with om being considered the sound of the universe, aiding in healing the body from deep within and evaluating blocked energy pathways.

After asking me about injuries and massage preferences, Stevie starts the first phase of the Journey. She smudges me with sage to release energy, encouraging me to tune into the present moment. First, the soles of my feet are smudged, then the rest of my body. I hold in my mind what I want to release physically and emotionally, and Stevie helps welcome that intention into the experience.

With my energy reset, I’m escorted into the fresh desert air and shown the terrace’s beautiful steam sauna for the start of my contrast therapy. The wood-lined sauna faces large glass doors that allow me to enjoy the idyllic view while experiencing the steam’s soothing embrace. I enjoy 10 minutes of meditation before Stevie guides me back indoors for the part of the treatment I’ve been least looking forward to: the cold shower.

My treatment room now welcomes me with a hot bath and crackling fireplace, both waiting for use after my shower. The dread of stepping into ice cold water seems to have evaporated (pun intended) with the sauna’s cozy warmth.

One minute later and sufficiently cooled off, I walk over to the huge bath filling with steaming water. Usually, a prickly pear salt soak is provided to further enhance the relaxing bath experience; however, due to personal skin sensitivities, I decided to opt for a simple salt-free soak. The spa was incredibly accommodating, customizing this treatment to ensure I was as comfortable as possible. I gently lower myself in, the warm water soothing my cool skin, and I melt in front of the beautiful fireplace. I spend the next ten minutes overwhelmed with immense gratitude – this experience is already like no other. After my muscles turn into Jello, Stevie gently knocks on the door and lets me know it's time to conclude the contrast therapy with one final round of cold water. I carefully walk back to the shower and cool myself underneath the spray before drying off and moving to the heated massage table.

*Bathtub and fireplace at Spa at Chaco (credit: Emily Okamoto)*

I lay face-down for the chakra testing. Stevie uses the wooden pendulum to test the resonance of each chakra as she asks me to bring my focus into my body. Each energy center then receives its own crystal to aid in opening my chakras for the treatment.

A crystal triangle tings melodically above my head, followed by multiple singing bowls played in the room. A gong is gently struck as Stevie moves around the massage table, followed with a soft drum tapping over the length of my body. The sound feels like a calm heartbeat, helping my breathing slow and body further relax. Tuning forks are slowly waved over me before Stevie finishes this section of treatment with the burning of palo santo. The palo santo, in contrast to the sage, brings in energy as opposed to helping release it. I’m directed to think of what I want to bring in emotionally and spiritually. Ebbs and flows of existential self-inquiry are heavily encouraged during this part of the Journey.

The massage begins with my upper body, gently moving down to my thighs and calves. My legs are carefully moved to help release tension prior to me moving to my back. A warm eye mask is placed on my face to help me stay relaxed and maintain the immersive atmosphere.

Stevie massages my arms, hands, stomach, legs, and feet, paying attention to any problem areas and making sure to check in with me along the way. A singing bowl is gently placed on my stomach and played; the soothing vibrations felt across my abdomen. Numerous other bowls play nearby, creating a symphony of melodic sounds as the body massage ends. I allow my soul to wander through the soothing vibrations of the sound therapy treatment. I’m being guided on a meditative journey, helping me sink deeper into relaxation and connection with my higher sense of self.

*Naturopathica’s oils set out for the treatment*

Next, a scalp and gentle face massage is performed, and a warm towel is placed on my chest and face with regular check-ins on temperature. Intoxicatingly scented essential oils are incorporated, and Stevie guides me to deeply inhale the numerous scents matched to a specific chakra. She then instructs me to focus on the energy I want to ground into my being.

Sound bowls are played again, a finale to the spiritual symphony that has been performed. A gong pulls my attention into the present moment, followed by a delightful wind-chime delicately tapped around the table and a rainstick tilted to enhance the fading melody.

To complete the sound healing and energy work, Stevie, a truly virtuosic healer, showcases her talents even further by chanting the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is one of the oldest mantras used to open the chakras and celebrate transformation. Her angelic voice reverberates throughout the room, and while I can’t understand the language she’s singing, the energy is powerful enough to translate into pure focus.

*The outdoor seating area for the tea service*

After ending the session, Stevie gives me time to regain my land legs and adorn my delightfully plush robe. When I’m ready, I select the outdoor terrace for my tea ceremony, the final part of my Journey.

After getting settled into the cozy, oversized patio chair set before the fire pit, I’m brought a pot of hot tea and a delightful spread of fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate to snack on–the perfect pairings to post-treatment reflection.

Each tea service is designed to correspond with a specific Holistic Wellness Journey, ensuring every detail harmonizes with the goals of the treatment. A fire softly dances before me, and a gentle rainstorm begins to drizzle down as I sip my chamomile tea. Rain drops fall onto the fire, a natural recreation of the story told so beautifully in the hotel’s entryway, celebrating the contrast between nature’s strongest elements.

Recharged, Released, Rebalanced

As I sat and savored this unique experience, I had to agree with the spa’s description of the Journey to Renewal – it truly is a transformative treatment.

The dichotomy of dueling natural forces was ever-present, from the sage-burning fireplace opposite a soft waterfall upon entering the hotel, to hot baths and cool showers in the spa, to the rain sprinkling onto the fire pit. Perhaps the best juxtaposition was in leaving the outside world and entering the tranquil healing oasis that is Spa at Chaco. Or maybe it’s the difference between who I was walking in and the peace I felt walking out. This day rebelled against life’s regular routine and satisfied the desire to unwind both body and soul, integrating my own fire and water elements to create more balance within.

Before leaving the spa, I’m given a small velvet bag with mini versions of the seven chakra stones. Each Journey to Renewal concludes with the bestowing of this keepsake, allowing you to carry the positive energy home.

I’m also generously gifted multiple products from the boutique, including items from Bodybliss, Taos Bee Company, and Naturopathica.

Vibrational Massage Oils from Bodybliss’ Chakra Healing Line are all infused with clear quartz crystals and essential oils aimed at opening blocked chakras. For me, Stevie recommended the Luminous Vibrational Hair and Scalp Oil, which is focused on healing blocks in the crown chakra. She also gave me the Radiant Vibrational Body Oil, which helps the solar plexus chakra. Both oils smell divine, make my skin feel moisturized, and come with a set of instructions on how to use them to open energy pathways in the body.

A raw honey mask and cleanser from Taos Bee Company is one of my favorite products and is delightful to use. It’s made with 100% local Taos honey and is a gentle exfoliating face mask/light cleanser when my skin needs some TLC. It smells, looks, and tastes like delicious honey and is a literal treat to use.

*Taos Bee and Naturopathica products and the Journey to Renewal take-home chakra crystals*

The Re-Boot Aromatic Alchemy Oil from Naturopathica is a combination of lemongrass, peppermint, and basil and smells ambrosial. Stevie ended my spa treatment with this incredible blend of oils and using it takes me right back to her restorative massage table.

Whether enjoying an incredible, awe-inspiring treatment at Spa at Chaco or partaking in one of the hotel’s other amenities, Hotel Chaco’s remarkable staff and New Mexico-infused experiences offer personalized luxury that celebrates the individual. I can’t wait to go back.

Cost: Journey to Renewal (3 hours | $495)

Hours: Wed 9am-6pm, Thu-Sat 9am-8:30pm, Sun 9am-6pm MT

Address: 2000 Bellamah Ave. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104

Phone: 505-318-3990

For more information about Spa at Chaco, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @hotelchaco.

More New Mexico Spa Guides:

The Best Spas in Taos

The Best Spas in Santa Fe

[Photos courtesy of hotel and author]

Spa Review: Spa at Chaco in Albuquerque Offers Transformational Wellness Journeys That Celebrate New Mexico’s Rich Heritage