SANTA FE, NM—Ojo Spa Resorts has opened Sunrise Springs Spa Resort with a new name, Ojo Santa Fe, further binding it to its sister property, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa. With the opening, the brand has also expanded its soaking program in Santa Fe with new experiences across the 70-acre high-desert sanctuary.
“Changing the name of Sunrise Springs Spa Resort to Ojo Santa Fe was a natural evolution of the property and the Ojo Spa Resorts brand,” said Andy Joseph, managing partner, Ojo Spa Resorts. “We have been working toward deepening the synergy between both of our wellness destinations and introducing new experiences in Santa Fe that tie back to the Ojo brand’s commitment to serving as stewards of the sacred waters at each of our properties. When reopening the property in July, we saw this as the ideal time to change the property’s name to Ojo Santa Fe and begin this next chapter.”
The resort took advantage of its time closed by elevating its open-air soaking experience with expanded offerings and new pools.
“The expansion of Ojo Santa Fe’s spring-focused programming began before COVID-19 and is something we have been working toward gradually,” Joseph explained. “In late 2019, we opened the resort’s Repose Pools, which were inspired by the hot springs soaking experience at Ojo Caliente. While closed due to COVID-19, we expanded the resort’s saltwater pool area to introduce a second soak circuit to the property with a new thermal plunge pool, along with the installation of a floatation tank. During this time we also actioned plans to introduce a signature Ojo Mud Pool and the addition of the Sages Soak Sanctuary, which is anticipated to open in late 2020.”
The Sages Soak Sanctuary will transform the property’s natural spring-fed pond into a 70-ft. soaking pool.
“The natural springs that flow through Ojo Santa Fe have been a source of healing and gathering for centuries, and they are at the heart of the resort’s wellness program,” Joseph said. “We created our soak-centric experiences to honor the legendary waters and provide a way for guests to heal and relax today, as people have done for centuries. Similar to Ojo Caliente, each of the therapeutic soaking experiences at Ojo Santa Fe are different from one another to encourage a sense of discovery through the elements of water. This ranges from the gently heated, artesian spring-fed Repose Pools perched at the edge of the Tranquil Pond and sourced with water from the springs that flow through the property, the private open-air Ojitos for a calming magnesium-based soak, to the latest installment of the Floatation Tank, which adds a new dimension to our water therapy offerings.”
Joseph explained that being in nature is a natural stress reliever that calms the mind and body.
“At Ojo, we emphasize different ways to heal through the nature—whether it’s soaking in the different pools, hiking the nearby trails, or horticulture classes at our on-site greenhouse,” he said.
The resort also offers guided meditation and mindful movement classes, along with guided animal interactions with puppies and silkie chickens to reduce stress.
“Our spiritual program is led by our on-site Curandera who offers native healing rituals, such as a traditional sweat lodge ceremony, while our spa offers a selection of energy healing services, along with massages incorporating natural ingredients. It’s important to offer our guests these services as people are seeking holistic healing, and we are proud to offer that in a way that is authentic to the history of the land and destination,” he said.
The spa, operating with a limited capacity, also offers locally inspired body treatments, incorporating natural and organic ingredients.
“Certain guests are hesitant about using hotel spas and pools while others seem relatively unconcerned. Per the CDC, there is no evidence that water enhances transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, for communal soaking to be safe, it becomes a matter of social distancing and wearing masks, consistent with what public health officials have been saying,” Joseph said.
Ojo Santa Fe is limiting the use of hot tubs and pools to private parties, by reservation only. Between each use, high-touch surfaces are disinfected, Joseph said. Ojo Santa Fe ensures water quality through filtration, ozone, UV and hydrogen peroxide or chlorine residual.
“The combination of soaking in our natural springs followed by a relaxing spa treatment and then perhaps a delicious meal and glass of wine on the deck overlooking the water is a powerful stress-reducing elixir,” Joseph said. “Reducing stress can have a profoundly positive impact on health and wellness. The springs at Ojo Santa Fe have been doing this naturally for centuries.”