El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa

A secluded sanctuary designed in harmony with nat ure, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa draws on the scenic beauty and cultural attractions of Taos, New Mexico, to create an inspiring group experience. In 2008, the property earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice list as one of the 100 best resorts on the U.S. mainland. That same year it made National Geographic Adventure’s list of 50 top eco-lodges and claimed a top 50 spot in Forbes Traveler 400.

The resort’s banquet, patio, and event space spans 7,000 square feet, headlined by the Spanish revival–style Rio Grande Ballroom and the Sandoval Room. Five additional venues accommodate up to 48 delegates in intimate settings of rare character, with touches such as domed ceilings, marble floors, and ebony paneling. All venues feature state-of-the-art electronics and wireless Internet access. Like everything at the resort, meetings benefit from a respect for nature, in everything from a focus on sustainable practices to the locally grown produce featured at two on-site restaurants, The Gardens and the AAA Four Diamond Award–winning De la Tierra.

The resort places guests within easy reach of the shops and galleries of Taos as well as the great outdoors, where team building and group activities range from golf and rafting to skiing and llama trekking. Right on property, guests can recharge at The Living Spa and meditate in the Sacred Circle among towering trees and waterfalls. At day’s end, delegates return to the comfort of the 84 individually themed rooms, suites, and casitas—enhanced with hand- painted walls, local art, kiva-style fireplaces, and balconies or patios with views of the Rockies beyond. There are no packages available at this time. There are no hot dates at this time. Posted Nov 14, 2008 by Elite Concierge
Subscribe - RSS Feed TAOS, NM (May 18, 2007) " The American Automobile Association (AAA), one of the countrys most respected authorities on travel and hospitality, has awarded El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, a Kessler Collection property, with its prestigious Four-Diamond title. De la Tierra Restaurant at El Monte Sagrado was named a Four-Diamond restaurant earlier this year. With this award, all luxury Kessler Collection hotel properties - encompassing Florida, Georgia, Colorado, and New Mexico - are now honored with this distinction.

According to AAA, in order for a property to be considered Four-Diamond, establishments must be upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish and the physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.
Jeff Mahan, general manager says, El Monte Sagrado has always exuded the utmost in luxury. We are very pleased that both our hotel and restaurant are now officially recognized with AAA's prestigious Four-Diamond title."
The award comes as the property is preparing to unveil its major expansion of 30,000 square feet of guest suites, meeting and event space and spa facilities.

De la Tierra, a 2007-named AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, serves cutting-edge regional and seasonal American dishes from a diverse menu and some of the finest wines the world has to offer. AAA defines Four-Diamond restaurants as establishments geared towards individuals in search of a distinctive fine-dining experience that are often orchestrated by an executive chef and an accomplished staff. It is also deemed that menus reflect a high degree of creativity and complexity, using imaginative presentations to enhance high quality, market-fresh ingredients. The equally proficient service staff demonstrates a strong desire to meet or exceed guest expectations is another key area. A highly-refined, comfortable and well-coordinated ambiance, incorporating quality materials and a variety of upscale design enhancements to give a first-class impression is important with this distinction as well.

About El Monte Sagrado
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa is located in Taos, NM at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The property offers 36 suites and casitas positioned around a pristine Sacred Circle and is undergoing a major expansion calling for more than 35,000 square feet of new guest rooms, banquet and meeting space and spa facilities. The Living Spa expansion will add six additional treatment rooms where guests can experience traditional spa treatments as well as special offerings such as Sound & Vibrational Therapy, Intuitive Touch and Egyptian Anointing designed to help find balance within and with the environment. At the core of El Monte Sagrado is the Living Machine, an effective system for collecting, treating and recycling water used by the resort with minimal impact on the land.

About The Kessler Collection
Richard C. Kessler's luxury hotel collection includes the AAA Four-Diamond Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, CO; the AAA Four-Diamond Celebration Hotel in Celebration, FL; the AAA Four-Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando, FL; El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa in Taos, NM; the AAA Four-Diamond Mansion on Forsyth Park; Savannah, GA; historic Kehoe House in Savannah, GA; Columbia Place luxury condominiums, Savannah, GA; and Grand Bohemian Hotel & Residences, St. Petersburg, FL " scheduled to open 2009. Kesslers Grand Theme Hotel collection includes the Doubletree Castle Hotel in Orlando, FL; Sheraton Studio City Hotel in Orlando, FL; and Sundy House, a Kessler-managed property in Delray Beach, FL. Posted Jul 24, 2008 by katiew
Subscribe - RSS Feed Eco-consciousness is no longer a snicker-inducing concept accompanied by flashbacks of Al Gore. In fact, global warming, carbon offsets and organic and sustainable are part of the ordinary American's vernacular. Going green has been incubating within the hospitality industry, where baby as well as giant steps are being taken towards raising the eco flag.

In the U.S., a number of new hotels successfully mesh environmental friendliness and guest pampering at a luxury level. Green efforts can be as basic as water conservation measures - like encouraging the re-use of guest linens - employment of environmentally safe cleaning products, and provision of biodegradable spa and bath amenities. Grander initiatives include purpose-built, all-green construction that weaves the use of ecologically sound construction materials and air-conditioning systems into the design and operation of the hotel.

Boutique properties are at the forefront of this trend. They incorporate such Earth-sensitive features as recycled building materials, wool upholstery, nontoxic varnishes, solar panels, low-flush and low-flow water systems, and locally sourced menu ingredients. The best of these - about 30 - have earned a LEED certification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, that designates the gold standard of eco-consciousness established by the U.S. Green Building Council. This nonprofit trade organization has developed a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Included among the premier hotels nationwide combining sustainability and sumptuousness are:

El Monte Sagrado, Taos, N.M. This resort prides itself on using alternative energy and is committed to sustainability without sacrificing luxury. Surrounded by mountains and high desert country, some 60 percent of this eco-resort is geothermally heated and cooled. Fresh rain-water is collected, filtered and recirculated for use in the spa. This tranquil hideaway, complete with waterfalls and meditation garden areas, is an ideal sustainable retreat. 800-828-8267, www.elmontesagrado.com.

By Irene Croft Jr.