Nestled in the foothills of New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo mountains, Bishop’s Lodge sits on 317 secluded acres of the Southwest’s most beautiful landscape. The boutique hotel, the latest edition in the Auberge Resorts Collection, is a soulful retreat steeped in the cultural and artistic heritage of Santa Fe. The property, which opened its doors for the first time in July, sits on the same spot where Santa Fe’s first archbishop built a chapel and a lodge more than 150 years ago. The property has undergone an extensive and loving historic restoration so that it may once again open its doors to the public and welcome them in the spirit of the property’s origins. “Bishop’s Lodge is a tribute to the culture, spirit, and adventure” of Santa Fe, says Craig Reid, president and chief executive officer of the Auberge Collection.
The restoration was no small feat, costing $75 million. Auberge tapped two firms, Dallas-based Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects and global hospitality design firm HKS, to get the job done. Much of the resort is styled after the historic shapes and forms that Santa Fe has come to represent in the past 200 years. “We decided to build upon an ethos and attitude that approaches Santa Fe architecture in a modern way,” says Nunzio DeSantis. “The imperfection of adobe walls is the perfection. They are deep, strong, and created by people—not a machine. We aimed only to enhance the sense of place.”
Following in the same ethos of place-honoring design, Mary Alice Palmer and Natalie Smith led the interiors team that designed the reimagined Bishop’s Lodge. They were inspired by the many creative cultures that took root in Santa Fe, including those of the Diné and Hopi peoples and the artists who have flocked to the area for generations. “The spirit of Santa Fe is alive in every design detail,” Mary Alice Palmer says. Each of the spaces in the resort has a distinct yet modern Santa Fe aesthetic, featuring kiva fireplaces and traditional art and textiles.
Each room features specific nods to the history of Bishop Lodge. In this guest room, leather chairs and hide rugs add depth, with oversize photography creating a focal point.
The living room of Bishop’s Lodge is full of texture and nods to the surrounding history.
Bishop’s Lodge offers visitors a unique chance to engage with the culture of Santa Fe. It launched an artist-in-residence program to connect with Santa Fe’s longstanding artistic legacy. Beneath the main lodge you’ll even find the Gerald Peters Gallery, a space where visiting artists and local makers can show their best works. SkyFire, the hotel’s premiere dining space, uses custom ceramics by local artist Kimmy Rohrs of Whiskey & Clay. And for visitors looking to get in touch with a bit of nature, Bishop’s Lodge offers everything from foraging classes to nature walks to outdoor art sessions. A stay at Bishop’s Lodge gives visitors the chance to truly connect with the landscape and explore the culture Santa Fe has to offer.
The architecture firm worked hard to ensure that the look and feel of the hotel matched its locale.
Each of the hotel’s 83 guest rooms has its own kiva fireplace, as do the freestanding suites.
1812Soft textures and a gentle color palette serve as the perfect background for a stay at Bishop’s Lodge.
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