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World Over - None Better

I traveled the world and the US for business during the 80's and 90's receiving wonderful body work in places ranging from Chicago to New York to Hamilton (Bermuda) to London to Singapore to Kuta (Bali) to Kaunakakai (Molokai) and even Boise and Amarillo. Haven't traveled much in recent years, but after moving to Santa Fe I found this gem in 2009. Deep tissue massage and all other services I've used leave me blissed out.

A new family tradition...since 2010...son, daughter-in-law and mom look forward to spa day as part of their Christmas gift...finished off with a wonderful dinner at Luminaria...the hotel restaurant.

This spa is all about amazing body work and great service in an intimate atmosphere!

Posted by Sandra Morello on behalf of TripAdvisor Guest

Happy National Chocolate Cake Day!!

January 27^th is National Chocolate Cake Day! To celebrate, Luminaria’s Pastry Chef, Andrea Clover, reveals how she makes her mouthwatering Mexican Chocolate Turtle Cake with Loretto’s blog readers. Take pleasure in this delicious cake recipe in the comfort of your home or in Luminaria’s warm and inviting décor.

Mexican Chocolate Turtle Cake Recipe

Cream together:
1 ¼ cup sugar
½ c. oil
2 large eggs

Add and mix slowly:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tbs cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda

Add and mix until fully incorporated:
½ cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon

Other ingredients:
store-bought caramel
store-bought chocolate sauce
pecans
ice cream (if desired)

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. When cooled cut into desired portions and drizzle with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and pecans. Then warm in a 350 degree oven for 3-5 minutes and serve warm with a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream. 

Enjoy!

Posted by Sandra Morello

Inn and Spa at Loretto's "Biggest Loser" Competition Ends with Silver Bullet Productions as the "Biggest Winner"

After three months of “Biggest Loser” rivalry at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, Joe Bravo, the hotel’s human resources coordinator, emerges victorious. Losing 16 lbs. through diet, exercise and employee support, he ‘out sweated’ nine other employee competitors with a final weigh in of 201 lbs. As the “Biggest Loser,” Bravo donated his $170 prize to help Silver Bullet Productions purchase an additional high-definition camera pack to replace outdated film equipment at the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque. On January 25, Silver Bullet Productions will host a free film workshop on ‘Pueblo Sovereignty’ at the school and will present students with five new camera packs, including the pack Bravo’s donation helped make possible.                                                

Organized by the hotel’s Peers Enabling Progress (PEP) squad, the inaugural “Biggest Loser” competition was created to encourage a healthy holiday season. Initially, 18 competitors signed on, but only nine made it to the end. Participants were allowed to follow whichever diet and exercise plan they preferred, but each week, the PEP squad sent out health and wellness tips, recipes and exercise ideas. Each week, participants paid a weigh in fee, which is how they raised the prize money. In the end, Bravo emerged victorious with an initial weigh in of 217 and a final weigh in of 201.  

“This competition re-instilled in me the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Bravo. “I used to love to run, but I had to stop because of knee aches and pains due to weight gain. Since losing the weight, I am up to two miles a day and have my sights set on running the Boston Half-Marathon qualifier in 2013.”

The “Biggest Loser” competition is one of several internal initiatives executed annually to boost employee interaction and advocate community involvement. Each event aims to raise money or donate time to support local charities. This event’s beneficiary was the Silver Bullet Foundation, a non-profit educational film company that works to cultivate an appreciation, passion and career path in film among New Mexico’s rural and Native American communities. The $170 donation Bravo pledged helped the organization purchase one additional camera pack to donate to the Native American Community Academy. The pack includes a Cannon High-Definition camcorder, additional battery, extra microphones, SD computer and camera cards, camera bag, tri-pod, cleaning brush, and equipment warranty.

Throughout the year, Silver Bullet Productions hosts free educational seminars at rural schools to teach students how to use the film equipment, enhance writing, encourage research, and develop interview and introductory filmmaking skills. The organization then works with the students to develop student-led film projects. The workshop at the Native American Community Academy is slated for January 25 and will focus on the significance of Pueblo Sovereignty.

“People often think that in order to make a donation worthy, they need to pledge large sums of money,” said Pamela Pierce, CEO and president of Silver Bullet Productions. “Joe’s donation is proof that this ideology couldn’t be farther from the truth and there is no such thing as a small donation. Every dollar makes a difference and Joe’s donation gave us the additional money needed to purchase more equipment that otherwise would not have been possible. Joe is proof that one person makes a difference. The students at NACA will know about Joe and his generosity.”

For more information about the Inn, please visit www.innatloretto.com or call 877-857-5685.

Posted by Sandra Morello

Outstanding Sacred Stone Massage

Had probably the best massage of my life at the Spa at Loretto. Bryan was my therapist and the whole experience was relaxing yet energizing. The room was comfortable with beautiful furnishings and a place to shower after, in privacy. I literally took me about 10 minutes to get up off the table after the treatment was complete. It will be a spa experience that is hard to top!

Posted by Sandra Morello on behalf of TripAdvisor Guest

Inn and Spa at Loretto Represents New Mexico Among Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Gold List Elite

Nearly eight million votes were cast and in the end only 511 hotels, resorts and cruise lines earned the right to be ranked as the top places to stay around the world. Criteria for each varied slightly, but candidates were rated on five key components, including 1) rooms, 2) service, 3) food, 4) location, 5) design, and 6) activities. The Gold List is based on data collected from the annual Readers’ Choice Survey and to qualify for inclusion in the Gold List rankings, a property had to receive a required minimum number of responses.

“Guests choose hotels for a myriad of reasons, but it is up to the hotel to cultivate new and more personal reasons to influence a guest’s future decision,” said Stefan Huber, general manager at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. “We are grateful to all Condé Nast readers that nominated us for this prestigious award. It lets us know that our collective efforts are appreciated and valued.” 

With an overall rating of 91.4, the AAA Four Diamond Inn and Spa at Loretto made an impressionable first appearance on the Gold List and singlehandedly represented New Mexico against all other travel destinations. This first-of-the-year achievement concludes a streak of favorable 2011 rankings for the Inn, including placing no. 27 in the ‘United States Hotel’ category and no. 25 in the ‘Top Hotel Spas in North America’ category in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice survey.

“People from around the world travel to Santa Fe to immerse themselves in the region’s southwestern charm, culture and history,” said Huber. “This pursuit should not end at your hotel’s doorstep. The Inn’s award-winning amenities, rich history, and conscious effort to interweave the region’s spirit across all facets of the hotel, ensure guests have both the facilities and experiences to fully realize their travel aspirations.” 

To view the complete Gold List, please visit Condé Nast Traveler. For more information about the Inn, please visit www.innatloretto.com or call 877-857-5685.

Posted by Sandra Morello

Giving Back to the Community

For three years the Inn and Spa at Loretto has partnered with the local nonprofit, Kitchen Angels. This is not only a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community, but is very rewarding to team up with other Loretto associates for a time of bonding, teamwork, fun, and fellowship. Erin Cohen, an employee at Luminaria, and her daughter participated this year. Below is a description of her experience.

My thirteen-year-old daughter and I had a great holiday giving experience volunteering at Kitchen Angels this year.  We wrapped presents for housebound people all over Santa Fe along with many others at the Kitchen Angels offices and then stayed and had a delicious holiday lunch with the other volunteers.  It was a great thing to do with a young teenager to teach the value of giving of your time and yourself and we both found it very rewarding.  Thank you so much for involving Inn and Spa at Loretto in this event.

Posted by Sandra Morello