When the doors of the new Hacienda at Hotel Santa Fe opened in late September, a new era in luxury travel began. A beautiful new $8 million addition to Hotel Santa Fe, the nation's only full-service Native American-owned hotel off reservation, The Hacienda was designed to provide the ultimate luxury experience for travelers who demand the best. Set apart from the main hotel, in its own private space, but connected to it by a Santa Fe-style portal, or covered walkway, The Hacienda contains just 35 ultra-elegant rooms and suites, each with a corner fireplace, 10-foot ceilings, duvets on every bed; handcrafted Southwest furnishings and views to infinity.

Larger suites are equipped with Bose stereo/CD systems and DVD players (all rooms may borrow a DVD player on request), and the hotel maintains a library of music and videos. Bathrooms with dual showerheads are stacked with enormous fluffy towels, while in the bathroom of the White Buffalo suite, there's both Jacuzzi and television. And then there are the perfectly stocked mini-bars; terraces overlooking the Sangre de Cristo mountains and spectacular views of Santa Fe, the world's most romantic city. And of course, the rooftop lounge, with its outdoor fireplace - the perfect spot for toasting it all.

It is the quality of the service, however, that sets The Hacienda apart. Here, a team of London-trained butlers stands ready to fulfill every request, perform every task, indulge every whim. Need reservations for ten at Santa Fe's trendiest restaurant? Done! Want clothes unpacked, pressed and put away before dinner? Easy. And if you have a craving for a special late-night snack, chances are good the butler pantry has an in-depth supply. With a phone button that transmits each caller's room number, the Hacienda butlers answer each call within five minutes...or else! But when the comfort level of The Hacienda lures one to an uninterrupted night's sleep, there's a tiny ear of corn to hang on the doorknob, a Native American way of saying "Do Not Disturb".

"Welcome", in the language of the Picuris people, majority owners of Hotel Santa Fe. And welcome to Hotel Santa Fe, where you can experience the heart and soul of Native America from the vantage point of luxury. Here, a roaring piñon fire burns on chilly desert nights, while the haunting sound of a Native American flute serves as backdrop. Here, in the Corn Dance Cafe, Santa Fe's only Native American restaurant, you'll dine on buffalo steaks, Little Big Pies (a Native American version of pizza), oyster potato cakes and Lummi Island crab cakes, topped off by a spectacular array of sumptuous desserts. And here you can visit the Gift Shop with its one-of-a-kind Native American art, including the renowned Picuris micaceous pottery, or arrange a guided tour of neighboring pueblos. For Hotel Santa Fe is Native American, heart and soul!

Surprisingly, many people believe that the Santa Fe climate is hot. Not in winter at 7,000 feet, when the snow is deep, the skiing superb, and the ambiance perfect for cozy post-ski tête à têes. And because Hotel Santa Fe believes in the maximum ski experience, it offers special Ski Packages, complete with one Santa Fe Ski Basin lift ticket per person, for each day of your stay; full breakfast each day; a 10% discount on post-slope massage; and access to Hotel Santa Fe's outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. (Or retreat to the roaring fire in the lobby!)

The Hacienda celebrated its official grand-opening on November 18 with a gala party hosted by Picuris Pueblo, majority owners of the hotel. Picuris Governor Clarence Chile delivered a blessing in the Tiwa language of the Picuris people, and children from the pueblo performed traditional dances. Then guests toured the new hotel. Favorite stop: The "Queen Noor Suite"!

The phrase "hotel art" conjures up sailing scenes and mass-produced prints. Not at The Hacienda, where the corridors are a treasure-trove of museum-quality Native American art works, giving guests an education within a vacation. Each room and suite has its own original works of art, none replicated. Each piece in the Hacienda's important collection is one-of-a-kind. All bring a brand-new meaning to "hotel art ".

Christmas in Santa Fe—a magical time in a magical place. And at Hotel Santa Fe and The Hacienda, the farolitos (traditional paper-bagged candles) are lit, the piñon fires ablaze and all is ready for the most beautiful season of the Santa Fe year. And in the hotel's Corn Dance Cafe, located in the lobby, a major Christmas dinner is planned, complete with roasted free-range turkey with cranberry-piñon sauce or tenderloin of buffalo. It's an unforgettable Native American Christmas, with joy for one and all!

• High: 45.
• Low: 16.
• Snowfall: 30-34 inches.

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