Celebrate Women of New Mexico This March at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

Honour a legacy of creativity and leadership this Women’s History Month at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe by paying homage to the pioneering women of New Mexico. Guests can sip on a celebratory cocktail in honour of former Rancho Encantado owner Betty Egan, discover new female artists onsite and in the destination, or embark on a journey to the majestic landscapes that inspired legendary painter Georgia O’Keeffe.

“This Women’s Month, we pay tribute to strong female leaders – past and present – who reflect the rich history, culture and resilience of New Mexico,” says General Manager Melissa Sims. “I am honoured to continue the legacy of leadership in my role as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, surrounded by a team of inspiring women.”

Toasting to Betty Egan in Terra Bar

Trailblazing female leader Betty Egan purchased the ranch where Four Seasons now stands in 1968, turning the ranch into a hotel and naming it Rancho Encantado after the New Mexico moniker “Land of Enchantment.” Betty founded the Tesuque Fire Department in 1970, and served two terms as its chief, the first female fire chief in the United States. Egan’s vivacious personality attracted scores of famous guests to Rancho Encantado, including Peter Sellers, The Prince Rainier family, Jimmy Stewart, Johnny Cash, Nelson Rockefeller, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas.

Guests can celebrate Egan’s legacy throughout the month of March in Terra Bar with the Betty's Sidecar, featuring two local and female-owned spirits – Big Nose Kate Whiskey and Rolling Still Absinthe – along with Cointreau and lemon. Big Nose Kate is a first-of-its-kind blend of straight American Rye Whiskey and American Single Malt crafted by award-winning Master Blender Melissa (Mel) Heim. The cocktail starts big and bold, but finishes perfectly balanced; it retails for USD 24. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the special cocktail throughout the month will be donated to The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, committed to inspiring the next generation of young people through awareness, curriculum, and opportunities to continue the legacy of women leaders who have shaped New Mexico.

Betty’s Bees

Adventure Center guide and resident beekeeper Amy Fredericks was instrumental in developing the property’s onsite bee program in spring 2023, starting with two colonies from a local bee stalk, with the goal of producing honey for use throughout the property. Fredericks worked to create a pollinator-friendly environment by reducing the use of pesticides and planting a native pollinator garden. She sourced sustainable compost with Reunity Resources, building upon the existing property partnership that donates food waste to this organization for composting. Fredericks named the bee colony Betty’s Bees as a tribute to former owner Betty Egan. The property now has four hives in the apiary, and guests can arrange seasonal tours through the Adventure Center this spring including the complimentary “Fly By” tour or the more immersive “Hive Dive” experience.

Celebrating Female Artists

Spa Director Tina Hay worked with local female artist Beverly Todd to add new artwork to The Spa this spring, including in the co-ed Warming Room, women’s locker room and treatment rooms. Todd began painting in Santa Fe in 2018, and opened Santa Fe Artist Getaway in 2019. Todd’s works invite viewers to explore the unexpected, combining awe and play and a medley of colour. Guests can delve deeper into the Santa Fe art experience and discover established and emerging female artists with the signature Art Concierge program at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado makes. The Art Concierge works with guests to customize an itinerary based on style, budget, desired artwork, and length of visit to ensure a seamless experience. The Art Concierge also can coordinate artist meet-and-greets, private showings and after-hours experiences at some of the city’s top galleries.

​The Legacy of Georgia O’Keeffe

The onsite Adventure Center offers ample opportunity for discovery of the creative women pioneers who shaped New Mexico, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Country and Ghost Ranch tour. Inspired by the legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe, famed painter whose own solo adventures through the desert made her a cultural icon, the exclusive tour begins with a stop in her winter home of Abiquiu. The tour continues through the cliffs of the Valley of Shining Stone, forever immortalized in her paintings. See the mystical stone turrets of Plaza Blanca, a striking scenery of towering hoodoos, and glimpse O’Keeffe’s beloved Cerro Pedernal, which she famously painted nearly 30 times.

Female Founder Helps Heal with Horses

Located adjacent to Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, EQUUS is a personal mastery and leadership development organization that creates conditions for breakthrough, learning and transformation. Owner and founder Kelly Wendorf is an executive and personal coach, published author, spiritual mentor and socially responsible entrepreneur. Throughout her life, she has lived and worked around the world, studying with many spiritual and Indigenous leaders in India, Africa, Indonesia and Australia. Drawing upon this background, she developed The EQUUS Experience, a uniquely designed, equine-assisted learning process that weaves together various evidence-based disciplines for joyful self-discovery and learning. The process engages an entire herd of equines, trained especially for this work, and is available for individuals, couples, groups or families. Guests can seamlessly book their EQUUS journey through the Adventure Center.

Book a Stay

Plan ahead this spring and book the Advance Purchase offer to enjoy up to 25 percent off room rates. To learn more, click here.

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