Best Pool Hotels in New Mexico

Located about 25 miles north of Albuquerque in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa receives praise for its tranquil ambiance and variety of activities. Guests can try horseback riding or golfing at the on-site course, while the on-site Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon and three heated pools (plus a whirlpool) make for a more relaxing afternoon. Guest rooms feature a traditional pueblo design and showcase local artwork, plus flat-screen TVs, iHome docks and coffee makers. Previous guests highly recommend reserving a room with views of the Sandia Mountains, though these accommodations sometimes cost extra. And when dinnertime rolls around, visitors say that the Southwestern fare – like green chile mac and cheese and pan seared duck breast – served at Corn Maiden is spot-on. But for many guests, it was the excellent customer service that inspired a repeat visit. And because this resort falls under the Hyatt name, World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points here.

You should have no problem spending several days at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, located about 14 miles north of central Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can start your day off with breakfast at the Towa Clubhouse Grill or the in-house Starbucks before teeing off on one of three nine-hole golf courses. Then, spend the afternoon at the spa or by the pool before rounding out the evening with Southwestern cuisine at Red Sage and a date with Lady Luck at the full-fledged casino. Guests describe Buffalo Thunder's rooms as beautiful thanks to their neutral tones, wooden furnishings and Southwestern design elements. Rooms also come equipped with flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet access (for an additional fee). What's more, travelers were impressed with the staff members, who they said were friendly and helpful. The only downside, according to some guests, was that the smoky atmosphere in the casino carried into some of the accommodations. Because this resort is a member of the Hilton Hotels Group, Honors rewards club members can offset their nightly expenses by using points.

This Four Seasons resort on the northern outskirts of Santa Fe has earned its five stars, according to recent guests. Nestled on 57 acres in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains overlooking the Rio Grande River Valley, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe offers visitors a secluded retreat. The hotel's 65 casita-style guest rooms are bedecked in neutral tones with warm, orange accents. Each room features a private terrace and fireplace, plus complimentary Wi-Fi access, iPod docking stations and 24-hour room service. If you can part with your privacy, join other hotel guests at the outdoor pool, opt for a massage at the Spa at Rancho Encantado or grab a bite to eat at the Terra restaurant. Guests offer nothing but praise for this property, citing everything from its warm, welcoming staff members to the picturesque views from the accommodations as reasons to return. However, beware your room will have a $45 (plus tacked) daily resort charged tacked on to the already expensive rate.

La Posada de Santa Fe charms visitors with its smiling staff members and relaxing ambiance. You'll find a mixture of Southwestern and Colonial-era Spanish art throughout the property, and guest rooms are bright and colorful with amenities like complimentary high-speed wireless internet access and flat-screen TVs. There are plenty of excuses to vacate your accommodations, though. The resort grounds feature a spa and a heated outdoor pool, plus all kinds of activities are offered here, from tequila tastings and s'mores by the fire. And should you develop a case of cabin fever, you're just steps from Santa Fe's top attractions, including the Plaza and the Palace of the Governors. Just make sure you're back in time for dinner: Previous guests described the Southwestern fare served at Julia, A Spirited Santa Fe Restaurant as excellent. What's more, because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

Flanking the eastern edge of Taos, New Mexico, (about a 70-mile drive northeast of Santa Fe), the El Monte Sagrado takes hacienda living to a new level. Rooms feature adobe-style fireplaces, hardwood or tile floors and intricately carved furniture, as well as flat-screen TVs and coffee makers. However, some previous visitors note that, despite the privacy offered by the casitas, the rooms are on the decline and in need of a facelift. But guests can venture from their rooms to the Living Spa, which earns high praise for its bulging menu of treatments, or sample the food at De la Tierra restaurant, which impresses with its contemporary American cuisine.

Like many of the elite hotels in Santa Fe, La Fonda has a rich history – this landmark property has been welcoming Santa Fe visitors since the 1920s. And according to guests, the hotel has aged well: Many describe La Fonda as charming and enchanting, marveling at the pueblo-style architecture and Native American artifacts. The guest rooms also feature this type of decor, as well as modern comforts such as flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Travelers also rave about the friendly and attentive staff and the mouthwatering cuisine served at La Plazuela. Just as its name suggests, you can find this hotel on the famous Santa Fe Plaza; a location that has attracted such visitors as fur trappers, gold miners, businessmen and families for centuries. However, some guests warn that La Fonda's central location can mean the surrounding streets stay a bit crowded and noisy through the night.

Hotel Santa Fe isn't your typical high-end hotel. Though it's quite removed from the Plaza, this is the only Native American-owned property in the city, meaning that you'll have access to cultural experiences like storytelling, teepee dining and tribal dancing. However, recent guests weren't just sold on the entertainment. Travelers also commend the friendly staff and the tasty traditional cuisine served at Amaya restaurant. When it comes time to retreat to your digs, you'll find all accommodations are outfitted with beds with triple sheeting and down comforters, minibars and spacious desks. Hotel Santa Fe is also home to a spa that offers facials, massages, skin care treatments and more, plus a small pool and hot tub for visitors to enjoy.

To truly live it up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recent guests recommend a stay at the Eldorado. Travelers are quick to note the impressive upgrades to the rooms, which garner praise for their authentic Southwestern decor, handcrafted furnishings and (in some cases) private verandas with adobe fireplaces. Guests were pleased with the new decor and artwork in the accommodations as well. But what really sets this Santa Fe hotel apart is its staff, which make visitors want to return time and again. Guests say that every employee made them feel like a VIP. When you're not chatting with the concierge, you can take a load off at the Nidah Spa, which offers treatments using local ingredients. Or, soak up the sun by the hotel's rooftop pool. Should you start to feel a little cabin-feverish, take advantage of Eldorado's location: Standing over downtown Santa Fe, the Eldorado places you within walking distance of the Plaza, the Palace of the Governors and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Upon your return, grab a drink at the AGAVE Lounge or order yourself a dry-aged rib-eye at the Old House Restaurant.

Resting about 12 miles south of downtown Albuquerque in New Mexico's sprawling desert, Isleta Resort & Casino offers an extensive array of amenities to suit a variety of vacation agendas. This property boasts a Las Vegas-style gaming floor of slots and card tables, an on-site spa with 10 treatment rooms and 27 holes of golf. Many guests lament the particularly smoky air in the casino (and throughout the resort), but they applaud the expansive gaming options and the attentive service. When you need a break for food, grab a seat in one of the numerous on-site dining venues, ranging from the casual Chill Ice Cream & Coffee Bar to the more upscale Embers Steakhouse. Later, retreat to one of the resort's guest rooms, which impress guests with their cleanliness and overall comfort. Rooms feature luxury linens and flat-screen TVs, and some come with balconies overlooking the desert.

The Inn and Spa at Loretto (managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts) is just a short walk from major attractions (including the Plaza and St. Francis Cathedral), but you'll still want to reserve some time to explore the hotel. Guests enjoy the rooms, which put a modern spin on Southwest decor with bright red hues and beige accents, as well as flat-screen TVs and deluxe bath products. Some rooms even feature private balconies overlooking the city (though you'll have to be willing to pay extra for the views). While here, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to relax at the Spa at Loretto, which infuses Native American healing techniques into its treatments. And as the day draws to a close, recent guests strongly suggest spending dinnertime at Luminaria, which offers an innovative take on Santa Fe cuisine, before grabbing cocktails in The Living Room lounge. While most travelers enjoyed the hotel's setting and proximity to Santa Fe's top sights, many were disappointed with the pricey room rates and extra fees, and said the rooms could stand to be updated.