It's only a few weeks until we start our road trip to Tucson. I love going to the Tucson gem shows each February. The events are like a huge international marketplace with surprises around every corner. We started planning our trip from Santa Fe and decided to head south to Las Cruces and take I-10 over to Tucson.
Our first stop would be Las Cruces, New Mexico, currently enjoying fairly warm weather in the 60's. The initial leg of our drive would be only four and a half hours, about half way on our journey. This would give us time to explore Las Cruces and enjoy the beautiful Hotel Encanto. My traveling companion has been researching Las Cruces restaurants so the road trip is bound to be both relaxing and lead us to some new culinary adventures.
We plan to stay at Hotel Encanto on the way back as well. Here's what we learned about the hotel, just in case you are also tempted to stay in Las Cruces on your road trip through southern New Mexico.
Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, NM
I enjoy the Heritage Hotels. They take great effort to represent the culture of the local area. Hotel Encanto is described as grand Spanish Colonial style. I hear that it overlooks the beautiful Mesilla Valley and creates an ambiance reflective of the area's rich Spanish and Mexican Colonial history and tradition. It sounds beautiful and I'll be reporting back with a full review and photos.
More Information
Address: 705 South Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011
Phone: 575-522-4300
Map and Directions
Website
Arizona's Esplendor at Rio Rico
Our destination, after driving a little over five hours, will be Esplendor at Rico Rico, Arizona. That will be our base for enjoying the gem shows and Tubac Festival of the Arts.
Years ago I stayed at this beautiful hotel overlooking southernmost Arizona. Esplendor Resort is known for its Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed golf course but what I found enticing was its marvelous view of the rolling hills of the Santa Cruz River Valley. The resort is situated on the top of a hill and has sweeping views of the valley and the town of Rio Rico below. The dining room and terrace are perfectly situated to take advantage of the view.
Guest rooms are decorated in true southwest themes... simply and tastefully. Enjoy opening the sliding glass doors and bring the outside in with sounds of rustling leaves and the coo of doves. The gardens and trees at Esplendor helped me relax.
I enjoyed my stays at Esplendor in the past and so decided to return for Gem Shows. After all, the resort is only an hour south of Tucson. And, after all, one of the days we are visiting southern Arizona, we had planned to go to the Tubac Art Show, which is also south of Tucson. It just made sense to go to Esplendor and, we found out rooms were available!
More Information
Address: 1069 Camino Caralampi, Rio Rico, Arizona 85648
Phone: 520-281-1901
Toll Free: 800-288-4746
Map and Directions
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