Would this waterpark by Raddison interest them?
http://waterparknewmexico.com/
There are many hotels with indoor pools in ABQ.
The Sandia Peak gondola ride should interest them.
There is a small train that shuttles between the aquarium and the zoo in the west end of town near the Rio Grande.
The bus service is cheap along Central Avenue (old Rt. 66).
I don't know much about Santa Fe.

I've not been to either of the resorts you mentioned, but based just on their websites, I think the Hilton Golf Resort and Spa at Buffalo Thunder might be the most similar. But you're substituting a casino for a waterpark.

If I were taking teenagers to Santa Fe, I'd want to stay somewhere near the Plaza, like the El Dorado. As you're learning, Santa Fe is not really geared to teenagers, but if you're close to the Plaza, they'll at least be in the heart of the action.

Ok, how old are the teens? 13 is a lot different from 18 or 19. Males, females, into outdoor stuff? What time of year?

Santa Fe is geared more toward adults and as such, there aren't really any resort in line with the ones the OP mentioned. No lazy rivers, or teen activities at hotels.

Buffalo Thunder is in the middle of nowhere, I would not stay there with teens [or just us for that matter].

The Tamaya in Bernalillo [about mid point between SF and downtown ABQ] is a really nice hotel, with nice outdoor pool and in a pretty setting and a great spa [not for the kids, but for the adults].

I can recommend places in SF if that is what you ultimately decide on, but you can always do a day trip there and stay in ABQ. If you search on here, I have many threads with info on both places.

There is more for teens to do in ABQ than in SF, for sure. The Park Inn [where the waterpark is in ABQ] is a typical hotel except for the waterpark -no other activities, per se.

Give us a bit more info, and we can offer better guided suggestions for hotels, activities, etc.

I sort of wonder why you would take teenagers to one of the great cultural, natural,and historical sites in the country -- up there with the UNESCO cities of culture in Europe -- and make it possible for them to hang out the way they could do anywhere in Florida?

This sounds smarmy but isn't really meant to be. It has been a long day. I just really understand don't understand it.

Sorry, I mean "snarky." It _really has_ been a long day!

But the question remains.

Since the OP sounded like she was looking for water park resorts found in other resort like areas, I am guessing they may not be looking for cultural, historic things. That is why I asked for additional info.

To the OP -we don't have much water to spare, so you won't find a lot of water themed activities here aside from those that nature provide [rafting, river based things].

I had the same question, Ackislander. And I know Buffalo Thunder is in the middle of nowhere, DebitNM, but in my observation, being somewhere isn't necessarily important to those wanting to stay in self-contained resorts. I've got friends who spend weeks in Hawaii without ever leaving "The Compound".

14, girls (although it may be just one girl), active and athletic -- love the beach, snow skiing, etc. but I know those don't apply here; we may be in SF and not ABQ after all. Will be there in August (I've been to FL in August; no thanks!) Am looking for fun things for the girl(s) to do in addition to museums, art galleries and opera performances. It sounds like a very adult destination - the people here are so much more knowledgable than I am about Santa Fe, I welcome your constructive suggestions about fun things to do for teens! Thanks!

Maybe Hyatt RegencyTamaya? It hasn't got the lazy river of Hyatt Hill Country, but there are other activities, including trail rides, and like all resorts, they make an effort to please all age groups. http://www.tamaya.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/activities/kids/family.jsp

We had an outting from there to the Sandia Mtn and as I recall, it wasn't that far.

My point is that Buffalo Thunder is not a resort. Have you been there? It is primarily a casino with little to do on site and nothing to do nearby.

As OO said, the Tamaya is a pretty good "resort" like hotel and is conveniently located between both cities so as to take advantage of what is offered in both.

Some things in Santa Fe: http://www.innofthegovernors.com/things-to-do-in-santa-fe/family-activities

Some things in ABQ:
The BioPark, especially the zoo is great. Explora,

http://cabq.gov/visiting
http://www.itsatrip.org/

No, I've not stayed there, but out of curiosity drove around Buffalo Thunder a couple years ago. They have a golf course, right? And a spa, swimming pools, a fitness room, tennis court(s), and multiple dining options. Looked kinda like a resort to me. But I wasn't recommending it as a place to stay, just what in the SF area came closest to what the OP was asking for. I beg your pardon though.

I'd still recommend something close to the Plaza, if for no other reason but its proximity to dining and shopping. No Urban Outfitters or Abercrombie & Fitch, but fun and interesting nonetheless. Also (and I don't know if this qualifies as fun either), Bandelier, Puye Cliffs, and Tent Rocks are all worth a visit.

"lots of things for teens to do -- lazy rivers, fabulous pools, etc.? Is there a resort teens would absolutely LOVE?

I was referring to "little to do" for teens. Most of what you mention are for adults. No need to get defensive; aren't we just trying to help the OP?

Who's getting defensive (or territorial)? Again, note that I've never recommended Buffalo Thunder. The only reason I mentioned it in the first place was to point out that Santa Fe doesn't really have what the OP looking for.

Santa Fe really is a better town for adults. It's loaded with museums and historic sites. If I was bringing a teen to Santa Fe, I'd look at activities like rafting, geocaching and horseback riding. Tamaya is a beautiful property and there are a few swimming pools. The public areas are southwest in feeling, guest rooms are kind of like a chain motel. Bishops Lodge outside of Santa Fe is a historic property in a very un-desert landscape. They have a pool, tennis courts and horseback riding. If you decide to stay here, choose your room category carefully. There is a big difference. Opt for one of their newer accommodations.

Thanks for the response, bakerstreet. What you are looking for is "in addition to" rather than "instead of." Can't help, though.

FYI - IF you are interested in the Tamaya, you can often get it on Hotwire. Put in zip ode 87004 for location. Then you will see Santa Ana Peublo as the area. The Tamaya will be the only 3.5 star hotel listed and it will say Resort and have spa listed as part of the amenities.

I don't think there are any resorts here that are going to thrill teens all that much, but the Tamaya has pools and tennis courts and cool inlaid game tables (for chess and checkers, not video games) in the lobby, and Bishop's Lodge has the same plus their own stables and trails.

If the kids like horses, there are lots of horse-related things to do out here. People rave about the sunset rides offered by Broken Saddle Riding Co. There's also the Walkin 'N Circles Ranch -- a rescue and rehabilitation operation for abandoned and abused horses a bit east of Albuquerque. It's just a farm, basically. You call and ask if you can come in and have a tour and they usually say yes. But it captivates kids. I took my niece and her friend there when they were young teens, and they keep asking to go back. The horses and their stories really tugged at their heartstrings.

Some other non-artsy things that might be fun for them to do in the area are:
(1) Llama treks -- there's an outfit that conducts llama-back nature tours somewhere north of Santa Fe
(2) Santa Fe Walkabouts -- a military-grade off-road vehicle takes you on a guided tour of NM flora and fauna just outside Santa Fe.
(3) Just exploring the Santa Fe shops and, in Albuquerque, poking around the UNM campus/Nob Hill area.
(4) White water rafting on the Rio Grande near Embudo Station.
(5) Albuquerque Rattlesnake museum -- pure '50's-style gross-out kitsch that all kids and teenagers seem to love.
(6) Cliff's Water Park in Albuquerque -- nothing compared to what some cities have, but quite all right if they just want to splash around for a while.
(7)3-D/IMAX at the Albuquerque Museum
(8) Tours of either Acoma or Taos pueblos.
(9) Cooking class at Santa Fe School of Cooking - they have short hands-on classes in various aspects of southwest cooking.

Hope you have a lot of fun.

And one more cool thing at the Albuquerque Natural History Museum (that's where the I-MAX is, by the way, not at the Abq Museum proper) -- they have a very cool indoor "ride" that is sort of like a CSI-type investigation of the death of a bunch of dinosaurs. Hard to explain, but very interesting and exciting (not for those with back problems).

Back to the hotel question...just adding my opinion since I have two teenage daughters.

Tamaya has more "planned activities" that might interest teens than Bishop's Lodge does, like bread making, s'mores by the fire pit, movie night, etc. Better tennis facilities than Bishop's Lodge and a small water slide. My kids loved riding bikes along the bosque trail there, too.

Bishop's Lodge is more rustic all-around and doesn't have the "national chain resort" feel to it. Beautiful setting - more lush as mentioned before. My kids loved hanging out at the pool there last summer and playing badminton and ping pong. WIFI and cell service can be spotty (if you care) and DITTO the comment about the accommodations being all over the map - from newer to downright shabby. They run a free shuttle to/from the Plaza. A few times we spent the afternoon on Canyon Road and the kids stayed to play tennis/etc. then grabbed the shuttle and met us on the Plaza for dinner.

Some favorite "teen" activities from last summer:
Rock Climbing & Rappelling @ Rio Grande Gorge in the Morning, followed by "Funyaking" in Rio Grande in the afternoon - but this was further north - just south of Taos.
We booked through Los Rio River Runners: www.losrioriverrunners.com
and
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs & Spa
www.ojospa.com
Multiple pools/baths - mud, mineral and other. Fun day going from pool to pool and baking in mud.
Again, this is about an hour's drive from Santa Fe (50 miles), but through beautiful country!

Have a wonderful trip!

These are fabulous suggestions -- thank you so much!