Looking for an upscale or luxury resort in New Mexico for a family of four. Challenge are the kids, girl 14, boy 15. They will be happiest with large room, nice pool, and access to lots of activities: hiking, bike riding, Jeep rides, music, arts/crafts, etc. Any ideas welcome. Thanks in advance.

It has been quite a long time since I have been there, but I spent a wonderful week at Rancho Encantado in Tesuque, a short drive north of Santa Fe. I belive it would have most of your criteria.

Hyatt Tamaya north of Albuquerque. When do you plan on arriving?

The Inn of the Mountain Gods is in Riudosa. It was recently remodeled and is actually fairly reasonable, probably because of the casino on the property. Riudosa is an interesting place, in fact the town is featured in today's NY Times Getaway Escapes. It is in southern New Mexico.

Whew......this is one fine place.......all you can find to do is right there...........

http://www.ranchodesanjuan.com/2005/

arriving june or july . . . too hot?

I encountered a snow storm once in Santa Fe in August. I think it is pleasant as long as you don't play tennis at high noon (I did once and thought I'd die). The sun can blister you too at the height of the day if you're swimming. But evenings are so pleasant, no humidity, sometimes nippy in the mountains. If you're going June or July I'd say stay in northern New Mexico and stay in the mountains and you'll be fine.

I second the Hyatt Tamaya. We had a wonderful 5 day stay there a little over a year ago. We travelled with a toddler and thought the room was fine for our needs. The hotel has four pools (quite pool, kids/active pool, shallow float pool, and a small toddler wading pool). The active pool has a water slide that my husband enjoyed, lots of pool toys (water basketball etc) and food service. The hotel also has plenty of arranged activities on site such as Puebloan bread baking (we enjoyed), pottery, and campfire and smores, as well as arranging more active adventures like jeep tours, hotair balloon rides and horseback riding. They provide you with an itinerary of activities for the week (some are free and some had a small materials fee). We thought the restaurants were good (the more casual one is kid/teen friendly, while the other one is on the fancy side but for a splurge you might enjoy it). The hotel is located in Bernallilo which made for relatively easy access to Albuquerque (20 min?) and a short drive to Santa Fe (30-35min). My husband did the driving so my drive times might be off. Enjoy your trip.