“ARE WE GOING to see Mr. Pickles?” my daughter asks as our shuttle pulls up to the stables at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. While Mr. Pickles wasn’t available (he was the horse my daughter learned to ride elsewhere), we are introduced to Cowboy, Corey, and Hollywood for a trail ride. “We have trails for every level, from beginner to experienced,” explains our guide, Dominic Duran.

The gentle nose-to-tail ride leads us through the property owned and operated by Santa Ana Pueblo, past ancient petroglyphs etched into volcanic stone, and near the Tuyuna rock formation. The spot, sacred among the people of Santa Ana, is where the first Tamayame leaders stood to claim the land. As we pass, wildlife stirs—deer dart through brush, a fox slips into the trees—quietly around us. Near the Río Grande, the Sandía Mountains cast their blue and lavender shadows across the horizon.

Cultural activities include baking in a traditional oven. Photograph courtesy of Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa.

“Riding is therapeutic,” says Duran, who notes that the stables partner with Tamaya Horse Rehab to care for more than 50 rescued horses. “The connection is something you need to experience firsthand.”

At Tamaya, whose name means “quiet place” in Keres (the original Tamayame language), that feeling can be found not just in the saddle but throughout your stay. Turn off NM 505 near Bernalillo and the five-minute drive winds through ocotillo cacti and sagebrush to the 500 acres of Santa Ana Pueblo land, where nature takes center stage and your stress starts to fade.

Upon our arrival, we are welcomed by the Plaza of the Generations—beautiful life-size bronze statues of Tamayame people, including a powerful female figure with an outstretched hand. From the outside, the adobe-style buildings blend seamlessly with the surrounding semiarid desert landscape. “The hotel is modeled after the original Santa Ana Pueblo village from the 1600s,” says Ben Hogge, assistant director
of sales.

Set on 500 acres of Santa Ana Pueblo land, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa provides a deep dive into the area's culture and nature. Photograph courtesy of Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa.

Inside, the footprint mirrors the communal living spaces of the pueblo, with clusters of rooms representing homes and shared spaces symbolizing plazas. These courtyards were once central to daily life, serving as places for trade, celebration, and storytelling. Even the kiva-inspired architecture—circular, semisubterranean spaces—of the adult pool and Tamaya Cultural Center nods to the sacred structures where the Tamayame gathered for ceremonies and spiritual reflection.

Since I hadn’t been on a horse in years, I felt a massage was well deserved at the resort’s Tamaya Mist Spa. I opted for the Ancient Drumming treatment, which includes a Jemez-sourced mud body mask and a percussive massage via sage-infused poultices. What’s not to love about a holistic pummeling to relieve muscle tension? I thought.

Meanwhile, my husband explored the Srai-Wi menu (“my children” in Keres), a lineup of cultural activities like dream-catcher making, basket weaving, and pottery sculpting—all taught by Santa Ana Pueblo members. My daughter, however, had other priorities: The pool has a zippy waterslide.

Corn Maiden, the resort’s signature restaurant, serves dishes that tell a full circle story of the land. Photograph courtesy of Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa.

The evening brought us to Corn Maiden, the resort’s signature restaurant recently reopened after a pandemic closure. Under the guidance of executive chef Nathan Larsen, the restaurant now features a fermentation program, a worm composting system, and a garden where much of the menu’s produce—squash, tomatoes, and edible flowers—is grown. “Maintaining the garden is like our happy hour,” jokes Larsen. “We also forage the land for ingredients to make things like wild tea, prickly-pear vinegar, and piñon nut chutneys.”

I imagine the Pueblo ancestors would be proud of Corn Maiden’s mission. “Our dishes tell a full circle story,” Larsen says. “Every plate incorporates something grown here or made on-site.” The surprising standout? The grilled cabbage with lobster, crafted by New Mexico native and chef de cuisine George Silva. Its unexpected flavors were worth returning for.

Indeed, Tamaya isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an immersive journey into the land, culture, and traditions of the Santa Ana Pueblo. Whether exploring the bosque by bike, listening to ancient legends by the campfire, or simply gazing at the starlit sky, every experience draws you closer to the spirit of Tamaya.

As we packed up to leave, my daughter turned to me and asked, “When can we come back?” Soon, I thought, very soon.

Read more: For a small town, Bernalillo brings a big heart to its history, traditions, and sense of community.

DON’T MISS

Gather in the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa courtyard to watch bread baked the traditional Pueblo way—in a wood-fired haruna oven. Fresh from the flames, the bread is served with an irresistible spread of butters and jams. It’s simple, delicious, and free to enjoy.