Santa Fe, New Mexico, February 19, 2015 – The iconic, AAA Four Diamond Eldorado Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of Santa Fe, will be undergoing extensive updates including the addition of a wedding chapel, a new 7,000 square foot, indoor ballroom and new lobby bar. The project will also include a refreshed room design and new artwork in the hotel’s 219 guest rooms and suites. Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jim Long made the announcement.
Heritage Hotels & Resorts, the largest, independently owned hotel chain in New Mexico, acquired the historic Eldorado Hotel in May 2014, making it the eighth hotel in the company’s portfolio of New Mexico properties and their fourth hotel in Santa Fe. Heritage Hotels is well known for providing authentic and culturally rich guest experiences across its brand.
“For 25 years, the Eldorado Hotel & Spa has been welcoming guests from all over the world to experience the magic of this diverse destination and its deep historical roots. Our goal in upgrading this treasured hotel and Santa Fe landmark pays further homage to its namesake El Dorado – The City of Gold,” said Long, referring to the countless expeditions in the 16th and 17th centuries by explorers seeking out the fabled cities of gold and immeasurable riches that were ultimately never found. “The new additions and enhancements to Eldorado have been thoughtfully designed to reflect this enduring legend for our guests to embrace and discover while on their travels,” said Long.
According to Long, a reflection of that legendary tale will be seen in the hotel’s new wedding chapel that will feature a 13 foot, hand-carved altar that will be gilded in gold leaf with Spanish colonial design influences. Additionally, upon entering the lobby of the Eldorado, a rustic, Spanish ox cart and a simple, sabino wood bench signifying the arrival of the Spanish, will be contrasted with two six foot, gilded gold floor candelabras that will welcome guests into the Eldorado.
“This comprehensive revitalization of The Eldorado underscores Heritage’s commitment to creating unique and experiential memories for our guests while continuing Eldorado’s historic evolution and status as one of Santa Fe’s most celebrated destination hotels,” said General Manager Douglas Libby.
The renovation plan is currently underway and slated for completion in the spring of 2015. The architect on the project is Wayne S. Lloyd of Lloyd & Associates Architects in Santa Fe. Lloyd was the original architect of The Eldorado Hotel & Spa. Co-interior designers are Kris Lajeskie of Kris Lajeskie Design and Adriana Long of Heritage Hotels & Resorts.
New Grand Ballroom
Currently offering a total of 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the Eldorado’s existing outdoor Pavilion will be transformed into a fully enclosed 7,000 square foot ballroom with 18 foot ceilings. The new Eldorado Grand Ballroom, appropriately named after the historical legend, will be adorned in regionally influenced shades of desert browns and greys with elements of gold, and will be divisible into two separate meeting rooms by sound proof air walls. The Eldorado Grand Ballroom will also feature beamed and coffered ceilings, large, multi-paned doors, traditional wainscoting and custom lighting fixtures. Additionally, it will feature a state-of-the-art LED lighting system in the ceiling, similar to its sister property, Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. The programmable LED lighting system has infinite color and motion variations allowing customers to create a variety of atmospheres for their special event based on their individual needs. The Eldorado Grand Ballroom will be able to host 900 guests reception style and 550 banquet style.
The existing hallways leading to the Eldorado Ballroom and other meeting rooms, as well as the public areas and restrooms are also being updated.
New Wedding Chapel
Offering a simplistic, modern design with white porcelain flooring, the Eldorado’s new wedding chapel will feature a 13 foot hand carved and gilded altar, modern white Kartell chairs and hand carved Peruvian wooden pews to seat 150 people. The exclusive altar will be created by Augustin Parra, a master carver from Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico, who was selected as the artist to create the papal chair and other pieces for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Mexico in 1999. Parra is considered to be a Grand Master of folk art design and craftsmanship and will hand carve and gild the 13 foot altar in gold leaf reflecting the region’s Spanish colonial history. Asymmetrical windows on the right side of the chapel will allow for natural lighting, and recessed candelabra shapes carved out of the wall will allow for tailored LED lighting. In addition, a ceiling floats above the space with LED perimeter lighting allowing wedding couples to select any color that compliments their wedding theme, from simple traditional golds to vibrant spring purples.
Guests will enter the new chapel through a vestibule that also connects to a spacious, private bridal suite. The vestibule will again feature Augustin Parra gilded chairs, a chandelier that drapes from the ceiling and a gilded, framed flat screen TV for displaying images or videos. The bridal suite will reflect the same modern elegance of the chapel and vestibule, using light finishes contrasted with warm gold tones and Peruvian styled, custom vanities. The bride will have her own vanity with a gilded Spanish Colonial style mirror. Separate vanities with beveled mirrors for bridesmaids, a three-sided, full length mirror and private seating area also complement the suite’s amenities.
The hotel is already considered one of Santa Fe’s most desired wedding venues and also offers the city’s only 2,200 square foot rooftop Presidential Patio for couples to say “I Do” with panoramic views of the city and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. The addition of Eldorado’s new wedding chapel will make this an unmatched Southwestern wedding destination.
New Lobby Bar
Already known for its award-winning AGAVE Lounge, recognized as one of Santa Fe’s “Best Night Spots” by USA Today’s 10Best, Heritage is going to further capitalize on Eldorado’s exemplary mixologists and culinary forte by updating the hotel’s existing 4,000 square foot gallery and turning it into a new lobby lounge. Designed as the center focal point of the hotel that will feature a myriad of entertainment options, the new lounge will be anchored by a custom gilded glass-tiled bar with a white concrete top and white leather bar stools with brass accents, while the surround of the back bar will feature vibrant gold leafed glass tiles.
The picturesque venue will also feature custom, commissioned artwork that will depict the legendary story and countless Spanish expeditions in the search for The Lost City of Gold, adding local flavor and lore to the property’s already rich history.
Updated Rooms
Designed to reflect the pueblo revival style of the hotel, Eldorado’s 219 well-appointed, spacious guest rooms and suites, many with authentic wood burning kiva fireplaces or private terraces, will sport new, custom artwork from local artisans, window treatments as well as subtle accent colors on the walls. Artwork in the guestrooms and throughout the hotel was originally curated by renowned Santa Fe art dealer, Eileen Horowitz. Existing amenities will remain, including a work desk with dual-line phone and voicemail, 32″ flat screen HD TV with in-room movies, clock radio with iPod portal, plush terrycloth bathrobes and an in-room refrigerator.
