El Paso Magazine - Travel | Ruidoso February 2007

ESCAPE RESORT IN RUIDOSO
Where a warm casita and a bottle of wine await your arrival.

With winter weather in full swing and Valentine's Day right around the corner, February might have you craving a snowy weekend getaway for two. Whether you're in the mood for a ski trip, a shopping excursion or simply a few relaxing days away, Ruidoso, NM is the perfect place to escape from it all, if only for a bit.

Nestled in the large pine trees off Mechum Drive, the aptly named Escape Resort offers premier lodging and much more. Southwestern with a modern touch, the resort's contemporary design is perhaps its most striking feature. Every architectural and interior design element was chosen carefully to offer visitors a feeling of luxury. "We wanted our guests to feel as though they were escaping from it all," says Stan Cape, owner of the resort.

Luxury at the resort begins with amenities. "I am not aware of any other cabins that offer 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows and feather beds," says Cape of some of the resort's finer comforts. Indeed, it is this attention to detail that sets this resort apart. Every casita has a fully furnished kitchen, great room, and depending on its size, one or two bedrooms. High ceilings, 8 foot doors, leather furniture, two oversized flat-screen televisions and a gas fireplace complete the overall aesthetic. And of course, no luxurious lodging would be complete without a spectacular bathroom. At the Escape, the bathroom is an experience all its own. Fully equipped with a steam shower, body spray jets, drench shower heads and a two person air jet jacuzzi bathtub, this bathroom was designed to deliver complete and total relaxation.

The Escape Resort is the perfect place to visit, offering that much-sought-after feeling of "home away from home." Its indulgent amenities make it hard to tear yourself away, but when you muster the energy to go out and explore more of Ruidoso, the resort's central location will make it that much easier. Located within minutes of the city's main shopping area as well as the casino, Escape also offers the A-Frame Ski Shop and Stan's Snowboard Shop located on the premises, offering high performance equipment, ski valet service and ski and snowboard rental packages. And, at the end of the day, your casita will be the perfect place to unwind with your complimentary bottle of wine.

Be sure to book your reservations early for this hidden gem in Ruidoso. Currently there are only six casitas available, and 17 more are in the works. "We are building a water feature along the back side of the six casitas. Guests will be able to walk along it and listen to the calming sounds of running water," says Cape. Come fall of 2007, Cape also plans to have not only a full-service spa with private massage rooms, but also a fitness center with an infinity edge lap pool, private locker rooms and a variety of exercise equipment. These amenities will only add to the allure of Escape and make it a first-class, full-service resort and spa right up the road in Ruidoso.

The verdict? The Escape Resort is most definitely Ruidoso's premier destination, and attention to detail and excellent amenities make it worth every penny. Make a reservation and head to the Escape Resort. A warm casita and a bottle of wine await your arrival.