Ten Thousand Waves

What’s with all the fuss about nudity? Ha ha. Silly. Don’t got to a spa if you squirm over their clothing optional etiquette. Besides, everyone wears swimsuit bottoms anyway. We felt just fine and nothing was distasteful or whatever. Relax.
And now what’s the fuss over this whole spa in general? Frankly, I was disappointed. Valentine’se Day was really busy for the spa, no doubt about it. My guy really liked his massage and all, yes. But the amenity limitations and lackluster quality is something I bet I’d experience any day.
My massage was good. I loved the oil drench in my hair and the foot treatment during the Nose to Toes session was unlike anything I had before. My specialist seemed a bit rushed. She talked hurriedly and said to take your time on the table but I got the impression she had a lot of appointments to press through. The body and mind and spirit can sense your rush. Not very relaxing.
I was not impressed with my facial. The specialist was not connected to her work and her strokes were not soft. She didn’t ask about my skin care regimen or involve me in the facial. I felt like just a number and some prop on a table while she gave me the run-​of the-​mill standard treatment. Why did I pay for this? I’ve had way better at Elizabeth Arden for example. And EA is considered average by many spa snobs.
Locker rooms are tiny with no room to open the locker without hitting your neighbor. And the main spa entryway is tiny. It’s the same place as check-​out and the retail store and the tour guide spot and the complimentary beverage station. Wow. So people come and go constantly and congest your relaxation space when you want a spot of tea while half dressed in a kimono.
I think my biggest problem is with the space. Granted they do a great job making use of the small space, rising high into the mountain. Granted maybe the women’s only section is bigger (no idea). But still, it’s small. I prefer to spread out and relax and take your time. It’s about relaxation, right? Here everything is very limited. Abundance in space and amenity allows for relaxation. Scarcity sabotages.
Just to give you an idea: The pool size is about as big as your backyard pool. The foot spa seats maybe 6 people and the relaxation room can accommodate maybe 8 – 10. The sauna is nice but you better not stay in there more than a few minutes. There is a waiting area the size of a restaurant lobby where people wait for their name to be called. And those are all your options except an outdoor hallway with benches. Community style is fine but how big is the community? So basically, everyone is taking up a spot or is waiting in line for something to open up. The pool doesn’t have a lot of sun chairs so you have to wait for someone to get up. The relax room (my favorite because it smells so good and it’s peaceful and warm with mood music) gets completely full so you have to wait your turn to get in. And the foot spa continuously has a line of people hawking until you leave to get a chance to dip a toe in. You are constantly watching vigilantly to take a turn at spa options. Always watching and keeping track. Or feeling someone impatiently waiting after you. Humph. Not very relaxing.
What’s more… If everything is occupied what do you do? Stand around and relax? I guess I could relax like that at home and save some money. And since the passageways are in general very small you are constantly being jostled about. And I never heard the intercom announcements once the entire 5 hours I was there. Are you on time for your appointment? Where’s your watch? Really not relaxing.
There just wasn’t enough time or space in the world to fully enjoy this super expensive spa.

Wife and I went on our honey moon and made this a stop and man we weren’t disappointed. Tranquil, peaceful, and BUMBLEBEE TUNA

If it wasn’t for the all the children (ages 4 – 10) running and being loud in the dressing room and sauna/​hot tub areas, I might have rated this spa a 3.5. Honestly the end of my stay was particularly unpleasant due to kids opening and closing the sauna door 20 times playing and then a confrontation with the mothers who were ignoring their children. Management does not monitor their own facility and the 2 guys who gave us our initial tour (I am guessing one had to be in training, or why was he following us around) were not very knowledgeable or helpful when I brought it to their attention as I was leaving. The front desk was not interested in my unpleasant experience either (even though they robotically ask guests if they had a good time) BTW — We intentionally went in November during the middle of the week so children should not be an issue — even though it should NEVER be an issue at top spas.
1 star = Customer service from management
1 star = Children allowed and loud in spa area
3 stars — Masseuses /​treatments for price
3 stars — On property restaurant
4 stars — Property ambiance/​architecture
The spa has a nice zen architectural design and many nice features where it could easily be a top spa, but management and owners are obviously not interested or experienced in customer service.
Spa Treatments: My girlfriend and I chose one of the packages that was available at that time that included time in the private tub + 50 min shiatsu deep tissue massage and then another treatment (I forgot the name of it). The treatments were fine, but I can not say it was wonderful. The thing that really bothered me was that they took me down the stairs for the first treatment, then returned me to the quiet room afterwards, only to wait 2 minutes to be taken back to the same room I was in before. Huh? It would have been much more relaxing for me to stay in the room and just have the masseuse come to my room. First why couldn’t the same person do both treatments?, Second, why waste time changing linens?, and most importantly why didn’t you allow me to relax in the room instead of going up/​down stairs between treatments that were back-​to-​back etc…
I wish my memory of this place had been more serene and relaxing– that is what I was looking for from a day at the spa.

Ten Thousand Waves is one of our favorite places in the world. For the same price as an average upper mid price hotel, you get a room with radiant heat floors, gorgeous Japanese minimalist design, the aroma of burning cedar from a fireplace in the wintertime, hot soaking tubs under evergreen boughs, and let’s not forget the luxury of a radiant heat toilet seat. It can be counted in to be clean and quiet and tranquil and we always sleep deep.
If you are interested in a spa treatment, I highly recommend a master’s massage with Wayne. Wayne methodically found the pressure points in all of my shoulders and back, and used techniques he’s developed in over 20 years of experience to release them one by one. I realize now that I never REALLY had a massage before Wayne worked his magic. It was exceptional. He is a wizard.

I just visited Ten Thousand Waves for my birthday which is New Year’s Day. Ten Thousand waves made it the best birthday I’ve ever had.
Though it was very crowded because of the holiday, the staff handled it so well and was able to still make people feel like a special guest
My boyfriend and I spent hours just soaking in the communal tub while gazing at the snow covered hills. I spent time being naked in the woman’s spa, which was so relaxing, and we spent time just wandering in kimonos drinking tea or laying in the relaxation room.
Because of the popularity were couldn’t get much in the way of services but we did get a couple 25 minute appointments. For the price I would have liked the services to be deeper to make the most out of the little time, but the masseuses we had were very kind.
While the price at the end of the day there lowered some of the joy, Ten thousand waves is remarkably special. Especially in the snow! I was like a Japanese macaque soaking blissfully to nirvana.
I can’t wait to return back to Santa fe and back to ten thousand waves.

Always been one of my favorite Santa Fe indulgences. A beautiful setting and lovely services. We had a nice couples massage over the holidays, just wish the therapists weren’t so chatty.

I loved this place the first time I went many years ago and I love it now. My attempt to miss the holiday crowds didn’t work here as it was very busy and rather too crowded for my tastes.
The staff were very friendly and did everything to make my spa day a relaxing one. I do admit, there were some times that I’m sure that I taxed their patience! (What’s new, huh?). As I’ve gotten older, it’s been just that little bit harder to be around that many people (except at concerts) and I had my share of unrelaxing moments. I found the people in the changing rooms to be both rude (hogging the benches whilst knowing you were waiting for your locker they just happened to be standing in front of) and cliquey. My first visit, long ago, it was quieter but this time triggered tiresome flashbacks to junior high PE.
I was lucky enough to have Margo. Can I wax endlessly about Margo? She was superb in so many ways. She was completely professional professional but so relaxed about it. She explained all the treatments in as much detail as I wanted or needed. For a change, I didn’t need every tiny detail about everything. I had a very comforting body wrap. Wrapped in layers of thermal blankets, hot and heavy towels/​sheets and then having the chilly contrast of a cold compress and cucumbers over the eyes. it was like a… great set of tortilla chips and queso… crunchy aka cold and mushy aka hot. Next up was a lovely massage and while I do prefer my massage therapist at home, Margo couldn’t have been better at that moment. I ended my trifecta with a salt scrub. Wow, that was superb. I am so finding a place to have one of these done at home. It’s completely different than a DIY sugar scrub at home. Better yet, if you have a SO — have them do it for you.
Everything was super clean. There was never a moment where you had doubts about that. The front desk and security staff were great. I wish I could have stayed the night and let the experience sink in but there weren’t rooms available when I was booking my vacation. Perhaps, next time. It would just dot the i on a very relaxing experience.
I did miss my moonlit hot tub but I did get to relax a while in one of the private tubs overlooking the snowy forest and while I was still a little anxious, it was lovely. The sun that was out wasn’t strong enough to make it seem any less quiet and contemplative.

Once upon a time, this place had tons of charm, tranquility and a telluric atmosphere. A place where many locals also enjoyed going for a treat in the great all wood sauna and jacuzzi, engaging in great conversation with great people…
Recently, the owner made some very unattractive changes to the place:
*the sauna lost the wood and it is now very generic
*the jacuzzi used to be all wood, strong jets, circular and deep enough to comfortably seat in the wood benched with the HOT water up to your chest. It was called «the communal tub», which is now this humongous shallow pool, with weak jets only in one side. It is so big that lost its communal side, the water is just warm and if you have back problems it makes very hard to be comfortable sitting. It looks like a glorified motel tub.
*also, the communal tub area was also clothes optional, which is now «bottom» required. The women have their own tub/​sauna with clothes optional but not the men. To my understanding, this is nothing but a discriminatory homophobic decision!
*prices have gone very high and it became a tourist TRAP!
I have been promoting their business for over 12 years and will not go back ever again!!!

Most breathtaking, relaxing, magical spa. It’s a Japanese oasis in beautiful Santa Fe. We stayed in the Crescent Moon room which had a fireplace, full kitchen, a queen bed and futon bed. It was huge and cozy at the same time. The bedding was nice and soft and there was a complimentary breakfast everyday of homemade granola, coffee, tea, milk and fresh fruit. Every night there was a chocolate Buddha on our pillow ;)
The hotel restaurant, Izanami, was amaaaaazing. I highly suggest getting the omakase. They also had a great selection of sake and a very cute gift shop.
The spa was fabulous! It had several private baths, several saunas, a lovely communal pool, a quiet room with headphones to listen to tranquil music, a wonderful gift shop, treatment rooms, free water and hot tea and a snack bar with organic salads, sandwiches and snacks.
I can’t wait to come back and stay for a longer period of time. It’s winter with snow on the ground which it made it so magical. I’m looking forward to seeing this place in the summer.
The staff was extremely courteous, friendly and helpful ! Big kudos to Alicia from housekeeping, Elizabeth and Katherine at the front office, Alexander and Kaitlin at the restaurant, Michelle, Buddha Bob, Keito, Shea at the spa.

Really beautiful, zen place. Great shampoo/​soap products in the locker room, wonderful snack bar (although only the water is complimentary), cute gift shop. My favorite thing here was the pants I wore during my shiatsu massage. It’s really a bummer that they don’t sell them! I could’ve lived in those pants for the rest of my life.
This place was actually 3.5 stars for me, but I’m rounding up. I came here after unwinding at Ojo Caliente for a few days, so I was perhaps a little less impressed with the baths. The women’s only was super crowded and chatty, and the co-​ed one was nicer (it was recently remodeled) but shallow and very exposed. Also, it’s impossible to hear your name being called over the intercom system. There are no clocks too, so it’s easy to just lose touch with all reality and then show up to your appointment late. Whoops.
The 80 minute shiatsu massage was relaxing, but I don’t think it was worth the $ 189 price tag. We stayed at the facilities for a total of 3 hours, but weren’t really sure if the visit was worth over $ 200.
I would be curious to come back and stay in one of the rooms for a night or two for the full experience.

This place is heaven on earth! Great service and very nice relaxing accommodation. We absolutely loved to stay there for a weekend. Wonderful spa!!! Definitely come back there. !!!

I went here with my girlfriend while we were on a road trip. One of my friends recommended we try 10,000 waves, and I’m sure glad we did! It was the most relaxing few hours I’ve spent anywhere. The facilities are very well kept, very peaceful and serine. I thought the prices were fair for this kind of upscale service and amenities. I read that at least some reviewers felt it was more reserved for the 1%, but I certainly didn’t feel that way being there. Yes, after tip I spent $ 300 for the private tub, salt rub, head and body message, but I don’t do this everyday, and probably you don’t either. I think it was worth every penny. I do wish I could go more often, but for a special occasion, it is well worth it. I felt like a million bucks after leaving. My girlfriend felt the same way. We definitely plan to return in the future.

Love love love this place!
Yes, prices have started to risen since I first started going to 10k waves in 2006 but if you buy a spa package and get the discount to their restaurant it is worth every penny!
Compared to other spas or bath houses (CA, NYC, FL, CO etc.) this place is reasonably priced and you can’t go wrong with the spa package for under $ 500 (private tub, private sauna, salt glow, massage, facial and 20% coupon off a meal). Plus the plumb saki in the restaurant? I was in heaven and so pampered that towards the end of my last treatment I didn’t think I could handle anymore goodness! My only wish is that they would partner with shohko but then I would never leave. :)
Also, great to visit after skiing all day I miss living in Santa Fe!

We showed up late on a Tuesday night. We were lucky that it was ladies night! 25 $ and we got to spend a few hours in the hot tub, sauna and cold pool. The tubs are outdoor and at night you are surrounded by trees, crisp air and trickling rain drops. It felt amazing. They also had a nice meditation room with headphones.
This place was amazing.

The spa was amazing. We had the buddah packages, which includes a massage, a herb wrap, a private tub, and a salt glow. $ 255 + tip each. Normally, I’d have thought it was a hell of a lot of money for these services, but let me be the first too tell you, this was worth every penny. Everyone was incredible, super nice and very attuned to my body and needs. Very impressed and will definitely consider coming again.
The room (blue moon) is gorgeous and utterly worth the price. Staff was friendly and helpful all the way.

Worth it.
I do not usually go with my honey to spas, because we were on the couples weekend, I went with the flow… It was certainly relaxing. Next time, sushi!

At least once a year, we travel out of state to do something a little different. On our trip to Albequerque, New Mexico for the Balloon Festival we decided to stay in Santa Fe at Ten Thousand Waves. I previously worked in the spa industry and had heard many positive things about Ten Thousand Waves and I can now confirm it all to be true! First, I love most things Japanese and I like the natural aspects of New Mexico. It is a match made in heaven here. We stayed in a room, which I have provided a few photos. It was spacious and came with it’s own deck and patio area. The property was so quiet and surrounded by nature, yet not far away for other day trips or excursions. We booked treatments at the spa and we both were pleased with our services. Two of my favorite aspects were the heated foot bath overlooking the Koi pond and waterfall area and the local homemade salads and snacks available for take-​out from the spa. Ten Thousand Waves was building a full-​service restaurant on the property and it was to be open for business any day. More than anything, I feel that Ten Thousand Waves offers a great value for all the luxury and amenities you get.
PS — They place a buddha chocolate on your pillow at night!

AMAZING SPA!
I had ‘the natural’ package this week. And I enjoyed every single minute of it!
Beautiful Japanese houses and private tub in a natural setting were incredible and my masseuse Lys was the one of the best masseuse I’ve ever had.
I’ve been to fancy hotel SPAs like Mandarin Orientals (buckhead, GA), Broadmoor hotel (Colorado), and Standard spa (Miami) but this 萬波 (màn-​pa, Ten thousand waves in Ganji) is definitely one level above from all those luxurious hotel SPAs !
And it maybe not cheap but It’s definitely cheaper than the others! I have nomally paid for $ 300 for 90 mins for those hotel SPAs as I remember but at TTW, with much better environment, for 3 full hours, including private jacuzzi in the mountain, surrounded by cute birds, trees and sky… I paid $ 250. (Tip not included)
Head and neck massage was wonderful. Lys poor warm oil to my head which made my hair sooo silky next day. And deep tissue was one of a kind. As a last massage, salt glow was amazing too, oil+salt scrub made my skin literally glowing!!!
Domo Arigatto ManPa!!!

I spent 4 hours at this lovely escape and wanted to stay for longer. Next time I will plan an overnight to fully soak it all in!
Lunch was authentic and tasty — lots of small plates to try of tasty but non-​fattening food keeps the focus on a «clean experience» that you’d get from staying at a classic Japanese onsen.
I had 3 treatments: massage, foot treatment and head treatment. Of these, I would repeat the massage and head treatment but skip the foot treatment.
Head treatment:
My hair had been dried out from a few days in NM and the camellia oil repaired it back to it’s shiny self! The treatment was relaxing and massage portion was thorough.
Massage:
Farley is amazing at bodywork. She listened well to my descriptions of runner’s pain and customized the 50 minute massage to my trouble areas. She even hopped on the table and dug her knees into my aching sciatica and I walked out with a new set of legs!
Foot treatment:
This was a let down. Mamie used almost no pressure (even after asked to increase) on my feet and I thought it was throwing $ 60 down the drain. Not worth the time or money.

I don’t know where to begin. Well, I know exactly where to begin, but it’s difficult to say it without any sort of misunderstandings. Here we go anyway:
I like to think I’m pretty comfortable with nudity in general, but I recently discovered that witnessing naked old man yoga exists just outside my comfort zone.
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Short version: I got a fantastic massage here, but there was entirely too much male genitalia on display. At least for me. And my wife. And the parents who I feel should have been warned before they brought their child up there.
Longer version: Overall, Ten Thousand Waves is a peaceful, high-​quality spa retreat. Located just outside Santa Fe, I was already feeling relaxed by the time we were walking up the steps to the spa itself. It’s a lovely place. We arrived a bit early, so we were instructed to shower, put on our kimonos, and take a dip in the communal hot tub or use the foot bath if we felt so inclined.
What they don’t tell you about the communal hot tub is that there will be lots and lots of penises all over the area. My wife and I discovered this abruptly when we stepped around the barrier and came face to penis with an older man on the slightly raised platform doing naked yoga directly in front of the towel rack.*
If I had to guess, there were about nine people (including women) in the communal area, and it was a six to three exposed-​penis to no-​exposed-​penis ratio. I can’t claim to know if that’s a consistent ratio or not, but you’ll have to decide whether or not that exceeds your personal naked-​penis-​tolerance (or if you should spring for a private hot tub). One benefit of this communal experience is that the plethora of naked, hairy, overweight, middle-​aged men has led to my wife REALLY appreciating what I’ve got going on over here.
Now that I’ve warned you about the communal area, I’d also like to warn you about the sauna. PEOPLE, BE CAREFUL IN THE SAUNA.
I don’t know if the Ten Thousand Waves sauna is particularly hot, if it’s the altitude, or if the folks we saw were not being careful about hydrating (or a combination of the three), but we saw two gentlemen who definitely couldn’t handle the heat.
1. Five minutes after we walked in, a man exited the sauna, hit the cold plunge, and was walking back to the sauna when he swayed, collapsed, and hit his head on the side of the wooden sauna structure. It was actually very scary. And surreal.
I hopped out of the hot tub and ran over to get him some water… but then I backed off because he was immediately surrounded by three or four other concerned sauna-​goers, and they seemed to have it well in hand. He came around quickly, but I can’t imagine he was doing great seeing as how he had just passed out and hit his head… and now he was coming to, unsure of where he was, surrounded by four middle-​aged, naked, SQUATTING men.**
2. As we lounged on the lounge chairs later on, the man to our right turned somewhat pale and vomited into his towel. Then, embarrassed, he ran around the side to the showers and continued vomiting. I can’t imagine he was doing great either.
PEOPLE, BE CAREFUL IN THE SAUNA.
After the vomiting incident, we headed downstairs for our massages. Which were lovely. Becky had very strong hands, and it was relaxing in the most punishing way possible. Perhaps the best massage I’ve ever gotten, and worth the sizable price tag.
We then spent the balance of the day drinking cucumber water, chilling in the Relaxing Room, eating snacks, watching the gigantic koi swim below the waterfall, and gradually getting more and more used to very old men walking by us, kimono-​less.***
Despite the trials and tribulations of our first few minutes at the communal hot tub, it was a very pleasant day. I would absolutely recommend this spa to anyone… although I might say you should spring for the private hot tub. Not only because of the nudity (unless that truly bothers you, as opposed to making you laugh), but because as we left we saw an older, heavier gentleman squatting in the hot tub and leaning forward. If I had to guess, it appeared that he was using one of the jets as his own personal bidet.
You sir, are a disgusting human being, and the reason I would require bathing suits at my spa. The one that I will probably never open because of everything I just mentioned.
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*I decided to airdry.
**I think I had a nightmare like this.
***Resulting conversations led to this: