Lodging: Truth or Consequences

Take a Hip Dip

Over the years, travelers have come to Truth or Consequences in search of a soak in the town’s legendary hot springs. This burg of about 7,000 people on I-25, 150 miles south of Albuquerque, boasts a downtown built over geothermally heated waters, and offers seven or so affordable resorts whose cozy accommodations include hot mineral baths. A great destination for T or C’s increasingly diverse visitors is the Pelican Spa, a compound with a funky, retro ambiance that jibes with the Sierra County seat’s eclectic vibe.

On arriving at the Pelican, you first encounter boldly colored suites flanking a tropically themed courtyard; next to these is the building that houses the spa’s private soaking rooms and office, and just around the corner are several large suites that open on a Zen garden.

Since establishing the Pelican a decade ago, owner Sid Bryan has gradually expanded the resort to its present 26 rooms, most of them located in a two-block area in the heart of T or C’s downtown district, and sporting art and mid-century–style furniture from Bryan’s own collection. Among the newest accommodations, the Red Pelican building houses three Asian-themed rooms complete with original art and statues of the Buddha. This structure also includes The Loft, a 1,500-square-foot suite of industrial chic.

But the Pelican’s ultimate charm might be its affordability: rooms range from $55 to $95 per night. Free use of the private soaking rooms and proximity to great local destinations, such as Rio Bravo Fine Art and Café BellaLuca Italian Restaurant, add to the value of a stay here.

Bryan says the Pelican Spa has consistently drawn visitors from Albuquerque, El Paso, and other nearby cities, but now increasingly welcomes an international clientele as Spaceport America, slated to open at year’s end, takes shape nearby.

From $55 nightly; 306 S. Pershing, (575) 894-0755, www.pelican-spa.com—Ryan Martin Stark