At the southern end, Casa de Sueños (House of Dreams) rests near a mesa top at the edge of the open desert with fabulous views of the Franklin Mountains and Rio Grande. Only 12 minutes west of El Paso, the B&B’s serenity surprises—and delights—guests. “It’s a desert oasis,” says Marlene Eichner, who with her husband, George Bollinger, owns and operates the B&B. They do all the cooking, offering their guests a healthful menu and specializing in Southwest cuisine. Marlene boasts, “We make a mean huevos rancheros.”

In the central area of New Mexico, nestled in the piñons of the Sandia Mountains near Tijeras, lies Heavenly Lodge. The B&B’s park-like setting and privacy are perfect for an intimate weekend, “quiet introspection, and just hanging out,” says manager Linda Dunnill. Here, there’s no schedule. You can sit on the lodge’s second-floor veranda and enjoy the mountain vistas or relax under the stars in the outdoor hot tub.

Linda and Marlene are ready to accommodate your particular definition of romance. Do you want breakfast in your room—with fresh flowers? You’ve got it. An afternoon massage? They know whom to call. Dinner for two by candlelight? That can be arranged. Heavenly Lodge offers a “Sweetheart Double Date” two night package for two or three couples, with a large, hot buffet breakfast (you decide the time), a bottle of champagne for each couple, and the entire three-floor lodge for you and your friends. With two weeks advance notice, certified chef Penny DeRose will plan and prepare additional meals, or you can take over the lodge’s kitchen, never leaving the mountain retreat.

At Casa de Sueños, Marlene is proud of all her rooms and she is able to board up to 11 people. She recommends the Kokopeli and Los Pajaritos rooms because they’re the coziest “good for snuggling,” she says. Kokopeli, the largest room, has a king-size bed, alcove, and patio.

Speaking of sweethearts, what if you are planning a February wedding? Heavenly Lodge creates a heavenly atmosphere for weddings. All kinds of arrangements can be made—from ordering the flowers to getting tents set up to having food for the reception. If spectacular views and thoughtful services aren’t enough to make the wedding special, you can top it off by going to the pond at night to sit and listen to the night around you, as the moon reflects off the water.

From Heavenly Lodge in Tijeras, you can take a daytime excursion along the Turquoise Trail (N.M. 14) north to Madrid, the old mining town turned artists’ community, or south to Mountainair and the Shaffer Hotel for lunch and poking around its art galleries, or west along Route 66 into Albuquerque. Maybe you and your sweetheart want to take advantage of the great open spaces nearby and go for a walk or run.

Set out on foot or bike from the lodge to one of the hiking and biking trails in the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, part of the Cibola National Forest. Information can be found at the Sandia District Ranger Station in Tijeras. If there is snow, Sandia Peak Ski Area is 35 minutes away.

You aren’t likely to find snow at Casa de Sueños in February. The 50- to 60-degree average daytime highs make February the Casa’s busiest month. But you can make easy day trips into Mexico, either from the trolley service between El Paso and Juarez or from Columbus, N.M., into Las Palomas, Mexico, 60 miles west on Highway 9. Or drive north along old Highway 28 to the village of Mesilla, with its historic plaza, just outside of Las Cruces. Wineries, a pecan orchard, a weaver’s studio, and a mesquite furniture maker are among the attractions that line the route. Back at Casa de Sueños in the evening, you can find yourself on the patio porch swing in the moonlight, a glass of wine in one hand and in the other, your special someone’s.

Author: Andrea S. Lee lives in Albuquerque with her cats, Carlos and Lobo, and operates Legacy Editing, specializing in writing and editing educational, literary, and religious/spiritual materials.

Reprinted with permission from New Mexico Woman Magazine