Get your creative juices flowing at Double DD Ranch!

Double DD Ranch is Santa Fe’s new kid on the block. This 27-acre unique retreat and event venue, created by celebrated TV writer/producer Maxine Lapiduss and her spouse, bestselling author and visual artist, Hillary Carlip, is now open. 

After decades of living and working in L.A., the couple began to think about their next chapter. They reevaluated their priorities and decided to focus on beauty, joy and wellness. Several of their friends had moved to Santa Fe during COVID, prompting the women to visit and check out the City Different. They fell in love with the landscape and nature, art, culture, climate and food scene, plus they soon discovered how much more affordable the place is compared to L.A. 

The idea to establish a retreat and event center seemed organic to Maxine and Hillary, who’ve been part of other artist-led retreats all over the world. And when they found Double DD Ranch, the plan took root. “We’ve always mentored other creatives and we’ve always thrown crazy themed parties,” explains Hillary. “So, this feels like an opportunity to do both. Merging the yin and yang, the high and low, elevated the kitsch. All with s’mores.” 

Double DD Ranch, once part of Eaves Movie Ranch, is known for its sweeping views and endless vistas, making it no surprise that it served Hollywood well as a film location for many classic westerns. And though less than a half hour from the heart of Santa Fe, the place feels worlds away. 

The women spent the last year and a half transforming their rustic ranch into a modern destination for retreats, special events and pop-ups. Truly a labor of love! 

Lodging at the Double DD accommodates up to twelve guests in both the main and renovated bunkhouse, the latter which also features an oversized kitchen and breakfast hub. Up to forty more guests can be housed onsite in elegant, yet rustic glamping tents. 

The main house has three private bedroom/bathroom suites, each with its own entrance and flanking a center courtyard. They feature luxe bedding, polished concrete floors, diamond plaster walls, cathedral ceilings, oversized French doors and million dollar views. There’s a cook’s kitchen with high end appliances, multiple dining spaces and satellite wireless. 

Over in the barn, you’ll find an 800-square-foot, light-filled room with cathedral ceilings, French doors and covered portals, making it optimal for indoor-outdoor flow. Nearby is the arena, ideal for larger scale tented setups, glamping, concerts, riding events, movie nights and more. It’s also available for film and TV shoots. And of course, there’s a set of firepits beckoning storytellers and stargazers with a penchant for s’mores!

The women are eager to introduce others to the Double DD and the Land of Enchantment. “Being 20 minutes from Santa Fe and 35 from Albuquerque makes it a snap to get to,” says Hillary. “The design is very modern and the house and other structures feel intimate and part of the landscape. Plus, we love our bunkhouse, barn and we have a flat-fenced acre pasture perfect for performances and animal shenanigans. But it also feels sacred and magical, we want to welcome other like-minded beings to come do their thing.”

Their creative writing retreats kick off on March 22nd with Francesca Lia Block, celebrated bestselling author of over thirty books. It’s open to writers of all levels. Then, on April 20th, Maxine and Hillary will host their own writing workshop, “Putting the ME in Memoir,” followed in May with a songwriters retreat in association with the Willis Wonderland Foundation. “We are excited to introduce the community to our circle of amazing artists and teachers,” comments Hillary, “as well as bring our own energy and creativity to others through gatherings at our magical property.” 

According to Maxine, the costs of the retreats vary depending on the length of the retreat, time of year, focus and add-ons. She notes, “We are all about collaborating with great local chefs, distillers and providing unique experiences for each gathering. Three-day retreats start as low as $2000 and go up from there.”

The couple is booking a range of events and experiences – private pop-up dinners, benefits for non-profits, concerts, workshops, girls weekend gatherings, business and leadership conferences, family reunions, etc. Also in the plans is a film series featuring many westerns that have been filmed at the ranch over the years when the place was part of Eaves Movie Ranch. “We think it’ll be great to have dinner and watch these classics in the pasture with the Lone Butte, which was featured in all of those films, as the backdrop,” says Maxine. “It’s stunning to look at and we hope it will be nostalgic and delightful.” 

www.ddranchevents.com

Feature Photo Courtesy of Double DD Ranch