BY LINDSEY RAE GJORDING
You’ve booked your trip to Taos – now, where to stay? For a truly unique Taos experience, we’ve got an assortment of stays to suit you and the whole family.
Whether vintage trailer hotel or tour glamping, riverside forest cabin or in town historic lodging, each will connect with a different aspect of your inner Taoseño.
Here are four unique places to lay your head at night, fit to satisfy the rustic, quirky, adventurous and historic side in all of us. With lodging covered, now you can focus on the more important question: Will your chile be red, green or Christmas?
HOTEL LUNA MYSTICA
With 22 vintage trailers to choose from, Hotel Luna Mystica is a retro-lovers paradise. This vintage trailer hotel and campground sits smack on the Taos Mesa, occupying12 peaceful acres of high desert with sweeping mountain views. Situated close to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, visitors can easily access Ojo Caliente, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco, Questa, and more. For those who like to pitch a tent, there are 60 campsites and even a work lounge to accommodate travelers on the go.
The most unique aspect of this park is the rich, layered history of their trailers. Each has a fun story to share: “Sunnie” the 1950 Spartan Manor was part of the Flower Power movement in San Francisco, while “Louise” the 1967 Avion Tourist voyaged the Texas Gulf, then spent time at a hippie commune in Colorado.
Their stories are almost as fun as the hand-picked interior decor! For those seeking vintage soul with modern amenities, each trailer comes with a private deck, bathroom, bed, and kitchen facilities. All rooms come equipped with both air conditioning and heat, ensuring a cozy stay no matter the time of year. Outdoor showers and delicious, potable well water offer an added perk for guests wanting a true taste of northern New Mexico.
TALL PINE RESORT
Aching for a cabin getaway? Then Tall Pine Resort in Red River might be just for you! Located 45 minutes from Taos in the mountainous town of Red River, these resort cabins are nestled directly into the lush greenery locals know and love. Open from May 15 to September 30, the resort lets you immerse yourself in the serene nature of Red River with 23 rustic cabins scattered over 30 acres of river front and mountainside property.
Staying in cabins with cute names like Chipmunk, Pinecone, Chickadee and Wild Rose, you’ll love the old timey feel of mountain living. Each cabin comes with a porch, bathroom, kitchen and sleeping areas. Outdoor grills are available upon request. Cabins like the Golden Treasure are located near the Secret Trail and just above the lake while others are tucked quietly into the forest. Accommodations range from single to one, two or three bedrooms, with largest cabins sleeping up to eight.
As a bonus, some cabins come with a cozy fireplace for late night smores and storytelling. Enjoy the moment and bask in the tranquil vacation you deserve; cabins are free from television and telephone. Just a mile outside of Red River itself, the resort is just a hop, skip and a jump away from a plethora of gift shops, outfitters, live music venues, tours, restaurants and rentals.
HERITAGE INSPIRATIONS’ GLAMPING
Heritage Inspirations’ Glamping is both a getaway and an adventure. “Go luxuriously wild,” says their website, with package deals that exceed most visitors’ dreams. Inviting you along as a “Glampour,” Her-itage Inspirations combines glamour, camping and touring, creating a unique atmosphere where camp is built around a specific itinerary.
Immersive day excursions through the land of enchantment will teach you more about the Southwest than any tour guide or shopping trip, allowing visitors to fully embrace the wild and western spirit of Northern New Mexico. Seasonally inspired multi-course meals paired with New Mexican wines are lovingly prepared by the Glamping Chef, allowing visitors time to sightsee and adventure.
These excursions are best suited for those who want an authentic experience of New Mexico, and you can rest assured you’ll enjoy high-end creature comforts come nightfall. Their 2024 summer glamping excursions revolve around the Perseid Meteor Shower with outdoor yoga, hiking, shopping and other opportunities to ground into the local culture and land.
The adventure starts with a walking tour through the historic downtown plaza area. Learn about the Taos Society of Artists and visit artisan studios and galleries.
After learning about weaving, painting and jew-elry-making, guests make a quick pit stop to sample sweet treats from the world-fa-mous chocolate makers at Chokola, all ethically sourced and lovingly crafted by hand following a bean-to-bar process.
Guests then venture to the Rio Grande Valley for spectacular views of the Rio Grande Gorge and its jaw-dropping 800-foot chasm. Finally, load into camp and enjoy the night relaxing or join others for a yoga class. At night, guests stare in awe at the crisp, clear night skies, chock-full of stars and delight. This August 3-day, 2-night deluxe high-altitude adventure will leave you with leave you enchanted with memories. Don’t forget to register before it’s too late!
LA FONDA ON THE PLAZA
For a more luxurious option, head for the historic Hotel La Fonda, one of the most iconic hotels in Taos located down-town. The only lodging located in the historic Taos Plaza, Hotel La Fonda situates guests a stone’s throw away from delicious restaurants, art galleries, boutique shops and historic muse-ums.
In 1820, Taos had its first “La Fonda” (“the Inn” in Spanish). Initially a mercantile store that rented rooms, this historic loca-tion is where today’s Hotel La Fonda de Taos sits. Hotel La Fonda boasts quite the reputation and has been a meeting and resting place for artists, politicians, writers and celebrities since its inception.
Art lovers and history buffs rejoice to see their D.H. Lawrence “Forbidden Art” collection, and on-site Noula’s Coffee Shop is available for a quick fix of coffee, tea and snacks. Guests can choose from single occupancy rooms, multi-room suites or, for those wanting to splurge in style, the penthouse rental.
Each room is filled with old world charm and character while retaining modern day comforts like luxury linens, inter-net, hand-tiled bathrooms and a cozy fireplace, or Kiva. Hotel La Fonda offers just what a modern traveler yearns for: renovated rooms and accessible amenities with carefully-pre-served old world charm and accentuated cherished remnants of Taos’ rich past — and present. Come stay a while!
Hotel Luna Mystica 25 ABC Mesa Rd, El Prado Phone: 575-613-1411 Email: reservations@hotellunamystica.com hotellunamystica.com Tall Pine Resort 1725 NM-578, Red River Phone: 575-754-2241 Email: tallpine@newmex.com tallpineresort.com Heritage Inspirations El Monte Sagrado Resort 317 Kit Carson Road, Taos Phone: 575-737-9827 / 1-888-344-TOUR (8687) Email: tours@heritageinspirations.com heritageinspirations.com Hotel La Fonda De 108 South Plaza, Taos Phone: 575-758-2211 Email: info@lafondataos.com lafondataos.com