Category: LODGING

Where Taos history, art, and hospitality meet

By Ellen Miller-Goins

Kit Carson Road is more than a route through Taos’ historic district — it’s a stroll through centuries of stories, art and architecture. Along this storied street you’ll find some of the town’s most distinctive places to stay: historic inns that blend adobe charm with family legacies, artistic heritage and cultural treasures you won’t find anywhere else. Here are four historic lodgings where your overnight stay comes with a side of Taos history.

Casa Benavides Inn

Heritage, art, and the best breakfast in town

Casa Benavides is a family-run landmark with roots in two of Taos’ best-known families: the McCarthys and the Benavides. Established in the late 1980s by (the late) Barbara Benavides McCarthy and her husband Tom, the inn grew from just seven rooms into a sprawling 36-room retreat. The compound includes former residences (both Barbara and Tom’s childhood residences), a one-time welfare office, and the old Lewis Art Gallery, all tied together with Barbara’s design touch — think Southwestern textiles, salvaged barn doors from Tom’s 1904 grandfather’s building and walls adorned with regional art. And at nearby McCarthy Plaza, Tom and Barbara’s daughter Ruthann McCarthy runs Legacy Cafe, extending the family’s hospitality tradition onto Taos’ dining scene. With Kit Carson Park a short walk away, concert-goers can stroll rather than drive.

The Extra: Breakfast is the star. Barbara’s famous “Drop Dead Granola,” frittatas with red chile, homemade muffins, French toast with fresh fruit are so beloved that repeat guests plan trips around them.

Casa Benavides Inn

137 Kit Carson Road, Taos

Rates: Typically under $200 per night

575-758-1772

casabenavides.com

La Doña Luz Inn (and El Rincón Trading Post)

An inn masquerading as an art museum — with Taos’ oldest trading post next door

Just off Kit Carson Road, La Doña Luz is filled to the brim with original art, Native and Spanish Colonial antiques, and whimsical design. The inn’s name honors Doña Luz Lucero de Martínez, a well-educated Taoseña whose family once hosted dignitaries here in the early 1800s. Today, Paco Castillo — grandson of famed trader and artist Ralph Meyers — runs the inn as both a place of lodging and a living museum. Each suite has its own theme: the Red Willow Suite honors Taos Pueblo; La Madonna celebrates maternal love with art depicting the Virgin and Child; and the Rainbow Room, with its rooftop hot tub and hand-painted ceiling, pays homage to Mabel Dodge Luhan through a design inspired by Paco’s grandfather. Right next door is El Rincón, the trading post Meyers opened more than a century ago. Together, the inn and trading post embody more than 100 years of Taos family history, hospitality, and artistic exchange.

The Extra: Guests of La Doña Luz’s Rainbow Room can soak in a rooftop hot tub while gazing at Taos Mountain. Then, with El Rincón steps away, they can explore the town’s oldest trading post — part boutique, part museum — and leave with a piece of Taos’ living history.

La Doña Luz Inn

114C Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM

Rates: $129–$289 per night (varies by suite)

Highlights: Rooftop hot tub (Rainbow Room), Native and Spanish Colonial artifacts, Taos’ oldest trading post on-site

575-758-9000

stayintaos.com

Hacienda del Sol

Adobe elegance with a world-class art connection

Dating back to 1804, Hacienda del Sol has sheltered everyone from traders to modern travelers. Built as a traditional adobe compound, it eventually became the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan and Tony Lujan, whose circle of artists and writers defined early 20th-century Taos. D.H. Lawrence stayed here while drafting works, Willa Cather gathered notes for Death Comes for the Archbishop, and Georgia O’Keeffe came often from nearby Abiquiú and painted her sunflowers there. Later, historian Frank Waters used the inn as his base while completing “The Man Who Killed the Deer. ” In this way, the Hacienda became not just a home but a crucible of Southwestern art and literature. The inn’s architecture is quintessentially Taos with its thick adobe walls, vigas and kiva fireplaces. Today, its rooms and suites blend historic atmosphere with modern comforts, from clawfoot tubs and steam showers to private patios with mountain views. Owners Mike and Blair Morton are lifelong creatives who bring a passion for art, history, nature and literature to this historic property. They continue to uncover the place’s compelling stories and characters, many of which had been forgotten, and are proud to share this historic slice of Taos with their guests and the community.

The Extra: The Hacienda holds treasures as distinctive as its history. Guests can view a rare portfolio of Edward Curtis’s “The North American Indian,” a monumental 20-volume photographic study of Indigenous life. Contemporary legacies linger too: Navajo artist R.C. Gorman left his mark here with custom tile work throughout the suites. And for travelers seeking inspiration, the Hacienda continues to host writers’ residencies, retreats, and intimate cultural gatherings — ensuring its tradition as a hub of creativity remains unbroken.

Hacienda del Sol

109 Mabel Dodge Lane, Taos, NM

Rates: $150–$325 per night (varies by room/suite)

575-758-0287

haciendadelsoltaos.com

Mabel Dodge Luhan House

Where artists, writers, and dreamers found inspiration

Few places in Taos hold as much cultural weight as the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, also known as the “Big House.” Purchased in 1918 by arts patron Mabel Dodge and expanded with the help of her Pueblo husband Tony Lujan, the adobe compound became a magnet for creative minds. Georgia O’Keeffe, D.H. Lawrence, Ansel Adams, and Carl Jung all gathered here, leaving their imprint on Taos’ artistic identity. Today, the National Historic Landmark operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with 21 rooms spread across the main house and cottages. Thick adobe walls set the mood, while individually decorated rooms feature original art, handcrafted details, and — in many cases —terraces with mountain views. Breakfast is included, and the property offers meeting spaces and grounds designed for workshops and small conferences.

The Extra: True to its legacy, the inn continues to host workshops in writing, art, and wellness. Guests staying during these periods may join communal meals and conversations — a chance to experience the house as the creative salon Mabel intended.

Mabel Dodge Luhan House

240 Morada Lane, Taos, NM

Rates: $125–$250 per night (when not reserved for workshops)

575-751-9686

mabeldodgeluhan.com

Mi Casita carries on conservationist’s legacy

By Emery Veilleux

Standing on the front porch of the cabin in Tres Piedras, looking out across the mesa to the blue mountains in the east, it’s clear some things have changed since pioneering conservationist Aldo Leopold lived there during his time as forest supervisor.

Electricity lines hum quietly, strung high over a pair of propane tanks. Cars whirr down U.S. 285 through a sagebrush landscape dotted with buildings.

But still, some things remain unchanged: The ponderosas bend in an oncoming storm. Grazing permits are sometimes still as contentious as when Leopold himself first implemented them.

This spring, the Carson National Forest opened the Aldo Leopold House in Tres Piedras for public rentals, marking the first such cabin rental on National Forest land in New Mexico. Previously reserved for writers-in-residence through the Leopold Writing Program, the house now welcomes up to eight overnight guests.

Leopold, a pioneering conservationist and author of “A Sand County Almanac,” is considered the father of American wilderness. During his tenure as a forest supervisor, he lived briefly in Tres Piedras, where he began formulating his influential land ethic philosophy. His efforts helped establish the Gila Wilderness, the nation’s first designated wilderness, which celebrated its centennial in 2024.

Built in 1912 by Leopold and fellow ranger Walter Perry, the two-story craftsman bungalow was funded by the Forest Service and served as Leopold’s residence with his wife, Estella. Named “Mi Casita,” the house features dark walnut-stained beams, a basalt rock fireplace, and a historic farmhouse kitchen. The surrounding property includes a root cellar, barn, old ranger station, and corral.

Though Leopold lived in the cabin for only nine months, his time there was significant.

He arrived in 1912 from Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, where he had a pivotal encounter with a dying wolf he shot that reshaped his views on predators’ roles in ecosystems. These experiences influenced his foundational “land ethic,” a principle that emphasized seeing nature as a community rather than a resource for human exploitation.

These ideas that would become Leopold’s legacy began percolating in Northern New Mexico.

“When he landed on the Carson, those things really started to hatch,” said Angie Krall, district ranger for Carson National Forest West Zone.

Leopold’s legacy is complex. While he championed conservation, he also implemented policies that restricted land access — to the detriment of Hispano and Indigenous communities.

“For local populations, he wasn’t necessarily a hero,” Krall said. “He represented a major shift in land management in New Mexico.”

Leopold left Mi Casita in 1913 after falling ill while resolving a grazing dispute. He later worked in Albuquerque, founding the Office of Grazing and the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. His career eventually took him to Wisconsin, where he wrote extensively and helped establish the American wilderness system. Today, over 111 million acres of federal land, including 1.9 million in New Mexico, are protected as wilderness.

Mi Casita has undergone multiple restorations. A 2005 plan aimed to preserve its historic integrity while introducing modern amenities. Recent renovations, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, included a new cedar-shingle roof, septic system upgrades, and chimney repairs. The cabin now features electricity, heating, and a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom, making it one of the most comfortable rentals on Rec.gov.

The house also serves as an educational space. An extensive library features works by Leopold and other conservationists. Guests are encouraged to engage with the landscape and reflect on their own land ethic.

Rentals, available spring through fall, cost $175 per night, with proceeds funding site maintenance and educational projects. Two months each year will remain reserved for the Leopold Writing Program’s residents. Future plans include interpretive trails and accessibility improvements.

As storms continue settle and pass over the Sangre de Cristos, visible across the mesa, the house remains a testament to Leopold’s legacy.

“He just loved the view from the porch,” said Annette Rubin, longtime site steward.

New owners revive ‘a beautiful part of history’

By Olivia Lewis

When the St. James Hotel in Cimarron shuttered last fall, the future appeared uncertain for one of the most storied lodges of the Old West era.

By winter, however, the hotel had reopened under two new owners: Red River-based father-daughter duo Chad and Alyse Mantz, CEO and director of operations, respectively, for M Vacation Properties & Resorts, a rental and property management company with multiple properties in Taos and Red River.

“For me, the St. James is a beautiful part of history,” Alyse says. “I was so excited to have the opportunity to keep it going and make sure it’s preserved. I’m a little bit of a history nerd, so this has been awesome.”

Between its rugged antiques, ghostly reputation and 26 bullet holes in the bar’s tin ceiling, the St. James Hotel has been part of Cimarron’s heritage for more than a century. The hotel was built in 1872 by Henri “Henry” Lambert, a former personal chef of President Abraham Lincoln, during the heyday of the Santa Fe Trail.

The 24 hotel rooms are named for the famous lawmen, outlaws and sharpshooters who stayed there: Buffalo Bill Cody, Doc Holliday, Annie Oakley, Wyatt Earp, Jessie James, Clay Allison, Black Jack Ketchum, and Billy the Kid, to name a few.

The hotel closed Sept. 16 after it was announced that Bob Funk, the hotel’s owner since 2009, would be retiring due to health reasons.

“It was different from any kind of transaction I’ve had before because the Funk family is very passionate about this,” Chad says. “They wanted to make sure that it was being passed on to someone who would maintain the rich Western history ….”

Cimarron and the hotel were a well-trodden stop on the Santa Fe Trail for travelers. More recently, the nearby Philmont Boy Scout Ranch today brings thousands of visitors to the area each summer, many celebrating at the St. James Hotel after their treks.

Near Halloween, the hotel sees upticks in visitors seeking paranormal experiences.

“You can take a tour down the hallways and the things that happened in this place are amazing,” Chad said of their interest in the hotel’s history. “There’s still bullet holes in the ceiling of the saloon, so just the history of it is crazy.”

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.

Continue reading “Primo Places to Bed Down”

A legendary gathering place of North Central New Mexico

By Josephine Ashton

Continue reading “Historic Taos Inn”

Winter in NM means warm dishes and not chiles

By Lucy Herrman

Continue reading “Comfort Food”

Quaint, historic or luxe — the high desert means hospitality

By Kika Vargas

Continue reading “3 Ways to Stay”

Rustic charm meets simple sophistication in this new boutique hotel 

By David Lerner

The Desert Flower hotel is a welcome and overdue addition to Taos’ boutique hotel scene. While no one hotel can be all things to all guests, the Desert Flower comes fairly close, filling an important niche previously lacking in the town’s small but competitive hospitality ecosystem. 

Continue reading “Desert Flower”

Laguna Vista Lodge is the perfect host for your mountain adventures

By Josephine Ashton

Continue reading “Room & Board”

Earthships offer an eco-alternative lifestyle on the outskirts of Taos 

By Drew Stuart

Taos is defined by a paradox. It’s a community with living traditions as ancient as any in America. It’s also been a magnet for visionaries, for those seeking new beginnings in art and life. The most visible icons of that spirit of experimentation are the Earthships. Visitors can experience this form of radical architecture, or “biotecture,” at the Greater World Earthship Community on Taos Mesa.

Continue reading “Ship Shape”

Heritage Inspirations offers a different kind of guided tour

BY ANGELISA WARD | PHOTOS BY AMANDA POWELL

Visitors looking for an all-inclusive, authentically curated guided tour in and around Northern New Mexico can choose one of more than twenty itineraries offered by Heritage Inspirations, which designs trips “as a woven tapestry of storytelling and adventure” through the back rounds and topography of El Norté.

Continue reading “Glorious Guides”

An easy and festive winter cassoulet, and an homage to Jean Mayer and the Hotel St. Bernard

By Lucy Herrman

Continue reading “Après-ski”

Everything you need to keep your pets happy and healthy in Taos

By Virginia Clark & Photos By Mike Hawkins

Vacaying or just hanging with Fur Babies? Here’s what Taos offers to keep pets cuddly — both at home or on the road. Grooming, daycare, boarding, training and more. Also check out Law of the Land — for staying safe and legal in town, county and public spaces. That way everybody is happy.

Continue reading “Doggy Days”

For some people, the entrepreneurial spirit strikes when they see a need and decide to provide. 

By  Ellen Miller-Goins

Continue reading “Taos Goji Eco Lodge Retreat”

Pack your bags, hit the road and discover treasures near and far 

By  stephanie  noll

Continue reading “Destination Taos”

Just a few steps away from the slopes.

The Blake Hotel is a place where skiers can relax after a long day in the snow.

This luxurious alpine hotel features 80 rooms, a spa and wellness center, pool and fitness center, a restaurant and tapas bar that is currently closed (at press time), a ski valet in the winter, art installations and Hausmeisters who are there to meet all of the guests’ needs. 

Continue reading “Place de résistance”

By taylor hood

Continue reading “Vacation rentals”