Taos Hotels and Accommodation

(Taos, New Mexico - NM, USA)

Taos is a particularly scenic area of New Mexico and contains a healthy selection of hotels. Clustered along the NM-68 (Paseo del Pueblo Sur and Norte), accommodation in Taos generally suits all budgets and combines modern facilities with a mountainous backdrop.

Lodging in the Taos area is quite reasonably priced and most small independent hotels are similarly priced to the larger, accommodation chains present within the town. Advance reservations are advisable, especially during the skiing season, between December to early April, when hotels reliably become fully booked, although do bear in mind that lodging rates tend to be higher during this peak season. Summer too is also a popular time to visit, with hot sunny weather and endless hiking opportunities.

Where to Stay

Where to stay in Taos depends very much on your intentions and where you plan to visit, with a good selection of hotels being situated throughout the Taos area. Hotels are plentiful in the nearby purpose-built Taos Ski Valley resort (20 miles / 32 km), which offers a range of seasonal activities, including summer hiking and superb winter ski slopes, for skiers only and not snow boarders.

Other popular New Mexico resorts, towns and cities close to Taos include the following, all of which are within easy reach by either car or bus:

• Angel Fire (24 miles / 38 km)
• Arroyo Seco (9 miles / 15 km)
• Espanola (46 miles / 74 km)
• Los Alamos (66 miles / 106 km)
• Questa (24 miles / 39 km)
• Santa Fe (70 miles / 112 km)
• White Rock (63 miles / 101 km)

The city of Albuquerque is located 132 miles / 212 km from Taos and comes with a wealth of accommodation, being well connected by rail at nearby train stations. A number of hotels are also situated close to the Taos Regional Airport (TSM), which is roughly 12 miles / 19 km to the west and just off the Highway US-64, next to the Monte Bello RV Park.

The best hotel deals in Taos are the small bed and breakfast options, which are mainly owned by local families and provide personal services, which many of the larger hotels tend to charge extra for. Bed and breakfasts in Taos are often located in old, refurbished adobes, and packed with charm and character. A number of these also include 'casitas' (separate private cabins and lodges).

Budget hotels in Taos are concentrated along the Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, where popular lodging chains include the Best Western Kachina Lodge, the Comanche Inn, the Days Inn and the Super 8 Motel. Cheap alternatives include youth hostel accommodation at the HI-Taos Abominable Snow Mansion in nearby Arroyo Seco, or the cozy Taos Creek Cabins on Highway US-64. If you favor camping as an alternative to hotels, then look to the neighboring Santa Fe National Forest and the nearby Carson National Forest, where campsites are certainly in plentiful supply.

Mid-range hotels in Taos can be found around both the Paseo Del Pueblo Sur and the State Highway US-150. Offering inexpensive three-star accommodation, the Best Western Kachina Lodge is a mere stroll from the historic plaza. For a little more character, consider staying at the El Pueblo Lodge, which stands just a short distance from the Kit Carson State Park and is approximately 1 mile / 1.5 km from the Taos Mountain Casino.

If you fancy treating yourself to some luxury accommodation in Taos, then several four-star hotels stand out. On Kit Carson Road, the El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa comes with extensive spa facilities and an admirable sustainability ethos. Also popular and known for its special offers is the Casa de las Chimeneas (House of Chimneys) on Cordoba Street, which is a traditional adobe inn within walking distance of the downtown attractions, and surrounded by mature trees.