Taos - American Southwest - page 206

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Family-Friendly Hotels

Kids

Best Western Kachina Lodge (p. 207) A picnic area in a courtyard set back
away from the street and an outdoor pool make this a nice place for families
to commune in summer.
Old Taos Guesthouse Bed & Breakfast (p. 209) With a country setting,
friendly dogs, and some rooms with kitchenettes, this inn serves family needs
well.
Taos Hampton Inn (p. 207) Fairly spacious, predictable rooms and an indoor
pool make this a family oasis in Taos.

a waiting area that resembles a greenhouse filled with plants, offers a full range of excel-
lent treatments, and the Living Spa Program offers classes such as yoga and T'ai Chi free
for guests. The Anaconda Bar (p. 235) and De La Tierra restaurant (p. 211) combine a
contemporary feel with elegant Asian touches.
317 Kit Carson Rd., Taos, NM 87571. & 800/828-TAOS (8267) or 575/758-3502. www.elmontesagrado.
com. 84 units. $159-$369 historic 1-bedroom casita; $179-$399 Taos Mountain Room; $199-$439 Native
American suite; $219-$479 Bali and Tibet premier suite; $419-$839 2-bedroom global suite. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Valet parking $12. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; concierge; health club; Jacuzzi; indoor pool; spa. In
room: A/C, TV, CD player, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi.

8 The Historic Taos Inn It's rare to see a hotel that has withstood the years with

grace, but the Historic Taos Inn has done just that. Here, you'll be surrounded by 21st-
century luxury without ever forgetting that you're within the thick walls of a number of
19th-century Southwestern homes once owned by Dr. Thomas Paul Martin, the town's
first physician, who purchased the complex in 1895. It's now listed on both the State and
National Registers of Historic Places.
The lobby doubles as the Adobe Bar (p. 235), a popular local gathering place, with
adobe bancos (benches) and a sunken fireplace, all surrounding a wishing well that was
once the old town well. A number of rooms open onto a balcony that overlooks this area.
I don't recommend these rooms, as they can be noisy. All the other rooms sit among a
number of “houses” separated by walkways and grass. Some have more modest style, with
lower ceilings and Spanish Colonial furnishings, while others are more chic. My favorites
are no. 204 in the Sandoval House, decorated with antiques, and any room in the
recently built Helen House . These rooms, with saltillo tile floors, kiva fireplaces
and stylish furnishings made from interesting things such as saguaro cactus, in one, will
appeal to travelers who don't appreciate the whims of an older building, but still enjoy
character. When reserving here, be sure to discuss your needs with the reservation ser-
vice.
Doc Martin's (p. 212), serving nouveau Southwestern and international cuisine, some
of it organic, is a good bet for any meal.
125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571. & 800/TAOS-INN (826-7466) or 575/758-2233. Fax
575/758-5776. www.taosinn.com. 44 units. $85-$275, depending on the type of room and season. AE,
DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; Jacuzzi; room service; Wi-Fi (in lobby). In room: A/C, TV, DVD on
request.