From north to south, New Mexico has bed and breakfast inns that blend the southwest flair of the state with historical and contemporary accommodations for travelers. A visit to New Mexico blends the cultures of Anglo, Spanish and Native American under blazing blue skies and clear, clean fresh air.
New Mexico BnB’s offer a more personal experience than you can expect from a traditional motel. They can be found in rustic and rural settings as well as urban, downtown areas. Not only will the rooms be bathed in diverse furnishings and homey touches but you can expect to find breakfasts with flavorful dishes that highlight the varied and rich ingredients of New Mexican cooking.
Our first stop is in the town of Farmington that views the San Juan mountains to the north and the La Plata river. The Silver River Adobe Bed and Breakfast sits atop a sandstone cliff on Main Street. Three guests rooms with private bath are available and come with gourmet breakfast each morning. Located nearby is a top-rated municipal golf course and the BnB offers a play and stay package. Other attractions nearby include the Four Corners area, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Bolack Game Reserve and Wildlife Museum.
Moving southeast finds us in Georgia O’Keefe country and her hometown of Abiquiu. Located near the Chama River, and among the red cliffs, is a small hacienda known as the Casa del Rio Bed ad Breakfast. Three guest rooms with private bath in the main house and a lovely suite in a separate casita offers a nice variety for the traveler searching for quiet and relaxation. The innkeeper’s offer southwestern style gourmet breakfast that includes dishes like breakfast quesadilla with a choice of either red or green homemade chile. They also can direct guests to the best hidden secrets of the area which include Georgia O’Keefe’s favorite painting places, Dar al Islam, a huge adobe mosque on the mesa top and the Chimayo Trading Post.
On the northeastern border of New Mexico is a little town called Clayton. Here is the historic Eklund Hotel. This hotel, near the Texas border, has been a landmark for visitors since 1890. It began as a two story rock building that housed a general store on the first level and rooms upstairs. Later. a third story was added and today the inn has 26 guest rooms all with private bath. This is one case where breakfast is not served. However, there is a good local café nearby. But you can have lunch or dinner in the elegant dining room or the more casual saloon with a menu of New Mexican favorites or the more traditional steak, seafood, sandwiches and salad selections.
Further south brings us to Taos, famous for the home of Kit Carson, now known for its many artists and cultural events. The Casa Encantada Bed and Breakfast captures the flavor of the area and is housed in a historic New Mexico adobe estate that dates back to 1797. There are nine guest suites and rooms that are all decorated in typical Taos style using old vigas, kiva fireplaces, and many turquoise accents. All accommodations have private bath with a private entrance housed on beautifully landscaped grounds behind the adobe walls that surround the place. A full breakfast is served each morning in the garden room.
Heading south, the town of Santa Fe beckons. Santa Fe is known for its intriguing restaurants, a multitude of galleries, quaint shopping experiences in the Plaza and historic sites. The Pueblo Bonito Bed and Breakfast once was a private estate with its own stables and is secluded behind thick adobe walls. The grounds offer quiet courtyards, adobe archways and huge trees. There are 18 guest rooms with private bath and kiva fireplace. The innkeepers offer a create-your-own-breakfast buffet each morning. And they can clue you in on the area’s best kept secret – Trader Jack’s Flea Market at the Opera.
An hour drive will bring you to New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque. Finding peace and quiet here can be difficult. However, the Adobe Nido Bed and Breakfast is an oasis located very close to Old Town. There are three guest rooms and a suite from which to choose. The innkeepers like birds and it shows with its slogan of “A Nest for Our Guests” and each room is named for a favorite feathered friend. There are: on-site spa services, wireless internet, a billiards room, and a healthy breakfast each morning.
Heading west finds you following the route of the historic Route 66 and finds us in Grants, home to the Cibola Outpost Bed and Breakfast. The inn is located atop Black Mesa and offers a spectacular panorama of the Zuni Mountains. Three guest rooms are offered in this contemporary inn. You can have a hearty breakfast in the two-story atrium and soak up the mystique of the area. The innkeepers will happily provide you with sightseeing tips that include Chaco Canyon, the Laguna and Aroma pueblos, and the El Monro National Monument.
Heading south through the mountainous Gila National Forest finds you in Silver City, currently made famous by the lunatic movie, Rat Race. Its first claim to fame is this area was known for silver mining. Now it is a vibrant culture center with many artist galleries, museums, an eclectic variety of architecture and friendly residents. Located downtown, you will find The Inn on Broadway Bed and Breakfast. It offers four guest rooms, all decorated in the Victorian style that suits the historic brick-and-stucco, Queen Anne style mansion dating back to 1883. A hearty breakfast starts you off for a full day of exploring this area of New Mexico.
Off to the mountains in the east finds the area known for its favorite outlaw, Billy the Kid. The Casa de Patron Bed and Breakfast Inn is located in Lincoln, surrounded by the hills of the Rio Bonito Valley. This restored historic adobe hacienda has peaceful courtyards with trees, flowers, and birds. There are seven guest rooms with private bath offered in the main house. There are also two casitas (small cottages) offered. A full country breakfast is served each morning and one of the house specialties is the sausage-chile strata. There are many things to see and do in this area including the historic district, the Smokey Bear museum, White Sands National Monument and the best kept secret is there is a UFO crash site in Lincoln County.
And if UFO hunting is your thing, a trip to Roswell is a must. While there, try an overnight stay at the Country Club Bed and Breakfast which is described as “just like Grandma’s house.” It offers four guest rooms with private bath in this restored Victorian home with many Southwest accents. A full breakfast is served daily and sets you up to start a day of discovering the mysteries of the area. If you happen to be there over the 4th of July you can participate in the annual UFO Festival.
On to the southernmost large town of Las Cruces and a stay at the Smith Mansion Bed and Breakfast. This BnB is located in the old Alameda-Depot Historic District, close to most of the area’s attractions. There are four guest rooms with private bath and this inn is a good choice for business travelers because each room has its own computer with high-speed internet service. The innkeepers offer full German-style breakfast each morning. The inn is located five minutes from the historic Mesilla Plaza and not a far drive to the Mexico border.
New Mexico offers scenic places, historic sites, cultural activities, friendly folks, diverse BnB accommodations, and plenty of adventures for the traveler.
