Inn of the Turquoise Bear

Inn of the Turquoise Bear, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, offers a bit of old New Mexican charm and some modernity. Notable New Mexico resident and poet Witter Bynner once called the inn his home. He was known to entertain the cultural elite here, including D.H. Lawrence, Ansel Adams, Robert Frost, and Rita Hayworth, among many others.

The two-story adobe villa was built in the mid-1800s and many of the original designs have been preserved. The Spanish Pueblo exterior features adobe walls and teal window frames. There are numerous courtyards on the one-acre property that includes classic cushioned patio furniture, stone walking paths, fountains, and overhanging pines. The reception lounge features viga ceilings, a kiva fireplace, wood floors, and charming Southwest decor.

The inn is conveniently located near downtown Santa Fe, appealing to solo travelers and couples alike. Old Santa Fe Trail, used in the 1800s as a route from New Mexico to Missouri, is one block away. The Santa Fe Visitor Info Center -- seven minutes north by foot -- is surrounded by various shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The Plaza Mercado, with the Palace of Governors, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a 17-minute walk north, while the Chapel of San Miguel is a shorter walk in the same direction. The Santa Fe Opera is 14 minutes north by car while getting to the airport is a 20-minute drive south.

Notable artists, photographers, writers, and friends of former owner Witter Bynner are the inspiration for guest-room names. Spaces feature Southwestern designs, kiva fireplaces with free wood, air-conditioning, viga ceilings, bathrobes, and flat-screen TVs. Select rooms have hardwood floors, mini-fridges, picture windows with built-in benches, and/or claw-foot bathtubs. Rooms also have private courtyards or balconies overlooking the garden, Sangre de Cristo mountains, or Old Santa Fe Trail. The Spud Johnson room, which is ADA compliant, is in an old carriage house with cowboy decor. Some spaces however have outdated bathrooms and old-style TVs. A few rooms are pet-friendly (for a fee).

The inn’s office doubles as a library and TV lounge for guests. Comfy furnishings mixed with Southwestern decor fill a room that’s adorned with abode designs. There are also a flat-screen TV and books which guests can borrow. And an Internet corner offers a PC-computer workstation with a printer/copy machine. On-site massage services can be booked online through the inn’s website as well. Plus there's a dirt parking lot on the property that's free for guests.

The Turquoise Bear’s dining room is elegant, with a dark wood banquet table, a stained-glass window, a fireplace, and large windows. Guests gather for breakfast at the table and in the parlor in the evenings for a cocktail hour, which usually includes fresh baked goods. Innkeepers Dan and David have also been known to thoughtfully pack takeaway breakfasts for guests who must leave on early-morning flights.