The advantage of chain hotels is that you know what you’re getting but it’s rarely an experience that will stand out in your memory. Thankfully, New Mexico has plenty of places to stay that are a little beyond the norm. From bed and breakfasts to caves, you won’t forget a night spent at these 12 unique places to stay in New Mexico.
- Kokopelli’s Cave Bed and Breakfast, Farmington
Yelp/Scorpio S.
Yelp/Scorpio S. How many people can say that they’ve spent the night in a cave? This subterranean dwelling is 70 feet below the cliffs. It’s one of the most unique places to stay in New Mexico.
The texture of the surrounding, 65-million-year-old sandstone walls may be rough, but the accommodations sure aren’t. This 1700-square foot suite comes with its own kiva, a waterfall shower, a TV, and a DVD player. there’s no other place quite like Kokopelli’s Cave! Road 1980, Rd 1980, Farmington, NM, USA
- Taos Earthships, Taos
Facebook/Earthship Biotecture
Facebook/Earthship Biotecture
Go eco for a night by renting an Earthship home in the Taos area. Whether you’re toying with the idea of building your own or are simply curious, staying in one of these amazing structures is sure to make an impression. There are several Earthship Airbnbs you can rent. They are such cool places to stay in New Mexico.
1 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, NM 87577, USA
- El Rancho Hotel, Gallup
Yelp/Gianfranco I.
Yelp/Martin P. This hotel was built by the brother of movie director D. W. Griffith in 1937 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The list of movie stars who’ve stayed here is extensive: Burt Lancaster, Doris Day, Errol Flynn, Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Lucille Ball, just to name a few. The list goes on and on. Most of these stars stayed here while filming in the area. El Rancho Hotel is certainly one of the most unique hotels in New Mexico.
If you visit, pop into the 49-er lounge. Errol Flynn infamously rode his horse into this bar! 1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301, USA
- Motel Safari, Tucumcari
Yelp/Matt C.
Yelp/James H.
Yelp/Gabe R.
The stretch of Route 66 that passes through Tucumcari is better preserved than most and many buildings from that era are still standing.
The Motel Safari opened in 1959. While the outside remains authentic, the interior is unexpectedly slick with amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Sealy Posturepedic mattresses. Those definitely weren’t around during the heyday of the Mother Road. If you want to travel back in time and keep your creature comforts, this is the spot for you. And it’s one of the most fun places to stay in New Mexico. Visit the Motel Safari website to book your stay! 722 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
- Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari
Yelp/Stephanie M.
Yelp/Danielle J. The Blue Swallow Motel is another restored motor court in Tucumcari and is one of the most unique places to stay in New Mexico. This motel opened in 1940 and is vintage, both inside and out. Each room has a rotary phone and some even come with their own garage for your car! 815 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
- Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa, Truth or Consequences
Yelp/Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa
Yelp/Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa Truth or Consequences used to be called Hot Springs for a reason - it’s a great place to soak. At this hotel, which dates back to 1929, you can take the waters in the comfort of your own room or slip into one of the private soaking tubs. This hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most unique hotels in New Mexico. Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa, 501 McAdoo St, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, USA
- Historic Taos Inn, Taos
Yelp/Huong V.
Yelp/The Historic Taos Inn The Taos Inn is what you imagine when asked to picture the quintessential New Mexican hotel: warm colors, curved lines, and plenty of wood. Compiled of several adobe homes from the 1800s, this establishment has been frequented by the likes of Greta Garbo and D.H. Lawrence.
The on-site restaurant, Doc Martin’s, is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Arthur Manby, a man who was either beheaded in his neighboring home or faked his own death then disappeared. It all depends on which version of events you believe. But there’s no need to be scared of the dark here. Each room has its own kiva fireplace to act as a nightlight. Book your stay on The Historic Taos Inn website. 125 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571, USA
- Downtown Historic Bed and Breakfast of Albuquerque, Albuquerque
Yelp/Downtown Historic Bed and Breakfasts of Albuquerque
Yelp/Michelle B. This bed and breakfast is made up of two houses. The more famous of the two is dubbed The Spy House. When the Freeman family owned this property in the 1940s, they rented out the upstairs rooms.
One of these rooms was occupied during the week by Ruth Greenglass, who was joined on weekends by her husband, David Greenglass. David worked on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos. He was also a Soviet spy and the brother of Ethel Rosenberg. (Ethel and her husband Julius Rosenberg were executed after being convicted of espionage.)
David Greenglass met with a Soviet courier in The Spy House, where he passed on drawings depicting parts of the atomic bomb. Today, you can rent a room here for 30 days or longer only. Visit the website for more information. 207 High St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
- Bottger Mansion of Old Town, Albuquerque
Yelp/Bottger Mansion of Old Town
Yelp/Bottger Mansion of Old Town
The Bottger Mansion has hosted the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and his gang (they were on the run and in disguise), Elvis Presley, and Janis Joplin. It’s also the only hotel that is actually inside the boundaries of the Old Town Historic District. If you’re looking for cool places to stay in New Mexico, be sure to check out the Bottger Mansion of Old Town.
Bottger Mansion of Old Town, 110 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA110 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
- Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe
Yelp/Dan G.
Yelp/Anne W.
On a corner in Santa Fe is what appears to be a salvage yard mixed with Aladdin’s Cave. Ornate carved doorways are propped up to form passages and, if you enter the adjoining building, you’ll find yourself surrounded by stacks upon stacks of rugs. The store’s name is Seret and Sons - the owners left Afghanistan for Santa Fe after the 1979 coup. They established themselves as importers, which explains not only the wonderland of the store, but also the decor at Inn of the Five Graces. The Seret family converted these buildings into a hotel, filling it with stunning decor that immediately transports you to the other side of the globe. The Inn of the Five Graces is one of the best and most unique hotels in New Mexico.
150 E De Vargas St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Trinity Hotel, Carlsbad
Yelp/Rick C.
Yelp/Chubby L. The building that houses this boutique hotel was once a bank and little touches like old safe doors remain. The Trinity Hotel Restaurant offers one of the best dining experiences in town and there are generous, free wine tastings available in the bar. Just what you need after a day spent underground in Carlsbad Caverns. 201 S Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
Have you been to these hotels or motels? There are so many unique places to stay in New Mexico. What other offbeat New Mexican establishments have you stayed at? Let us know in the comments!
Yelp/Scorpio S.
How many people can say that they’ve spent the night in a cave? This subterranean dwelling is 70 feet below the cliffs. It’s one of the most unique places to stay in New Mexico.
The texture of the surrounding, 65-million-year-old sandstone walls may be rough, but the accommodations sure aren’t. This 1700-square foot suite comes with its own kiva, a waterfall shower, a TV, and a DVD player. there’s no other place quite like Kokopelli’s Cave!
Road 1980, Rd 1980, Farmington, NM, USA
Facebook/Earthship Biotecture
Facebook/Earthship Biotecture
Go eco for a night by renting an Earthship home in the Taos area. Whether you’re toying with the idea of building your own or are simply curious, staying in one of these amazing structures is sure to make an impression. There are several Earthship Airbnbs you can rent. They are such cool places to stay in New Mexico.
1 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, NM 87577, USA
Yelp/Gianfranco I.
Yelp/Martin P.
This hotel was built by the brother of movie director D. W. Griffith in 1937 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The list of movie stars who’ve stayed here is extensive: Burt Lancaster, Doris Day, Errol Flynn, Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Lucille Ball, just to name a few. The list goes on and on. Most of these stars stayed here while filming in the area. El Rancho Hotel is certainly one of the most unique hotels in New Mexico.
If you visit, pop into the 49-er lounge. Errol Flynn infamously rode his horse into this bar!
1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301, USA
Yelp/Matt C.
Yelp/James H.
Yelp/Gabe R.
The stretch of Route 66 that passes through Tucumcari is better preserved than most and many buildings from that era are still standing.
The Motel Safari opened in 1959. While the outside remains authentic, the interior is unexpectedly slick with amenities such as flat-screen TVs and Sealy Posturepedic mattresses. Those definitely weren’t around during the heyday of the Mother Road. If you want to travel back in time and keep your creature comforts, this is the spot for you. And it’s one of the most fun places to stay in New Mexico. Visit the Motel Safari website to book your stay!
722 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
Yelp/Stephanie M.
Yelp/Danielle J.
The Blue Swallow Motel is another restored motor court in Tucumcari and is one of the most unique places to stay in New Mexico. This motel opened in 1940 and is vintage, both inside and out. Each room has a rotary phone and some even come with their own garage for your car!
815 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
Yelp/Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa
Truth or Consequences used to be called Hot Springs for a reason - it’s a great place to soak. At this hotel, which dates back to 1929, you can take the waters in the comfort of your own room or slip into one of the private soaking tubs. This hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most unique hotels in New Mexico.
Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa, 501 McAdoo St, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, USA
Yelp/Huong V.
Yelp/The Historic Taos Inn
The Taos Inn is what you imagine when asked to picture the quintessential New Mexican hotel: warm colors, curved lines, and plenty of wood. Compiled of several adobe homes from the 1800s, this establishment has been frequented by the likes of Greta Garbo and D.H. Lawrence.
The on-site restaurant, Doc Martin’s, is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Arthur Manby, a man who was either beheaded in his neighboring home or faked his own death then disappeared. It all depends on which version of events you believe. But there’s no need to be scared of the dark here. Each room has its own kiva fireplace to act as a nightlight. Book your stay on The Historic Taos Inn website.
125 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571, USA
Yelp/Downtown Historic Bed and Breakfasts of Albuquerque
Yelp/Michelle B.
This bed and breakfast is made up of two houses. The more famous of the two is dubbed The Spy House. When the Freeman family owned this property in the 1940s, they rented out the upstairs rooms.
One of these rooms was occupied during the week by Ruth Greenglass, who was joined on weekends by her husband, David Greenglass. David worked on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos. He was also a Soviet spy and the brother of Ethel Rosenberg. (Ethel and her husband Julius Rosenberg were executed after being convicted of espionage.)
David Greenglass met with a Soviet courier in The Spy House, where he passed on drawings depicting parts of the atomic bomb. Today, you can rent a room here for 30 days or longer only. Visit the website for more information.
207 High St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Yelp/Bottger Mansion of Old Town
Yelp/Bottger Mansion of Old Town
The Bottger Mansion has hosted the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and his gang (they were on the run and in disguise), Elvis Presley, and Janis Joplin. It’s also the only hotel that is actually inside the boundaries of the Old Town Historic District. If you’re looking for cool places to stay in New Mexico, be sure to check out the Bottger Mansion of Old Town.
Bottger Mansion of Old Town, 110 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA110 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
Yelp/Dan G.
Yelp/Anne W.
On a corner in Santa Fe is what appears to be a salvage yard mixed with Aladdin’s Cave. Ornate carved doorways are propped up to form passages and, if you enter the adjoining building, you’ll find yourself surrounded by stacks upon stacks of rugs. The store’s name is Seret and Sons - the owners left Afghanistan for Santa Fe after the 1979 coup. They established themselves as importers, which explains not only the wonderland of the store, but also the decor at Inn of the Five Graces. The Seret family converted these buildings into a hotel, filling it with stunning decor that immediately transports you to the other side of the globe. The Inn of the Five Graces is one of the best and most unique hotels in New Mexico.
150 E De Vargas St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Yelp/Rick C.
Yelp/Chubby L.
The building that houses this boutique hotel was once a bank and little touches like old safe doors remain. The Trinity Hotel Restaurant offers one of the best dining experiences in town and there are generous, free wine tastings available in the bar. Just what you need after a day spent underground in Carlsbad Caverns.
201 S Canal St, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Places To Stay In New Mexico July 08, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the most romantic hotels in New Mexico? Did you know that there are numerous hot springs around the Land of Enchantment? And if that’s not enchanting enough, you can stay at a hot springs hotel. What could be more romantic than that? Truth or Consequences is the town to go for hot springs as there are several there. Stay at Firewater Lodge with its southwestern decor, Riverbend Hot Springs situated right on the Rio Grande, or the cozy Blackstone, just to name a few. Soak your cares away with your favorite person at a hot springs hotel in New Mexico. What is the oldest hotel in New Mexico? Established in 1880, the Hotel La Fonda de Taos is considered the oldest hotel in New Mexico. This historic hotel can be found at the even more historic Taos Plaza. There’s nothing quite like spending the night at a famous hotel with so much history! What bed and breakfast do you suggest we stay at in New Mexico? If you’re in need of a weekend getaway, sometimes a stay at a bed and breakfast in New Mexico is just perfect. El Farolita Bed & Breakfast Inn is located in Santa Fe and after a restful sleep, you’ll wake up in the morning to a delicious homemade breakfast. Afterward, take some time to explore the gorgeous city of Santa Fe. With spacious rooms that are individually decorated, Inn at the Delta in Espanola provides a lovely place to rest for the weekend.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Places To Stay In New Mexico
July 08, 2022
Melissa M.
What are some of the most romantic hotels in New Mexico? Did you know that there are numerous hot springs around the Land of Enchantment? And if that’s not enchanting enough, you can stay at a hot springs hotel. What could be more romantic than that? Truth or Consequences is the town to go for hot springs as there are several there. Stay at Firewater Lodge with its southwestern decor, Riverbend Hot Springs situated right on the Rio Grande, or the cozy Blackstone, just to name a few. Soak your cares away with your favorite person at a hot springs hotel in New Mexico. What is the oldest hotel in New Mexico? Established in 1880, the Hotel La Fonda de Taos is considered the oldest hotel in New Mexico. This historic hotel can be found at the even more historic Taos Plaza. There’s nothing quite like spending the night at a famous hotel with so much history! What bed and breakfast do you suggest we stay at in New Mexico? If you’re in need of a weekend getaway, sometimes a stay at a bed and breakfast in New Mexico is just perfect. El Farolita Bed & Breakfast Inn is located in Santa Fe and after a restful sleep, you’ll wake up in the morning to a delicious homemade breakfast. Afterward, take some time to explore the gorgeous city of Santa Fe. With spacious rooms that are individually decorated, Inn at the Delta in Espanola provides a lovely place to rest for the weekend.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Did you know that there are numerous hot springs around the Land of Enchantment? And if that’s not enchanting enough, you can stay at a hot springs hotel. What could be more romantic than that? Truth or Consequences is the town to go for hot springs as there are several there. Stay at Firewater Lodge with its southwestern decor, Riverbend Hot Springs situated right on the Rio Grande, or the cozy Blackstone, just to name a few. Soak your cares away with your favorite person at a hot springs hotel in New Mexico.
What is the oldest hotel in New Mexico?
Established in 1880, the Hotel La Fonda de Taos is considered the oldest hotel in New Mexico. This historic hotel can be found at the even more historic Taos Plaza. There’s nothing quite like spending the night at a famous hotel with so much history!
What bed and breakfast do you suggest we stay at in New Mexico?
If you’re in need of a weekend getaway, sometimes a stay at a bed and breakfast in New Mexico is just perfect. El Farolita Bed & Breakfast Inn is located in Santa Fe and after a restful sleep, you’ll wake up in the morning to a delicious homemade breakfast. Afterward, take some time to explore the gorgeous city of Santa Fe. With spacious rooms that are individually decorated, Inn at the Delta in Espanola provides a lovely place to rest for the weekend.
