Taos Getaway: Unforgettable Inn on La Loma Plaza!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the gloriously messy, wonderfully flawed, and potentially life-altering… (dramatic pause) … Taos Getaway: Unforgettable Inn on La Loma Plaza! Get ready for a review that's less "corporate drone" and more "guy-who-just-spent-a-week-kicking-it-in-Taos." This isn’t your grandma’s Travelocity review; this is the real deal.
Let me be upfront: I'm not a robot. I'm a human who loves a good getaway, and after spending some time at Taos Getaway, I've got thoughts. LOTS of thoughts. Let's get this chaotic symphony started!
The Basics: Accessibility, Safety, and Cleanliness (The "Adulting" Part)
First things first: Accessibility. I didn't personally need any special accommodations, but I did notice the hotel claims to have facilities for disabled guests. They also have an elevator, which is golden if you're not up for climbing those Southwestern-style stairs (especially after a margarita or two!). However, I'm not sure the details about the size of the rooms and how accessible they are for wheelchairs.
Moving on to Cleanliness and Safety: Now, this is where Taos Getaway really shines. Especially post-pandemic (let's be honest, we're still in the shadow of that), these guys take things seriously. They’ve got anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services going on. I also appreciate the individually-wrapped food options (because, you know, germs) and the fact they offer room sanitization opt-out, which means if you're paranoid (like me), you can opt for extra clean-up. Hand sanitizer stations are EVERYWHERE. Safe dining setup. Staff trained in safety protocol. Basically, they've thought of everything. I'm not gonna lie, I felt safe there, which is HUGE. The staff are friendly, and the 24-hour front desk gives you that peace of mind. Seeing CCTV in common areas and especially CCTV outside the property always makes me feel that little bit safer.
BUT…and there always is a but, right? I did find out that the room sanitization opt-out. I appreciated this, I did, but it also felt a little cold. Made me think: maybe all the cleaning chemicals are just for show.
Rooms: Your Personal Taos Sanctuary (Or Not!)
Okay, let's get real about the rooms. I stayed in room 103. Now, the website says non-smoking rooms, which is GREAT. And the air conditioning was a godsend, because Taos can bake.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes(score!), Bathroom phone (who uses this?!), Bathtub (yes!), Blackout curtains (essential for sleeping in after a late night at the bar), Carpeting (eh), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (vital!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (didn't matter to me, but nice), In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (judgemental, but helpful), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (a luxury!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room was…fine. It did the job. The bed was comfy, the Wi-Fi was thankfully free and worked well, and the bathroom was clean. Not exactly "luxury hotel," but it had everything you needed. Plus, the blackout curtains were a lifesaver!
Here’s my one big beef: The room decorations were… dated. Think, beige on beige, with landscape paintings that looked like they came from a garage sale. But honestly? I didn’t care that much. I wasn’t there to hang out in the room all day.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling Your Taos Adventures
Alright, let's talk about the good stuff: FOOD! Taos Getaway boasts a surprisingly decent selection.
- Restaurants: Yep, plural! They have a few on-site options. I really enjoyed the Asian cuisine in restaurant. I always love a good salad in restaurant.
- Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty standard, but the Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant was a nice touch. They also have Breakfast takeaway service.
- Bar: The Bar was a good place to unwind after a day of skiing or exploring. Happy hour was a steal!
- Poolside bar: There is a poolside bar but I never tried it.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: They have Coffee/tea in restaurant so you can keep up and keep moving!
The Experience: Relaxing and Recharging
This is where Taos Getaway truly shines. Seriously.
Ways to Relax: Oh boy. They have a Spa. Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, and it's all fantastic! I had the most amazing massage. I've had massages before, sure, but this was something different. My masseuse (I think her name was Maria, but honestly, I was in a blissful haze) worked out knots I didn't even know I had. I ended up going every day.
- Pool with view: The outdoor Swimming pool [outdoor] was something else. Floating in that water, with the mountains in the background… pure bliss. I spent hours there, with a margarita in hand.
Things to do:
- Fitness center: They have a Fitness center but I wasn't really into it.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
- Concierge. They have a Concierge service which helps.
- Laundry service I loved.
- Daily housekeeping was great.
- Cash withdrawal was good.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Kids meal, is something to consider when you're traveling with children.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer.
- Car park [free of charge].
The Quirks and Quibbles (Because Nothing's Perfect, Duh)
- The Internet chaos: The Wi-Fi was spotty at times. Seriously, it would work for a few hours, then decide to take a nap. Very annoying when trying to stream a movie at night.
- The pool: crowd control Although the Swimming pool and the pool view was amazing, the pool got REALLY crowded in the afternoon. This is a small knock, but I was really hoping for less crowds.
- The Noise: The rooms weren't totally soundproofed. You could occasionally hear the kids running around in the hallway.
The Verdict: Should You Stay at Taos Getaway?
Absolutely. Despite a few minor imperfections, Taos Getaway is a fantastic basecamp for your Taos adventure. The location is PERFECT, the staff is friendly, the spa is divine, and the overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming.
The Offer (Because You Deserve It!):
Book your stay at Taos Getaway today and receive:
- Free upgrade to a room with a balcony (subject to availability).
- Complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival.
- 15% discount on all spa treatments!
This offer is valid for stays booked before [Date]. Don't wait! Your unforgettable Taos getaway awaits!
Luxury Awaits: Uncover the Secrets of Cordoba's Gran Hotel Victoria
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the real Taos experience, courtesy of yours truly, and my stay at the oh-so-charming Inn on La Loma Plaza. Forget perfectly-curated Instagram feeds, we're going full-blown messy, alright? Consider this your pre-trip warning.
The Taos Tango: A Rambling, Possibly Illogical, Itinerary (with a strong dose of me)
Day 1: Arrival and Déjà Vu (and a whole lotta anxiety about driving in mountains, tbh)
- 1:00 PM - Arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Okay, first things first: the drive. I rented a car, which, in theory, is a great idea for exploring the Southwest. In reality? My palms are sweating just thinking about those mountain roads. Wish me luck. (Emotion: Mild panic, intermixed with a healthy dose of "I can do this!" bravado)
- 1:30 PM - Pick up the rental car. Pray it doesn't have any weird noises. I'm not good with cars. I just want it to get us from point A to point B without sounding like a dying cat.
- 2:30 PM - Lunch in ABQ before the big drive to Taos. Gonna grab some green chile cheeseburgers at a local favorite, because, duh. Needs fuel for the road trip.
- **4:00 PM - Hit the road to Taos. Driving through dusty hills and mountains. Holy crap is the landscape vast. ** The drive to Taos is supposed to be beautiful… if you can focus on beauty and not the sheer, terrifying drop-offs. I'm also hoping I don't immediately get lost.
- 6:30 PM - Arrive at Inn on La Loma Plaza! Check-in, breathe deeply, admire the adobe architecture. It´s a vibe. The Inn is gorgeous! I´d seen all the pictures, but in real life? It's even better. The courtyards, the cozy rooms, the history radiating from the walls… I'm already feeling a sense of peace. A brief sense of peace, before the unpacking chaos ensues.
- 7:30 - Settle In and explore the room. Wow. My room is a blast from the past. It´s decorated like it hasn´t been updated since the 50s. I LOVE IT. I feel like I entered in a time machine!
- 8:00 PM - Dinner at Lambert's of Taos. Fine dining right down the street! I got all dressed up in my best outfit, a dress I´ve only worn once, and a pair of boots that never let me down. I´m ready to have fun and drink some wine. It´s so cozy and the staff is so kind, it´s the kind of place where you want to snuggle up and stay forever. (Emotion: A deep sense of bliss, followed by internal questioning about my outfit choice. Did the other guests look at me funny?)
- 9:30 PM - Stroll. Oh my gosh. The stars! The night sky in Taos is something else. I was amazed by the beauty of the night sky. It's so beautiful. I would feel like I could fly.
- 10:00 PM - Crash. Jet Lag. Maybe a quick journaling session before sleep. I'ma write down all my thoughts from the day, or at least try to. I´m feeling sleepy. (Emotion: A strong desire for sleep, with a side of "I should probably write down these memories while they're still fresh!" guilt.)
Day 2: Culture, Crafts, and a Potential Spiritual Awakening (or, you know, a good margarita)
- 8:00 AM - Wake up, wander around the gardens. This place makes me want to be a gardener. It's so peaceful and colorful.
- 8:30 AM - Breakfast at Inn. I´m grabbing a coffee and breakfast at the Inn. It´s perfect. The fresh juice, the waffles with fruit. It´s the perfect way to start the day. (Emotion: Pure, unadulterated joy.)
- 9:30 AM - Explore Taos Pueblo. This place is like stepping back in time. Walking through the ancient adobe structures, you can almost feel the history pounding beneath your feet. It's truly mind-blowing. But, okay, I gotta admit, I got a little lost wandering around and nearly knocked over a sacred pot. (Emotion: Reverence mixed with a healthy dose of "Please don't get me in trouble with the locals!")
- 11:30 AM - Art Gallery Hopping on the Plaza. Taos is an artist's haven, and the plaza is full of galleries. The art is amazing, some of it beautiful, some of it… well, let's just say it's thought-provoking and leave it at that. I ended up buying a small painting of a coyote, which, let's be honest, is probably a cliché, but I loved it. (Emotion: Inspiration, a slight feeling of being overwhelmed by talent, and the thrill of owning a tiny piece of Taos.)
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Orlando's New Mexican Cafe. Okay, listen, the green chile here. Legendary. I'm talking about the kind of green chile that brings tears to your eyes (in a good way, usually). Be warned: it's HOT. I started sweating uncontrollably, but I kept going. The flavor… I felt like this was a spiritual experience. (Emotion: Pure, fiery bliss. Followed by needing a gallon of water.)
- 2:30 PM - Shopping for Souvenirs. Time to wander around for some of the traditional arts and crafts. Native American jewelry, pottery, textiles. I did a lot of "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing," and then I bought way more than I intended. Sigh I'm a sucker for a good turquoise necklace. I´ve never been so close to having a bad purchase idea.
- 4:00 PM - Visit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The views from the bridge are stunning, but I'm no fan of heights, so I kept my visits short. (Emotion: Slight dizziness and a quick "Nope!")
- 5:00 PM - Back to the Inn for a rest. Maybe read a book. Back to the hotel to lie down and relax.
- *7:00 PM - Dinner at The Love Apple. The place is romantic. The food is good. I don't love my date, but I really want the food. (Emotion: Annoyance with my date, yet loving the food, what a dilemma!)
- 8:30 PM - Enjoy the night, wander the city. It's beautiful in the night, I love the colors and the atmosphere.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep. Zzzzzzzzz
Day 3: Taos Ski Valley (possibly, depending on courage levels) and Departure (sob!)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast at the Inn.
- 8:30 AM - Read in the garden
- 9:30 AM - Visit Taos Ski Valley (or chick out and go to a spa.) Okay, here's the deal. I'm not a skier. AT ALL. But, the views from Taos Ski Valley are supposed to be incredible. So, I'm debating. Realistically, I might chicken out and opt for a massage at a spa instead. We'll see how brave I'm feeling. (Emotion: Anticipation, mixed with fear of falling on my face, and a deep desire for a relaxing massage.)
- 1:00 PM - Lunch in Taos Ski Valley (if I made it) or lunch at a spa. Another green chile cheeseburger? Possibly. Or maybe something healthy after all that rich food.
- 3:00 PM - Final wander. Maybe just one last look at the plaza.
- 4:00 PM - Depart from Taos. Drive back to ABQ.
- 6:30 PM - Dinner in ABQ. Quick dinner. Probably a fast one, as I don't have a lot of time.
- 8:30 PM - Drop off the rental car.
- 9:00 PM - Check in for flight home.
- 10:00 PM - Flight home.
Final Thoughts and Reflections:
Taos, you were a whirlwind! The beauty, the art, the food, the mountains… It was an assault on the senses in the best possible way. There were moments of pure joy, moments of slight panic (usually involving driving or heights), and moments of pure, unadulterated gluttony. If you're looking for a place that's real, come to Taos. And stay at the Inn on La Loma Plaza. It's the perfect basecamp for all the chaos and beauty. Now, I´m going. Goodbye.
(Emotion: A bittersweet mix of nostalgia, a yearning to return, and the slightly terrifying realization that I have to go back to
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Frequently Asked Questions About Taos Getaway: Unforgettable Inn on La Loma Plaza! (And Why We're Still Talking About It)
Okay, let's be honest, "Frequently Asked Questions" sounds awfully official for this whole Taos Getaway thing. Truth is, I've been fielding the same questions from friends, family, and the internet (apparently, I mentioned it *once* on a forum...) about this darn inn on La Loma Plaza for what feels like forever. So, here goes... a semi-organized, highly opinionated FAQ, based on *my* experience. Get ready.
Is Taos Getaway *really* as unforgettable as the name suggests?
Ugh. The name. Yeah, it's… bold. Look, it's not like I've forgotten the experience, if that's what you mean. More like, I can’t stop *thinking* about it. Unforgettable? In the sense that a rogue chihuahua chasing your ankles is unforgettable, maybe. Seriously though, yes. It was. But not always in the way you'd expect. Like, did I wake up every morning feeling completely zen? No. Did the breakfast burrito I inhaled in the courtyard justify the hype? Absolutely. More on that later.
What's the deal with the location, La Loma Plaza? Is it actually *on* the plaza?
Yep. Nailed it. You practically *trip* over the plaza to get to the inn. And let me tell you, that plaza is something else. One minute you're basking in the New Mexico sun, the next, you're dodging a flock of pigeons determined to steal your artisanal ice cream cone. (True story. Happened to a guy. I watched.) The location is *ideal* for exploring Taos, but also… intense. I mean, the *constant* buzz of activity? You either love it or you... well, you get used to it. Eventually. Mostly.
The website photos look gorgeous. Is it as pretty in person?
Okay, here's a truth bomb: websites lie. Kidding! (Mostly). It *is* beautiful. The adobe architecture is stunning. The courtyard… well, the courtyard is where the magic happens. Picture this: fairy lights strung between gnarled cottonwood trees, the scent of roasting chiles wafting on the breeze, and the faint murmur of conversations carried on the air. But here's the catch: photos don’t capture the slightly uneven flagstone walkways, the occasional rogue spider, or the fact that my room's window faced a particularly noisy HVAC unit. But, the beauty is undeniable. It’s…rustic. Charmingly, perfectly, frustratingly rustic.
Let's talk about the rooms. What were they like?
Okay, the rooms. Mine (which, by the way, I'm still not entirely sure *was* mine and not the "rustic, possibly haunted" one) was… cozy. Let's go with cozy. The bed? Heavenly. Seriously, I think it was a cloud surgically attached to a frame. But the walls? Thicker than my patience when I couldn’t locate the light switch. I'm pretty sure I spent a solid five minutes fumbling around in the dark figuring out the damn thing was near the door. The shower? Perfectly adequate, although the water pressure sometimes resembled a gentle drizzle, which, after a day of hiking, really wasn't doing it for me.
And the breakfast? Was it worth all the hype?
Okay. Okay. This is important. This is where Taos Getaway really *shines.* The breakfast… oh, the breakfast. I mean, I’m not even a “breakfast person,” generally speaking. Coffee? Yes, please. Oatmeal? Hard Pass. But this? This was different. The breakfast burrito. It was… *life-altering*. Fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, spicy chorizo, a blanket of melted cheese, all wrapped in a warm, pillowy tortilla. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I swear, I ate three of them. The first one, I was polite. The second, I was *invested*. The third? A primal, "mine!" type of experience. Seriously. Go for the breakfast, and you will not regret it. It's practically a religious experience.
What should I DO while I'm there?
Okay, Taos itself is a gem. First, ditch all expectations. Embrace the slow pace. Visit the Taos Pueblo (it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), but don't be the loud, obnoxious tourist. Be respectful. Hike in the mountains. The air is so clean and crisp, you'll feel like a new person... until you run into that rogue chihuahua again. Explore the art galleries. The art scene is wild and wonderful. And, crucially: Find a place to sit, sip a drink (I loved the margaritas), and simply *watch* the world go by. Bonus points if it's a sunny day.
Any downsides? Anything NOT perfect?
Oh, honey, nothing is perfect. Aside from the slightly iffy water pressure, which, frankly, is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, the biggest downside… and I am *slightly* dramatic here… is that it ends. Leaving Taos Getaway felt like leaving a dream. A slightly dusty, slightly quirky, dream that ended way too soon. I did get lost at least twice trying to find my room. And, one morning, the coffee pot, in the communal kitchen, was inexplicably filled with cold water. These are minor, though! The biggest downside is that you WILL want to go back. And that's expensive.
Would you go back?
In a heartbeat. Despite the quirks, the occasional questionable plumbing, and the somewhat aggressive pigeons, I would absolutely go back. I’m already plotting my return. I'm craving that breakfast burrito. I miss the courtyard. I miss the feeling of… well, of *being there.* It wasn’t just a vacation, it was an experience. And yeah, maybe "Unforgettable Inn" isn’t *that* far off the mark, after all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to Google recipes for breakfast burritos…
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