Mesa - Arroyo Hondo - 10 miles open highway to Town of Taos, NM and 12 miles open highway to Taos Ski Valley, 4 miles maintained gravel road to Rio Grande River, Gorge and John Dunn Bridge & hot springs

Taos is synonymous with art, history and natural beauty, but few homes offer such a unique experience of all three as Adobe de Artista. One of a handful of custom adobe homes designed and built by local artist / painter and celebrity Ed Sandoval, this adobe brick Taos vacation rental allows guests to stay inside a livable piece of local art with nearly 360-degree views of both mountains and sagebrush mesa. The interior pays homage to Taos Pueblo while incorporating modern residential expectations and artistic whimsy.

Guests will experience living as the Taos Pueblo Indians have for 1,000 years, amid straw-flecked adobe plaster walls, bancos and wood-burning kiva fireplaces; some even glitter with gold-like pieces of mica, a naturally-occurring element in the surrounding land which gives pottery from the Taos Pueblo it’s distinctive appearance.

Other more contemporary artistic details abound, with playful painted swirls of color on walls, down to the equally fun variety of light switch plates. What Sandoval calls a “conversation pit” is sunken in the middle of the inviting great room – a semi-circle of cushioned bancos designed for entertaining around the main wood burning kiva fireplace. Two other kivas help warm the master bedroom and bathroom, though modern radiant floor heating exists beneath the Saltillo tile floors as well.

Sleep like a baby on a bed appointed with pillow-top mattresse, and bathe or shower as if in an outdoor garden in a step-down river stone tub surrounded by plants in the master bath – an architectural surprise in itself.

The furnished kitchen, which provides New Mexico-created Nambe silverware, makes cooking at home a relaxing event. A window above the sink overlooks Taos Mountain, and complete sets of dishes, cookware and tools for grilling are provided in addition to a microwave and Keurig coffee-maker.

Take in the magic of Taos mountain and panoramic views with floor-to-ceiling windows while dining either inside in an open living area or beneath an umbrella outside on the patio, where rabbits are often seen playing. Or, enjoy wine or coffee on the secluded front portal (Spanish for covered patio) where a swinging bench also offers mountain views as well as the occasional sound of soft chimes blowing in the cool breeze. A hot tub at the back of the home soothes aching muscles after a day of Taos skiing or hiking and provides a romantic escape beneath a moonlit sky so clear you can see the Milky Way.

The exterior of our home is monitored by cameras to help ensure safety and security of both you and the property. Motion-activated clips are saved and then automatically deleted after 30 days unless needed by law enforcement. The hot tub is not under video surveillance.

If you must leave the comfort of this quiet retreat, Taos shopping and restaurants, the gorge bridge, John Dun Hot Springs, Del Norte Rio Grande National Monument and Taos Ski Valley are just short drives away.

So visit Adobe de Artista, and live the complete Taos experience.