Taos is a small town in New Mexico with only 6,000 residents. Despite its size, it’s a popular vacation destination for skiing and snow sports, as well as incredible mountain scenery, outdoor activities, and artsy vibes.
It’s also home to Taos Pueblo, the only authentic Native American community designated both a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you’re ready to explore the charm, culture, and history of this town, then you need to know where to find the best Taos accommodation options.
That’s why we created this guide. It will help you find somewhere to stay that’s close to all the things you want to see and do during your visit, as well as suit your budget and travel style.
So, if you’re ready to book your holiday, let’s look at the best places to stay in Taos.
Where to Stay in Taos
Need an answer fast? Here are our top picks on where to stay in Taos.
Blue Sky Retreat Center | Best Hotel in Taos
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Close to all the top attractions in Taos, this hotel is a great choice on any list of where to stay in Taos for your first visit. It has warm, spacious rooms, a hot tub, and an outdoor pool. Most strikingly, the hotel also has an on-site labyrinth and a meditation path that winds itself through the 3 acres of the property. The units are large and welcoming and have private bathrooms.
Adorable Casita with the Best View in Taos | Best Airbnb in Taos
This is one of the coolest places to stay in Taos for views! It’s in the historic El Prado area, just five minutes from the town center and 15 minutes by car from Ski Valley. It sleeps up to two guests and has a charming kitchen and cute little nooks filled with antiques and New Mexican-style decor. And the views out of the front windows are stunning, especially at sunset!
An Oasis in the Land of Enchantment | Best Luxury Airbnb in Taos
With four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, this gorgeous home is the ideal choice when you want to know where to stay in Taos with kids. It’s set on acres of lush gardens and is only a few minutes walk to the central area.
The house has a slightly sordid history as it was built during prohibition and was used as a brewery for the local speakeasy, so it has plenty of history and atmosphere. It also has a large kitchen and big, open rooms, perfect for entertaining or hanging around with friends.
Taos Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Taos
The Downtown Taos Historic District
Filled with shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, the Historic District is the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Taos for your first time. This busy area is close to everything and offers good transport links to other parts of the city as well.
Ranchos de Taos
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Taos on a budget, you need to get a little way out of the main part of the city. And that’s exactly where you’ll find Ranchos de Taos.
Taos Ski Valley
Taos is known for its skiing, so there has to be a skiing destination in this Taos neighborhood guide. This small village was built around the best slopes in the entire region, so it’s the ideal winter destination. But there’s more to do in Taos Ski Valley than hitting the slopes.
Taos is a tiny town, but it sees a lot of visitors, particularly in winter when the skiing is amazing. It deserves visitors at every time of year though, because despite its tiny size, it’s filled with culture, a friendly atmosphere, history, and nice people. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in New Mexico.
The small town is also surrounded by amazing natural areas that are probably the best thing about it. So, if you’re planning a trip to town, then here’s how to find the best neighborhood in Taos no matter your budget or travel preferences.
Filled with art galleries, restaurants, and museums, the Downtown Taos Historic District is one of the best places in Taos to stay for every kind of traveler. It offers the best combination of cultural attractions as well as easy access to the outdoor landscapes and activities that Taos is so famous for.
If you’re on a tighter budget, then look for somewhere to stay in Ranchos de Taos. This is an even smaller town, close enough to Taos to be convenient, but far enough away that you’ll enjoy a quieter atmosphere and cheaper prices.
And then we have Taos Ski Valley, one of the best places in Taos to stay if you want to enjoy some skiing. This tiny town has less than a hundred residents, but in the ski season it fills up with people who want to hit the slopes and enjoy the luxury resorts!
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Taos’s 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
There are lots of types of accommodation in all three neighborhoods in Taos to choose from. So, if you need some help picking, then take a look at our top suggestions.
1. The Downtown Taos Historic District – Where to Stay in Taos First Visit
Filled with shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, the Historic District is a good choice for first-time travelers. This busy area is close to all the top attractions and offers good transport links to other parts of the city as well.
The Downtown Taos Historic District is off the main road running through the city, making it easy for you to leave the city and explore the outdoors. It’s also a quaint, atmospheric area, with lots of unique local culture and architecture.
Inn on La Loma Plaza | Best Hotel in The Downtown Taos Historic District
Located right in the town center, the best neighborhood when you’re trying to decide where to stay in Taos for nightlife, is this gorgeous hotel, Inn on La Loma Plaza. It is both conveniently-located and budget-friendly.
It offers a fitness center and uniquely decorated rooms with Southwest-inspired artwork, as well as a complimentary breakfast every morning. The hotel features historic architecture as well, for a little extra atmosphere.
Historic District Unit | Best Airbnb in The Downtown Taos Historic District
Located within walking distance from the plaza, this home sleeps up to six guests, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The spaces are quiet and relaxing and include a good-sized kitchen, a parking space, and a front and back deck that you can enjoy.
It also has fast Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a dedicated workspace in case you’re working while on vacation! This is the perfect place to stay in Taos for digital nomads.
Beautiful Guest House | Best Luxury Airbnb in The Downtown Taos Historic District
Located in the best neighborhood to stay in Taos to be close to all the sights, this guest house is in a 200-year-old adobe compound right in the heart of the city center. It sleeps up to four guests and has a full kitchen, large baths, laundry facilities, and kiva fireplaces. Inger Jirby’s Guest Houses have been furnished with authentic, antique Southwest furnishings typical of 19th century Taos.
Things to See and Do in The Downtown Taos Historic District
- Experience the local art scene at the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, or the Robert L. Parsons Fine Art museum
- Learn more about the history of art in the area at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site
- Stop for a meal at La Cueva Café or Doc Martin’s Restaurant
- Learn about a completely different culture at the Hanuman Temple
- Try your luck at the Taos Mountain Casino
- Visit the Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the US
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View on Osprey View on REI2. Ranchos de Taos – Where to Stay in Taos on a Budget
Top of any list of where to stay in Taos on a budget, this area is a little way out of the main part of town. Known as Ranchos de Taos, it’s a short drive from the center of Taos and home to just over 2,000 people.
Ranchos de Taos has its own historic plaza where you can hang out, as well as some interesting historic buildings. It’s also close to some of the best hiking and outdoor spaces in the entire region!
Adobe and Pines Inn Bed and Breakfast | Best Hotel in Ranchos de Taos
You really can’t beat the decor of this hotel in Taos. It’s warm and very Southwestern, with lots of little details that will help you feel cozy, welcome, and as if you’re in a very different part of the world from your normal location.
The rooms each have their own unique decor, as well as a fireplace and kitchenettes. And the hotel has a great porch where you can enjoy the outdoors, an outdoor fire pit, and an inside wood-burning fireplace, perfect for cold nights.
Taos Gate House | Best Airbnb in Ranchos de Taos
This is a cute micro-home located in the best neighborhood in Taos to stay in if you are on a budget. It sleeps two guests and has everything you’ll need for a short or long stay including its own kitchen, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. It’s also a short drive from Taos Plaza and is located in a quiet, local neighborhood.
Sweet Taos Country Cottage | Best Luxury Airbnb in Ranchos de Taos
This is a cute two-bedroom house that’s an ideal choice for families. It’s compact but has everything you’ll need from a private patio to amazing views. It’s also in a quiet neighborhood where the kids will be able to get some sleep. There’s also an outdoor fire pit where you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors and the stunning sunsets!
Things to See and Do in Ranchos de Taos
- Take a swing at the Taos Country Club
- Try the local food at Ranchos Plaza Grill or the Trading Post Café
- Immerse yourself in nature and in the past at the Pot Creek Cultural Site
- Go hiking or look for wildlife at the Rio Grande Gorge State Park
- Spend some time in the middle of nowhere at McGaffey Ridge
3. Taos Ski Valley – Best Neighborhood in Taos for Families
Taos is known for its skiing, so there has to be a skiing destination in this Taos neighborhood guide. This small village was built around the best slopes in the entire region, so it’s the ideal winter destination. But there’s more to do in Taos Ski Valley than hitting the slopes.
If you visit this tiny village in the warmer months, you’ll find great hiking and outdoor experiences. There aren’t a lot of local residents in this town, but there are some good restaurants that will keep you fed and happy during your stay.
Alpine Village Suites | Best Hotel in Taos Ski Valley
Located in Taos Ski Valley, one of Taos’ best neighborhoods in winter, this hotel is just five minutes walk from the ski lifts. It has free storage for your ski equipment, a hot tub, sauna, and massage services. The rooms are gorgeous, with their own bathrooms and kitchenettes, and there are lots of activities that you can enjoy on-site or in the surrounding landscape, including hiking and cycling if you aren’t into skiing.
Taos Mountain Cabin | Best Luxury Airbnb in Taos Ski Valley
If you want a little privacy during your stay, then make your base in this mountain cabin, located in one of the best areas to stay in Taos. It sleeps up to six guests and has rustic, cozy decor just 1.5 miles from the ski slopes of the valley. The cabin also has a great outdoor deck with a barbecue, table, and chairs, so you can do some entertaining in the great outdoors!
Walk to Slopes Studio | Best Airbnb in Taos Ski Valley
Located in the best area in Taos to stay in for skiing, this studio apartment has one bedroom and one bathroom, perfect for two guests. It’s just 500m from the closest ski lift and has bright, open spaces, modern furnishings, an indoor fireplace, patio, and a full kitchen. If you’re traveling with friends, you can pair this studio with an adjacent studio to create two adjoining rooms.
Things to See and Do in Taos Ski Valley
- Go hiking at the Wheeler Peak Trail Sign or the Yerba Canyon Trailhead
- Grab a fast meal at the Bavarian Restaurant or the Blonde Bear Tavern
- Hike the beautiful Gavilan Trail
- Go camping at the Cuchilla Campground
- Explore some nearby small towns like Eagle Nest or Red River
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Hide Yo’ Money!What To Pack For Taos
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Taos
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Taos
Despite being a tiny town, there are lots of choices of where to stay in Taos for one night or longer. Taos is known for its history and art, and is one of the most popular day trips from Santa Fe, so taking a trip to Taos is definitely worth your while.
If you ask us which is our favourite place to stay? Well, we can’t say no to a cabin in the woods next to a ski resort, so you’d definitely find us at the Taos Mountain Cabin, but we also love how these accommodations have included authentic, antique furniture and really embracing their routes.
But, that’s just us. Wherever you stay, make sure you take some time away from the incredible outdoor activities to enjoy this amazingly rich culture as well!
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around USA.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in USA.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in USA instead.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in USA to plan your trip.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for USA.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
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