El Monte Sagrado

An eco-resort built around a sacred-circle pond on the southern edge of Taos, New Mexico — 84 themed rooms across multiple casita-style buildings, a full spa, and a restaurant that's been the hotel's destination dining since opening. El Monte Sagrado is the Taos sustainable-luxury option, designed in a Pueblo-Revival-meets-bohemian vocabulary that's distinct from the Taos Inn or the bed-and-breakfasts in the historic district.

The property's narrative — the "Sacred Circle" pond, the ecology-driven design — is committed throughout. It's not a Pueblo-Revival hotel that's added some sustainability features; it was built around them.

The setting

The hotel sits at 317 Kit Carson Road, on Taos's south side just off the Plaza. Walking distance to the Plaza (with the historic Taos Inn, the Taos Plaza shops, La Cueva for breakfast, Lambert's of Taos for dinner). The Taos Pueblo (the UNESCO World Heritage living Native American community north of town) is 10 minutes by car. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the Earthship Biotecture community are 15 minutes northwest.

The drive in from Santa Fe is 90 minutes north on US-285 and US-68; from Albuquerque, two and a half hours. Taos Ski Valley is 45 minutes northeast.

The building

A Pueblo-Revival-leaning compound built specifically as a sustainable-design resort in the early 2000s — adobe-style stucco buildings around courtyards and the central Sacred Circle pond. Materials are stone, timber, plaster, and earthen palettes. Themed-room buildings reference cultures from around the world (Tibetan, Moroccan, Spanish-Colonial). The aesthetic is bohemian-eclectic rather than purist Pueblo-Revival.

Independently owned. The eco-design program (greywater, on-site water systems) is maintained as part of the property's identity.

The rooms

Eighty-four rooms across the compound — themed-room buildings, suite categories, and detached casitas. From around $545 in shoulder seasons; peak ski-week and August-festival rates run higher. Each room is themed differently — the Tibetan room, the Egyptian room, the Native American room — with finishes and furniture matching the theme. Bathrooms have been updated; some suites have fireplaces and private patios.

Food & drink

De La Tierra is the on-property restaurant — Northern New Mexican cuisine (chiles, traditions of the region), dinner most nights, plus breakfast and lunch. Open to non-guests. The Anaconda Bar runs cocktails through the evening. The food program leans regional with sustainability-driven sourcing.

On the property

A real resort program at moderate scale:

• Heated outdoor pool
• Full spa
• Sacred Circle pond and gardens
• De La Tierra restaurant and Anaconda Bar
• Concierge for Taos Pueblo, Earthships, and Taos Ski Valley
• Open year-round

Who it's for

• Couples doing a Taos weekend who want full-resort amenities over a small B&B
• Travelers interested in the eco-design and sustainability narrative
• Repeat Taos visitors who've done the Taos Inn and want a different format
• Anniversary trips with the spa and pool program

Who it's not for

• Slope-side seekers (Taos Ski Valley is 45 minutes northeast)
• Travelers wanting purist Pueblo-Revival — this leans bohemian-eclectic
• Light-amenity guests on a budget

Nearby

Taos Plaza (the historic Plaza, the La Fonda hotel, the Lambert's restaurant) is two minutes by car or 10 minutes' walk. Taos Pueblo (the UNESCO World Heritage site) is 10 minutes north. The San Francisco de Asís mission church (the Ranchos de Taos church Georgia O'Keeffe painted) is 15 minutes south. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the Earthship Biotecture community are 15 minutes northwest. Taos Ski Valley is 45 minutes northeast. The High Road to Taos drive south to Chimayó (with the Santuario de Chimayó) is two hours back to Santa Fe.