The Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe

If you read this blog, you know that my hotel obsession in Santa Fe is The Inn of Five Graces (my post here). But the last time I was in Santa Fe, I remember having a drink on a cool patio, listening to music and hearing a fire crackle.  Turns out I was at the Inn of the Anasazi and didn’t realize it!  It’s such a local hangout that it’s easy to forget that it’s also a hotel, and a Rosewood hotel at that, one of my favorite brands.  

If you look at the outside, it looks like it is a tiny B&B, with maybe five rooms and a suite. But it goes way back and has over 100 rooms.  So it’s not really an inn at all, but a medium-sized hotel.  However, everything is designed for cozy hangouts, like the library and TV room with cookies and tea laid out.  

Library

The rooms I saw had great beds, cool Southwest touches like pink tiles, animal hide chairs and Native American blankets.  It’s tough for any hotel to completely dazzle after The Inn of the Five Graces but The Inn of the Anasazi is great for a sophisticated Santa Fe stay. 

The restaurant, Anasazi, is one of the best in Santa Fe (BUT DON'T MISS CAFE PASQUAL'S!) or you can hang out in the little bar, if you can snag a seat. 

Anasazi Restaurant

Things I Love About Santa Fe & Taos...and Off to China

Earthships outside of TaosBy the time you read this, I will be on my way or have landed in Shanghai.  I am going on an Abercrombie & Kent tour exploring rural areas of China, as well as a 3-day Yangtze River cruise.  I haven't been this excited about a trip in awhile. I have always wanted to go to China, and to experience it with one of the greatest China guides ever, Gerald Hatherly? Even better. I'm hoping I'll have great, fast Internet access...but I probably won't.  I don't know how much I'll be able to post while over there. I picture a world with fast, free WiFi everywhere in my lifetime! 

But back to Santa Fe. I love Santa Fe. And on this trip, I stayed in Taos, at our friend Liz's beautiful, cozy house (Liz cheerfully telling us about bears on her property didn't sway us from moving in for the weekend). 

Here are some of the things I loved about our trip. 

Amazing brunch at Cafe Pasqual's

Sunsets like these...on the road from Santa Fe to Taos

Chunky, colorful Southwestern jewelryFall in Santa Fe's square The view from Liz's backyard in TaosOne of my new favorite places...dinner at the Love Apple in Taos Beautiful but deserted Taos Ski ValleyMe on the hot air balloon during the Taos Balloon FestivalGorgeous view over Taos from the hot air balloonThe historic Taos Inn-how great is that sign? My big purchase from the trip-this super cool chips & dip server from Nambe in Taos

The Spectacular Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe

"Annie, where is the best hotel bathroom you've ever seen?" Answer: HERE, at The Inn of the Five Graces. As soon as I saw the bathrooms at this truly spectacular hotel, I had my answer. Not because of how big it was or how many shower heads there were.  But the hand-laid, bright, colorful tiles covering almost every inch of the bathroom was nothing like I have seen anywhere else. 

Beautiful painted pots from Afghanistan

In fact, every inch of every room is a celebration of beauty, peace, and taking you out of your normal life. Would my apartment or home look like this in real life? Of course not, but that's why I love checking into a hotel like this. 

Warning: The pictures absolutely don't do this place justice.  I had seen photos before and thought it was pretty but not as stunning as it actually is in person. 

Lobby at the Inn of the Five GracesThe Inn of the Five Graces Lobby Entrance

I fell head-over-heels in love with the inn within minute one of being there.  There are only 23 different rooms & suites but all have supremely gorgeous Middle East-meets-Southwest-meets-Asia decor.  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, especially when I saw their most luxurious option, The Luminaria House. Part of the kitchen woodwork was hundreds of years old, as are some of the old adobe walls. 

Kitchen in the Luminaria HouseLiving Room at the Luminaria House

I'm from the Southwest and so each beautiful outdoor courtyard, breath of fresh Santa Fe air, and waft of wood-burning fireplace means a lot to me. 

Courtyard

And I'm already thinking of when I can go back. 

BedroomLove the detail and color on this headboard

The Inn's quiet street

After seeing The Inn of Five Graces, definitely pop over to Seret & Sons Furniture store, where a lot of the furnishings come from. Makes sense, since the Seret family acquired the property in 1993.  It became a Relais & Chateaux property later. 

Seret & Sons Table available at their Santa Fe store

I interviewed Travel Channel's Samantha Brown last week in Brooklyn and she gave me a few must-see's in Santa Fe, including this hotel. Samantha never steers you wrong! 

Don't miss a margarita at The Pink Adobe a stone's throw from the Inn!

Oh and what are the Five Graces? As the inn says: "The Five Graces refer to the Tibetan philosophy that we are graced with five senses to experience the splendor of the world." How very appropriate for a property like this. 

Just Back From Taos

Between Maui in August, Jordan in September, India in October, and prepping for China on Friday, I have wanted to be a total homebody in New York...especially to be able to write about all these experiences and finish assignments.  But Andy and I took off for a quick trip to Santa Fe and Taos this weekend, staying at our wonderful friend Liz's house in Taos along with another one of our favorite people, Adrienne.  We even hopped off in Dallas for an unexpected layover/night so Andy could watch Game 7 of the World Series with his family (unfortunately, it didn't end as they wanted). 

I'm going to catch up on posts this week but here's a photo of the backyard at Liz's house-it was so great to be back in the Southwest!  Can you just smell the mountain air?  I'm really looking forward to spending Christmas at home in Arizona.