Alta Cresta is a 3,300 sq ft five-bedroom, six-bathroom home with high ceilings and a large open-plan kitchen-living-dining room. All rooms provide exterior access, private en-suite bathrooms, and are situated around a large, enclosed courtyard located just off the kitchen. There is plenty of exterior seating under covered portals - perfect for families or groups that want to enjoy the Arroyo Seco climate, views, and vibe. Alta Cresta is a permitted STR property as required by Taos County.
The space
Alta Cresta used to be part of a well-known and popular Bed & Breakfast located in Arroyo Seco and was built of traditional adobe-block by Dadou Mayer (the brother of Jean Mayer) - the founder of the original Edelweiss Lodge in the heart of Taos Ski Valley. All rooms have private access and are large in size, decorated in a typical NM style, have full en-suite bathrooms, and offer a high level of comfort. Yerba and Tram Pas, both located on the north side of the home, incorporate Jacuzzi bathtubs and gas fueled kiva fireplaces. The primary bedroom, as well as Lobo and Kachina rooms, provides guests with lovely views up to El Salto Mountain, and incorporate all of the character you would want in a stay in Northern New Mexico.

More importantly, the home’s location is fabulous - located just one-mile north of the quaint 250-year-old Village of Arroyo Seco, nine miles from the Taos Pueblo and Taos Plaza and just nine miles up the Twining Valley to get to Taos Ski Valley, a simply terrific ski resort.

Our home offers views in all directions, including east views up to the mountains, south views down to Taos Pueblo (a designated World Heritage site), and west views out over the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and further to the Pedernal near Abiquiu.

The Village of Arroyo Seco itself is quirky and interesting and home to fantastic food, galleries, and shops including the Taos Cow, Abe’s Cantina, and The Arroyo Seco Mercantile.

A vehicle is required in this area as there is no public transport - there is plenty of parking at the house and easy private access to the rooms. The home is on a level-grade with HWY-150 (Ski Valley Road) so in almost all conditions, the house can be reached with no need for four-wheel drive.

Given that we have traveled extensively to all continents, lived abroad in Europe and Asia, have been both hosts and guests, and are ourselves users of STR platforms, we are happy to provide any information to our guests as needed, though we completely understand if guests simply want to be left alone to enjoy their time in the area.

From the house guests can find easy access to all of Taos' outdoor activities including, but certainly not limited to, skiing, horseback riding, hot air-ballooning, fly fishing in the Rio Hondo, biking amid rustic country roads, hiking in the one-million-acre Carson National Forest, or rafting the Rio Grande and Rio Chama rivers.

For those interested in eating, shopping, and viewing art, there are simply too many incredible culinary delights, interesting and even quirky shops in addition to fantastic galleries and art shops throughout Arroyo Seco and Taos town to mention.

Be sure to take some time to explore…it would be very hard to go wrong! A lunch or breakfast once or twice (or even more!) down at the Taos Cow in Arroyo Seco certainly should not be missed. And without a doubt, head to Aceq one night for an awesome supper served in delicious and creative ways and using local ingredients from area producers.
Guest access
A key-code is required for access through the home's front door - the code will be provided by caretaker prior to arrival.
Other things to note
This is a high altitude environment; a place that experiences four distinct seasons. Some winters are mild and others can produce a lot of snow. The home offers adequate snow shovels in the event you are in residence during a big snow dump but there is no contracted snow removal service to shovel you out.

In addition, while the home offers a commercial-grade gas-powered Vulcan range and oven, the oven does not possess a broiler.