April marks stress awareness month. No matter the source of your tension, getting away from it all may help. Travel can improve your mental health by reframing the situation causing you stress, providing you time to relax and heal, and improving anxiety symptoms. There are numerous quality hotels and vacation rentals around the state, but a few offer truly unique accommodations. From a cave house to a shipping container home, read on to discover 10 of the most unusual places to stay on your staycation in New Mexico.
Earthships, Taos
The fleet of homes known as Earthships outside Taos set a high bar for sustainability. The homes are built with earth-rammed tires and recycled cans and bottles. They use solar for heating, cooling, and electricity. Innovative water recycling systems keep things running and, in some cases, even incorporate lush gardens that grow tropical fruit trees. Many of the homes are available for rent so you can get a taste of the lifestyle.
Monastery of Christ in the Desert, Chama
This Catholic Benedictine Monastery enjoys heavenly surroundings along on the edge of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. The Brothers welcome the public for day and overnight stays. Visitors enjoy simple accommodations and are invited, though not required, to join in religious observances. It’s a quiet place for contemplation.
Geodesic Dome, Santa Fe
This private rental offers a glamping experience outside Santa Fe. The round tent-like structure includes an entire wall of windows to take in picturesque views of several mountain ranges, including the Sangre de Christos, Jemez, and Sandias. A skylight offers stargazing. Staying in this tent is hardly roughing it. The dome has indoor plumbing, radiant heating, and a king bed. Private chef and yoga sessions are available.
Hotel Luna Mystica, Taos
This vintage trailer hotel outside Taos operates 21 restored Airstreams, Spartans, Vagabonds, and more. The rebooted trailers have modern Southwest décor, and each has its own personality. The hotel enjoys scenic views of the mesa and mountains. It’s also next door to Taos Mesa Brewing, which has become a live music hub.
Yurt, Abiquiu
Yurts are more typically seen in the Asian steppe than New Mexico, but there are several of these structures available for rent across the state. One, set outside Abiquiu below Cerrito Blanco, offers a lovely place to stay for a couple or family. The simple-but-comfortable accommodation includes a deck with ample space to practice yoga or meditate and harkens yurts’ origins with Central Asian décor.
Taos Goji Farm, Taos
This working goji berry farm offers guest stays in several cabins and accommodations on site. Visitors may join in farm work in the goji and apple orchards or just enjoy the themed cabins named for notable New Mexicans, such as Georgia O’Keeffe. The farm includes a glamping tipi for rustic but cozy field lodgings.
Miner’s Cabin, Madrid
Today, Madrid is known as an artist haven, but it was long home to miners. You can stay in one of the original miner’s cabins to harken that time in history. The cabin has been restored with modest but comfortable furnishings and fixtures.
Kokopelli Cave, Farmington
This accommodation is unusual — and not just for New Mexico. The cave house perches 300-feet in sandstone cliffs above La Plata River. Originally built as office for geologist Bruce Black, he turned it into a “bed and breakfast” (though the breakfast is continental items such as muffins.) Not just a simple room, the house includes a bedroom, living area, dining area, full kitchen, and bathroom with a waterfall shower.
Shipping Container Home, El Prado
Shipping containers aren’t just for moving goods — or even building restaurant developments, like Green Jeans Farmery and Tin Can Alley in Albuquerque. One has become a tiny home for rent. Although small, the one-bedroom, one-bath house is well equipped with fiber-optic internet, a private deck for lounging, and floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the views.
Trinity Hotel, Carlsbad
Built in 1892, the current home of the Trinity Hotel once housed the First National Bank and other municipal offices. The nine-room hotel features a room with an original safe. The period lobby opens into a restaurant and tasting room for the Balzano Family Vineyard’s wine, the family that also owns and operates the hotel.
We hope these distinctive accommodations inspire your next trip!
A New Mexican Perspective
