Welcome to Alta Cresta, a luxurious (4 bedroom option) Taos vacation rental located just 1/2 mile north of the Village of Arroyo Seco in the lush foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; part of the Southern Rockies.
Alta Cresta is the ipidomy of peace and tranquility with true architectural integrity; a place where the savvy, discerning traveler will enjoy one of Taos' finest addresses, taking in the incomparable scenery that defines Arroyo Seco.
Originally designed for and built by Dadou Mayer (founder of the Hotel Edelweiss at Taos Ski Valley) and his wife, Alta Cresta sits proudly on one acre of land at an 8,000 foot elevation feet in an idyllic setting with 270 degree mountain views and complementary views to the west overlooking Hondo Mesa toward the Rio Grande Gorge.
The 2,900 square foot house offers a large open plan kitchen/ living room with an 18 foot cathedral ceiling, multiple skylights and boasts a half dozen extra large vigas (the hand hewn log ceiling / roof supports so integral to southwest architecture).
Designed for a master chef, the kitchen comes equipped with a Vulcan commercial oven / range and all new upgrade stainless appliances. The living room features dramatic two story chathedral arched windows opening to incredible southward views, a 42” flat screen satellite TV, top-of-the-line wood burning cast iron stove, RC Gorman tiles, and plenty of space for guests to relax, gather, visit and dream.
Originally part of the well-known Salsa del Salto Bed and Breakfast, the house offers four master bedrooms (King Master #1 is un-named, King Master #2 Kachina, Dual Queens Master #3 Yerba with gas log fireplace + jetted tub, and one of 2 optional exterior bedrooms - either Queen Master #4 Tram pas with gas log fireplace and jetted tub, or King Master #5 Lobo. All serve as guest quarters and all have their very own private attached full baths as well as their own exterior walk out door. Three rooms walk out to their own brick patio and all are conveniently situated close to the 400 square foot private walled outdoor brick courtyard.
Throughout the house you will see spectacular view after spectacular view and you will find a mix of New Mexican and antique furnishings in every room. Each room possesses distinctive style and charm and all are richly appointed and carefully designed with comfort in mind. Pamper yourself in restful sleep, nestled between 300 count Egyptian cotton sheets and luxurious down comforters, beds as warm and inviting as the home's hospitality. Two bedrooms (Yerba and Tram Pas) contain gas log kiva fireplaces and jetted tubs.
The location is central to a wide range of activities available to those who visit Taos. Nearby Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage site, has been continuously inhabited since 1350 A.D and is one of New Mexico's oldest pueblos. The world famous Taos Ski Valley (TSV) is an enjoyable nine mile commute up the Twining Valley along the Rio Hondo. Guests can find easy access to all of Taos' outdoor activities including, but not limited to, skiing, hot air-ballooning, horseback riding, biking amid rustic country roads, fly fishing in the Rio Hondo, hiking in the one-million acre Carson National Forest, or rafting the Rio Grande and Rio Chama rivers. For folks interested in good food, shopping, and viewing art, there are simply too many incredible culinary delights, interesting and quirky shops in addition to fantastic galleries, museums and shops throughout Arroyo Seco and Taos town to mention…be sure to take some time to explore…it would be hard to go wrong!