Where to Stay in Santa Fe//Inn of The Turquoise Bear
Happy August 1st darlings! Goodness...I cannot believe it! I just got back from my moto journey and I cannot wait to get back to work and start sharing it all with you.
I'm so excited to share with you all this next post! Perhaps one of my fave stays to date - it’s definitely the most 'me' - and one that I absolutely recommend you add on your lists right away.
After 34 long days on the road (more of that to come in future blog posts soon), we eventually made our way to Santa Fe again and to our home for the evening--Inn of The Turquoise Bear.
The Inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the home of Witter Bynner (1881-1968), who for almost 50 years was a prominent citizen of Santa Fe, actively participating in the cultural, artistic, and political life of the city. Noted as a poet, translator and essayist, Bynner was a staunch advocate of human rights, especially of Native Americans, women, and other minorities. Bynner created his rambling adobe villa, constructed in Spanish-Pueblo Revival style, from a core of rooms that date to the early 1800’s. It is now considered one of Santa Fe’s most important historical estates. With its signature portico, towering pine trees, magnificent rock terraces, and lush gardens filled with lilacs, wild roses, and other flowers, the Inn offers guests a bucolic retreat close to the center of Santa Fe. Bynner and Robert Hunt, his companion of almost 40 years, were famous – or infamous – for the riotous parties they hosted in this estate, referred to by Ansel Adams as ‘Bynner’s bashes.’ Their home was regarded as the center for the gathering of the creative and fun loving elite of Santa Fe and visitors from New York and around the world. The celebrity guest list of Bynner included D.H. Lawrence (who spent his first night in an American home in this villa), Willa Cather, Ansel Adams, Igor Stravinsky, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender, Aldous Huxley, Clara Bow, Errol Flynn, Rita Hayworth, Lynn Riggs, Christopher Isherwood, Carl Van Vechten, Martha Graham, Robert Oppenheimer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mary Austin, Willard Nash, Thornton Wilder, J.B. Priestly – and many others. Upon Witter’s death, he willed the estate to St. John’s College in Santa Fe who used the estate as a residence hall for a number of years. In September, 2014 the estate was once again filled with “Johnnies” celebrating their 35th reunion at “Witter Bynner” a place they once called home.
I would have given anything to be on that guest list just once!!
In 1996, Ralph Bolton & Robert Frost, purchased the estate and created a wonderful Santa Fe bed and breakfast. They faithfully restored this magnificent property which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, the estate has not been altered in any significant way retaining its authentic Northern New Mexico charm. One can still see scant reminders of the Chinese decoration that Witter used to distinguish it.
In April, 2014 Dan Clark & David Solem acquired the Inn. Their goals – as innkeepers and as stewards of the estate and land that Bynner loved – are to rekindle the comfort, creativity and hospitality for which this home was renowned in the past, to protect, restore and extend the legacy of its famous creator, and to provide their guests with a unique, restorative experience that captures the essence of Santa Fe’s past and present.
The inn is home to eleven individually decorated rooms split over two floors. We ended up in the Shaman room and It was the perfect choice for us. We loved the larger windows over looking the gardens most of all. Looking online though they all are insanely beautiful and have their own unique touches. Take a look for yourself here. The grounds are just simply amazing. I could get lost there. Lin loved the hammock and we just loved the peacefulness throughout the place. You are still so close to the Plaza and Canyon Road making it the ideal location. Make sure to check in before 5 though because there is complimentary wine from 5-6p.m. Lin and I literally kept saying...this is the perfect location!
Breakfast is another real treat at Inn of the Turquoise Bear. We helped ourselves to the fabulous goodies laid out for us - granola, yogurt, fresh fruit, juices - before Alex cooked up a storm in the kitchen, making us the most delicious breakfast dishes to start our day. We shared blue corn pancakes and Huevos Rancheros--and the red chile sauce was the best I have ever tasted. It had just the right amount of heat! I tried really hard to get Alex's recipe but he is simply not going to budge on that one.
After breakfast, it was time to be on our way and I reluctantly said goodbye to the Inn. It would have been nice to have a longer stay as it's the kind of place which just beckons you to sit on the sofa with a blanket, a cold drink and a good book.
Staying at Inn of The Turquoise Bear felt more like we were in a home rather than a hotel and if I could move in, I would. A return visit will most definitely be on the cards.
Thanks so much to Dan for hosting us and sponsoring this post!! If you are traveling to Santa Fe, this is where you want to book!!!!!!!! I promise you will not be disappointed!!!
Inn of The Turquoise Bear, 342 E Buena Vista St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
https://www.turquoisebear.com/
Products featured in this post:
BDG Calvin Cardigan/ Quay 60mm Sunnies / Madewell Wipstitch Saddle Bag /
Calla Lace Up Gladiator/ Essie Caviar Bar Polish/
XOOXO
SAM