Holiday Inn, Taos

We attended the Solar Festival the weekend of June 27-28, 2008 in Taos. After a long flight and the tiring but beautiful drive from Albuquerque we were looking forward to cleaning up, relaxing and going to the festival. It's easy to find, it's accross the street from WalMart as you arrive in the outskirts of south Taos. The lobby and so called lounge are non-descript. The grounds and pool area are less than inviting with a trucking and construction site just the other side of a chainlink fence. We entered the room and were transported to a 1988 Holiday Inn. The furniture, including an upholstered love seat, were not usable. It smelled of mildew and mold. We turned the window AC unit on thinking some cool circulation would help. I have asthma and lung problems. To say I had an attack is putting it mildly. I medicated as much as possible and we went down the street to a Comfort Inn. Because it was the Festival weekend they had no vacancy. The manager called Jeanie, the manager at the EL MONTE SAGRADO HOTEL AND SPA, to see if they had anything open. When we arrived Jeanie met us and escorted me to the spa and put me on oxygen while I drank Angel Fire water (look it up, it's very hydrating, oxygenated). Within an hour Jeanie said she had a room with an unexpected departure and the maids were cleaning it so we could check in. Fifteen minutes later she brought room keys to us and the bellhop took the contents of our car to our room. We were set for the weekend. The EL MONTE is a beautiful place just off the main street square on 5 acres of landscaped, babbling brooks, open green spaces and gorgeous sculptures facing the base of Taos Mountain. It includes a beautifully detail appointed Lounge and 2 restaurants. Our room was exquisite with king bed,5 star hotel linnens and towels, air heat whirlpool tub,walk in shower and decor beyond words. All of this for $60.00 more per day. We prepaid at Don Pedro. The one positive comment is - they gave us a refund.

Room was clean but that was about the only positive. Peeling paint/wallpaper, cracked tiles in bathroom, ancient heating system, old mattresses, worn carpet and furnishings, etc. etc. Hot tub was not in operation which was not mentioned on their website. Pool was ok but if availability of a hot tub in any way influences your decision on a hotel, I recommend you call to check the status prior to booking (based upon my experience and multiple other reviews). Drink specials in bar were nothing special. Service was somewhat indifferent although not rude by any means. Was this a bad experience-NO. Was it a good experience-NO. Is it acceptable if you just need a place to spend the night-YES. Would I stay here again-NO. This place was on par with Econo Lodge, Motel 6, Comfort Inn, etc.; not the high class hotel it tries to portray on its website. On the plus side, Angel Fire was only 30 minutes away.

This is a great hotel not too far from Taos plaza. The room was a good size, but it was a little dirty when we arrived (shower and bathroom counter). But other than that, we had a nice stay and no complaints.

Room was big but pool was not so good. The location was on main street in town. The rooms are detacted like apartments which is good for noise and privacy but you have to walk outside to get to office and pool.

I had read some reviews stating that Don had the best hot tub in town. In reality, it was small, half full, and lukewarm at best. We asked the managemant to fill and heat, so they filled with cold water and continued to heat to lukewarm. After 2 days of skiing, tepid water was not great for the muscles. Management was very indifferent about this issue, because we and other patrons complained and nothing was done. The room was good, but the only reason we booked there was the "awesome jacuzzi". Next time, we will find a place with a working jacuzzi.

This hotel was one of the more expensive ones we stayed in on our road trip, but then again Taos was the most expensive city we visited, and the room was priced below what most websites said to expect to pay in the area. The room was spacious, clean, and user friendly. They could use an in-room game system for kids (this is a real god-send on family vacations as I came to find out). The hotel's location is a little far out of town and you have to drive to see anything of Taos. The Lobby bar/restaurant area was nicely appointed. The continental breakfast was limited in the baked goods (everything was pre-packaged) but had plenty of fruit and coffee. The pool was very big for a hotel. the water was a little on the cold side and the water in the hot tub was a little too hot (had to really use the 15 minute rule) Still a very relaxing time.