11 Taos Airbnbs That Embody the Soul of the Southwest

From Earthships to adobes, these rentals in Taos, New Mexico, are one of a kind.AirbnbFrom the first time my parents’ car crested the last hill on New Mexico State Road 68 en route to Taos, and the depths of the Rio Grande Gorge emerged in view, I was hooked. As a New Mexican, I’ve spent more than 30 years visiting the northern New Mexico town of Taos, where I enjoy dining on local cuisine, browsing contemporary art galleries, hiking the peaks around Taos Ski Valley, and rafting the Rio Grande rapids. As time has passed, the town’s unique charm has remained, but its popularity has only grown.Indigenous peoples have inhabited the lands here since time immemorial, and today, the residents of Taos Pueblo welcome visitors to a stacked-adobe village whose architecture is synonymous with the Southwest. Creatives have long felt called to this area, from the likes of Ansel Adams, who turned his lens on the wide buttresses of St. Francisco de Assisi Mission Church, to Georgia O’Keeffe, who first visited in 1929.One of the best ways to take in the local culture and enjoy the architecture is by staying in a Taos Airbnb. In this way, travelers get the chance to embrace elements of the town’s character, from its regional design to its counter-culture scene captured in the sustainable Earthships dotting the vast sagebrush mesa beneath mountain peaks. Whether you’re following your creative muse, want to embrace the desert landscape, or are eager to get a taste of Southwestern living, these are the best Taos Airbnbs to visit right now.We've selected these listings based on Superhost and Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.Top picksMore editor-recommended Airbnbs in TaosOur top picks:Best for families: Luxurious ski chaletBest for views: Sleek stargazing oasisBest for art lovers: Centrally located Pueblo-style artist's homeReimagined boho dance studioNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: Studio, 1 bathWhy we love it: Enclosed porch, clawfoot tub, indoor hammockFlooded with natural light, this open-concept boho abode was once the dance studio of the late María Benítez, a renowned American flamenco dancer and choreographer. Original wood floors and rustic vigas (wooden ceiling beams) give it a quintessentially Southwestern feel, while charming details like a macramé indoor hammock make it feel of the moment. Large windows and two porches offer views of beautiful shade trees on the quarter-acre property. Keep in mind that this casita has an open floor plan, so the privacy is minimal, should you be traveling with guests.Neighborhood: CanonThings to do nearby: Carson National Forest, Sangre de Cristo MountainsSleek stargazing oasisNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathWhy we love it: Night sky viewing, private deck, air-conditioningSparsely populated New Mexico is known for its dark-sky views, and the Taos County lighting ordinances help keep them that way. This residence, known as Stargazer, offers a fitting vantage point to take in the heavens. Set on 30 acres of private land and adjacent to Taos Pueblo acreage, this home offers a secluded stay that’s still just a short drive from the attractions of Taos Plaza. Daytime views unfold over the sagebrush mesa and southern Rocky Mountain peaks. The well-equipped home features Southwestern modern design touches, a cozy queen bed, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out to a private deck.Neighborhood: El PradoThings to do nearby: Millicent Rogers Museum, La Hacienda de los Martinez Museum, Taos Mesa BrewingTraditional adobe with a kiva fireplaceNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathsWhy we love it: Hot tub, firepit, kid-friendlyWith quintessentially Southwestern design details—a kiva fireplace, hand-painted kitchen tiles, viga ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and Saltillo tiles—this home offers an only-in-Taos feel. The outdoors are showstopping: Large windows offer expansive mesa and mountain views from every room, and backyard spaces invite guests to dine alfresco on the patio, soak in the hot tub, and linger over a local craft beer around the firepit. Couples and groups traveling together will relish the king bed in both bedrooms.Neighborhood: El PradoThings to do nearby: Millicent Rogers Museum, La Hacienda de los Martinez Museum, Taos Mesa BrewingOff-grid EarthshipNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathWhy we love it: Sustainable design, dark-sky viewing, pets allowedSince architect Michael Reynolds began experimenting with alternative building materials in the early 1970s, Taos has earned recognition for its unique Earthships: sustainably built homes with a passive solar design. But staying in this spot, drenched in natural light and located just north of town, won't require any sacrifices in comfort. It has all the modern delights, from fast Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with streaming services to a steady 72-degree indoor temperature year-round. The quirky addition of glass bottles set in the home’s concrete walls is a hallmark of Earthship design and adds some artistic flair.Neighborhood: The Greater World Earthship CommunityThings to do nearby: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Earthship Biotecture Visitor CenterModern Southwestern residenceNumber of guests: 5Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathsWhy we love it: Conversation pit, kiva fireplace, homey feelNotable modernist and former northern New Mexico resident Georgia O’Keeffe would likely have felt at home in this residence with white walls and carefully chosen Southwestern furnishings and fixtures. Surrounded by sagebrush on a one-acre lot in a subdivision an easy drive from town, you’ll likely feel at home here too thanks to a spacious open-concept floor plan that merges the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create a spot perfect for gathering. There are also ample mountain vistas through its large windows and from an inviting outdoor firepit. One king and one queen bedroom sleep up to four, and a fifth guest can bunk on the folding twin cot in a pinch.Neighborhood: Ranchos de TaosThings to do nearby: San Francisco de Asís church, Taos Country Club, Stakeout Taos restaurant and events venueFashion designer’s retreatNumber of guests: 16Bed and bath: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 bathsWhy we love it: High ceilings, ample light, furnished porch off the primary suiteWith a name that nods to the area’s Indigenous peoples and the hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and finches who flock here, Many Feathers Ranch sits in a secluded canyon at the base of Taos Ski Valley and is perfect for group getaways. Six bedrooms sleep 16 across two king beds, five queens, two singles, and three sleeper couches. The sprawling 8,000-square-foot residence is the home of Los Angeles–based fashion designer Raquel Allegra, whose stylish eye shows in the property’s recent renovations and interior design details featuring vintage pieces and treasure-hunt finds. A true retreat, it's made up of five acres of wide-open space with stands of willows, flowing water, and several ponds that cultivate a deep sense of serenity.Neighborhood: ValdezThings to do nearby: Taos Pueblo, Taos Ski Valley, ACEQ restaurant, Taos Cow ice creamRiverside casita with a backyardNumber of guests: 3Bed and bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathWhy we love it: Private hot tub, meditation tents, rope swingThis quaint one-bedroom cottage is perfect for a wellness retreat. Its location on the banks of the Rio Pueblo—beneath a canopy of pine, chokecherries, and Russian olive trees—sets the stage for an oasis-like stay. Here, solo travelers and couples can lounge on the electric blue sofa or wraparound deck, soak in the hot tub off the bedroom, or stroll to the river, where a meditation tent nearly as well-appointed as the home awaits.Neighborhood: El PradoThings to do nearby: Taos Plaza, Taos Art Museum, The Love Apple, Manzanita MarketVilla on the mesaNumber of guests: 6Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathsWhy we love it: Hot tub, surrounding nature, natural hot springsLocated a quick drive from both the Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley, this comfortable home has a secluded feel thanks to its 15 private acres bordering the Rio Grande Gorge. Trails lead along the rim of the gorge and down to the river, providing private access to natural hot springs for soaking. The interior is nearly as beautiful as the scenery, with warm earth tones and varied textures. The artistic and sustainable home features earth-cast walls and Japanese-style mahogany cabinetry.Neighborhood: El PradoThings to do nearby: Taos Plaza, Taos Ski Valley, Rio Grande del Norte National MonumentCozy abode with mountain viewsNumber of guests: 6Bed and bath: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathsWhy we love it: Walking paths, dark-sky views, fully equipped kitchenConveniently located near the Taos Plaza, Taos Ski Valley, and restaurants and galleries of Arroyo Seco, this high-desert refuge offers panoramic views of both mountain and mesa from its hot tub and firepit. Overflowing with Southwestern charm, it features all the necessities for traveling families or remote workers with a penchant for adventure. The three comfortable bedrooms sleep up to six, and the common areas are perfect for lounging around and enjoying the TV or kiva fireplace. Outdoorsy folks will relish the walking trails that ramble across the three-acre grounds and enjoy the chance to spot deer and coyotes.Neighborhood: El PradoThings to do nearby: Taos Plaza, Taos Ski Valley, Old Bones GalleryLuxurious ski chaletNumber of guests: 14Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathsWhy we love it: Wood-burning fireplace, game room, outdoor grillPerfect for families or large groups, this modern, multi-story retreat is perched minutes from the world-class skiing of Taos Ski Valley, including the lift up to 12,481-foot Kachina Peak. Whether you’re visiting for winter skiing, summer hiking, or fall leaf peeping, after a day of adventure, relax around the wood-burning fireplace, soak in the hot tub, or adjourn to the game room for some friendly competition. Welcoming and cozy, streamlined leather couches and dark cabinetry and countertops give this mountain residence the feel of a modern chalet.Neighborhood: Taos Ski ValleyThings to do nearby: Taos Ski Valley, The Bavarian Restaurant, Williams Lake TrailCentrally located Pueblo-style artist's homeNumber of guests: 4Bed and bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathWhy we love it: Artisanal details, adobe walls, antique furnishingsReady to find your muse? This former home of the Southwest painter Charles Henry Reynolds (1902–1963) is true to its nature, offering an artistic, historic feel. The thick-walled adobe house features all the hallmarks of Southwestern architecture, including viga ceiling construction, hand-carved beams, Saltillo tiles, and original fixtures and antique furnishings throughout. Keep an eye out for Reynolds’s original paintings and those of his contemporaries. The two-bedroom (both queens) property is also within a short walk of other Taos artist homes, including Nicolai Fechin’s former residence that now houses the Taos Art Museum.Neighborhood: Town of TaosThings to do nearby: Taos Plaza, Blumenschein Home & Museum, Harwood Museum of Art, Taos Art MuseumAshley M. Biggers is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her writing on travel, culture, and wellness has appeared in numerous print and digital publications, and she has authored three books—Eco-Travel New Mexico, 100 Things to Do in Albuquerque Before You Die, and Secret Albuquerque. ... Read MoreMore hotels nearbyEl Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa$$ | United States, Taos, 317 Kit Carson Rd.$ | United States, Taos, 233 Paseo Del Pueblo SurA design-driven hotel with an excellent on-site restaurant and an art gallery that regularly hosts emerging New Mexican talent.$$ | United States, Taos, 405 Cordoba St.