Uncover Taos' Hidden Gem: Sagebrush Inn & Suites Awaits!
Uncover Taos' Hidden Gem? My Sagebrush Inn & Suites Adventure! (A Rambling Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's hotel review. This is me, fresh off a trip to Taos, New Mexico, and I've got feelings. Specifically, feelings about the Sagebrush Inn & Suites. And trust me, they're complicated. Let's get messy, shall we?
SEO & Metadata (Before my Brain Melts):
- Keywords: Sagebrush Inn & Suites, Taos, New Mexico, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Free Breakfast, Family Friendly, Pet Friendly (Limited), Taos Ski Valley, Historic Taos, New Mexico Hotels, Best Taos Hotels, Romantic Getaway, Family Vacation, Adventure Travel, Southwest Travel.
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest and detailed review of the Sagebrush Inn & Suites in Taos, NM. Covering everything from accessibility and amenities to food and service – with a healthy dose of personal opinion and a few unexpected tangents. Is this hidden gem truly worth the hype? Read on…
(Deep Breath, then… LET'S DO THIS!)
Right, so first impressions. The Sagebrush Inn & Suites. It's… there. I mean, it's not a gleaming, modern monstrosity, which, in Taos, is actually a huge plus. It's got that Southwestern charm, the adobe-ish exterior… kinda like you're entering a slightly upscale, yet still down-to-earth, ghost town. (Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but you get the vibe.)
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the "Almost There"
Accessibility is important, and I'm happy to report the Sagebrush tries. They have a few wheelchair accessible rooms, which is great. Bravo! The website mentions it, which is also a plus! But here's where it gets a little… meh. While they say they're accessible, I didn't stay in an accessible room, so I can't give you the deep down intimate review of the "how to get into the accessible shower" or the "do the wheelchair accessible rooms in this Inn have enough room in the bathroom to actually turn around?" It just seems like they get it, but I can't guarantee it. If you need a fully accessible room, call and confirm EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL. Seriously. Otherwise, expect a "close, but not perfect" experience.
On-Site Restaurants & Lounges: Food, Glorious Food (Mostly)
Okay, let's talk food. Because, let's be honest, a good breakfast is a cornerstone of a good vacation. Breakfast is included, and it's a buffet. Here's the thing about buffets: they're a gamble. Sometimes you win! Other times, you're staring at lukewarm scrambled eggs and suspiciously dry muffins. The Sagebrush buffet was… well, it wasn't Michelin-star material. But it was FINE. Plenty of coffee, some okay pastries, and the usual suspects. I did love the fresh fruit. (That's my positive focus for the day!)
There's also the Restaurant. I had one dinner there, and let me tell you, it was… a mixed bag. The chili? Delicious. The service? A little… shall we say… "relaxed"? Our waitress, bless her heart, seemed to be simultaneously managing three tables and planning a wedding. (Or maybe I just hallucinated that part. Too much chili, perhaps.)
- Asian Breakfast? Nope, that was not there.
- Happy Hour? Yes. But I didn't partake. (Next time. Always next time.)
- Poolside Bar? There is seating next to the pool, but not a bar.
- Poolside snack bar? Nope.
- Coffee Shop? No.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular or Spa-ble?
Now, about the relaxation factor. They have a spa! That’s a winner. But honestly? I didn't use it. I was too busy exploring Taos. I just didn't make time for a spa treatment. Next time!
- Fitness Center: Yep, they have a little gym setup. Standard hotel gym stuff.
- Pool with View: It's an outdoor pool, and it's nice. The view? Well, it's more "courtyard" than "stunning mountain vista," but it's pleasant enough.
- Sauna Nope.
- Spa/Sauna Nope.
- Steamroom Nope.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: yes!
I'd love to give you a detailed account of the spa, including the quality of the massage and the availability of body scrubs, wraps, and foot baths. But, alas, I, like a fool, was too busy exploring the world! I have a feeling I'm missing a good time. And so, you my dear readers, will have to go check the Spa out for yourself, and let me know. (Pretty Please?)
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitizing Shenanigans!
This is where the Sagebrush shines. In the current climate, cleanliness is KING. And the Sagebrush Inn seems to take it seriously. They advertise a ton of sanitizing measures, and I did feel safe. They have:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Staff trained in safety protocol
The rooms felt fresh, and the staff were masked up. Definitely a big checkmark in the "peace of mind" column. No complaints here!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Culinary Landscape
Okay, let's dig deeper into the food situation.
- A La Carte in Restaurant: Yup. (See above regarding the chili. SO GOOD.)
- Alternative meal arrangement: I didn't see any formal options for this.
- Bar: Yes.
- Breakfast [buffet]: As mentioned.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope.
- Snack bar: Nope.
The food didn't set the world on fire, but it was decent. And the convenience of having everything on-site is a plus.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes. (Essential in the Taos heat!)
- Business facilities: Yes.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Convenience store: No.
- Daily housekeeping: Yep. Rooms were well-maintained.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes.
- Indoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service, Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meetings, Meeting stationery: Yes.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Yes (Courtyard).
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Yes.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun?
- Babysitting service: No.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids facilities: None explicitly advertised, but it seemed kid-friendly.
So, generally, yes. The Sagebrush Inn has a good range of amenities.
Access: The Nuts and Bolts
- Check-in/out [express]: Check-in was fast.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yes, which is always handy.
- Non-smoking rooms: Yes.
- Pets allowed unavailable Nope.
- Security [24-hour]: Felt safe.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
Here's what you get in the rooms:
- Air conditioning: Yes and essential!
- Alarm clock: Standard.
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, always a plus.
- Complimentary tea: Nope.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Desk: Yes.
- Extra long bed: Yes, which is wonderful.
- Free bottled water: Yes.
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Yes, and the Wi-Fi was surprisingly good. I could actually get some work done! Big win. The signal was strong.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Laptop workspace: Yes.
- Mini bar: Nope.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yes.
- Seating area: Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub: In some rooms.
- Shower: Yes.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- **Sound
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re about to hit the road… well, the Sagebrush Inn & Suites road, at least. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-timed travel brochure. This is my Taos, warts and all, hopefully, hilarious and entirely relatable.
The Sagebrush Saga: A Hot-Mess Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & the Existential Dread of the Drive
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Trek. And the Questioning.
Let's be real. The drive to Taos? Beautiful, yeah, stunning even. But also… brutal. I left Albuquerque with a suitcase (mostly filled with "maybe I'll need this" clothes), a vague sense of purpose, and existential dread gnawing at my soul. Driving on those vast New Mexican highways? It’s like the desert is whispering, "So, what are you doing with your life?" (Spoiler: I have no idea. But hey, I'm going to explore some art!)
Arrived at Sagebrush Inn, around 4p.m. Tired but excited, after a really long drive. I didn’t die though, I am at destination!
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Sagebrush Sanity Check. Ah, the Sagebrush Inn. Let's just say it feels like Taos: authentic, a little dusty around the edges, and full of charm. (And yes, there's a faint smell of sagebrush, which I find both comforting and slightly alarming, like the scent of my grandma's living room.) The room? Clean enough, the bed looks soft, the WiFi is (hopefully) working. Okay, this is gonna be alright. First thing after that: I checked the pool. It’s like, the perfect pool for swimming. I will go there later.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Stumble into Dinner. Starvation and the Questionable Queso (and the best sunset ever).
Okay, so I was starving. Starving! And also a little… emotionally vulnerable after that drive. I wandered haphazardly, eventually ending up at a local spot. My hunger fueled bad decisions. The queso? Let's just say it was… unique. (I'm being polite.) BUT, as I ate, the sunset hit. And it was spectacular. I mean, colors I didn't even know existed splashed across the sky. Seriously, I almost cried. Maybe it was the emotional drive, or the queso… whatever. It was gorgeous.
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Post-Sunset Wandering & Early Bedtime (Blame the Queso). After dinner… more aimless wandering. I somehow ended up in a bookstore. I bought three books. (I’m a sucker for used bookstores, you see.) Okay, I may have needed some help with the selection… Okay, I started reading in bed and I was out like a light by 9 pm. I think the queso was the real culprit.
Day 2: Art, Altitude, and Altitude Sickness (Maybe I’m Just Whining).
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Blues (And the Quest for Decent Coffee).
The included breakfast at the Sagebrush? Standard inn fare. Waffles that tasted of sadness, mediocre coffee, and… well, let's just say I was craving some real coffee and a hearty breakfast. (I'm also starting to think altitude sickness is messing with my appetite.)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Art Galore! (And Pretending to Understand It All).
Taos is all about the art scene, and honestly, it's overwhelming. I hit up a few galleries. The art? Beautiful, thought-provoking, sometimes just… confusing. I wandered around, pretending I understood the deep symbolism, while secretly just admiring the colors. (I spent an embarrassingly long time staring at a sculpture that looked like a giant, melted gummy bear.)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch with a View…and a Migraine?
Lunch at a restaurant with a stunning view of the mountains. (I'm starting to think the mountains are mocking me -- they're so majestic, and I feel like I'm slowly losing my mind.) The food was decent. The altitude? Punishing. I think I'm getting a headache. I swear, I feel like a balloon that's been overinflated.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Taos Pueblo: The Heart (& the Heat!) of it All.
This was my single biggest experience of the entire trip and it was really amazing! I went to the Taos Pueblo. The oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States. The history alone is mind-blowing. (And the adobe architecture? Divine.) It felt like stepping back in time, and it was humbling. The heat was also a little intense, and I almost had to stop in a convenience store for some sunscreen and water.
I decided to take some pictures, but even those didn’t do the place justice. I swear, I could have spent all day there.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Rest at Sagebrush & Recovery.
Back to the Sagebrush for a much-needed rest. I took a dip in the pool. I stared at the ceiling. I drank a LOT of water. I may or may not have napped. (Altitude, man. It’s a beast.)
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Attempting Dinner (And Failing to Avoid Queso).
Dinner, round two! I went to a different restaurant. This place had a good reputation, so I gave it a shot. The food was better this time! I really enjoyed it. Okay! But I did order some queso. Damn. It was good, but this time, I learned my lesson: order a small one.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Stargazing (If the Clouds Cooperate).
Taos is supposed to have INCREDIBLE stargazing. I stood outside and just… looked up but the clouds had a mind of their own. So, I just enjoyed the quiet.
Day 3: Farewell, Taos! (And the Agony of Departure)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Rundown.
Still the same breakfast. I made my own coffee, because I am done with the sadness.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (And Crying in a Craft Store?).
I decided I'd better pick up gifts, and I hit up the local shops. Okay, it was more like I wandered around, touching things, feeling overwhelmed, and ended up buying more books. Also, I burst into tears in a craft store because I realized I didn't want to leave.
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Drive. The Sighs. The Goodbyes.
The long drive back. Sighing for the whole drive. Taos, you beautiful, quirky, sometimes headache-inducing place. You made my soul feel something, and you made me laugh (and cry). I'll be back. Eventually. Maybe.
Uncover Taos' Hidden Gem: Sagebrush Inn & Suites Awaits! (Maybe...)
So, is the Sagebrush Inn actually a 'hidden gem'? Or just… a hotel?
What about the rooms? Are they… livable? Or just a motel room in fancy clothing?
How's the food? The on-site *restaurant*? Is it actually good or just... convenient?
Pool or no pool? Because, let's be honest, that can make or break a trip in the desert.
Activities! Besides lounging poolside, what's there to *do* at the Sagebrush Inn?
Okay, the BIG question: Would *you* stay there again? Be honest!
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