Los Palacios - 'a River Runs Through It'

• Best Ever

  Best Ever

  • Guest Bob S.
  • Date of stay 05/13/12
  • Review Submitted 05/24/12
  Los Palacios is by far the best place we’ve stayed. We were sad to leave. It’s gorgeous, spacious, peaceful, convenient, and has (if you wish) a lovely cat, Blanche. The best way to get to know the place is from the back. Drop your bags and groceries on the floor and dining room table and head out one of the back doors. Open the back gate, descend the stairs and follow the path through the woods toward the sound of rushing water. Pass the pink gazebo on your way to the bank of Rio Chama. The sound of the river will surround you. Look across the river to the massive rock outcropping that looms above you and know that you’re entering a slower, more beautiful world. Spending time by the river quickly became a morning ritual for us. When you are at Los Palacios, it’s easy to feel close to the natural world. Lying in bed, you fall asleep under the glow of a million stars and, if you’re lucky, the moon rising over the big rock face across the river. The daytime air is filled with birdsong and the thrum of hummingbird wings. The occasional jackrabbit hops by and the indigenous lizards scuttle across the dirt. And there’s the house. What a pleasure to stay in a place so lovingly crafted by the owner’s hand. Exquisite attention to detail is everywhere: arched doorways, solar architecture, amazing views, and a large, fully-appointed kitchen. There are plentiful spaces for private time and large gatherings, both inside and outside the house. Everything is done well: the colors, the craftsmanship, the furniture, the art on the walls: all top-notch. Even the selections of books, CDs (an amazing collection in itself) and DVDs are terrific. For a special solitude (or a fun place for a picnic!) spend some time in the pink house on the way to the water. When there, you are fully enveloped by nature. Sheltered by the woods, near the river, it’s furnished with chairs, benches and cushions for lounging and a table to sit at and write. Or eat. In addition to Los Palacios being such a fine place to be (you may not want to leave the house much), the location can’t be beat.In Abiquiu we enjoyed hiking the trails and walking the labyrinth at Ghost Ranch, ice cream cones at Bode’s General Store, the art at Rising Moon Gallery, and trying our shouts at Echo Canyon. Lastly, Susan is a terrific host. She’s hospitable, attentive and available if needed. We will certainly return. If there are open dates that fit with your travel times, do yourself a favor and book Los Palacios.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• beautiful house, fantastic location

  beautiful house, fantastic location

  • Guest Lynn
  • Date of stay 07/06/10
  • Review Submitted 07/24/10
  My family and I had an absolutely wonderful stay at Los Palacios. The house is beautifully furnished and decorated, very large -- a wonderful and relaxing place to spend time. The location is stunning, with a beautiful mountain view from the bedroom. We all really enjoyed eating our dinners out on the screened porch with the sound of the rushing river behind us. There's also so much to do in the area: we went to Los Alamos, Bandalier, and Ghost Ranch, and it's also an easy trip to Santa Fe. The owners were so nice and seemed to really care that their guests enjoy their stay. I think this was one of the best family vacations we're even taken and I hope to come back soon.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Tranquil and wonderfully appointed home.

  Tranquil and wonderfully appointed home.

  • Guest Chrysoula
  • Date of stay 03/28/10
  • Review Submitted 04/05/10
  My family of four had a lovely time spent in Casa de Los Palacios. The property was clean and well stocked with amenities, including WiFi. The home was just as described, actually a bit better. The home feels quite larger than the photos. Plenty of places to curl up with a book. Just a few steps out the door and you come to a lovely spot right on the river. We enjoyed sitting by the Chama River and listening to the water and marveled at the brilliant night sky. We followed many of the owner's recommendations for nearby sites, including Bandolier National Park, (cliff dwellings), Chaco Canyon, Gabriel's Restaurant and El Farolito's. All wonderful recommendations. We spent one week with our two children ages 11 and 9 and had a lovely time. I definitely recommend this property to anyone wishing to visit this wonderful part of the country.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

November through March:
Two persons: 3-night minimum .. $175/night .. $1050/week
Each additional person: $35/night. Kids 7-18: $15/night.
April through October:
Two persons: 3-night minimum .. $195/night .. $1175/week
Each additional person: $35/night. Kids 7-18: $15/night.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.