Inn of the Turquoise Bear B&B - Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico Bed & Breakfasts

Front of House

• Six blocks to the Plaza


• Walking distance to Santa Fe's museums, galleries, shops, outstanding restaurants & cultural events


• Close to Santa Fe Opera, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, & Pueblo communities

Living Room

The inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the home of Witter Bynner (1881-1968), who for decades was a prominent citizen in Santa Fe, actively participating in the cultural 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 and other minorities. Bynner's rambling adobe villa, constructed in Spanish-Pueblo Revival style from a core of rooms that date to the mid-1800's, is considered one of Santa Fe's most important historical buildings. With its signature portico, tall pine trees, magnificent rock terraces, and 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 more than 30 years, were famous - or infamous - for the riotous parties they hosted in this house, 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 around the world (the Santa Fe counterpart of the Mabel Dodge Luhan home in Taos).

The celebrity guest list of the Bynners included D.H. Lawrence (who spent his first night in an American home in this house), 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.

Ralph Bolton & Robert Frost, the owners of the Witter Bynner Estate, have faithfully restored this magnificent property. Their goals - as innkeepers and as custodians of the home and land that Bynner loved - are to rekindle the spirit of excitement, 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 the experience of a unique setting that captures the essence of traditional Santa Fe. They look forward to the privilege of serving as your hosts during your visit to Northern New Mexico.

The Shaman guest room

Edna Millay - ($140 - $160) Named for Edna St. Vincent Millay, who was once engaged to Bynner. A pleasant room with a view across the grounds to the Old Santa Fe Trail. Queen bed, kiva fireplace, viga ceilings, and saltillo tile floor. Semi-private bath with shower. Opens onto small courtyard.

Willa Cather - ($99) Named for the writer of the most famous novel about Santa Fe, New Mexico, Death Comes for the Archbishop who was a friend of Bynner and a visitor to his home. Average size room with queen bed, kiva fireplace, and saltillo tile floor. Shares bath with the Millay Room across the entryway.

Ansel Adams - ($120 -  $130) The famous photographer was a longtime friend of Bynner who frequently partied in this house and took photos of Bynner and his rambling adobe home. Queen size bed, saltillo tile floor, private bath with tub and shower.

Shaman - ($210 - $230) Very large room with king size bed. Polished brick floor, viga beams, sitting area, bookcases, and fireplace. Long built-in bench beneath an expansive window that overlooks the lush grounds. Private bath with tile shower. Small refrigerator. Native American decor. Originally Bynner's study built for solitude, writing, and contemplation.

Igor Stravinsky - ($170 - $190) Named for the composer who made the Santa Fe Opera famous. A frequent visitor to Santa Fe. Stravinsky slept in this house. Originally built as lodging for Rita, Bynner's housekeeper. Queen bed, kiva fireplace and windows looking out on tree-shaded patios. Private bath with tub and shower.

Spud Johnson - ($180 - $200) Separate from the main building, this room was once the carriage house. Decorated in a Western cowboy motif. Queen bed, kiva fireplace and saltillo tile floors. Fully handicapped accessible, adjacent to the parking area. Features include a portal with a brick floor. Private bath with large, tiled shower. Named for the writer and editor of The Laughing Horse, who was Bynner's secretary/companion before he was lured to Taos by Mabel Dodge Lujan.

• Expanded continental breakfast


• Complimentary wine and cheese hour


• Woodburning fireplaces


• Luxury bathrobes


• Private baths


• Telephone in room


• Cable television


• Video library


• Irons and hairdryers
• 
  

• In-room massage available

From Albuquerque:

From the airport, take I-25 north to Santa Fe, 55 miles. Take exit 284, Old Pecos Trail and SH 466. At the stop sign, turn left. Then travel 1.5 miles and turn right at the 3rd signal onto Old Pecos Trail. Continue on Old Pecos Trail for 1.2 miles, through two signals. Old Pecos Trail becomes Old Santa Fe Trail 4/10 mile after the second signal (Cordova Rd.). Turn left on E. Buena Vista Street 1/10 mile past the junction of Old Pecos Trail and Old Santa Fe Trail. Turn left immediately into the first driveway.

From Denver:

Head south CO on I-25 and take exit 284. Turn right and go 1.3 miles, turning right at the 3rd signal. This puts you on Old Pecos Trail. Then follow the Albuquerque directions given above.

From Taos:

Head south NM on US-285 and take the St. Francis exit into Santa Fe. At 1.3 miles turn left at the 5th signal onto Paseo de Peralta. Go 1 mile to Old Santa Fe Trail (the 5th signal) and turn right. Proceed to E. Buena Vista, 2/10 of a mile, and turn right. Turn left immediately into the first driveway.