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Sagebrush Inn | Taos

Sagebrush Inn opened in 1931 as a 13-room hotel, catering to guests traveling by carriage along the trade route between New York and Arizona. Today, the Sagebrush Inn & Suites offers authentic Southwest charm, with modern comforts and conveniences.

The property has 156 graciously appointed guestrooms & suites available, with onsite patio dining, live music, and a fun saloon. The Inn’s scenic grounds offer graceful portals, patios, and traditional brick walkways. The connecting courtyards are ideal for open-air strolls, with with spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Enjoy a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub or relax by the kiva-style fireplaces. Also, don’t miss the charming Sagebrush Grill & Cantina, offering an authentic Southwest dining experience and live entertainment.

History of the Sagebrush Inn

Constructed in 1929, the Sagebrush Inn & Suites was built and first operated by Frank and Helen Kentnor. They opened the hotel under the name El Chamiso Lodge in 1931. However, they they changed the name to the Sagebrush Inn by 1933 (English translation of Chamiso). This adobe-walled, charming hotel offered 13 guestrooms.

The Kentnors added a dining room to the hotel shortly after the hotel opened based on feedback from guests. Many did not want to travel several miles to Taos Plaza for dining options. They added the cantina several years later due to Prohibition. The Inn was home to an illegal gambling room until getting raided in 1950.

World War II

When Los Alamos started to build the bomb, they took over the Los Alamos Boys School. The Los Alamos Boys school temporarily relocated to the Sagebrush Inn.

The only two people to be executed for espionage were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. They were convicted of spying on behalf of the Soviet Union. The couple frequented The Jug, which was the bar located in the Sagebrush Inn. A few stories say the couple were arrested while having drinks at the Sagebrush Inn.

Fireplaces

Carmen Velarde designed and constructed all of the pueblo style fireplaces at the Sagebrush Inn (after the original 13 rooms). She is considered one of the last traditional enjarradoras of Taos. Ken Blair would take a can of spray paint and highlight the general area where we wanted a fireplace built and tag ‘a nicho here, a nicho there.’ Ken had immense trust in Carmen who would take his rough spray paints and turn them into the beautiful fireplaces the Sagebrush features in certain rooms and in the Conference Center.

Random Historic Details

The main lobby and original guestrooms are constructed from 10 inch thick adobe block.
When it opened in 1931, rooms went for $3.00 per night and meals were $.75. That was considered expensive in the early years of the Depression.
Georgia O’Keeffe occupied what is now The Artist’s Loft in the 1930s. She was inspired by the room’s stunning views during the year she lived at the Sagebrush Inn.
In 1944, the hotel served as home to the Los Alamos Boys School when the US Army took over the school’s original site in Los Alamos as headquarters for the infamous Manhattan Project.
In the late 1940s, the Sagebrush Inn was home to an illegal gambling hall featuring Craps, Blackjack, and a Slot Machine.
Scenes from the iconic movie Easy Rider were shot in the fields of sagebrush behind the hotel.
When filming the movie Twins, the cast stayed at the Sagebrush with Arnold Schwarzenegger requiring two rooms, one for sleeping and one for all of his weights and workout equipment.
Over the years, the list of celebrities and dignitaries that have graced the Sagebrush Inn is long and distinguished including many artists, actors, and even a President of the United States. A small sampling of some of our more notable guests include Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams, Marlon Brando, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper (a frequent bar patron), Gene Hackman, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, President Gerald Ford, and R.C. Gorman. Guests can find Gorman’s artwork throughout the hotel, even in the floor.

Amenities

Year-round heated outdoor swimming pool and Hot Tub are OPEN!
Fitness Room Onsite
Two full-sized bocce ball courts perfect for an outdoor activity.
Expansive outdoor patios and courtyards for gathering
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the Inn and grounds.
24-hour front desk.
Pet-friendly accommodations.
Complimentary parking for all Inn guests.
ADA accessible guest rooms and areas throughout the Inn.

Sagebrush Grill and Cantina

Open daily. Breakfast is 7 AM – 10 AM, Saturday & Sunday until 11 AM. Dinner 4 PM – 9 PM. Live music every night in the Cantina.

Group Events

Gather your group and take advantage of the Inn’s flexible 13,000 square feet of function space (the largest in Taos).

Google Guest Reviews

Alexander Wood

This place is awesome. I happened upon it randomly and booked it thinking it was an average, run-of-the mill place. When I checked in, they upgraded me to a better room (didn’t know I needed that). The check in staff was excellent! Room was perfect and more than I expected (very New Mexican), the bed very comfortable. To top it off, they had live music with incredible drinks and great food. They have live music every night – this place is great. Can’t wait to come back.

Mike Pool

Friendly staff. Large room was clean and the bed, comfortable. Plenty of hot water for a nice shower. Plenty of parking. Nice courtyard. Nicely tiled bathroom. A table and chair in the room is a nice plus. The open wood beam ceiling is super awesome. We had a lower cost room, which was plenty for us. However, you can upgrade to a fireplace in your room as well. An on-site restaurant can take care of breakfast or dinner.

B. Patterson

Stayed there 5 nights to ski up at Taos. The lady at the front desk was awesome. She let us check in early and provided so much good information I forgot to ask her name. This is about as an authentic adobe hotel as you can get. Its charming courtyard was great place to play cards and soak up the sun. The bar is completely original and serviced by more friendly staff. There’s live music many nights. We listened to a local duo that was fun to hear. They have a restaurant next to the bar as well.
The hotel is dated and that shows in the bathroom tiles, but it is very clean. Try it for a night or two just to experience how things were back in the day. And ask about any ghosts too.