An eco-conscious Taos resort featuring adobe casitas, globally themed suites, and a world-class spa set around a historic, cottonwood-shaded meadow.
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, located just blocks from the historic Taos Plaza on Kit Carson Road, is an architectural and ecological experiment disguised as a luxury retreat. Founded in 2003 by developer Thomas Worrel Jr. and designed by architect John Szerdi alongside Living Designs Group, the 11-acre property was built on the philosophy of utilizing ecosystems as infrastructure. The resort, now managed by Heritage Hotels and Resorts, features 84 guest accommodations that range from standard rooms to globally inspired suites and detached private casitas. Many of these quarters feature hand-carved wood furnishings, kiva fireplaces, private patios, and cowhide armoires. The buildings are constructed in traditional Southwestern adobe style, arranged around a central open meadow known as the Sacred Circle, a historic gathering place shaded by cottonwood and willow trees that sits directly above the property's geothermal well-field.
At the core of the resort's environmental design is the Biolarium, a soaring glass-walled conservatory housing a Living Machine water reclamation system. This self-sustaining ecosystem uses plants, fish, and rock formations to naturally filter and recycle wastewater, allowing lush, tropical flora to thrive year-round at an elevation of 7,000 feet. This water management system also feeds a series of cascading trout ponds and supports the local historic acequia downstream. Adjacent to this greenhouse is The Living Spa, a Forbes-rated wellness facility featuring ten treatment rooms and a heated indoor saltwater pool surrounded by flowering plants. The spa is known for incorporating local ingredients and indigenous healing traditions, offering signature therapies such as the Sacred Staurolite, which utilizes local Taos cross-stones and a turquoise mud wrap. Guests can also book a Gourd Sound Healing Journey, a cellular-level acoustic therapy session conducted by Taos Pueblo musician Benito Concha using handcrafted native instruments.
Culinary offerings at the resort center on De La Tierra Restaurant, where Executive Chef Cristina Martinez curates a menu of seasonal, regional American dishes with distinct Southwestern and global influences. Diners can eat in the garden courtyard or inside the dining room, sampling plates like cumin-spiced lamb rack, bourbon-brined pork chops, and local blue corn specialties. For more intimate gatherings, the restaurant features a private, Mediterranean-style wine room that accommodates up to eight guests. Adjacent to the dining room is the Anaconda Bar, an upscale lounge named for the massive, metallic snake sculpture that winds across the ceiling and down the walls. The lounge features a large aquarium filled with exotic fish, serving local craft beers, custom cocktails, and a light dining menu alongside a seasonal outdoor patio.
Book the Gourd Sound Healing Journey at The Living Spa, a private acoustic therapy session led by Taos Pueblo musician Benito Concha using handcrafted native instruments.
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