TAOS, NEW MEXICO, USA -- Taos, a city known for its art, not surprisingly has an artistic variety of lodging choices to offer visitors. As diverse as the tastes of the people with creative vision who live and visit here, there are thoroughly modern lodgings, historic hotels and over 30 bed and breakfast inns in Taos county alone.

I'm generally not a B&B kind of person, but every now and then I come across one that makes me re-think that position. The American Artists Gallery House Bed and Breakfast is just such a place. The inn is private and secluded, set against a breathtaking backdrop of towering Taos mountain, yet less than a mile away from downtown Taos' historic district where you'll find lots of interesting shops, restaurants and galleries. Ten distinctive "gallery" rooms each have their own private baths and entrances, so you never get the feeling you're in someone's house (one of my biggest gripes about many B&B's).

The rooms are comfortable and romantic, beautifully decorated in southwestern style and adorned, as is the entire inn, with paintings, sculptures and photography from local Taos artists.

For an ultra-romantic getaway, book one of American Artists Gallery & B&B's three suites. Built from a renovated carriage house, the suites are outfitted with traditional kiva wood burning fireplaces, double Jacuzzi tubs, high ceilings, skylights and wet bars. What better way to relax after a day in the Taos sunshine? (well, actually you could relax on the deck top hot tub and marveling at the star dotted night sky.)

Owners LeAnn and Charles Clamurro have done an impeccable job designing their inn and creating and warm and inviting atmosphere, while still giving their guests a sense of privacy. The inn's excellence extends to Charles' gourmet breakfasts. Each morning you'll feast on gourmet dishes like Stuffed French Toast Grand Marnier, Green Chile Taos Frittatas, or Tuscany Breakfast Burritos. Charles's skills at seasoning and presentation make each and every dish here something to write home about.

Don't be surprised if you happen to spot a gorgeous peacock strutting around and spreading his feathers outside your breakfast window, or perched upon your porch railing. The Clamurros are animal lovers and in addition to rescuing several dogs (who stay in the inn keeper's private quarters), they've also adopted "George" the aforementioned bird (see photo above left), who just happened to wander into their yard one day. It seems George, who originally lived on the other side of town, got tired of his mate and took off walking one day. Like many a savvy traveler, he found himself attracted to this charming inn, and he's never left (LeAnn sought out George's former owner, but she didn't seem to mind that he'd moved on). He's been at American Artists, delighting guests, for several years now.

More Great Lodgings
Couples who are spa enthusiasts will enjoy a stay at the Touchstone Destination Spa, a romantic inn that offers relaxing and healing extras like massage, psychic readings, and sweat lodge and drumming events. This is a romantic property with mountain and river views, patios, fountains and secret gardens. Rooms are comfortable and councesy and feature fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, luxurious textiles and original art.

If you want more of a hotel experience, Taos has you covered here too. The Taos Inn, situated in the middle downtown's historic district and within walking distance of shops, galleries and museums, has always been one of the city's centers of activity.

The oldest part of the inn dates back to the 1660s. The fountain in the Spanish style lobby used to be one of the main wells for the town of Taos, where everyone would gather to procure water. The property and some of the buildings were originally the home of Taos's first doctor and famous western figure, Doc Martin, and Bert Phillips and Ernest Blumenschein founded the original Taos Society of Artists back in 1912 in what is now Doc Martin's restaurant (then the good doctor's living room). After Doc Martin passed away, his wife Helen bought the neighboring adobes and, with help from doc's former patients, connected them all under one roof and opened "The Hotel Martin" in 1936. The hotel's name changed in the 1940s when it was bought by Sam and Mary Albright.

Today the Taos Inn boasts 36 rooms and 3 suites, each uniquely decorated and filled with all of to today's modern amenities, while maintaining the allure and charm of yesteryear. Most rooms have kiva fireplaces, some have Jacuzzi tubs. The hotel also offers a heated swimming pool, cable television, voice mail and free off-street parking.

Doc Martin's restaurant in the Taos Inn offers fine dining in a casual historic setting and an award winning wine list The Adobe Bar off the hotel's main lobby is also known as "the living room of Taos." Locals and tourists alike like to meet here for Margaritas or other cocktails and light snacks around the wood burning fireplace. Even celebrities (and many have homes in the area) are known to frequent here - Julia Roberts was in attendance during our visit. There's live entertainment at the Adobe Bar 5 nights a week.

Another great hotel option is the Fechin Inn, an 84 room and suite property decorated in authentic southwestern style and located two blocks from historic Taos Plaza and adjacent to Kit Carson Park. The inn features hand-carved wood furniture and accents by local artisan Jeremy Morhrefli interpreted in the style of the inn's namesake, famed Russian artist Nicholai Fechin, whose former home (now a museum) is on the property. The Fechin Inn offers meeting facilities for up to 125 persons. Amenities include a lavish gourmet continental breakfast, evening cocktails served in the fireside atmosphere of the lobby lounge, dataport personal computer access in all guest rooms and meetings rooms, an open-air whirlpool, fitness facility and massage room. Full catering and audio-visual services are available.

Practicalities
To find Bed and Breakfast lodgings in Taos contact the Taos Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns at 800-347-7414 or visit www.taos-bandb-inns.com.

The American Artists Gallery House and Bed and Breakfast is located at 132 Frontier Lane in Taos 87571. Call 800-532-2041 or 505-758-0497 or visit www.taosbedandbreakfast.com.

The Touchstone Destination Spa is located at 110 Mabel Dodge Lane in Taos. Call 505-758-0192 or visit www.touchstoneinn.com.

The Historic Taos Inn is located at 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte in Taos; call 888-458-8267 or 505-758-1977 or visit www.taosinn.com.

Find the Fechin Inn at 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte in Taos 87514; call 800-811-2988 or 505-751-1000; or visit www.fechininn.com.

For more information about planning a visit to Taos, New Mexico contact the Taos Chamber of Commerce at 877-587-8915 or visit www.exploretaos.com.