Inn of the Turquoise Bear B&B
Located close to the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe, the Inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the home of Witter Bynner, who for decades was a prominent citizen of New Mexico. Noted as a poet, playwright and essayist, Bynner was a staunch... more
Here is what guests had to say...
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8/15/2009 |
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The Inn of the Turquoise Bear an old home, as many bed and breakfasts are, converted into a comfortable inn. As with many old buildings this place has its quirky peculiarities, but they make this place far more interesting than the manufactured antique hotels that many travelers find in Santa Fe. It has beautiful grounds with seasonal flowering plants with nooks and shady spots. The inn is located only a couple easily walked blocks from the Santa Fe galleries, museums and restaurants, but it is outside of the congested tourist hubbub. The people who have found this inn tend to keep coming back and any time that you visit, there is a feel of meeting other members of a large family.
The breakfast which is served at this inn includes homemade breads, fruits, dry cereals yogurts. You can also mark the menu which is left in your room daily by housekeeping to order the hot items that you may want the following morning. These hot items are prepared for you after you arrive at the dining room at a time that you decide for yourself (within limits, of course). Breakfast is a good place to get some information and advice on where to shop, travel or get a good massage from the other guests.
There is an evening social hour (wine or soft drink and cheese) where you may get advice on your travels the following day or give your impressions to your fellow guests of your adventures of the day. The conversations with the other guests are what drew me to return to this inn several times a year for over a decade.
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| "Beautiful B&B in good location"
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11/27/2008 |
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We thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon visit to Santa Fe and were fortunate to stay at the Turquoise Bear for four relaxing nights. The Georgia O'Keeffe room is light and tastefully decorated, and the bed was the most comfortable we've ever slept in. We thoroughly enjoyed the nightly wine and cheese happy hour and getting to know our fellow travelers. The location, while not in the middle of downtown, was nonetheless a great one for getting just about everywhere by car, and in the summer, it would be an easy walk to the downtown area as well. Be forewarned that there are no hairdryers or irons in the rooms, though I believe you can check out an iron if you need one. Also, the "expanded continental breakfast" can get a bit tedious after a few days, consisting essentially of breads, cereals, and one pre-prepared hot item. If you crave protein before a long day of sightseeing, you might want to occasionally take advantage of one of Santa Fe's amazing restaurants for breakfast. :-) We can't wait to come back to Santa Fe and the Inn of the Turquoise Bear in the summer, though it's hard to imagine that the inn could be any more beautiful than it was in November!
Amy & Rodney G., Austin, TX View Reviewer Info
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| "Wonderful Santa Fe B&B!"
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9/17/2008 |
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My husband and I stayed at the Inn of the Turquiose Bear for only one night, but we definitely plan to return to Santa Fe in the near future so that we can enjoy this wonderful B&B for a few more days!
Booking the room was quite easy . . . the Inn maintains an updated web site where you can easily check on the availability of different rooms, as well as the different room rates. You can check out the web site and then contact the property by phone to book the reservation for your desired room. We stayed in the Ansel Adams room, which was a comfortable size and had its own bathroom. The property was very quiet and peaceful at night. Staying at the Inn also helps you "experience" Santa Fe, as it is an historic adobe-style property.
The Inn is within walking distance of Santa Fe's Plaza area, which we really liked. It was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the shops and tourists. It is only a 10-minute walk, so do not be intimidated by this. Parking in Santa Fe can be quite challenging, so it's nice to park your car (for free!) at the property and easily walk into the main part of town.
We got to know one of the Inn's owners, Robert, during the evening wine and cheese reception, as well as chat with many of the other guests staying there. There was a great mix of folks staying at the Inn, and many were repeat visitors who (unlike us) were staying at the Inn for several days or up to a week. Other guests provided insights on recommended restaurants - we highly recommend Café Pasqual's for an awesome dinner out. The Inn's breakfast was quite nice as well - plenty of fresh fruit, muffins/bread items, and some hot items.
Definitely consider this B&B if you are planning to visit Santa Fe, you will not be disappointed!!! View Reviewer Info
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| "Old Fashioned Santa Fe"
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9/24/2007 |
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My wife and I stayed at the Turquoise Inn on two occasions and I managed to get an extra stay there a few years later. Each of these visits involved different rooms and each was splendid and memorable. The restoration of both the external building, and the interior rooms has been carried out flawlessly, creating an atmosphere that is both special yet welcoming and unpretentious. The ambiance is very much traditional Santa Fe, in contrast to the faux Southwest style that characterizes so many new hotels and inns.
We were also taken with the warmth and helpfulness of the staff, particularly the two owners, Robert and Ralph. Indeed, we became friends with their two dogs, but keep your eye on the one wearing a bandana … he likes to steal napkins. That brings me to the subject of breakfast with its excellent coffee, range of fresh fruit, fresher home-baked rolls, scones, bread or whatever, depending on Robert’s fancy and time.
I like to think that I have a good palate, and I was particularly pleased by the quality of both the wine and that cheese at their daily in-gathering each afternoon. On two occasions I altered my plans in order to be certain I could attend. The Inn of the Turquoise Bear is not inexpensive, but you get excellent value for your money and the memory will linger long after your stay there.
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Contact Information

Inn of the Turquoise Bear B&B342 E. Buena Vista Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 USA
| Phone: | +1-505-983-0798 | | Fax: | +1-505-988-4225 | | Toll-free: | +1-800-396-4104 |
Innkeeper(s) Ralph Bolton & Robert Frost
Rates: $115 - $235

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