Few
hotels are smart (and powerful) enough to capture the entire essence of
a destination. Sure, most try, but how many are more than just places to crash
after a day full of sightseeing and activities? The list is short, believe me.
The
Fechin Inn, located in picturesque Taos,
New Mexico, proves that a hotel can be just as impressive as the destination itself.
In fact, the Fechin managed to enhance everything I adored about Taos - adobe
architecture, painstakingly crafted art, storytelling, a warm fireplace, an unbeatable
friendly atmosphere and those glorious red chiles hanging dramatically off the
front porch. On
my second morning at the Fechin, I made my way down to the light-filled lobby
for a continental breakfast in front the fireplace. The distinctive, soothing
sound of a Native American flute filled the room as the fire snapped and crackled,
translucent wisps of smoke spiraling upward before fading away. Barely awake,
it took me a good five minutes to realize that the music was live - being performed
by a man sitting on the hearth. It was hauntingly beautiful, made even more so
by the respectful silence of the other Fechin guests as we dined and listened.
As the
musician played, I sipped my coffee and was taken back to my visit to the Taos
Pueblo just 24 hours earlier. The airy melody brought back images of adobe structures,
long ladders and royal blue doors with the immense snow-covered Taos Mountain
serving as the stunning backdrop. It
reminded me of the town's history - a colorful tapestry of Native American, Hispanic
and Anglo influences. And, most of all, it served as yet another example of the
creative forces that make Taos so unique, passionate and attractive to visitors.
For
the uninitiated, suffice it to say that Taos is an artist's paradise. And in 1912,
the Taos Society of Artists was formed in order to expose other creative types
to the beauty (and the wonderful light) of the area. Artists drawn to the town
in the northern New Mexico mountains included Ansel Adams, Willa Cather, D.H.
Lawrence, Georgia O'Keefe, and Thomas Wolfe. And the artists still flock to Taos. (CONTINUE...)
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