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Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley

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Custom Designed Passive Solar Adobe Home, curved walls, high ceilings, big views
Fully equipped kitchen and dining area, opens into living room, big bright space
A warm, cozy woodburning fireplace in the spacious living room, firewood provide
Upstairs bedroom, rounded walls, vigas, large windows facing mountains, king bed
Downstairs bedroom, rounded walls, queen bed, large windows with mountain views

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
El Rito, NM
  • Carson National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Christ in the Desert Monastery
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Ghost Ranch
    ‪47 min drive‬
  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional)
    ‪61 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley

Casa Ambrosia is nestled in total peace and privacy, surrounded by tall cottonwood, pine, and oak trees, with an expansive view of the pastoral river valley of El Rito and the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountains off in the distance.

This wonderful, comfortable, and serene hideaway accommodates 4-5 people. The uniquely designed passive solar adobe house with high wood ceilings and impressive vigas is spacious and filled with light. There is a large semi-circular sun room, built like a sunken kiva, that is designed after Casa Grande in Chaco Canyon. There is one bath with tub and shower and two large bedrooms, each with a spectacular view. The softly curved walls of most rooms create a calm and nurturing environment. A fireplace adds to the warmth and comfort of the radiant floor heat. And along with great indoor living and dining spaces, there is a covered patio for outdoor dining and relaxation. A newly added hot tub on the front patio is perfect for relaxation and stargazing year round.

Casa Ambrosia borders the mountainous Carson National Forest and you can hike for hundreds of miles right out the back door. A short drive takes you to a creekside trail leading to Potrero Falls amidst tall Ponderous pines and aspens, or to a dramatic outcropping of volcanic upthrust near a shady stream. Nearby forest roads lead you to high mountain meadows filled with wildflowers and streams and breathtaking views, or off into desert canyonlands, with red cliff walls and towering rock formations. In winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are great pastimes. Year round, the very clear night sky is perfect for stargazing.

The historic village of El Rito has it's own charm, including a well-supplied library, a traditionally-built adobe church, and El Farolito, a small family restaurant, world famous for its authentic northern New Mexico cuisine, recommended in the Rand McNally Road Atlas and Gourmet Magazine. Their red and green chili dishes are delicious and very reasonable.

Casa Ambrosia is 15 miles north of Abiquiu, with it's stunningly beautiful lake for swimming and boating. In the village of Abiquiu, you can tour the home and studio of world reknowned painter Georgia O'Keefe, and visit the Rising Moon Gallery, bursting with high quality art by local artists. And further north in Chama, you can ride the historic Toltec Railroad through the high mountains, catching the glory of the changing colors of Fall.

Casa Ambrosia is 14 miles west of the beautifully appointed Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Spa and Resort, with a variety of natural mineral pools to soak in, plenty of massage and spa treatments to choose from, and a delicious restaurant to top off an adventurous day.

Only one hour to Santa Fe, and about the same to Taos, you can enjoy all kinds of fine dining, live music, museums, galleries, boutique shops, antique stores, films, opera, and much more. Both Santa Fe and Taos have ski basins, and there are several golf courses in the area. There are many national monuments and historic sites in the area, including Bandelier with it's ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs.

Whether you're seeking cultural activities, ancient history, or natural beauty, there's something for everyone in this compelling heartland of Northern New Mexico.


Keywords: country house, passive solar design, adobe home, custom built, rural, natural setting, forest, mountains, meadows, water, hiking, skiing, swimming, cultural activities, ancient history, nature, pueblos, opera, golf, lake, fishing

Property manager

Alicia
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit 4 pets total)
Please bring bedding for your pets.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Porch is available for smoking outdoors.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

El Rito

Located in El Rito, this holiday home is in the mountains. Black Mesa Winery and Vivac Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Carson National Forest and Rio Chama. Purple Adobe Lavender Farm and Girasol Gift Shop at Bode's are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
El Rito, NM

What's nearby

  • Carson National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Christ in the Desert Monastery - 30 min drive - 27.1 km
  • Plaza Blanca - 33 min drive - 26.7 km
  • Ghost Ranch - 47 min drive - 47.8 km
  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - 66 min drive - 64.6 km

Getting around

  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪El Farolito Restaurant - ‬19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 4 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Casa Ambrosia: Unique Adobe Home with Mountain Views in a Beautiful River Valley located?

Offering ski-in/ski-out access, this holiday home in El Rito is in the mountains, steps from Carson National Forest and close to winter activities, such as cross-country skiing and sledging. Rio Chama is 12.4 mi (20 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 195 out of 215 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 215 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 215 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 215 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 215 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip 2026

Fantastic stay at casa ambrosia. Thanks Alicia!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Belinda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place to stay

The property was peaceful, better than pictures, and very welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Greg B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet Retreat

Just the place to recharge your batteries with quiet or hike the many trails of the Carson National Forest close by.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Mary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

darlene h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Most chill stay ever

We had *such* a relaxing time at Casa Ambrosia. The solitude under the stars in the hot tub was epic as was the warm fireplace afterward. We boosted our tranquility factor with a day trip to Ojo Caliente, just a short drive away. Highly recommended!! Wish we could've stayed much longer!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean, beautiful and remote

So quiet. Very nice. We highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Channing H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Getaway

From the incredible views, to the hot tub, to the well-stocked kitchen - everything was wonderful. We couldn't have enjoyed our time at Casa Ambrosia more. This is the perfect "I need to get away from it all" vacation spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

enjoyable stay

It was great to be able to spread out and relax at Casa Ambrosia.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful getaway

Gorgeous views from an amazing place tucked away from everything! The restaurant in town is perfect to get an authentic meal and talk to friendly locals. We loved everything about the home and it's location!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lyn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Casa Ambrosia

Quirky and highly secluded property. We enjoyed our stay as it was very low key. No snow and so much was closed. We focused on wonderful hiking and cozy fires. My wife enjoyed the hot tub.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Felicia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

El Rito peace and quiet

Great private property, views, good hiking from house
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Virginia V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

This was our second stay. We appreciate the beauty and tranquil setting of the property and the unusual and original design of the house. Alicia quickly responded when we had a little difficulty finding the property, but this was only a small setback. The house is very well equipped for cooking as well as comfort. There is a well-stocked library with some heavy hitters above and beyond the usual John LeCarre novels found in most places we've stayed. We so much appreciated being able to bring our dogs with us and the sunsets were exquisite from the upstairs balcony. We saw a fox and some deer, and on a previous trip, elk. We can't wait to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fall retreat

Casa Ambrosia is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Stunning views from a unique hand crafted home. Alicia was wonderful, checking by email to be sure we arrived and had everything we needed. Hot tub under the stars after a long day of hiking near ghost ranch was sublime
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house in beautiful surroundings

Excellent unique house with all facilities and in a superb location for exploring this part on New Mexico.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

23rd Anniversary

Great stay in the mountains. Comfy house that had everything w needed. Would love to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serenity

A place to unplug, unwind, chill out & enjoy natures beauty! This home is very comfortable, has all your needs included.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Long weekend get-away

Very nice property and beautiful location.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lois F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful, quiet location in nature

I loved the relatively isolated location surrounded by nature. Hiking, walking, and birding is just out the door. There are beautiful views, especially from the bedrooms and sunroom. The house is fully equipped and everything is in working order.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of the best

I can’t say enough good about Casa Ambrosia. We spent most of the first night sitting in the sun room, staring out the large windows into the field of grass hoppers and butterflies. As the sun went down, we continued being entertained by the light rain hitting the roof and the thunder all around. The next few days were spent hiking on nearby trails. This is easily one of the most unique, relaxing and comfortable times I’ve ever spent in a VRBO. Thank you Alicia for everything
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Adobe masterpiece

The house is amazing - as an Architect - this is probably the most unique, well-designed, and executed home I've rented. True structural expression and many natural efficiencies A great location if you like a variety of outdoor activities.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gill H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place

Casa Ambrosia is a wonderful place. The house is a fantastic building, totally unique with the massive sunroom, circular bedrooms, incredible height in the main room and gorgeous traditional ceilings Everywhere you look is an interesting view inside the building of its structure. Pleasant hikes into the hills with good views. The hot tub is great and the owner could not be more helpful. We have stayed 4 times and will be coming back.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Alicia

Host profile image
I grew up here in Northern New Mexico, and have spent many years exploring the wilderness areas nearby. Later I lived in exciting places like Washington DC and San Francisco. But eventually I felt called back home, and I haven't regretted it since. I find great solace in the wide open lands, vast blue skies, and I appreciate the diverse cultural history of this area very much.

Why they chose this property

When I moved back to New Mexico I wanted to live somewhere peaceful and remote, yet not too far from civilization. El Rito was perfect. Nestled in a tranquil river valley, with countless trails to explore in the surrounding mountains, yet only an hour's drive to a hotspot like Santa Fe or Taos, I found the perfect balance. Years later, when I moved to Santa Fe for professional opportunities, I began renting Casa Ambrosia as a vacation home. For several years now, I have enjoyed sharing this nurturing home with it's beautiful natural surroundings with many guests, and it is my wish that many others may also experience the restorative possibilities that abound here.

What makes this property unique

Whether it's getting away from a busy job, wanting the peace and quiet of this serene place for rest and renewal, or looking for new adventures out in nature, this is a great place to visit. I love the amazing variety of terrain around here, from the high mountains with their meadows, lakes and streams, to the lower desert canyonlands with their colorful cliffs and magical rock formations. And with Santa Fe, Taos, Bandelier, and other interesting places so nearby, there's never a shortage of things to do or see. There's truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests