Entire home

Colorfully & Uniquely Taos

Photo gallery for Colorfully & Uniquely Taos

Pull in when you see the India-esque gate!  You're home!!
Welcoming entryway with unusual lighting
White + Light + Incredible View = Pure Joy
Beautiful vigas throughout the house...
Colorfully Taos

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6260.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
El Prado, NM
  • Kit Carson Park
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Taos Plaza
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Earthships
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Colorfully & Uniquely Taos

This 2800-square-foot, 2 story, 3 bedroom, 3 bath home was completely remodeled in 2013 and just this year have installed new exterior and interior doors, a new covered entrance, new lighting in kitchen and baths, recently fully operational windows were installed which enhances the entire south side of the home, allowing that cool Taos breeze to flow right on through!! You will find Casa Contenta located on the highest bluff in an area just 3/10 of a mile north of the old blinking light (junction of Hwys 522 & 150, which is the road to the Taos Ski Valley.)

The home’s layout offers a spacious interior while providing unique separation for two couples/families. All bedrooms are located on the ground floor but the two main bedrooms are located on the opposite ends. The remaining ground floor consists of yet another bedroom offering three twin beds and a window banquette. Yet, this floor offers even more. Designed solely for kids or the young at heart, the map area displays old antique maps, children’s puzzles and games, along with an array of video games, all complemented by one very large banquette that can easily accommodate seating for the entire family or sleep comfortably two kids.

The upstairs has a panoramic view through numerous windows and a spacious deck for the morning coffee or evening cocktails, designed openly from the kitchen which allows the dining & living rooms to flow evenly to nurture the truly amazing views of the mountains and valley sunrises and sunsets. Recently, we added a swamp cooler with a thermostat to control the temperature that will help keep our guests cool in even the warmest days.

The kitchen has been upgraded, too, with brand new appliances and is equipped to accommodate an extravagant dining experience or a simple cup of “joe”. The dining table seats comfortably six, while the living room coffee table may accommodate three others who desire to be inspired by a little DishTV while dining.

The home is very unique and is decorated in the true Taos tradition, from vigas accenting each ceiling, complemented by ceiling fans in the main bedrooms, to the saltillo tile and wood floors adorned by antique and Persian hand-made rugs, with distinctive antiques, as well as original and hand-made art that has been collected over the years and placed tastefully throughout the house. Along with old adobe straw stucco, there are also vibrantly painted walls which allow those who may not be so inspired at home to experience Taos’s true legacy of passionate colors in an everyday setting.

This home has a wonderful, serene setting and yet is only a few minutes from all Taos has to offer...great restaurants, shops and many world class outdoor winter and summer activities.

Casa Contenta welcomes you to explore the Taos experience. We’re encouraged that once you're here, you won't want to leave.

We only use plant-based, non-scented cleaning products throughout the home.

Although this area is extremely quiet and peaceful, for those desiring a further sense of security, the home is equipped with extensive outdoor lighting, along with outdoor Ring cameras for your safety day and night.

The house can accommodate up to six adults, but please read the further description so you can decide if the layout is appropriate for your group. When you walk in the front door, there is a queen bedroom to your left. If you were to go straight, there is a staircase leading upstairs to the kitchen, dining, living, 3/4 bath and the upstairs deck. From the front door if you were to go straight, you would find a full bath. If you took your next right, you would see the map room, with the banquette seating area and the laundry room across from the map room. Continuing on, you will go down two steps into the twin bedroom which contains two twin beds and a smaller-than-a-twin bed. Walking across that room you will encounter a door which enters right into the master bedroom which has its own full bathroom attached to it. In order to get out of the master bedroom, you must either walk through the twin bedroom or you can use the door exterior door found in the master bedroom and use the outside stairs to access the upper floor. It is a little unusual and works for some and not others, but we like to describe it for you so there are no surprises.


Property manager

Terry Williamson

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

El Prado

Located in El Prado, this holiday home is in the mountains. KTAOS Solar Center and Millicent Rogers Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Taos Country Club and Al's Run Ski Lift. Travelling with kids? Consider Kakawa Chocolate House and Twirl Toystore and Playspace. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
El Prado, NM

What's nearby

  • Taos Mountain Casino - 6 min drive - 6.6 km
  • Kit Carson Park - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Taos Plaza - 7 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Taos Pueblo - 8 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Earthships - 8 min drive - 7.2 km

Getting around

  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪KTAOS Solar Center - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Michael's Kitchen - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sabroso - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Orlando's New Mexican Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Alley Cantina - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Colorfully & Uniquely Taos pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Colorfully & Uniquely Taos?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Colorfully & Uniquely Taos?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Colorfully & Uniquely Taos located?

This family-friendly El Prado holiday home is located in the mountains, within 2 mi (3 km) of KTAOS Solar Center and Millicent Rogers Museum. Kakawa Chocolate House and Twirl Toystore and Playspace are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

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. 46 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tipu D.

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

Beautiful stay

We stayed at this house for our trip to the Taos Ski Valley. TSV was approximately 25-30 minutes drive from the house. The house was very comfortable and the location was good.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily D.

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

Tennessee Taosena

Needed extra room for family visiting, we have stayed here before and love love love it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

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

Cozy stay for visiting Taos/skiing

We had a great stay at this cozy and beautifully decorated adobe home. The owners were very responsive and communicative when a plumbing issue cropped up right before we arrived, and it was taken care of immediately. The space and sleeping arrangements were perfect, all beds were comfy, and three full bathrooms made our stay easy for a larger group. The location has great views of the valley and mountains, is just outside Taos and a 25 min drive from Taos ski valley, which was perfect for our plans.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

sarah m.

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

great place, beautiful views, lovely yard

we thoroughly enjoyed this well equipped and roomy home. the only thing that would have made it better is doors instead of the curtains on some of rooms — so the toddler could sleep better when the oldsters were used in the night.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracy P.

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

Wonderful House

Our stay at Casa Contenta was wonderful. We had beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The house was very clean and uniquely Taos. Everything was easy to use with clear directions. Next time we are in Taos, we will try to stay here again. Thanks for the experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

James B.

Perfect

This house is ideal. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Loved this VRBO

We loved everything about this property! The upstairs patio was probably our favorite part. But I can’t think of one thing we didn’t like about it. Plenty of room, owners responded quickly to messages. Neat, clean, wonderful decorative touches. We didn’t want to leave!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Genie P.

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

Magical!

Beautiful yet practical. We discoverd something new everyday. It's spacious and the pictures do not do it justice. So many places inside and outside to use. We felt so fortunate to have found this place. Tranquil, colorful, and fun. Location was perfect. Thank you for sharing this place!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B., Little River-Academy

Coming to Taos? Look no further!

Casa Contenta is absolutely out of a magazine! The property is beautiful and well maintained. We took our family of five and Absolutely loved every minute of our vacation. Bedrooms are located downstairs which was ideal for those traveling with kids. Our little one could be put to bed and the rest of us could stay up and talk, play games, watch tv, etc. The house has absolutely everything you will need! The drive to the square and to ski valley are very short and convenient. The owners are so sweet, kind, and accommodating. We contacted Terry for some ideas for activities for our almost two year old and she knew exactly where we could take her! I seriously cannot say enough about our experience in Taos and at Casa Contenta...wonderful memories were made here!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Filled with great art

Our three generations were mostly sick or injured by the time everyone arrived. So we spent more time in than venturing out. We appreciated all the spaces to lounge and be horizontal. We are a close family, so having more sleeping space outside of the two proper bedrooms worked fine. This house is great for families with kids over the age of 6 or 7. Many nice things down low will be nerve racking for families with little kids. The engineers in the group had a fun time trying to figure out what was old (original to the structure), what was made to look old, and what was new. The house has a few minor things to repair/replace. The kitchen had everything but a tea kettle, which we happily donated.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carrie k., austin

All-Around Amazing!!!

Being an interior designer, I'm easily and often disappointed in vacation rental surroundings. Not this time! Casa Contenta is expertly appointed from it's amazing and interesting decor to it's high end bedding and cookware. Every detail is well thought, and we thoroughly enjoyed are bright and beautiful home away from home. The location couldn't be a better compromise between convenience of town and easy access to Taos Ski Valley. The owners are such lovely helpful people that we wish we'd had more time to visit with them. All of Taos seemed more affordable than Colorado ski destinations, and Casa Contenta seemed like an excellent value. The rooms were the perfect set up for two couples with children. If I had to go out on a limb to make one tiny suggestion, it would be to add a heavier window covering on the french door in the downstairs bathroom. Honestly, other than that, the house is perfect! I can't wait to go back and stay again!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael K.

Excellent Updated Adobe Vacation Home

Casa Contenta has been expertly remodeled by the owners and they have done a great job. The house retains all the character and feel of an old Taos adobe home, with all the modern amenities you could want. To top it off, the house is decorated in classic, local style. My son and I vacationed there for a week in late June through early July and the swamp cooler always ensured we came home to a comfortably cool house. We both cooked while we were there and the kitchen is well-stocked with nice appliances and every utensil you might need. The courtyard and the deck are both comfortable places to relax and enjoy the clean, mountain air. Also, it was pleasant to stay in a vacation home where the cleaning and laundry had been done without the usual artificially-scented cleaning products. We met and visited with the owners during our stay. They are friendly, helpful people who are knowledgeable about the Taos area and willing to help guests in any way they can. As someone who has been visiting this area for many years, I can honestly say that Casa Contenta is at the top of my list for Taos vacation homes.

10/10 Excellent

Ryan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy H.

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

Perfect for Skiing!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charles W.

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

Beautiful house

This house is fabulous! Spacious and clean with beautiful art in EVERY room. The views are spectacular! Our host gave very clear directions. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karina R.

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

This house IS Taos

This unique property provides a glimpse into the unique style of Northern New Mexico. We loved the interior of the house and its unusual layout. Everything about it was fun! The beds and furniture were comfortable and we had plenty of room. The only problem we had was finding the code to the front door which was kind of buried in the welcome packet we received. Thanks for a great weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

David R.

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

Light and Breezy in a Unique Setting

Casa Contenta was the perfect place for our family's trip to Taos! Beautifully and thoughtfully decorated in a truly whimsical fashion. The kitchen was well equipped with everything we needed to make a great meal. My favorite part about it was a fully open-concept upstairs living area with windows in every direction that opened to allow fresh cross breezes of fresh mountain air. The views from the deck were breathtaking. The location was wonderful as well, close to the Gorge Bridge, the road to Taos Ski Valley, or to Taos itself. The only word of caution I would note is that one of the two main downstairs bedrooms does not have a door, but rather only a cloth divider to separate it from the hallway. It is a beautiful room and worked perfectly for our daughter, but is worth being aware of for those who want full privacy. In all though, this is a gem that we would gladly return to.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

joseph b.

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

Outstanding

Wonderful. Can’t say enough good things. Will go back for sure!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ben F., New York City

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

Wonderful Experience!

Stan and Terry's place is beautiful, spacious, clean and perfectly located: close enough to town and to Taos Ski Valley to be convenient, but far enough to be able to enjoy a little more quiet. The house is very comfortable and extremely well-appointed, with everything you need for a relaxing stay. Terry has added a ton of extra touches (like relaxing bath salts and an amazing latte maker) that make a visit that much more special. Terry and Stan are absolutely awesome and went way out of their way to make us feel welcome. We've stayed in a lot of rentals over this trip, but Stan and Terry were the only hosts who made us feel like family. We can't wait to return!
Stayed 12 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Farya P., Austin

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

Magical home

We can not say enough about this gem of a property! From the kind host to the amazing views and expansive courtyard we enjoyed every minute of our stay. The kids loved exploring all the art unique Knick knacks from around the world. We highly recommend this property if you are planning a trip to New Mexico!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rachel V.

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

Wonderful location, site clean

I was so glad to have chosen this property!! Great views! Super clean, well stocked and appointed! Comfortable beds! We’ll be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Maria C.

A home on the mesa...

Casa Contenta exceeded our expectations. It is a beautiful and very comfortable home, but still quirky and unique. The three bedrooms (on the ground floor) are quite comfortable and distinct from one another. Two of the bedrooms have access to the gorgeous patio and grounds. One also has an ensuite bathroom. There is an additional common room that can easily sleep two (on cushioned, wide benches). The upper level is nicely laid out with comfortable and stylish furniture, gorgeous views all around, and a great deck. The kitchen was very well appointed. We especially enjoyed watching the sunset from the living room deck and welcoming the sunrise on the patio. Great place for a family trip!

10/10 Excellent

Peter T., Dallas

Beautiful location and home as if our own

This was a fantastic home with everything you'd provide in your own place, owners thought of everything for the guests. Perfect location for ease of access to plaza, ski valley, restaurants, the gorge and simple drive out to red river, and still seemed like remote from hectic flow. This felt more like having your own home in Taos. Very best of our overall experiences like this in other locales. Owners are great and provide excellent details and locals insight. Would rent again and again. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

danny b.

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!

The property was well above expectations, the hosts were beyond accommodating! My family will be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Wonderful family vacation

This place was magical. The views area amazing. I spent every evening wrapped up in blankets on one of the many porches admiring the sunset. Every side of the place (and hence every window) has a view. The house is really thoughtfully furnished for visitors. Every time we thought we were missing something, we'd open a closet and there it was. Stuff to know - this house is located north of town and is a little bit of a drive from the nearest grocery store. There is a really nice natural foods grocery store (read: expensive) also north of the main part of town. Otherwise you're stuck driving through town to get groceries which means waiting at a few lights through multiple cycles. There are three actual bedrooms - two for adult couples (one large bed in each) and one clearly for children (two twin beds). However to get to one of the adult bedrooms you literally have to walk through the children's room. The other adult bedroom is spacious and has a fireplace, but no door. There is also a large couch upstairs that can be used to sleep two additional people. There are three bathrooms, one adjacent to one of the two master bedrooms (this is the bedroom that you have to walk through the children's room to get to). The other two are shared by the entire house. All three bathrooms are full bathrooms, two of which have jet tubs. So overall this house was easy to share amongst two families, but only because we were all really comfortable with each other. It would've been awkward splitting with a family we didn't know as well, just because of the odd arrangement of the bedrooms. The kitchen is small, but really well appointed. You will not need to provide anything yourself. There's even a crockpot and two different types of coffee makers (one makes lattes!). We were here in spring and the temperatures were perfect. We had the windows open during the day and turned on the heat in the evenings. However I didn't see any sign of a central air conditioner. If you run hot and you're planning a summer visit, you may want to ask first before booking. Last but not least, the owners made checking out really easy (compared to other vacation rentals we've stayed at). It only took us about half an hour to follow the checkout instructions which was really nice. There's no required cleaning - just obvious stuff like stripping the beds and taking out the trash.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

About the host

Hosted by Terry Williamson

Host profile image
We currently live in Oklahoma City and have two sons in their twenties. After 30 years of visiting Taos and falling in love with the area, we finally decided to purchase a home here. When we retire, we hope to make Taos our home and enjoy more fully all the spirituality and beauty this town has to offer.

Why they chose this property

In 2008, we, too, once rented Casa Contenta through VRBO for our church youth group yearly outing. Years later, when we saw that it came up for sale, we were blessed to purchase it and did extensive remodeling in 2012 and 2013. Our hope is that you will love this home as much as we do.

What makes this property unique

Coming from Oklahoma, we find the dry, crisp climate of Taos invigorating. All the art shops and fantastic restaurants in this little community, along with all the outdoor activities, add to the uniqueness and charm that only Taos can offer. It is a magical place and we find there is always something that makes us want to return.

Languages:

English