Taos Unlimited | Casa Benavides Taos Bed & Breakfast Inn

Casa Benavides Bed & Breakfast Inn
The gracious past is still present just 1/2 block east of the historic Taos Plaza, at the elegant Casa Benavides Bed and Breakfast Inn. Built by owner Barbara McCarthy's father Carlos, the Inn's main building originally housed the Lewis Art Gallery. On a whim, Taos natives Barbara and Tom purchased it, and along with their family homes and others built by Carlos, they created Taos New Mexico's premiere Bed and Breakfast Inn lodging accommodations, The Casa Benavides. Recently named Taos County's best lodging, the Casa Benevides Bed and Breakfast Inn is on the State and National Historic Taos Registry.

In keeping with the building's origins, its walls are adorned with major works by historic Taos artists. From the stunning ambiance and sumptuous food to the impeccable amenities and service, everywhere is evidence of Barbara's natural talent for hospitality, which she further honed by earning her degree in home economics. Not only will you delight in your incredibly scrumptious breakfast, but Tom and Barbara make a tremendous variety of the fresh home-baked goodies for afternoon tea!

Enjoy authentic and luxurious Taos accommodations, with wood-burning fireplaces, viga ceilings, covered portals, private baths with Mexican tile, balconies and extensive gardens. Each bed and breakfast guest room is uniquely decorated and appointed with handmade and antique furniture with down comforters and luxury linens. Guest rooms are available with refrigerators or full kitchens. Enjoy wireless internet access, cable TV, DVD/VCRs, outdoor hot tub, massage room and artistic treasures. Hot water heat is individually controlled in each room.
Barbara's kitchen at the Casa Benavides bed and Breakfast Inn where she prepares all the wonderful home baked goodies for her famous breakfasts and afternoon teas. The dining room is set for the following day's breakfast, with colorful linens. The dining room is lined with French doors, and has high viga ceilings. It doubles, with the outdoor patio, as a wonderful indoor / outdoor reception area.

Barbara's kitchen at the Casa Benavides bed and Breakfast Inn where she prepares all the wonderful home baked goodies for her famous breakfasts and afternoon teas. The dining room is set for the following day's breakfast, with colorful linens. The dining room is lined with French doors, and has high viga ceilings. It doubles, with the outdoor patio, as a wonderful indoor / outdoor reception area.

Sumptuous Breakfasts and More
So what's for breakfast? At Casa Benevides Bed and Breakfast Inn, the emphasis is on hearty, sumptuos breakfasts! Barbara is famous for her home made granola (a secret family recipe), served with low fat vanilla yogurt and fruit. Always available are delicious egg dishes with (or without) a famous, award winning red chile sauce, a wide variety of homemade muffins, fruit, coffee, tea, and and special treats depending on the day! And you can always count on waffles and French toast. Casa Benevides is happy to accommodate those who are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements, such as gluten-free. Just be sure to call ahead if you have any special requests. Barbara and Tom want to make sure everyone is happy and satisfied.

And not to let you go hungry later in the day, when breakfast is over Barbara gets straight to work making yummy home baked goodies for afternoon tea! Just like breakfast, there is always a wide variety, with three to six different deserts every day. Tea is served from 3:00 - 6:00, and is a highlight here in Taos.

For all of you who know Barbara's cooking and wish they could have a little once they get home...Your wish has been granted! Barbara has shared a few of her recipes on the Casa Benevides Bed and Breakfast website And if you visit often you can collect them, because there are always new recipes ...

Four views of accommodations at Taos, NM bed and breakfast Inn, the Casa Benavides, including a guest room with kiva fireplace and french doors. Each room is unique in it's eclectic decor. The first features a canoopy bed with hand made lace canopy, and beautiful white sitting room. The second bedroom features two queen beds with stunning hand carved headboards, and luxurious down comforters. the last two images are of eclectically furnished bedrooms with hand made beds. The first is the Cowboy Room, featuring cowboy art and artifacts, the second features beautiful handmade textiles.

For Your Wedding, Workshop or Retreat
Casa Benavides can easily accommodate groups and special events such as weddings, family reunions, business conferences, retreats, workshops and more. Casa Benevides provides the perfect ambiance for inspiration, whether for work or play. The courtyard and gardens at Casa Benevides Bed and Breakfast Inn offer a wonderful outdoor setting while the indoor rooms express unique, eclectic and colorful southwest charm and ambiance. The conference room is perfect for business conferences, writing workshops, and meetings of any kind. The lobby can be partitioned off for privacy to accommodate yoga classes and more informal meetings.

And Casa Benavides is the perfect venue for your Taos wedding! Beautifully decorated rooms offer convenience for your wedding guests, and comfort while preparing for the ceremony, as well as a welcome place to retreat to at the end of your eventful day. Small weddings can be held inside the inn or on the patio in front of the fireplace, beautifully appointed with flowers and candles for your ceremony. And the chapel bells at Casa Benevides will announce your union to the entire valley! Barbara and Tom are happy to cater your reception. Enjoy your family and friends with an indoor/outdoor reception in exquisite spaces filled with art, handmade furniture and antiques. Casa Benavides offers the perfect backdrop for your reception, with live music and lovingly prepared New Mexico cuisine.

Three views of the Casa Benavides B&B include the founbtain in the courtyard, surrounded by beautiful flowers, the kiva fireplace in the cowboy guest room and one of the guest rooms Mexican tiled bathrooms.

Three views of the Casa Benavides B&B include the founbtain in the courtyard, surrounded by beautiful flowers, the kiva fireplace in the cowboy guest room and one of the guest rooms Mexican tiled bathrooms.

Your Hosts, Tom and Barbara McCarthy
Tom and Barbara both grew up on Kit Carson Road and knew each other all their lives. Barbara hated Tom when they were young. Tom would throw apples or snowballs at her, depending on the season. Now they are married and have 3 wonderful children and are proud grandparents.

The McCarthy family has been in business in Taos since 1904. Barbara's family came from Northern Spain in 1630. Her father, Carlos Benavides, was a master carpenter who built most of the beautiful older lodging in Taos. Barbara's mother, Ruth, was of Irish-English descent from Erie, PA. She drove to Taos when she was 17 years old, alone, and knew not much more than how to start and stop a car! She met Carlos and decided to spend the rest of her life here.

Barbara was a cheerleader, honor student, president of a sorority and a college beauty queen. She has a degree in Home Economics (which is apparent in the wonderful food and exquisite ambiance at Casa Benavides Lodging) and Physical Education. Barbara taught physical education at Taos Junior High until she and Tom opened the Old Mexico Shop, Village Weavers, and bought the McCarthy family business, El Mercado.

Tom's grandfather, J.H. McCarthy and family came to Taos from Chicago and started the Bond-McCarthy Co. Tom follows his grandfather and father, John Francis, with his Taos lodging business. He was born at home, across the street from the Taos Inn. The house is still in the family; aunts Eileen and Loretta still live there.

Tom graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas (childhood home of his mother, Nan). He coached 12 years, won 3 New Mexico State basketball championships and was a New Mexico "coach of the year" 3 times!

Casa Benavides is named for Barbara's parents, Carlos and Ruth.

Casa Benavides Bed and Breakfast is for theTaos traveler who wants luxury lodging, not just overnight accommodations while visiting Northern New Mexico. The gracious past is present in Taos New Mexico still, at elegant Casa Benavides Bed and Breakfast Inn Lodging.