Entire home

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

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

Miscellaneous
Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Aerial view

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Hot Tub
    Hot Tub
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels
  • Beach sun loungers

Ski

  • Snowboarding and cross-country skiing nearby
  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • Ski lift privileges

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee grinder
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Soap
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Music library
  • Books
  • Video library
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 4 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Porch is available for smoking outdoors.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near outlet shopping
  • Near a zoo
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Basketball nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 2000 sq ft (186 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
4 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Note from host: Please bring bedding for your pets.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Map
El Rito, NM

What's nearby

  • Carson National Forest - 1 min walk
  • Christ in the Desert Monastery - 30 min drive
  • Dar Al Islam Mosque - 30 min drive
  • Plaza Blanca - 33 min drive
  • Ghost Ranch - 47 min drive

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 50 lbs 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?

Check-out 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 vacation home in El Rito is in the mountains, steps from Carson National Forest, and close to winter activities such as cross-country skiing and sledding. Rio Chama is 12.4 mi (20 km) away.

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

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 181 out of 200 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 200 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 200 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 200 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 200 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Virginia V., Rio Rancho, N.M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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., Sedro woolley

Liked: Cleanliness
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., Birmingham UK

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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
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., Albuquerque, NM

Liked: Cleanliness
Long weekend get-away
Very nice property and beautiful location.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lois F.

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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
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., UK

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
The home was just what we were looking for. It was a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Quiet and surrounded by nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and secluded
Great getaway very peaceful and quiet, definitely recommend to get away from big city and towns.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Davey H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
Perfect location for many day trips and a nice place to return to. Can’t go better with a hot tub to unwind in and plenty of room for your dog to roam. No neighbors and star gazing was amazing. Thank you Alicia for sharing Casa Ambrosia!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sherri R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Place!!
We loved our stay!! The house is beautiful and so clean. The bed and pillows were amazing too, such a bonus!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Casa Ambrosia Weekend
We definitely enjoyed our stay at Casa Ambrosia! Wish we couldve stayed longer. Beds were comfy, nice temperature, nice views, clean, and the hottub was great! Felt like everything was thought through to be a guest here. I would definitely book again. Cant imagine how pretty it would be during the summer!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shey F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great remote stay
Rented the house for our 20th wedding anniversary. The host was very responsive and provided us with great information. The house was remote and well maintained.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

Liked: Cleanliness
cozy getaway
My husband and I came up to the area with our gravel bikes but a snow storm prevented us from doing much riding. We enjoyed a few snow days here and the hot tub and fireplace kept us toasty. The property was quiet and beautiful! Some previous reviews mentioned bugs, but they weren't an issue for us (we like rustic and remote). The bed was very comfy. Definitely pack all your food necessities because the property is pretty far from amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Views in Comfort
Worth the drive! Wonderful amenities and super vistas! Host was awesome.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

mary j.

Liked: Cleanliness
BIrthday celebration
My daughter, her dog and I went to El Rito to celebrate her birthday. Drove from Denver. Casa Ambrosia was amazing. The view, the hot tub, the fireplace, the hikes - all perfect. Town of El Rito was a special surprise!! Can't wait to go back Mary
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annette B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning view
The house was beautiful. It was equipped with everything you need plus some. The host was very attentive with our needs and questions. Highly recommend for a stay in New Mexico.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacob M.

A great remote getaway.
We enjoyed our 5 year Anniversary celebration at this wonderful property. The property owner is fast responding. The property is well represented. Quiet. Peaceful. Full kitchen , hot tub and great views. A true gem in Northern new mexico. We recommend the abiquiu inn for local cuisine. It is remote as represented. Take groceries or go to bode's general store.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Wonderful property Tip: Use map apps to get to El Rito but use hosts map to find property as app will lead you astray ;) Cheers
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness
One of the best properties and the best host...
This property is a gem. It is located far enough away from SF and any hint of city, and down a dirt highway, nestled in woods, except for the expansive view across plains, pasture, and the mountains. Atmbrosia is designed to maximize the views, as much as it is to make the highest use of the opportunity to collect natural heat from the sunlight. The kitchen area is spacious, and we prepared meals--the kitchen is well-stocked. The hot tub and the fireplace added the cozy and romantic quality that we desired. Our host, Alicia, was very responsive, and she was thoughtful in responding to a schedule change necessitated by an impending winter storm. We were reluctant to leave the property, and would have preferred to add days here to our schedule to wait out the storm instead of fleeing it. We drove to Ghost Ranch on one of our forays away from the property, and we ate twice at a sweet, smart and tasty cafe, Sierra Negra. We want someday to return to this place to spend more time. Thank you, Alicia, for an ideal experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bart B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great weekend trip
My partner and I stayed at Casa Ambrosia for a long weekend. We had a great time hiking with our dogs and riding the local trails. There are many trails that can be taken right from the house without driving anywhere. This was a huge plus for us. The drive there from Denver is also very scenic. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
My daughter and I had a wonderful time at Ambrosia. It’s a perfect spot with great hiking nearby and exploring the area. A great location for day trips and coming ‘home’ to the peaceful quiet. The kitchen was has everything you need to cook.meals. Both bedrooms are spacious and the beds were super comfy. The host is quick to respond and provided lots of information on the area. Highly recommend the restaurant in town, El Farolito. It’s a hidden gem.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023