Our Story
A living landmark at the social heart of Taos
Taos Inn began as a gathering place long before it became a hotel. Set within a collection of historic adobe homes near Taos Plaza, the Inn has welcomed artists, locals, travelers, musicians, and storytellers for generations.
For over 50 years, the Taos Inn has been adorned with the iconic blue thunderbird neon sign and an aged wooden bench, serving as timeless links to its former owners and storied past. What initially began as individual residences supporting Taos’ artistic community has evolved into a historic lodging property.
Today, Taos Inn is a historic Taos hotel, restaurant, bar, and community gathering place where the story is still unfolding. Here, adobe walls, warm hospitality, live music, local flavor, and nearly a century of shared memories come together in the heart of Taos, New Mexico.
A Story Rooted in Taos
Before it became Taos Inn, this place was part of the creative life of town. In the late 1890s, Dr. Thomas Paul “Doc” Martin, Taos’s first physician, purchased a 19th-century adobe home near the plaza. Alongside his wife Helen, a batik artist, Doc Martin helped create a home where artists, writers, locals, and travelers naturally gathered.
That spirit shaped the property from the beginning. The rooms, courtyards, and adobe walls carried the easy rhythm of Taos life, where conversation lingered, creative energy moved freely, and guests became part of the story simply by showing up.
After Doc Martin’s passing, Helen Martin transformed the adobe homes into Hotel Martin in 1936. What began as a collection of residences became a historic inn with a purpose that still feels true today: to welcome people into the heart of Taos.
Over time, the property grew into the Taos Inn known and loved today. Its Spanish Pueblo Revival architecture, adobe character, original details, and unmistakable neon sign have made it one of the most recognizable historic hotels in Taos, New Mexico.
But the heart of the place has never changed. Taos Inn has always been more than a place to stay. It is a place to gather, listen, dine, return, and feel connected to the town around you.
The Inn’s Story
Taos Inn’s history lives in its adobe walls, its gathering rooms, its music, and the people who continue to shape it. From 19th-century homes near Taos Plaza to one of the most beloved historic hotels in Taos, New Mexico, the Inn has always been a place where locals and travelers come together.
1800's
The adobe homes that would later become part of Taos Inn take shape near Taos Plaza. Built with the materials and character of Northern New Mexico, these early structures begin the property’s deep connection to Taos architecture, community, and place.
Early 1900s
Dr. Thomas Paul “Doc” Martin, Taos’s first physician, makes his home in Taos with his wife Helen, a batik artist. Their adobe home becomes a natural gathering place for locals, artists, writers, and travelers, helping shape the creative spirit that made Taos known far beyond New Mexico.
1936
After Doc Martin’s passing, Helen Martin transforms the adobe homes into Hotel Martin. What began as a collection of residences becomes a welcoming historic inn in the heart of Taos, carrying forward the warmth, creativity, and community spirit of the Martin home.
1981 to 1982
Taos Inn is recognized on state and national historic registers, affirming its architectural and cultural significance. The property’s adobe structures, Spanish Pueblo Revival character, and long-standing role in Taos life become part of a legacy worth preserving.
Today
Taos Inn continues to welcome guests as The Living Room of Taos. Just steps from Taos Plaza, the Inn is a historic hotel, restaurant, bar, and gathering place where locals and travelers meet through live music, local flavor, warm hospitality, and shared stories.
As Taos Inn celebrates nearly 90 years as a hotel, the story continues. With Doc Martin’s Restaurant, The Adobe Bar, historic guest rooms, and a renewed spirit of hospitality, Taos Inn looks toward its next century while staying rooted in the people, texture, and creative soul of Taos.
