With its beautiful scenery, adobe buildings, delicious food, and all the turquoise you can imagine, Santa Fe has been inspiring artists for centuries. This beautiful Southwestern city is full of culture and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Thankfully for us, design duo Ira and Sylvia Seret saw potential in a cluster of neglected adobe buildings and transformed them into one of the most refreshing, historic, and culture-rich hotels in the state: The Inn of The Five Graces.
A Brief History
In 1996, the Serets opened the 24-suite retreat on the oldest inhabited block of housing in the country. The hotel is situated in Santa Fe’s most historic neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from the San Miguel Mission and the oldest standing house in the United States. Because of its close proximity, the inn is equal parts tourism magnet and cultural icon.
The Serets emphasize their desire to retain as much history of the property as possible by incorporating rich textiles, international antiques, and one-of-a-kind mosaics into every room. All of these treasures were collected on travels through Central and South Asia, supporting their “East meets West” theme.
In 2002, they changed the name from 1001 Nights to its current moniker, which is a nod to the Eastern concept of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
The Inn Today
The inn is open for accommodations, dining, and special events, and has earned itself a number of awards along its journey. Most recently, it was chosen as the winner in Travel+Leisure’s Best 15 City Hotels in the Continental United States for 2019! Every room is a carefully curated oasis that’s reminiscent of a time when textiles, art, and furniture were made by hand. The decor and amenities demand relaxation while bathing in their magnificence, making every moment you spend here feel like a trip to the spa.
Private balconies, wood-burning fireplaces, plush rugs, and rich tapestries create an environment that’s fit for royalty.
If you can manage to pull yourself away from your luxurious accommodation, you’ll want to experience the on-site wellness spa, where you can indulge your five graces in ancient healing techniques and rejuvenation remedies.
The hotel echoes the culture and vibrancy of Santa Fe past and present, with fountains and courtyards in the summer and a crackling wood fire in the winter.
Since its inception more than 23 years ago, the inn has acquired several properties on the same historic street to expand its unique experience to locals and travelers alike. No two experiences are ever quite the same, and you will appreciate the fine detail the Serets have put into bringing the old world back to New Mexico.
