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Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn

Photo gallery for Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn

White, 2-level, Hilltop Dobson House
Magnificent Dobson House property
Circular living room/dining room
Circular living room/dining room
Circular living room/dining room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom2+ bathroomsSleeps 4603.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking included

Explore the area

Map
Arroyo Hondo, NM
  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Earthship BioTecture
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Taos Plaza
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Suite #1

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Suite #1 Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn

Two beautiful bedroom suites are available in this magnificent 6,500-square-foot earthship (see photos). The second suite is automatically added for parties of 3-4. Should parties of 2 want both suites, book for 3. You will be the only guests during your booking. Dobson House sits high on a hill ringed by mountains overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge. The two suites occupy the entire lower level of the inn and connect to the magnificent living room and gourmet commercial kitchen via a grand underground staircase. Each adobe and Mexican-tiled suite has gorgeous views, a private patio, queen bed, sitting area, bathroom, mini fridge, microwave, and coffee and tea service. Cook meals in the gourmet commercial kitchen. Dine with gorgeous views. Hike, bike, or snowshoe beautiful trails. The rim of the gorge, where you'll find breathtaking views of the canyon and Rio Grande 800-feet below, is a 10-minute hike from your door. Mineral-rich hot springs are a hike away. Gorgeous sunsets and starry skies await. This exquisite 6,500-square-foot earthship, built to be an exclusive inn, requires a caretaker, and my sweet dog, Ruby, and I reside in private quarters on premises. Wonderfully off the beaten path, vehicles with AWD or 4WD and good clearance are necessary in inclement weather.

Property manager

Brenda Wilhelmson

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Parking included
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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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
This property uses solar energy, plus a grey water recycling system
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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
Property Registration Number HO-14-2022

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Arroyo Hondo

Located in Arroyo Hondo, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a river. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and Taos Plaza are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Carson National Forest and Kit Carson Park. Earthship BioTecture and Taos Mountain Casino are two other places to visit that come recommended. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Arroyo Hondo, NM

What's nearby

  • Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - 12 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Earthship BioTecture - 15 min drive - 10.7 km
  • Kit Carson Park - 24 min drive - 19.3 km
  • Taos Plaza - 25 min drive - 20.7 km
  • Earthships - 25 min drive - 20.5 km

Getting around

  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taos Mesa Brewing - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Midtown Bistro And Lounge - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Dobson House--Famous Taos Earthship Inn located?

Located in the heart of Arroyo Hondo, this holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Carson National Forest and Earthship BioTecture. Kit Carson Park and Taos Mountain Casino are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 179 out of 197 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 197 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 197 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 197 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 197 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

katie p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristin M.

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

A Truly Unique Taos Experience

This property is absolutely beautiful! We were so grateful that Brenda shares the Dobson house. She was a responsive, friendly, and gracious host, and the house is really incredible. The location feels remote and offers breathtaking scenery, but you're still close to town. We would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Ted W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Partner's 40th

This house is a gem! Huge layout and interesting "gala" appropriate stairs. Hosts live in back hall from kitchen, which is not listed, so this is importnat to know. We felt like teenagers sneaking around a bit, but hosts were also really awesome folks. The one encouragement my partner had was a more cozy atmosphere in the downstairs bedroom. It really could have used a large comfy area rug below and above, and more areas to hang belongings. Electric stove did not work, but sun helped warm the place up on the warmer of the three days. Loved the spot, location, vibe and architecture....a "homier, cozier" vibe would be our only gripe. Thanks Brenda!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Timothy S.

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

Very cool!

Brenda is a great host, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The place is absolutely silent, which is good for the soul. We walked in the fresh snow to the edge of the gorge and it was beautiful. My only disappointment was that the fireplace in the suite is off limits due to some totally legitimate technical issues. Knowing that ahead of time wouldn't have made a difference except that I wouldn't have got my hopes up for a fire next to the bed. Arriving close to sunset while it was snowing meant that our suite was quite cold the first night and the radiator had trouble keeping up. But by morning it had warmed up and all was well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamey S.

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

A wonderful stay at the Dobson House

We were looking for a getaway location away from Taos along the Rio Grande Gorge. The Dobson House was perfect for our needs. Our bedroom suite was tucked away with good views, and the grand steps up to the living room, dining room, and kitchen led to incredible 270º views of the Gorge. Brenda and her pooch Ruby were super friendly. If you want complete privacy during your stay, ask Brenda beforehand. If not, Brenda is available in a private part of the house if needed. Note that the temperature of the rooms in the Earthship varies widely during the daytime and nighttime. As we were there in the heart of winter, we lit a fire in the evening and sat near it in the living room. The bedroom cooled down at night, but we were cozy in the bed and had a heater if needed. The hiking nearby is fabulous, dramatic, and quiet. Early one morning, we hiked down to the hot springs and had them to ourselves at the bottom of the gorge. We will be back again in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lois E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brent C.

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

A pretty amazing and unusual place

Built into the hillside, the suites are cozy and stay a nice temperature night or day. Up the stairs, the kitchen is amazing if you like to cook, with a huge oven and sink with plenty of places to hang out around the central wood stove. The water, fed from mountain springs, is super cold and tasty. The host was great, and showed us cool places to go.Bring a vehicle with good suspension, as the road in is a little bumpy on the way in. Some bits are a little funky, like you have to be little mindful of overloading the electricity - this is an off-grid house after all - but it's not a big deal. The house and views are definitely worth the little extra effort, and you're only 30-40 minutes away from skiing, fishing, or sitting in hot springs.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

stephani B.

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

Much needed Getaway

We intended to relax, hike, and enjoy beauty. This place looks amazing in photos but does not compare to its look and feel. There are so many interesting details about this home; the owner engages with her guests and is happy to discuss the home's construction and history. The short walk to the Rio Grand is not difficult and has places to take photos and read a book. We left feeling sad our time was over and already miss the views from the bedroom. We will be booking again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deanne Z.

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

Peaceful beauty

My adult son and I have always wanted to stay in an Earthship house, and The Dobson House did not disappoint. There is a very healing stillness and quiet in the home and the views are spectacular. Ruby the hosts dog is very sweet, and the owner was fantastic.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allan C.

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D.

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

Remember Earthships are earthy not 5 star hotels

We are very familiar with Earthships and love the earthy nature of the Dobson Earthship in Taos. The road to the 6,000 sq. ft. Earthship was dirt. warn and rutted by their recent torrential rains. Our all wheel drive was sufficient to navigate the several miles of dirt roads. The host, Brenda is wonderful and very knowledgeable about Michael Reynold's architecture. Lots of beautifully designed steps to climb so be prepared for the exercise. Not for the physically weak or impaired. You want a good taste of authentic Earthship life that can accommodate more than two if you take friends, the Dobson Earthship may be a good choice.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessa L.

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

Getaway with my mom

This was the most spectacular diamond I’ve ever stayed at. Everything about it was so profound. It was like staying in a piece of art. Brenda is the most phenomenal, glowing and warmhearted human. She is the perfect host, so open and gracious welcoming you into her peace and tranquility. I would return back without a doubt. And definitely keeping this one on my to do list.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Terry P.

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

Perfect

Great place to stay to see the sunset and the amazing stars at night. Would suggest staying there i9n the much cooler months. It was hot in there, but worth it
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas L.

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

Gorgeous Property

We loved staying here and look forward to coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C.

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

Truly remarkable site in a beautiful setting

This is a truly unique and beautiful place--very happy to have had the experience of visiting. The suite is comfortable and beautifully designed and constructed. Note that there is only one double bed and a couch, so really best for singles or couples. The common areas of the earthship are really amazing--huge, spacious and beautifully constructed and appointed. Amazing gourmet kitchen! The outdoor space is unlike anything you have ever seen. The setting is starkly beautiful. The night sky is amazing. Note that the driveway really requires 4WD to access. Owner--and her dog--are very friendly and welcoming. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Quiet and secluded getaway

Amazing view on top of a hill. Took the short hike to the Rio Grande gorge edge and a path along it for a bit. Amazing views of the river. At the house Ruby the watchdog kept us safe from coyotes; often perched atop the lower roof keeping watch and taking off to chase them away. Fabulous kitchen with a great Wolf gas range. The sky was right for a great sunset on our last night. Super comfortable bed in our suite. Our host, Brenda, lives on site in a wing off the main area and we saw her a couple times during our stay. She gave us plenty of welcome information. Be ready to get your steps in! 23 from the parking area to the suite, and 41 up the grand staircase to the main level. There are a few landings along the way and they are short steps. We enjoyed our one of a kind getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

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

Neat place

We enjoyed our stay and Brenda was very accommodating!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beverly D.

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

WOW!!! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

I’d give this house 15 stars if I could! This place is absolutely stunning from the moment you walk in the door. We just rented one of the bedroom suites but if you went with another couple you each would have complete privacy and then share the rest of the 6500 sf house! The art and furnishings are so cute and interesting. The dramatic 100 ft grand staircase is so beautiful and when you reach the top you have beautiful views in a 1600 sf living space. I wish I could live here permanently! We didn’t cook, but if you wanted to, it has a gourmet kitchen with anything you could possibly need. Brenda, the owner, lives upstairs in the back with Ruby her sweet dog. She comes and goes, but is never intrusive on your personal space and is a delight to talk to! This earthship house is so interesting with beautiful architectural lines! It’s a little bit outside of town (about 15 minutes) but it’s totally worth it to enjoy the peace and solitude! It’s an easy hike to the rim of the gorge. We didn’t do the hike to the hot springs but that’s fairly close as well. It would be a great place to stay in the winter if you’re planning on skiing Taos cause it’s probably only about 40 minutes away. This was definitely one of the best accommodations we’ve ever stayed in. LOVED IT!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill G.

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

Loved it

We loved our stay at the Dobson house and glad we spent 3 nights to take the area in. Brenda is an awesome host. Wealth of local knowledge, great dining recommendations. Ruby, Brenda's pup is sweet and very well mannered. Wonderful location, the rim of the gorge is a quick walk down the hill along with access down to Manby springs. Gorge bridge is a short drive. Great base camp for our day trips into the mountains too! Really enjoyed it and would certainly stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Liam D.

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

The Dobson House

The Dobson house is spectacular, a wonderful place to stay, and the host is fabulous.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Steven M.

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

Fabulous views/location!

The views of the Rio Grande river gorge are amazing from Dobson House! This is a huge house! We enjoyed our stay—a unique experience to stay in an earthship. The bedroom/bathroom is large and has nice views and the large living area has spectacular floor to ceiling windows all for enjoying the amazing natural beauty of the surroundings. Great for star gazing since there is no light pollution. A few things to be aware of: 1) an AWD vehicle is really best for accessing the property, 2) the a/c is a swamp cooler on the living room/kitchen level. There is no cooling system in the bedrooms other than windows and fans so it was warm during our July stay, 3) be aware that the hostess stays in the house, on the upper level in a wing guests don’t use. We didn’t care but some people do so just throwing it out there. We didn’t see her much but she’s pleasant and knows a lot about earthships — we enjoyed speaking with her and her dog is a sweety! 4) this isn’t the house for you if you have mobility issues—lots of steps since it’s so large.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

James N.

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

A unique experience

The Dobson house is a unique experience. Earthships are a neat concept and the Dobson house does not disappoint. The house manager stays on site to make sure the house runs properly, but don’t let that be a concern for you will have your privacy. We felt like we had the house to ourselves. The trails around the house are amazing, with a private trail that leads to a hot spring. Overall highly recommend staying at this unique place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jon G.

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

Great Stay!!!

This home is amazing and we loved our stay!!! Beautiful sunsets every night, tons of stars!! Great private location but close to everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

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

Great place to stay thank you

We stayed for one night for a concert it was an awesome place slept great beautiful views. The Star gazing was amazin; g
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

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

Earthship

Amassing totally different Brenda wasgreat loved ruby the dog
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Brenda Wilhelmson

Host profile image
This Chicago native's dream of skiing, horseback riding, and hosting guests in a glorious setting came true.

Why they chose this property

This property is remote, yet near town and the ski valley. Feel like you're outside when you're inside. The house has incredible views from massive windows that will blow you away.

What makes this property unique

Pure mountain drinking water straight from the tap. Solar power. Solar heat. Adobe walls. Flagstone floors. Pillars of Ponderosa Pine. Enormous windows. Premier Taos earthship.

Languages:

English
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