People come to experience the beauty, adventure, and culture that Taos offers. Palacio de Marquesa, a small boutique hotel in Taos, one of the Heritage Hotels & Resorts, celebrates the spirit, drive, innovations, and contributions of the extraordinary women of Taos. In the early 1900s, seven noteworthy women artists joined together to form an eclectic group of innovators and free thinkers.
The design concept of each room at the Palacio de Marquesa pays tribute to the Taos stories of these seven remarkable women. Let’s get to know the incredible rooms of the Palacio de Marquesa.
1. The Icon, Inspired By Georgia O’Keeffe
The mother of American Modernism (1887-1986), Georgia O’Keeffe, inspired the Icon room. Museums worldwide exhibit her art, with many of her most famous paintings originating from her time spent in Taos, including The Lawrence Tree, Cow’s Skull, and Ram’s Head.
The spacious king Icon bedroom offers beautiful views of the garden patio, a fireplace, tile bathroom, wine refrigerator, coffeemaker, and southwest O’Keeffe décor. Enjoy cushy bathrobes, luxury turn-down service, and complimentary high-speed internet with a gourmet breakfast included.
Get to know Georgia when you visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, dedicated to the artist’s life and art, in downtown Santa Fe. Nine galleries tell the story of O’Keeffe’s 20th-century career as a famous artist. The museum offers online classes for drawing, watercolor landscapes, and botanical watercolors. I love to shop the Museum Store for creative gift items like books and media, stationery, art, posters, apparel, and home items. Watch for the expanding new O’Keeffe Green Space opening in late 2025.
Georgia purchased the 5,000-square-foot compound Abiquiu (ah-bih-cue) Home and Studio from the Catholic Church in 1945. Her friend Maria Chabot supervised the restoration over the next four years, then Georgia made it her permanent residence. She lived and painted in the quiet sanctuary until 1984 and died in Santa Fe in 1986 at 98 years old. The Home and Studio became a National Historic Landmark and part of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Twelve miles from Abiquiu, Georgia’s summer house resided on 12 acres at the edge of Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre dude ranch. Today, the property serves as the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center, offering classes, tours, horseback riding, and incredible views.
Pro Tip: Take the Heritage Inspirations Abiquiu Studio Tour in Georgia O’Keeffe Country from Taos. You’ll learn more about Georgia as you visit actual O’Keeffe landscapes, meet local artists, tour their studios, and share their voices and stories.
2. The Romantic, Inspired By Dorothy Brett
Dorothy Brett inspired the Romantic room. Brett’s paintings reveal how spirituality weaves into the daily life at Taos Pueblo. Her paintings reflect the alluring feminine nature of the Taos landscape and the ethereal essence of those living there.
The Romantic king bedroom sleeps two, with a charming seating area before the wood-burning fireplace. The room boasts a spacious bathroom, fluffy robes, luxury turn-down service, and includes a gourmet breakfast.
Dorothy Eugenie Brett (1883-1977) was born into an aristocratic British family, trained at the Slade School of Art, and associated with the Bloomsbury Group. She met D.H. Lawrence and moved to Taos at his invitation in 1924.
Her best-known works are mystical depictions of Pueblo ceremonies found in Tao’s Millicent Rogers Museum and Harwood Museum of Art. The New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe and the Roswell Museum and Art Center in Roswell exhibit her art, too.
Pro Tip: Take the Heritage Inspirations Taos Artisan Walking Tour + Chocolate as you weave through the tapestry of Taos Artisans, investigate Taos’ rich art history, and finish at an organic, small-batch, exquisitely crafted chocolate shop.
3. The Modernist, Inspired By Agnes Martin
Agnes Martin (1912-2004) is one of America’s most famous abstract expressionism painters and inspired the Modernist room. Her art conveyed emotional content, aspiring inner truth, perfection, and beauty.
The Modernist king bedroom sleeps two with luxury bedding, an adobe fireplace, modern furniture, a spacious tile bathroom, and cozy bathrobes. The Palacio offers luxury turn-down service and a chef-inspired gourmet breakfast.
At Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, see Martin’s world-renowned permanent gallery, Experience Tranquility: The Agnes Martin Gallery. A series of seven paintings appear with four Donald Judd benches (Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas). Martin represents the inner mind recognizing nature, perfection, and beauty.
4. The Matriarch, Inspired By Mabel Dodge Luhan
Mabel Dodge Luhan was a writer, social activist, art connoisseur, and institution in Taos. Honored for her crucial role in building artistic communities, she supported artists and created great interest in modern art forms. She invited many of the most prominent artists, writers, and thinkers to Taos.
A two-room suite, The Matriarch, influenced by Mabel, features an ornate Southwestern-style king bed frame and patio seating for two. The second room boasts leather chair seating in front of the adobe fireplace and a dining table centered in a library with a wine refrigerator and coffee maker. You have access to the library for reading, backgammon, and chess for hours of entertainment. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast included along with a personal turn-down service.
The Mabel Dodge Luhan House, a Historic Inn and Conference Center, is a retreat for painters, writers, and life geniuses in the house where Mable lived in Taos. You’ll find shaded gardens and serene indoor spaces, plus a salon overflowing with early 20th-century literary and artistic history, inspiring artists and thinkers from Georgia O’Keeffe, Martha Graham, D.H. Lawrence, to Carl Jung. Today there are workshops for writers, artists, yoga enthusiasts, and photographers, resourcing beautiful surroundings, great food, and attentive staff.
5. The Illuminator, Inspired By Gene Kloss
Gene Kloss (1903-1996), who inspired the Illuminator room, had a lifelong fascination with the Southwest from her first visit to Taos. Her paintings and etchings reflected the ceremonial Pueblo life, depicting Western villages and landscapes.
The king bedroom, The Illuminator, features an architectural metal bed frame, wooden beams on the ceiling, and an adobe wood-burning fireplace. High-speed internet, HD TV, and roomy shower and bathroom make for a comfortable stay. Enjoy a home-cooked breakfast by the hotel chef.
The Owings Gallery and Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe and Robert L Parsons Fine Art in Taos feature works by Gene Kloss. The Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colorado, holds over 450 Kloss prints, the single most extensive collection of her art, plus her etching tools and printing press.
6. The Socialite Suites, Inspired By Millicent Rogers
My favorite fashion icon, art collector, and jewelry designer, Millicent Rogers (1902-1953), fell in love with the silver and turquoise Native American jewelry she found in Taos. She became an outstanding collector and a voice and supporter of Native American rights.
The Socialite Suite Number One, honoring Millicent Rogers, features a king metal-framed bed, a spacious sitting area in front of the fireplace, and a breakfast table for two. The bathroom has a large tile shower with fluffy towels and bathrobes. Enjoy unique turn-down service and a chef-cooked gourmet breakfast. The Socialite Suite Number Two features two queen beds with all the amenities.
The Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos tells the story of her legacy. Millicent lived in Taos for just six years, from 1947 to 1953, but her influence on the community was tremendous. She was known as the “Standard Oil Heiress” since her grandfather H.H. Rogers co-founded the Standard Oil Trust with John D. Rockefeller. She came to Taos to heal her heart, broken by Clark Gable. She fell in love with the majestic beauty of Taos and the Native Americans’ turquoise and silver jewelry.
At the museum, 15 galleries display her permanent collections, special exhibits, and many events throughout the year. You’ll see her magnificent Southwestern Native American jewelry collection, Native American arts, Hispanic arts, and works by potter Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo. I spent an afternoon exploring this excellent museum, where acquisitions continue to be donated.
Turtle Walk is the former home of Millicent Rogers, a pastoral 71-acre estate in the Taos Valley with picturesque views of the mountains. The home features nine bedrooms and eight bathrooms with vigas hand-painted by Dorothy Brett. A Carrara marble tub fed by a waterfall is featured, plus a pool, guest cottage, horse facility, and caretaker’s house.
7. The Diva, Inspired By Martha Reed
Fashion designer Martha Reed (1922-2010) made the Navajo fashion of broomstick skirts and velvet shirts with silver buttons celebrated worldwide as the Taos style. Concho belts and squash blossoms finished the look. Martha was a true diva, hosting lavish, fashionable parties for Taos society.
Inspired by Martha Reed, The Diva features a king-framed bed with luxury bedding, a sitting area for two, an adobe wood-burning fireplace, and Southwest décor. The chef-prepared gourmet breakfast and luxury turn-down service are exquisite.
Martha moved to Taos in 1953 and later opened her famous Martha of Taos Dress Shop next to the Historic Taos Inn. For the next 38 years, the fashion maven of Taos designed and sold her broomstick skirts, cotton and velvet “Navajo tops,” and dresses that established the Taos fashion trend. There was no question that Martha was an independent spirit and threw many soirees.
The Doel Reed Center in Taos is an educational center in the former home of Martha’s father, Doel Reed, founding chair of Oklahoma State University’s art department and famous printer. Martha donated the home commemorating her father’s art and legacy.
Whichever room calls your name, you can book your Palacio de Marquesa stay here and get inspired for your time in New Mexico with all our New Mexico recommendations here.
