Entire home

Bright Star Casa in Arroyo Seco half way between Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley

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January 2025

Photo gallery for Bright Star Casa in Arroyo Seco half way between Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
View from property
Outdoor spa tub
Unclassified image, 4 of 39, button
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 14279 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
El Prado, NM
  • Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area
    7 min drive
  • Kit Carson Park
    14 min drive
  • Aceq
    3 min drive
  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional)
    16 min drive

Room options

About the area

Taos

Located in Taos, this vacation home is in the mountains, within a 10-minute drive of Rottenstone Pottery and Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area. .This family-friendly vacation home is 10.1 mi (16.2 km) from Taos Ski Valley and 3.1 mi (5 km) from Carson National Forest.

What's nearby

  • Kit Carson Park - 14 min drive
  • Taos Pueblo - 15 min drive
  • Taos Mountain Casino - 15 min drive
  • Taos Plaza - 15 min drive
  • Earthships - 16 min drive

Getting around

  • Taos, NM (TSM-Taos Regional) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪KTAOS Solar Center - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Sabroso - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Medley - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Farmhouse Cafe and Bakery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Toribios - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Bright Star Casa in Arroyo Seco half way between Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley

----- 3 Bedrooms / 3 Full Bathrooms / Courtyard, Patio, Deck, Covered Portal / 3 Fireplaces / Sleeps 10 -----

Bright Star Casa is in the Arroyo Seco/Des Montes area on a high mesa with wrap-around mountain views.

Located half way between Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley, it is 9 miles to the plaza and 11 miles to the lifts, making it ideal for a vacation at any time of the year.

This property has spectacular 360-degree views of the Taos area mountain ranges and the desert plains to the west. In the distance, one can see the Rio Grande rift.

Bright Star sleeps 10: 6 in three Bedrooms plus 4 on comfortable cots plus 4” mattresses.
The optional Casita sleeps an additional 4 in beds and 2 on cots, and includes a second kitchen/living area. To rent both the Casa and the Casita, search for #4634634, sleeps a total of 16. Cots can be set up in anywhere in both Casa and Casita.
A 7- person, 16-jet hot tub has a great view of the mountains to the East, and there is ample parking for 12 or more cars. There are 2 covered car ports under the 440 square foot partially covered Casita deck. It has a kiva fireplace and offers spectacular 360-degree views of the entire Taos county mountains and plains.

The property occupies two and a half acres of land and has a lovely acequia (irrigation watercourse) which winds through the property. When the acequia is running, which is early spring into late summer, there is a small pond on the south end that is separately fenced for the benefit of the horses which frequently graze there.

The observatory on the property is operated remotely over the internet and images from the observatory are on the walls. High definition digital copies of these images are free to guests. This is a perfect location with very dark skies for you to bring your own telescope.

Bright Star Casa is a southwestern-style stucco 3000 square foot, one story home with traditional Taos blue-trimmed windows. Arroyo Seco and neighboring Arroyo Hondo are charming ranching communities with historic roots in the Spanish Land Grant system. The Casa is within walking distance to Arroyo Seco on a rural road which passes an old Penitente cemetery and the back of Julia Roberts’ 50-acre ranch.

This spacious adobe hacienda was built in the mid ‘90s of hand-made adobe blocks covered with stucco. The resulting 12” thick adobe walls provide excellent insulation summer and winter and keep inside temperatures relatively cool in the summer. (Summer temperatures in Arroyo Seco average 4 degrees cooler than temps in Taos.) The house features Spanish colonial corbels and lintels, romantic arches, flagstone, brick and timber. The ceilings are roughhewn logs, called vigas, layered with pine slats, called latillas. The radiant-heated floors are Saltillo tile.

On the exterior, the 3000 square foot house features a 500 square foot courtyard off the long hall, portals (covered entrances), and a kitchen patio with a kiva fireplace and a dining table for 6.
House guests also have use of the 400 square foot deck attached to the Casita which includes a Kiva fireplace and spectacular 360-degree views of the entire region. They also can use the 2 car carport under the deck.
Bright Star Casa sleeps up to 14, with 2 king bedrooms and a bedroom with 2 twin beds which can also be made up as a king, plus 8 cots with 4" mattresses.
The 8 folding mattresses (4” thick) with cots sleep up to 8 adults or children. The cots that hold the mattresses are "Byer of Maine Easy Cot", the best cot on the market. They measure a spacious 78" x 31" x 18" and are rated for a 330-pound person. They are easy to set up in 30 seconds. The picture gallery includes an image of a cot with mattress. These are amazingly comfortable to sleep on. They of course include a pillow with full set of linens. Two bedrooms have an en suite bathroom. The third bathroom is accessed from the hall for the convenience of all the guests.

Other Amenities (available in both the Casa and Casita):
3 HD flat screen televisions, two in the Casa, a 60” in the spacious living room and a 50” in the Master Bedroom. The Casita has a 60” in the living room/kitchen. 23 local channels and 110 internet channels are available over the high-speed fiber optic internet service. Programs include YouTube TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Peacock, providing a wide range of live sports, news, movies, TV Series, music and other entertainment.

The fiber optic internet also provides excellent WIFI connectivity throughout the Casa and Casita.

The Casa and Casita each have their own internet phone providing land-line quality phone service with unlimited free incoming and outgoing calls throughout the US. The cell phone coverage from most of the providers in the Arroyo Seco/Des Montes area is usable but not always reliable.

At night, guests enjoy starry skies over the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range. Bright Star is ideal for families and groups desiring to be together under one very Southwest roof for a true Taos experience!

Option for live music entertainment:
Billy Archuleta - Soloist Extraordinaire!
Music styles - Country Rock, Spanish, Blues, Gospel, Bolero, Reggee
Music for any occasion, Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, Social Gathering, etc
Contract rate: $150/Hr.for first two hours, $100/hr after that.
Contact Info: wilparc54@yahoo.com (email) or 575-779-0109 (call or text)
Please contact at least 2 weeks in advance, thank you


Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private furnished patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. A flat-screen television with Netflix is provided, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a spa tub or take in the view from a garden.
Guests will find features like wireless internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Jerry Macon

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Pool/Spa

  • A hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a carport and a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Coffee grinder
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services
  • Video game console
  • Books
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Furnished patio
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Snow sports gear
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Smartphone data usage (unlimited)
  • Unit size: 3000 sq ft (279 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher 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

Bright Star Casa in Arroyo Seco half way between Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christian L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay
I wouldn't hesitate to stay at Jerry's place again. It is clean, well stocked, and spacious. Highly recommend !
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kara M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent home!
This property was amazing!! Beautiful location and very comfortable beds. Communication with the owner was fantastic and he even showed us his telescope when he was there for a few days. Would highly recommend this property if you will be in the Taos area.
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

LeAnn S., Fort Worth, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Star Gazing and Mountain Views!
The views of the mountains and night skies make this home unforgettable. It is conveniently located away from the hustle and bustle of Taos, but not too far out. Everything was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed. We loved the pictures of the galaxy from the owners observatory on the property - so cool!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sourav S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Experience!!
Location : The property is located in a very scenic backdrop with close access to amenities. Aesthetic: House decor is absolutely gorgeous and so very well planned . Interiors are just what you need for a vacation with friends and family. We loved it . Host : Jerry was super kind and always a ping /call away and ready to help and accommodate in best way possible. Thank you so much Jerry for having us . We had a great time and created memories of lifetime . A great start to 2022 . Happy New Year !
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Steve H.

Great location to explore north of Taos
4 adults stayed in the house, which was in a very quite neighborhood (great for sleeping!) Very convenient for exploring and hiking north of Taos. Nice hot tub, large and well equipped kitchen, comfortable living room for watching a movie.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rakia R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful spot
We had such a great time and loved the house! Especially loved the night sky views and Jerry’s photography on the walls. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christina C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Interstellar Paradise
Words cannot adequately describe the experience we had Jerry's property. The location couldn't have been better for starters. The house itself was gorgeous, spacious, immaculate and equipped with anything you could possibly need. The fireplace was stocked with wood and the hot tub was a perfect temperature. The pictures of the stars/galaxies/solar system from the observatory on the property was right up our alley as well. I look forward to booking again when I am in Taos for a luxurious getaway! Thank you so. much for making my birthday extra special, Probably the best rental I've ever stayed in.

8/10 Good

Christian R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Taos
Beautiful location, lovely home. Great kitchen for cooking. My child loved the swing out back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth (Brooke) B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great girls trip
Kitchen was well appointed, bedrooms were spacious, the property is quiet and beautiful. Easy access to Taos and instructions getting there were clear. We all enjoyed staying there and would rent again should we be in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie Z., Chicago, IL

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Home
This house is beautiful and the photos/description accurately describe it. We were able to check in early after speaking with the property manager, and the house was in tip-top shape! The space was great for my family - each couple had their own bedroom + the casita. It's beautifully decorated; you can tell a lot of thought went into the design. Jerry's photos from his observatory were awesome and so fun to look at too! The location was very convenient to get to Arroyo Seco, Taos Ski Valley and Taos. We would highly recommend this home and hope to be back one day! New Mexico is such a hidden gem with so much beauty and nature!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anita s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Bright Star
The photos do not do the property justice. Every conceivable amenity is in the house not only in the kitchen but throughout. Thanks Jerry for providing such a special venue for our celebration.

10/10 Excellent

russell g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
Such a wonderful casa and casita !! It had everything we needed, and more, so fully equipped. My daughter used this as a base for her wedding, and the place was perfect. The photographer got so many wonderful photos in the house and grounds. Jerry was very super responsive whenever we had a question, and even sent a plumber over on the saturday when we had a water issue, that was sorted out. I would recommend Bright Star without any reservations at all
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jake M.

Unbelievable Property, Perfect Location
I stayed here with 12 other people and there was more than enough space. Everybody had a bed or cot to sleep in (all extremely comfortable) as well as personal space to unwind and get away for a moment or two. All surfaces were impeccable and the design and layout was attractive. The exterior and space around the property was stunning, particularly at sunset. The kitchen was fully stocked with dinnerware and we cooked several excellent meals. Plenty of seating for lounging and dining. Amazing outdoor spaces, including a large courtyard and an elevated patio. All-in-all, an outstanding spot for large groups. We skied two days and went out for dinner and drinks in Taos one night. Highly recommend and hope to be back soon. Thank you Jerry!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kendall M.

Great home! Very nice for large groups.
This was a beautiful home with a lot of space. We had 4 families stay comfortably.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nicole B.

UNM Intern Retreat
Everything was great our interns really loved your home!

10/10 Excellent

Andrew M., Virginia Beach

Perfect!!
This is perhaps the best VRBO accomodation I have ever stayed. Very well provisioned and all needs are thought out to include firewood, cookware, gas grill, reading material, Amazon Prime and Netflix. Ideally situated between Taos and Taos Ski Valley making for easy drives (15-20 minutes). Highlight for us was sitting outside enjoying fire in Kiva fireplace listening to the coyotes howl under the star-lit sky. Thanks Jerry!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Thad W., United States

Spacious, Gracious, Bodacious
Wonderful place for a family reunion. Slept 16 easily. Lots of space. Lovely and comfortable home with well-stocked kitchen. Plus spectacular astrophotography on the walls.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth A.

Walking into the house you felt that you came home
I am trying to find enough superlatives to describe the casa and casita and the joy and happiness we experienced during our stay. I rented both for our yearly family reunion because our nuclear family lives in so many different parts of the world. These two weeks together in the summer help the grand children to get to know each other and the adults to reconnect. The house and casita are simply magnificent. Even if you are a large group there are so many spaces to be peaceful, have private talks and then the living room is family time. We were watching the World Cup together - a first in so many years. Jerry and Carol are wonderful hosts and Sondra is incredibly helpful. We encountered a few problems and talked to Jerry even though he was traveling in Europe and were able to resolve everything expeditiously. Being able to talk to the owner of a house you rent is simply invaluable. I hope to come back in the future and am praying for rain, as I promised when we visited Taos Pueblo and talked to residents there.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nancy H.

Our week at Bright Star Casa was nothing short of wonderful.
We have stayed in a number of great properties over the years, and can heartily endorse Bright Star Casa. The four bedroom, four bathroom layout was perfect for our party of eight, but would be great for much larger groups. We would like to thank Jerry for allowing us to use the home. With two kitchens and two living areas, it had all of the necessary equipment for a very comfortable stay. We particularly enjoyed the outdoor patios, second floor deck, and the hot tub. The rural location of the home was perfect for avoiding larger crowds in Taos itself, but was an easy drive to all of our destinations. This really was a great home away from home. Sincerely, the Hodgsons
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Courtney W.

Amazing property!
The house was perfect for accommodating a large group. Everyone enjoyed their stay! The house was open/roomy, and the views were amazing! We hope to go back in the summer to enjoy the outdoor space. The cabin actually had enough parking for how big it was! This is usually a problem when we take a group somewhere. The owner is easy to work with and very responsive. Overall, we loved the property and hope to stay again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sue D.

Best stocked house we have ever rented!
We were totally happy here! This was a great place and the housekeepers do a great job! This was the best stocked house we have ever rented! It was also awesome that the owner called to check on us.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Pete F.

First class
Spacious and comfortable adobe house on one floor with adjoining 2 story casita. Beautifully furnished and equipped with everything one could want or need.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Lydia S.

The absolute best house I've ever stayed at!
I sought out this property for a girls weekend, and I could not be more pleased with absolutely everything with this house. Any inquiry (very few) I had, I emailed with the host and he was VERY responsive. Everything that we needed, the house had. The decor is absolutely beautiful and the multitude of common areas makes for a fantastic weekend friends or family getaway. The locations is great, you're off the beaten trail while still being close to everything you need. I could not speak higher of my experience here! We all gushed the entire weekend of how perfect it was. Highly HIGHLY recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Nancy F.

NICEST vacation rental we have ever stayed at!!
This was the nicest vacation rental that we have ever stayed at. Our family of ten had ample room with 3 king-sized bedrooms w/bathrooms for all of the adults. The house is well-stocked with everything you could possibly need for a stay. We enjoyed the hot tub and 3 outdoor patio spaces with incredible views. The location was a short drive to Taos and also Taos Mountain. The house was beautifully decorated and the beds were super comfortable. We will definitely be back for another visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

A quiet and spacious retreat
Perfect for our company get-away.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017