A Lesson Learned in Taos . . .

I decided to spend a couple of days in Taos, New Mexico, enjoying the spring scenery. Taos, about a two hour drive from Albuquerque, is known primarily as a ski resort. However, it is also a lovely year-round getaway with great restaurants, galleries, and oodles of southwestern style. It is here that I learned a good lesson that I will pass on to other travelers. I booked a room at the Hotel Don Fernando De Taos, one of the better hotels in Taos, and got a rate of $78 per night from priceline.com (a total of $90.00 per night including fees). Of course, since I booked with Priceline I assumed that I had the lowest possible rate. After all, William Shatner, the "Priceline negotiator" makes it so! To my surprise, upon checking in, I learned that had I booked directly with the hotel, the rate would be $62.00 per night. What happened to my rock bottom priceline.com rate Mr. Shatner? As Spock would say, "This is illogical!"

The hotel concierge told me something that I will always do from now on. Before going through Priceline or any other hotel online booking service, check the hotel website first. And, call the hotel to see if there are any special rates you can take advantage of. Finally, compare that info with the rates on the online hotel booking websites. Great advice! The money I could have saved by booking directly would have bought two nice dinners!

By the way, a quick review of the Hotel Don Fernando De Taos (Taos, New Mexico). The hotels' reception area, lounge and restaurant have an impressive adobe architecture and decor. However, the rooms do not carry that romantic southwestern style. They are clean and spacious (as least the room I'm in, #205), but look like typical mid-level hotel chain rooms. The furniture barely qualifies as southwestern style. My dream of being surrounded with rustic adobe inspired bedding, furniture and artwork was deferred. Still, it is a clean, comfortable room. I'll be posting more photos of my Taos visit soon on ABQStyle.com!

The photo above, from an earler visit to Taos, show a sample of the warm adobe style architecture in Taos.