Casa Saudade · Taos, New Mexico

Casa Saudade is not your typical vacation rental — and that's entirely the point.

Perched at 8,000 feet at the top of a mountain canyon, this off-grid Earthship sits high above the Taos mesa with 180-degree views and a solitude so complete you can hear the hummingbirds' wings. Unlike most Taos Earthships, which sit flat on the desert floor, Casa Saudade is nestled into a forested mountainside — pine trees, Russian sage, bees in the garden, and a quiet so deep that naps become non-negotiable.

An Earthship is a lesson in sustainable living as much as it is a place to stay. The home collects rainwater for all its water needs, runs entirely on solar power, and maintains a comfortable temperature year-round through passive solar design, woodstoves, and natural ventilation. Off-grid here does not mean primitive — we've created something warm, considered, and genuinely luxurious within these earthen walls.

The layout is one open, flowing space — kitchen and dining area open to the living room, a loft nook above, and a queen bedroom at the end of a short hallway alongside the bathroom and a built-in desk. A round king bedroom is contained just beyond as well. Note that the interior walls don't reach the ceiling, meaning every space is private but open to the air above. It feels unusual for about ten minutes and then it feels completely right — even freeing.

Outside, the patio is lined with Russian sage buzzing with bees, the views stretch across the valley, and the surrounding landscape is steep, wild, and beautiful. Wildlife is a real presence here — bears included — which is why we ask that no food or trash be left outside.

This home has a feeling. Guests write books here, reconnect with themselves, put their phones down, and remember how to just be. There is something here — a source, a quiet magic — that is easier to experience than explain.

Good to know before you book: The home is accessed via 10 minutes of dirt road at the top of a mountain canyon — remote by design. 4WD is required in winter and spring. Plan on one trip to town per day and then settling in — that's the rhythm of this place and part of what makes it special. Wi-Fi is available and workable; AT&T has slightly better reception than Verizon. Two parking spots in the driveway — no street parking. Children and anyone unsteady on their feet should take care in the outdoor areas, which are steep mountain terrain.

Organic used where possible. The cleaning supplies are green. If you're part of the earth, you might as well be kind to it.

Sleeps 4 · 1 queen bedroom · 1 king bedroom · 1 bathroom · Off-grid · 4WD required in winter · Dogs welcome