My favorite thing in Albuquerque, New Mexico is the enchanting organic farm known as Los Poblanos Inn. It’s just 15 minutes from the airport and in the heart of the city, but it feels secluded and far away. The drive down the tree-lined entrance is like an escape into another world. I was transported to a rustic haven, a universe where everything moves a little slower, where things feel saturated with authenticity and raw beauty.

The Farm

When people hear the words “Los Poblanos” they often think chili peppers, but it actually means citizen, or the people, and it’s about nourishing the community. Los Poblanos Inn is a soul feeding blend of old school farmhouse and modern luxury. Fuscia roses growing against a backdrop of adobe and cobalt blue sky are just the beginning of the eye candy at Los Poblanos.

It was love at first site as I made my way to check in through a hacienda style courtyard adorned with ristras (strands of chili peppers), a soothing turquoise blue fountain shaped like a star, and cozy places to sit and enjoy a drink. You’ll probably even see a peacock walk by at some point, as there are two males living on site; one is pure white and both are unfazed by people and will saunter by within a couple feet of you.

Room

Walking into my Farm Suite, I felt like a kid in a candy store taking in the impeccable design. A tall-whitewashed wood ceiling creates a sense of spaciousness while two leather chairs and a tweed couch offers a cozy a seating area enhanced by an adobe fireplace. The bed is extremely comfortable with luxurious butter soft organic cotton sheets. White barn doors slide open to reveal a fridge and beverage area stocked with organic coffee and tea, snacks and a French Press instead of the standard coffee pot. Bathroom amenities are fabulous non-toxic body products like lavender-infused soap made with lavender from the farm.

Every last detail, from the light fixtures (all on dimmer switches) to the choice of fabrics and hardware, has been chosen with great care and lends to the atmosphere. The flower print on the curtains, the charming artwork, the big bathtub and cool light bulbs in the bathroom–all this stuff is like a drug to a design aficionados like me.

Grounds

The grounds are full of comforting surprises like little mosaics, stunning views, and a porch swing. Next to two silos is the Farm Shop, a charming little boutique full of earthy stuff like rustic wooden cutting boards, cedar soap, block print tea towels, shaving brushes, craft chocolates, and things made from the farm, like the lavender soaps and other things with a farm vibe.

There are plenty of places to picnic at sunset and catch the show that the Sandia Mountains put on each night. “Sandia” means watermelon in Spanish, and the mountains are named for their pinkish red glow that occurs during sunset from the light bouncing off the granite faces.

Wednesday through Saturday Los Poblanos serves up a farm to fork dinner at the restaurant, but the rest of the week you have to fend for yourself. There are restaurants nearby and a co-op right up the street filled with delicious organic foods perfect for a picnic. We feasted on local cheese and bread with fresh pesto and veggies, then had yummy organic brownies and chocolate pecan chip cookies from the bakery for dessert.

Los Poblano has complimentary bicycles—and not just any bikes, but my very favorite–Electra Townie cruisers that you can use whenever you like. They also offer helmets and locks so you can take the bikes off property grounds. The co-op and other places to grab a bite are well within range. Alternately, you can do a bike tour with Routes, which we enjoyed immensely.

Pool

I love a hotel that allows me to swim laps. Even more, I love a salt water pool, which Los Poblanos (of course) has. The atmosphere by the pool is calm and quiet with umbrellas and loungers. I swam my laps in the morning, then enjoyed a farm fresh home cooked breakfast out on the patio.

Food

Everything is organic and excellent–the coffee, the cream, the free-range eggs and cornbread–it’s an organic foodie’s dream. I wasn’t there on a night they were serving dinner, so I missed that this trip. But I will be back, this is one of those places that you just have to visit again.

You can eat indoors or alfresco on the cute little patio surrounded with bright pink rose bushes. There’s really nowhere you can go here and not be surrounded by beauty.

From Los Poblanos, you are just a quick cab ride from the train station. You can rent a car, but if you’re staying at the farm, you don’t actually need one between the taxi from the airport, bicycles, and the Rail Runner, which you can hop all the way to Santa Fe, which is exactly what we did. Los Poblanos is a magical destination and if you’re ever in Albuquerque, you have to go. It’s right up there with my favorite places I’ve ever been.