TAOS, N.M.—Casetta Hotels has launched Hotel Willa in Taos, N.M., marking the brand’s first property outside California. Situated near the Downtown Taos Historic District and framed by views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the 50-room hotel reinterprets a 1960s adobe-style motor lodge through a contemporary design lens.
Designed in collaboration with Los Angeles-based architecture and interiors firm Electric Bowery, Hotel Willa combines traditional Southwest architectural elements—such as terracotta walls, wood vigas, and adobe details—with a modern aesthetic characterized by a neutral, earth-toned color palette. Public areas include a gallery-style lobby, a pool deck landscaped by local studio Etvernal, and a retail space curated by Santa Fe’s SOTE.
The property incorporates artisanal craftsmanship, handwoven textiles, bespoke furnishings, and locally sourced artworks. Guest rooms offer features like kiva-style fireplaces and private patios with mountain views. An original adobe residence on site has been preserved and adapted into interconnected suites.
Hotel Willa also highlights sustainability by partnering with the nonprofit Taos Initiative for Life Together (TiLT). The project includes parking lot walls constructed from 2,000 pounds of repurposed plastic waste, demonstrating the use of recycled materials in building infrastructure.
The hotel’s dining concept, Juliette, is led by Chef Johnny Ortiz-Concha and designer Maida Branch of SIEMPRE Design. The menu emphasizes local ingredients, seasonal dishes, and Indigenous culinary traditions, reflecting Ortiz-Concha’s Taos Pueblo heritage. The restaurant is named in honor of Ortiz-Concha’s mother, and the space features ceramics made by Taos-based artist Logan Wannamaker.
“Opening Juliette is deeply personal for me—it’s a way of honoring the land, my ancestors, and especially my mother,” Ortiz-Concha said. “Every dish reflects the soul of northern New Mexico—its bold flavors, history, and the generosity of its people.”
Hotel Willa offers programming intended to connect guests with Taos’ cultural and natural environment. This includes an Artist in Residency program in collaboration with The Paseo Project, a 2,000-square-foot gallery space featuring rotating exhibitions, and communal areas designed for socializing and contemplation.
Santiago LaRoche, general manager of Hotel Willa, described the property as “a retreat for design-minded travelers and a cultural touchpoint for the local community.”
Casetta Hotels, known for adaptive reuse of historic buildings, plans additional openings in 2025 in Big Bear Lake and Silver Lake, Calif., and a property in Hudson, N.Y., in 2026. The company also intends to introduce a members’ club offering access and perks across its portfolio, including Hotel Willa.
