When in Albuquerque

By Amber Groce

When you think of New Mexico, you probably think of mountains for skiing, Native American casinos or adobe houses. These strike as complete opposites from the hip, urban Austin lifestyle. If you find yourself traveling to Albuquerque and need a little taste of home, settle in at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.

Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm is an urban bed and breakfast in Albuquerque. The 25 acres of Los Poblanos Ranch was reassembled by Albert Simms and Ruth Hanna McCormick, both with a political background. The couple hired John Gow Meem, a famous architect who was known as the “Father of Santa Fe Style.” The property hosts the first swimming pool built in Albuquerque, although it is not functional now. Armin and Penny Rembe now own the property and are committed to the preservation of the open space, agriculture, acequia irrigation and historic preservation of the houses and gardens.

Los Poblanos was a model experimental farm in the 1930s and 1940s – it was home to herds of purebred Guernsey and Holstein cows which gave life to Creamland Dairies. Today, the farm raises organic produce, organic lavender and honey bees. The inn hosts “Field to Fork” events like cooking classes, farm tours and education on farm-life skills like beekeeping and gardening.

The organic lavender plays a huge role in Los Poblanos. Grosso lavender is grown on property because the varietal needs less water – perfect for the Albuquerque climate. The inn makes a line of lavender toiletries like lavender salve (Penny Rembe’s recipe), body wash and hand soap. They also offer cooking lavender in the Farm House boutique.

Since it is a bed and breakfast, breakfast is included in the room rate during your stay. Guests can walk to the main dining room that is adorned with flowers from the property, farmhouse tables and large windows for plenty of sunlight. Grab a self-serve coffee, orange juice or organic house made apple juice before finding a seat inside or on the patio. You’ll have the option of two daily specials or the traditional house breakfast – two eggs any style, sourdough toast and crispy bacon. When I dined, the daily breakfast specials were Corned Beef Hash (two eggs any style, onions, farm potatoes, beets and house cured corned beef) or Los Poblanos Shakshouka (two eggs poached in a spiced tomato stew atop chickpeas with blue cornbread and feta cheese, served with a flour tortilla).

Get a taste of home at this comfortable bed and breakfast in the heart of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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