Inn of the Turquoise Bear

The Inn of the Turquoise Bear occupies the home of Witter Bynner (1881-1968), who for decades was a prominent citizen in Santa Fe, actively participating in the cultural and political life of the city. Noted as a poet, translator and essayist, Bynner was a staunch advocate of human rights, especially of Native Americans and other minorities. Bynner's rambling adobe villa, constructed in Spanish-Pueblo Revival style from a core of rooms that date to the mid-1800's, is considered one of Santa Fe's most important historical buildings. With its signature portico, tall pine trees, magnificent rock terraces, and gardens filled with lilacs, wild roses, and other flowers, the Inn offers guests a bucolic retreat close to the center of Santa Fe. Bynner and Robert Hunt, his companion of more than 30 years, Fireplace in the Great Roomwere famous - or infamous - for the riotous parties they hosted in this house, referred to by Ansel Adams as 'Bynner's bashes.' Their home was regarded as the center for the gathering of the creative and fun loving elite of Santa Fe and visitors from around the world (the Santa Fe counterpart of the Mabel Dodge Luhan home in Taos).

The celebrity guest list of the Bynners included D.H. Lawrence (who spent his first night in an American home in this house), Willa Cather, Ansel Adams, Igor Stravinsky, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender, Aldous Huxley, Clara Bow, Errol Flynn, Rita Hayworth, Lynn Riggs, Christopher Isherwood, Carl Van Vechten, Martha Graham, Robert Oppenheimer, Georgia O'Keeffe, Bynner House circa 1927Mary Austin, Willard Nash, Thornton Wilder, J.B. Priestly - and many others.

Ralph Bolton & Robert Frost, the owners of the Witter Bynner Estate, have faithfully restored this magnificent property. Their goals - as innkeepers and as custodians of the home and land that Bynner loved - are to rekindle the spirit of excitement, creativity and hospitality for which this home was renowned in the past, to protect, restore and extend the legacy of its famous creator, and to provide their guests with the experience of a unique setting that captures the essence of traditional Santa Fe. They look forward to the privilege of serving as your hosts during your visit to Northern New Mexico.