In the high desert of Northern New Mexico, Hotel Willa marks Casetta’s debut in the American Southwest. Thoughtfully integrated into the landscape and local culture, the boutique property brings the brand’s signature design-forward approach to the historic town of Taos.

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Design that honors heritage while embracing the now

Tucked at the edge of the Downtown Taos Historic District and framed by views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the 50-room retreat reimagines a 1960s adobe-style motor lodge with a reverence for place and a contemporary sensibility. 

Earth-toned minimalism is paired with rich cultural storytelling and features an Artist in Residency program and on-site gallery, developed in collaboration with local arts nonprofit The Paseo Project.

“Hotel Willa is our love letter to Taos; a town with a creative pulse and cultural depth unlike anywhere else,” says Santiago LaRoche, general manager of Hotel Willa. “This project gave us the rare opportunity to breathe new life into a historic property while channeling the layered identity of the region, from its modern art legacy to its ancestral roots. As Casetta’s first outpost beyond California, Hotel Willa is both a retreat for design-minded travelers and a cultural touchpoint for the local community.”

Juliette opens with heartfelt cuisine and ancestral influence

Hotel Willa’s culinary centerpiece is Juliette, a restaurant led by acclaimed chef Johnny Ortiz-Concha and Maida Branch of SIEMPRE Design. The menu draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, offering a deeply rooted and modern interpretation of Northern New Mexico cuisine.

Juliette celebrates the extraordinary beauty and nurturing energy of the matriarch, and is named in homage to Ortiz-Concha’s mother, who lived just beyond the hotel for much of her life. 

Bread for the table is home-baked by Ortiz-Concha’s younger sister, Allysa Ortiz. 

The menu unfolds like a conversation between inheritance and modernity, wild-foraged herbs steep into broths with the cadence of ritual. Coal-roasted vegetables, pulled from the hotel’s edible garden, share space with nose-to-tail preparations that reflect a deep respect for the entirety of the animal. Heirloom staples, many sourced from nearby farms and ranches. Communal by design, meals are meant to be shared: delicate small plates of calabacitas and chile-honey glazed proteins give way to heartier fare. 

Desserts lean rustic and ingredient-driven, while the beverage program offers low-intervention wines, small-batch spirits, local brews and an elegant array of non-alcoholic options, from herbal remedio teas to house-fermented sodas infused with medicinal plants.

Food is served and plated on ceramics made by Taos-based, Logan Wannamaker. 

Immersive stays that connect guests to Taos’ creative spirit 

Hotel Willa reimagines a 1960s adobe-style motor lodge through the lens of contemporary design, marking a striking new addition to Casetta’s portfolio of adaptive reuse properties. 

Conceived in collaboration with Los Angeles–based architecture and interiors studio Electric Bowery, the property pays quiet homage to the vernacular architecture of the Southwest, think hand-troweled terracotta walls, original wood vigas, arched thresholds and sculptural adobe details, while layering in a modern sensibility. 

A gathering place for celebration, creativity and connection

Public spaces include a gallery-style lobby dotted with foraged, flowering branches, a serene pool deck landscaped by local studio, Etvernal, and The Store at Willa, a retail destination curated in partnership with Santa Fe-based SOTE. 

Artisanal craftsmanship anchors the aesthetic: handwoven textiles, bespoke furnishings and curated local artworks breathe texture and authenticity into every corner. 

Guest rooms continue the narrative, with layouts that prioritize both character and comfort, some featuring kiva-style fireplaces, others opening onto private patios with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. An original adobe residence has been thoughtfully preserved and reimagined into a set of interconnected suites, marrying historic charm with understated luxury. 

The property invites guests to slow down and sink in, offering a curated array of experiences, including a serene pool and hot tub edged by desert flora; a contrast therapy circuit of sauna and cold plunge and fire pits that flicker to life at dusk.

To learn more, visit hotelwilla.com.