Los Poblanos Historic Inn: New awards for Albuquerque’s historic lodging

The appeal is simple. In a world of massively marble reception areas, 24-hour concierge service and liveried valet parking, local and unique are gaining appreciation. Why do cookie-cutter when you can have organic produce grown mere yards from the kitchen, the intoxicating scent of freshly distilled lavender oil, and even the antics of a goat named Periwinkle.

Los Poblanos Inn & Organic Farm, included on the National Register of Historic Places, has just been named one of "Fodor's 100 Hotels," for 2011, a designation given to the top 100 "best in category" hotels in the world.

Los Poblanos was the only New Mexico property to win an award and was, in fact, one of only twenty-nine properties in the United States, in any category, to be so honored by Fodor's.

Now privately owned by the Rembe family, the 25-acre inn and organic farm was designed in 1932 by the region’s foremost architect, John Gaw Meem, creator of the unique Santa Fe Style. With historic architecture, antiques and exquisite examples of colonial and legendary New Mexico craftsmanship by wood carver Gustave Baumann, painter Peter Hurd, tin artist Robert Woodman and photographer Laura Gilpin, the property has a unique artistic heritage.

Today guests find their way to Los Poblanos for an environment that includes wide open space, an unparalleled view of the Sandias, innovative locally sourced food and, inevitably, a sense of having reached a place of calmness and tranquility.

Each of the guest rooms, decorated with a sense of understated luxury, boast the Inn's own toiletries made on-site with organic essential oil distilled from fresh lavender grown in the fields just yards away.

In the last few months, the Inn has celebrated the completion of property additions that include an additional twenty guest rooms, a saltwater pool, additional conference facilities, an exercise room, even more gardens and an expanded Farm Shop.

This historic property also received another honor. It was recently selected by Condé Nast Johansens Guides as a "Recommended Property."

Johansens Guides include luxury, boutique and country house hotels; inns; resorts; luxury spas; and venues for meetings and events. Los Poblanos Inn and Organic Farm in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque joins the ranks of castles in Scotland and exotic spas in the Indian Ocean.

If you can't stay at the Inn, you can enjoy a taste of the luscious food of Los Poblanos at home with the Blue Corn Pear Muffin recipe.

Blue Corn Pear Muffins

1 Cup Blue Corn Flour
2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 3/4 Cups Sugar
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1/2 Pound Butter (Melted and Cooled Slightly)
2 Extra Large Eggs
3/4 Cup Whole Milk (Or Half and Half)
2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Small Diced Pears

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using the pan grease, grease the muffin tins well. Sift the dry ingredients into a mixer bowl. Turn on machine to low and the melted butter, add the remaining wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the pears. Fill the muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes

Although the onsite restaurant La Merienda is just for guests, Los Poblanos also offers shopping, cooking classes, and special dinners.