Hotel St. Bernard
The future of the Hotel St. Bernard
Jean Mayer helped solidify Taos Ski Valley’s place as a world-class resort, and all those who met him, skied with him, or stayed at the Hotel St. Bernard were graced with his warmth and passion for the sport and the mountain.
Although Jean is gone, his legacy will live on.
As Jean wanted, the Hotel St. Bernard will continue for generations with the same unique spirit, soul, rituals, and traditions Jean carefully created. We’re thrilled to share the vision for the future of this famed hospitality experience.
F.A.Qs
Why does the existing hotel need to be torn down?
After 60 remarkable years, the original building is unfortunately beyond repair, Structural, civil, and electrical engineers have performed reviews and have deemed the building to be significantly out of code compliance, structurally unsound, and at the end of its operational life. Closing this chapter of the Hotel St. Bernard is incredibly sad. However, the unique spirit, traditions, and rituals of Jean Mayer and the Hotel St. Bernard will be retained in the new build, per Jean’s wishes, in a structure that is more long-lasting and durable for generations to come.
What is the timeline for construction and reopening?
Interior dismantling has already begun, including a painstaking archiving that will allow us to recreate a replica of the dining room and bar in the new build – utilizing the same hearth, the same timbers, and placing art in the same places on the walls. Demolition will begin in summer 2022. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 with an estimated opening in late 2025.
How will the new Hotel St. Bernard be different?
First, let’s focus on everything that will be the same: the traditions and rituals, the sense of hospitality and community that the Hotel St. Bernard has always been known for, will always remain. Taos Ski Valley purchased the Hotel St. Bernard in 2021 at late owner Jean Mayer’s request. At that time, Taos Ski Valley committed to Jean that the Hotel St. Bernard would always retain its history and unique spirit, while creating a revitalized home for excellent cuisine, friendly slopeside lodging, and incorporating the Taos Ski Weeks.
Situated on the same ski-in/ski-out parcel, the Hotel St. Bernard will still have one of the area’s best decks, which has been a popular casual lunchtime and après ski spot for skiers and riders. As it was with Jean, cuisine and dining will be core to the Hotel St. Bernard. There will be three food & beverage options that pay homage to Jean’s French cuisine: a bar and lounge, a rebuild and replica of the original dining room, and a fine dining experience.
Inspired by French alpine architecture, the design will retain the European chalet style Jean chose for the original St. Bernard. Emulating Jean’s native French ski villages, there will be two new chalets adjacent to the hotel that will offer a handful of larger suites for families and groups. The new build will also include aqua-therapy and wellness offerings.
How much bigger will the Hotel St. Bernard be, versus the original?
The original Hotel St. Bernard had 27 rooms, the future Hotel St. Bernard will have 57 rooms comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom options.
Which vendors will be working on the build? Are they local to New Mexico?
Albuquerque-based general contractor Bradbury Stamm will lead construction. Bradbury Stamm is run by Cynthia Schultz and is the largest woman-run general contractor in the state.
Nationally recognized architecture, planning and interiors firm Hart Howerton are the lead professional firm who couple their expertise with Beatrice Rosenthal of Alpine Creation.
Will the reopened hotel create new job opportunities?
Yes; because the property will be larger than the original, we anticipate it will generate a number of new local employment opportunities. We will have more specifics on hiring and total positions available once construction is fully underway.
