Hospitality
Western Hospitality at Concho Hills Guest Ranch
Hospitality has deep roots in the ranching traditions of New Mexico and the American West. In a country where neighbors were often miles apart and help could be hours away, hospitality was never just a courtesy—it was part of the infrastructure of rural life. Roads, horses, windmills, fences, and neighbors all helped people survive. Some were made of wood and wire. Others were made of relationships.
Evenings were a time when the day's work was done and people gathered around the table. News and stories were shared, friendships renewed, and comfort found in good food thoughtfully prepared and a place to rest before the next day's activities. Hospitality was so highly valued on the frontier that it became a moral obligation. Offering food, water, and shelter to a traveler was simply the right thing to do, and a family's reputation was often measured by the warmth of its welcome.
Western hospitality was about more than meals and shelter. It provided social sustenance in a land where distances were great and neighbors few. Through hospitality, strangers became friends, friendships became communities, and communities endured.
That tradition still shapes life at Concho Hills today. While the West has changed, the values of welcoming travelers, sharing a meal, lending a hand, and treating guests like friends remain an important part of ranch life.
Dining at Concho Hills
Gathering Around the Table
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are served western family-style, around a cozy table or tables, where you can get to know the other guests and share stories of the day's adventures.
We are not a buffet-style food service. Meals are prepared for our guests, and whenever possible we accommodate dietary restrictions, food allergies, and strong dislikes. Since the nearest grocery store is more than 140 miles away, we ask guests to let us know their needs before arrival so we can plan accordingly.
While our menus remain rooted in western and New Mexico traditions, guests are often surprised by the quality and variety of the meals. From hearty ranch breakfasts to prime filet mignon grilled to order, enjoy the comfort of home cooked meals and conversation.
Marilyn's cooking has become one of the most frequently praised parts of the Concho Hills experience.
Sundowners and Evenings
It's a tradition around these parts... to relax on the porch or sit in fornt of the fireplace after chores are done. Soak in those amazing New Mexico sunsets.
Note: "While we don't sell alcohol, you are warmly invited to bring your favorite wine, beer, or spirits. We’ll happily provide the ice, mixers, and chilling setups so you can relax on the porch and watch the New Mexico sunset."
Our Favorite Compliment
One night after dinner we were all sitting around the table trying to tie a popular, but complicated, neckerchief knot known as the Buckaroo Knot.
At first, no one was successful and what is even harder than tying the knot is trying to explain how to tie it. But everyone was having a good time trying and teasing the other when they yelled "I got it" only to have the knot fall apart. As each were becoming successful, they would cheer on and help the others. Eventually the dad said to me in private: "This was worth the whole trip. We never take time to all be together like this after dinner." Yep! That is what Western Living and hospitality is all about.
After supper, perhaps around a blazing campfire, we can share stories of the day’s activities, entertain each other with our personal experiences and talents, or just enjoy a little bit of star-gazing in the evening sky.
Comfortable Lodging
Although many say our ranch setting is so pretty, they'd sleep under the stars. However most prefer a to take a bath/shower, then sleep in a comfortable bed in one of our private climate controlled guest rooms.
Branded Doors
Firstly, you will notice is that the doors of our guest rooms are branded, some with local ranch brands. This room is the “bar B”.
Why do ranchers brand cattle?
So we can tell, at a glance, which ones are ours and which ones are our neighbors. Seeing as how they pretty much all look alike.
* All rooms are non-smoking and all bedrooms have a spectular view of the plains and distant mountains, to the west.
Antique Furnishings
In keeping with our “turn of the 20 th century” feel, our guest rooms are furnished with antiques. Several pieces are over a hundred years old. But on the other hand, we do have modern conveniences to go along with furnishings from the past. Each room has its own heating and air conditioning controls, modern toilets, and plenty of LED lighting.
Each Room is Unique
Each of our guest rooms has its own style.
Although the bed headboards and frames are antique, subsequently we converted them to hold modern, comfortable queen-size mattresses. Two rooms offer twin beds.
Ensuite Bathrooms
Each guest room has a private ensuite bathroom with skylight to brighten your mornings. Rooms have either a spacious, tiled, walk-in shower or two rooms are equipped with a tub-shower combination for a nice soak for easing those sore riding muscles.
Central Laundry Facility
Pack light, bring fewer clothes. A washer/dryer is available for guest use. In the laundry facility we also have an exchange library and chairs for outside use.
The Ranch House
A few steps away, the adobe ranch house is always open for your enjoyment.
Relax around the fireplace, listen to western music, and socialize with other guests and staff.
The coffee is always on!
Furnishings
Much of the furniture in the ranch house was built before 1900.
Besides being comfortable and interesting, there is an added benefit to antiques: No matter how young, or old, our guests may be, there is always something in the room that is older!
Western Library
How do we know the orgins and what western hospitality was like? Our western library can take you back to that more rugged time… unfiltered through the lens of our modern culture. Curl up with a good book, join those who settled this land so very long ago. Relax your tired muscles.
We specialize in books written in or about the area.
At Concho Hills, hospitality means more than providing a room and a meal. It means sharing our home, our traditions, and our way of life. You'll leave with more than photographs. You'll leave with new skills, greater confidence, a deeper understanding of horses, and a greater appreciation for the people, history, and traditions that continue to shape ranch life today.
At Concho Hills, you arrive as guests and leave as family.
Contact Us:
Still have questions or want to know more? Contact us and let us give ya a hand.