Acres of wooded grounds for a city pup to sniff and explore and even the kitchen is not off limits (a delicious breakfast is included—freshly baked muffins, organic eggs from the Lodge’s chickens and organic coffee from a coop in Mexico.

Owner, Catherine Wanek bought the Lodge in 1988 and continues to upgrade and improve the property (featured on Amazing Vacations).

Wanek is a devoted pet lover—my pug was greeted by her canine hosts, Buddy and Charlie and all things environmentally conscious and green are her domain. We slept in one of the historic rooms (originally built in the 1880’s as a hotel for local miners) with panoramic views of the Black Range Mountains and pepper trees surrounding our private balcony and woke to the crowing of the resident rooster.

Wanek’s Mom, Betty just opened an art gallery/shop featuring local artisans, in the 1880’s original Percha Bank— complete with the original safe—and never broken into despite the fact that outlaws like Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were visitors to Kingston during the town’s peak silver mining days.

Free Wifi, free games and extensive library of New Mexico history, free use of phone (cell phone reception is poor) and non-chlorine Hot Tub.

Historic Hillsboro (the neighboring former gold rush town) is 9 miles away and boasts quaint shops and a popular cafe.

Room rates start at $79, including breakfast and use of the guest kitchen.