Though The Painted Horse Retreat is nestled among towering Ponderosa pines, it’s hardly your typical cabin in the woods. The three-bedroom home is furnished in beautiful contemporary fashion and includes all sorts of modern conveniences, including an outdoor hot tub, two decks with rocking chairs, HDTV and free Wi-Fi.

When you drive up to Painted Horse Retreat, the first thing you’ll notice is the bucolic setting. The home is surrounded by woodland. The second thing you’ll notice is the large upper deck with rocking chairs to take in the mountain views. If you reel in any fish from trout-stocked Alto or Grindstone Lake—each of which is about 10 minutes away—you can cook them out here on the gas grill before savoring them among the pine-fragranced mountain breezes. Perhaps most pampering of all is the hot tub. When you return from a day of hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding, a soak among its massaging jets of water will soon have your tired muscles feeling as good as new.

The interior of The Painted Horse Retreat is no less inviting. With a plush sofa, roomy armchairs and elegant decor, the living room lets you unwind in comfort and style. There’s a game room as well, where the whole gang can kick back on the loveseat and bar stools to watch a movie on the flat-screen TV. The game room is also equipped with a pool table and tons of games and puzzles, making it the perfect room to hang out in and play with the kids, surf the web or relax. If you're eager to stay in the outdoors, the game room has an exterior door that leads out to a beautiful stone walk way, taking you directly to the hot tub with a shaded seating area, all with a beautiful view of the mountains

When it’s too chilly to eat out on the deck, take your meals indoors at the dining table, that seats eight with elbow room to spare. There is laos another table in the same area that seats 2, along with a breakfast bar that seats two. Just off the dining room is the kitchen. Its sparkling stainless-steel appliances and wealth of cookware and tableware might have you eager to get cooking. If not, there are numerous nearby restaurants serving everything from steak to enchiladas to pizza.

Painted Horse Retreat’s three bedrooms ensure that everyone gets a great night’s sleep. The primary suite includes a sumptuous king-size bed and has its own private bathroom. With a king-sized bed, the second bedroom is nearly as luxurious. The two upstairs bedrooms each has their own ceiling fans. The third bedroom, with a pair of double beds, is perfect for the kids. Each bedroom has its own flat-screen TV for nights when all you want to do is relax! There is even a queen sleeper sofa bed for 2 more guests.

When you arrive at The Painted Horse Retreat the beds will be beautifully made up and you’ll find more than enough clean towels for the bathrooms—no need to bring your own. In fact, you can pack especially light, as the house has its own washer and dryer.

With room to park four, there is plenty of space available to whoever might join you. Painted Horse Retreat is close to myriad attractions. Nearby Alto and Grindstone Lakes are surrounded by numerous trails for hiking, mountain-biking, and horseback riding. Just a bit farther are the Hubbard Museum of the American West, Ruidoso Downs horse track and the Inn of the Mountain Gods and Billy the Kid casinos. Downtown Ruidoso, known for its art galleries and artisan shops, is just a 10-minute drive from The Painted Horse Retreat, and Ski Apache is little more than a half-hour away.

Because there’s so much to see and do nearby, you’ll never be bored. But after an action-packed day, you’ll relish returning to the serenity, comfort, and ease of Painted Horse Retreat. Experience its pleasures for yourself; book your stay today.

Please Note: Because Ruidoso is a mountain town that gets its share of snow and ice in winter, a vehicle with four-wheel drive or tire chains is recommended in winter.