In the marvelous old city of Santa Fe, Ira and Sylvia Seret, internationally-known importers and creators of unique and exotic architectural elements, rugs and antiques, decided to take an ancient, dilapidated collection of buildings and create a hotel. The 24-suite hotel opened in 1996, and from the beginning the Inn was a magical and fanciful retreat, furnished with near-eastern treasures and antiques that the Serets brought back from their travels. Sylvia Seret designed the fabulous mosaic tile-work for the suites' kitchens and bathrooms. The Garrett Hotel Group managed and transformed the service of the hotel from 2002 to 2009, and, in honor of the inn's exotic, sensuous, luxurious atmosphere and its many Afghan and Tibetan artifacts, chose a name that referenced the five "graces" of Tibetan culture - sight, sound, touch, smell, taste. The Garrett Hotel Group expanded upon the original vision of the property by building upon the service, cuisine and accommodations at The Inn of the Five Graces, to create a truly world-class hotel. Twenty-four guest rooms and suites are each individual, mysterious and deeply luxurious. One holds the sunlight like honey in a bowl; one is built of local river stone and hand painted Afghani beams. Intricate tile mosaics bejewel the walls. The suites wind around on themselves, leading from room to hidden room, from bed to sitting area to patio and back again. Ceilings are thatched with woven straw, thick beams were carved by hand hundreds of years ago. Treasures from the East are everywhere; richly-colored throws, jewel-toned carpets, carved sideboards, gleaming candelabras. Each room is meant to rejuvenate the spirit with a surfeit of beauty.
