High in the Lincoln National Forest, five miles north of Ruidoso, is Alto, where you’ll find beautiful Holly Haven. Your neighbors will be wildlife such as deer, chipmunks, and maybe even some wild turkey. It’s the perfect location for a family or friend getaway 7,300 feet above sea level. No wonder the unincorporated town is named Alto, which means high in Spanish.

Holly Haven is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom air-conditional home that sleeps up to 10 comfortably. The large home with vaulted ceilings in the main living area is a jewel designed with creature comforts and relaxation in mind.

Take the stairs from the large driveway area up to the sprawling deck that leads to Holly Haven’s main entrance. You have plenty of space to park lots of vehicles.

When you enter Holly Haven you’ll feel instantly at home in the great room that’s open and airy with lots of windows and sliding glass doors that lead out to the deck overlooking the forest. Comfortable couch and large armchairs provide the perfect place to watch the TV with cable and a DVD player. It’s fun to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy a movie as you listen to the wood-burning fireplace crackling right beside you.

All year, except during the coldest months of winter, you’ll probably spend many pleasant hours on the deck dining around the outdoor table, enjoying a cup of coffee, or sipping an evening cocktail as you listen to the sounds of nature. Nothing else quite smells as good as a pine forest.

There’s also free Wi-Fi within Holly Haven. Even though you are in the forest far from the hustle and bustle of home, you’ll be able to share photos and play games on your iPad, phone, or laptop.

Biking, hiking, fishing, and golfing can build up hearty appetites in the crisp, invigorating mountain air. Fortunately, you have a fully equipped kitchen where you can make hearty stew, chili, or whatever your group is craving. You’ll find a full complement of cookware, utensils, and serving ware in your Holly Haven kitchen. You also have a gas grill out on the deck where you can sizzle up some steaks or burgers for your hungry group.

Right beside your dining table for eight sits a wet bar where you can serve drinks for your group before dinner. If more than eight are in your group, three additional guests can be seated at the nearby breakfast bar. Of course, you’ll probably want to dine outdoors on the deck where you can enjoy nature while you share stories about your day in the mountains.

Also on the main floor you’ll find the master suite and a guest bedroom with a crib in case a small child is part of your party. The master suite is a true retreat from the world with king-sized bed, vaulted ceilings, fireplace, and comfortable armchairs where you can sit and enjoy the fire. You also have private access to the deck so you can slip out and view the millions of stars in the mountain sky. It’s hard to imagine the stars you can see when you are high in the mountains far away from city lights. The night sky’s beauty is something you’ll never forget.

The master bedroom and main floor guest room connect through the large bathroom shower. Each room has its own vanity, toilet, sink, and large dressing area, but the Hollywood-style bathrooms share the shower, which is accessible from both sides.

The remaining three bedrooms are located downstairs, each with its own private bathroom. Vacations go so much smoother when guests have their own private bathrooms. There’s no hassling for a turn in the shower. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting around the breakfast bar enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Holly Haven downstairs has a four-top table that’s perfect for card and board games. You also have a ping-pong table in the garage where you can challenge each other to a tournament.

Your laundry room can be found on the lower floor too. No matter how dirty your party gets during their day of play in the mountains, you can keep everybody in clean clothes without having to drive to a Laundromat. There are no time-wasters like that when you stay at Holly Haven!

Holly Haven is the ideal destination for your next family reunion or friend getaway. Start planning now and select your preferred dates to visit. A wonderful mountain adventure awaits you when you turn into Holly Haven’s picturesque and forested driveway. Please remember that Ruidoso is a mountain town with snow and icy conditions during the winter. This can affect driving and parking conditions regardless of the property, driveway, or roads.