Very Good Fest
September ✷ 2023
New Mexico
A weekend of friends, music & memories.
Having friends as an adult isn't always easy, especially when we all live across the country. After two weekends of seeing friends in a row, we asked ourselves: what would it look like if we had time on the calendar every year to see everyone together?
Enter Very Good Fest — an annual weekend retreat to come together and be with our best people.
Goals
✷ Keep it affordable — cheaper than regular vacay
✷ Choose a new location every year
✷ Make it easy to attend (near a major airport)
✷ Some structure + plenty of time to hang/relax
Fest Details
Location
Airbnb in New Mexico
Taos/Angel Fire area
Each couple will have their own bedroom and share bathrooms. Should have kitchen, hot tub/porch, etc.
Dates
TBD September 2023
Thursday to Monday (4 nights)
Transport
Fly into Albuquerque
Take rented van as a group to Airbnb
Return to ABQ for Monday flights
Activities
Hiking
Mild weather and gorgeous scenery for accessible hikes
Ojo Caliente
A magical hot springs
only an hour away
Music
Very Good Fest live recordings, anyone?
Brunch + dinners
Home-cooked meals
with friends every night
Costs
Lodging
Airbnb | ~ $350 total, per person
12 adults
Transport
Flight | ~ $150 to 400 average/RT
Vehicle rental | ~ $75 per person
May be more cost-effective to rent 2 to 4 cars instead
Food
Budget ~ $100 for groceries + booze
Flexible based on cooking at home vs. restaurants
Activities
Ojo Caliente Spa | $45 to 65 per person
Day pass from 10 AM to 10 PM:
locker and towel, dry sauna, steam room, and showers
All costs listed are totals! Not per day.
Subject to availability, obviously
Lodging Options
Woodland Castle ✷ Angel Fire, NM
6 bedrooms and 6 bath; 11 beds total. Large double-decker porch, spa bathrooms, hot tub, and gorgeous custom-designed interior. Out in the woods!
View Listing
Ski Chalet ✷ Angel Fire, NM
6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths; 11 beds total. Some beds smaller than others. Hot tub, huge porch, game room, fire pits, and massive dining table for meals together. Out in the woods!
View Listing
Sky Lodge ✷ Santa Fe, NM
6 bedrooms and 4 baths; 9 beds total. Upscale artist home in the heart of Santa Fe, close to many activities. Wood-burning fireplace and fully stocked kitchen.
View Listing
Booking
Step #1
Get a head count — who's coming?
Step #2
Video call to choose + book Airbnb
50% due at booking
50% due ~2 months before
Paid via Venmo
Step #3
Follow-up call to coordinate cars + flights
Total $ due at booking
What to pack
Clothes
Most of the Airbnb options have a pool or a hot tub, and there will be many hiking options nearby. It can also get cold at night, even though it should be mild and likely sunny during the day.
✷ Hiking boots
✷ Swimsuit
✷ Party outfit (for goodbye dinner + photo!)
✷ A good jacket
Other stuff
New Mexico tends to be pretty strict about masking even in the post-vaccine era, which is a good thing! Expect to wear one if we go into any indoor businesses or restaurants.
✷ Instruments
✷ Games
✷ Camera
✷ Lotion (desert!)
✷ Masks
Very Good
Fest
Email
verygoodfest@gmail.com
Social
#verygoodfest