Santa Fe

Sure, there’s a Marriott and a Hilton in Santa Fe, but for a real flavor of the southwest try staying in locally owned and operated lodging that is offered on all levels.

 

If you are looking for the utmost in a luxury hotel and are willing to pay the price, the Inn of the Anasazi located in downtown Santa Fe can accommodate your every need. This hotel’s atmosphere, located half a block off of the plaza, delights customers with flagstone floors, vigas, oversize cacti and even hotel workers with Navajo accents, creating an environment reminiscent of an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling. But the hotel is not primitive in its furnishings. To its guests the Inn offers a library, new exercise room, spacious guest rooms with pearl-finished walls and four-poster beds, in-room massage, kiva fireplaces and even humidifiers to protect those not used to the dry air. The hotel was built in 1991 so the accommodations are new, quiet and comfortable, but don’t expect sweeping views from your room. There is a restaurant on-site that serves Southwestern cuisine as well as a concierge, laundry service and room service. In the off-season (January and February), rooms are priced at $205 - $405 a night. During peak season (June – December) rooms are priced at $295 - $475 a night.

 

The Water Street Inn is also located close to the plaza – four blocks away – and is an award-winning inn housed in a restored adobe building. The rooms are decorated with Southwestern art, books, Mexican-tiled bathrooms, antique furnishings and even kiva fireplaces for a real Southwest experience. Balconies and terraces can also be found off of most guest rooms. If you need a little extra space, there are four suites that are elegant and contemporary in their furnishings and even open up to private patios with fountains. Not all guest rooms are carbon copies of each other, each have their own decorative flair, so if you have special preferences talk with the staff to see which room best suits your needs or preferences. In addition to the regional décor, guests can partake in happy hour where quesadillas and margaritas are served each afternoon. There is also an extended continental breakfast sure to give you a great start to your day. To stay at the Water Street Inn, expect to pay between $100 and $250 a night, and keep in mind that children and pets are welcome with prior approval.

 

If you are interested in a quieter accommodation, consider Dos Casas Viejas, which means “Two Old Houses.” These elegant guest rooms are located on a meandering brick lane behind two old wooden gates. Furnished with Southwestern antiques, original art, fine linens and down comforters, the guest rooms each have a private entrance and private patio. Breakfast is served each morning, and guests can also take advantage of the outdoor pool, library and dining area. Rates for Dos Casas Viejas range from $195 - $295 a night.

 

If your budget does not allow for one of these luxury hotels, Alexander’s Inn offers perfectly adequate accommodations at a lower price. With rates starting at $85 a night, guests can enjoy “one of the most romantic inns in the Southwest” as declared by Glamour magazine. The Victorian house built in 1903 sits in a residential neighborhood and has ten guest rooms and five cottages on the grounds. There is an extended continental breakfast and afternoon tea and cookies.