ringerlu

My partner and I are considering a honeymoon at Inn at Loretto the first week in December. We want to spend the week being pampered at the spa, but also enjoying the city. We've tentatively ruled out La Posada. Any thoughts on Santa Fe in winter and esp. Inn at Loretto as a honeymoon spot?

ringerlu

Still need help with this if anyone has experience with Inn at Loretto, Santa Fe in December, etc.

ringerlu

Back to the top....

Strive

Ringerlu,

We've stayed at the Inn at Loretto three times around New Year's and really enjoyed it. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, it's in a great location (in between the Plaza and The Canyon) and the hotel itself is beautiful.

This last New Year's we decided to try something different and ended up staying at the Inn on the Alameda--which we also enjoyed very much. The Inn is smaller and more intimate (more of a B&B feel to it) and offers amenities such as a breakfast buffet and afternoon wine and cheese, however, you really couldn't go wrong at either place.

I would say if you feel like a full-service hotel with tons of atmosphere--and a great location--you'll really enjoy the Loretto.

Strive

Marianna

The Inn at Loretto is lovely. as Strive has said. It is located not far from the Plaza (walking distance) and near many restaurants and shops. We stayed there about 3 years ago and really enjoyed it. However, I did not try the spa. La Posada is also very nice - it was renovated a while ago. We stayed there prior to renovations so I can't comment on it. Friends in SF recommended 1000 Waves for the spa experience.

Santa Fe is very special in December - the Plaza is all lit up with lights and many houses and buildings have luminarias. We have been there many times both in winter and summer. Each season has something special to offer a visitor to SF.

Wherever you stay, you will find Santa Fe just beautiful, especially in winter.

Best wishes to you.

Strive

Topping for ringerlu.

ringerlu

So helpful! Thanks to both of you!

mei

Have been to Santa Fe many times. I don't care if the hotel has a spa because we go to 10,000 Waves...about 15 minutes out of downtown Santa Fe. It is wonderful!!!!

ringerlu

Last time topping, I promise.

Tandoori_Girl

New Mexico can be unpredictable in the winter. It can be either freezing cold or unusually warm. But either way, my opinion is that there is nothing more provocative than the wonderful smell of pinon logs burning that fills the winter air in many New Mexico cities. Does the Inn at Loretto have fire places? I've never stayed there but I stayed at a B&B that had the fireplaces. We're from Florida and we don't have a fireplace at home. Anytime we're in a winter spot with a fireplace we're like kids in a candy store. So you may want to include this in your plans if you're interested in getting cozy in front of a kiva fireplace. Especially if it happens to be one of those really cold New Mexico winters.

The luminarios at Christmas time in Santa Fe and Albuquerque are spectacular but I'm not sure if they will be out the first week of December. Maybe someone else knows for sure. I wish I had more experience with the hotels there to recommend one over the other. I'vestayed at an unknown B&B and the St. Francis Hotel. The B&B had a fireplace in the room but it wasn't particularly noteworthy.

Strive

Tandoori Girl,

I'm with you--the aroma of pinon logs adds greatly to the overall ambience of the Santa Fe experience. To answer your question, however, the Inn at Loretto does have fireplaces. There is a large wood burning fireplace in their beautiful lobby-lounge and many of the rooms are equipped with kiva fireplaces. It's really a nice place!

Strive