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Hotels Overview

In Santa Fe you can ensconce yourself in quintessential Santa Fe style or anonymous hotel-chain decor, depending on how much you want to spend -- the city has costlier accommodations than anywhere in the Southwest. Cheaper options are mostly on the southern reaches of Cerrillos (pronounced sah-ree-yos) Road, a dreadful, traffic-clogged strip. Quality varies greatly on Cerrillos, but some of the best-managed, most attractive properties are (from most to least expensive) the Holiday Inn, the Courtyard Marriott, and the Motel 6. You pay more the closer you are to the Plaza, but for many visitors it's worth it to be within walking distance of many attractions. Some of the best deals are offered by B&Bs -- many of those near the Plaza offer much better values than the big, touristy hotels. Rates drop, often from 30% to 50%, from November to April (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas).

In addition to the usual array of inns and hotels here, Santa Fe has a wide range of long- and short-term vacation rentals, some of them available through the Management Group (866/982-2823. www.santaferentals.com). Rates generally range from $100 to $300 per night for double-occupancy units, with better values at some of the two- to four-bedroom properties. Most have fully stocked kitchens. Another route is to rent a furnished condo or casita at one of several compounds geared to travelers seeking longer stays. The best of these is the luxurious Campanilla Compound (505/988-7585 or 800/828-9700. www.campanillacompound.com), on a hill just north of downtown; rates run from about $1,400 to $1,800 per week in summer. Another good, similarly priced bet is Fort Marcy Suites (505/988-2800 or 888/600-4990. www.fortmarcy.com), on a bluff just northeast of the Plaza with great views. The individually furnished units accommodate two to six guests and come with full kitchens, wood fireplaces, VCRs, and CD stereos -- these can be rented nightly or weekly.