Planning a trip to New Mexico in December and I have managed to whittle my lodging choices down to the Inn of the Governors or Four Kachinas Bed & Breakfast.
Can anyone give me pros and cons of either. I like Four Kachinas, but not sure if it is worth the extra $$.
Decisions, decisions!
Thanks

We stayed at the Inn of the Governor's several years ago and we had a great time. We could walk to the plaza, restaurants and shops. The breakfast was great-one of the best we have ever had at a hotel. The restaurant at the hotel is also very good-especially for lunch. We were celebrating our anniversary when we were there and the hotel sent a bottle of wine and two wine glasses(with the hotel logo)to our room-I still enjoy using the wine glasses and thinking of our great time at the Inn of the Governor's and Santa Fe.

I haven't stayed at Four Katchinas but I am familiar with it as well as Inn of the Governors. If the decor at Four Katchinas is the same as their sister property, El Farolito, you will love it.

Inn of the Governors will be closer to the plaza than 4 Katchinas (only by a few blocks and one 4-lane street - Paseo de Peralta). It won't have the quaint charm of 4 Katchinas but it is very nice and has nice southwestern decor. It's a nice place to stay and has a fun bar, Del Charro Saloon, which is hopping with locals and tourists alike. They have a delicious green chile burger, too.

Both offer breakfast but have heard nothing but good things about Four Katchinas/El Farolito's. I've not heard any feedback from the breakfast buffet.

We love eating at local New Mexican places so we skip the free breakfasts and head for Tia Sophia's or Cafe Pasquals.

For me personally, Four Katchinas is more charming and I love the rooms and their personal attention. Inn of the Governors is nice, too, but in a different way. For me, it doesn't have the charm of Four Katchinas but the location is better if walking in the winter is an issue.

I meant to add if it will blow your budget to stay at Four Katchinas go with Inn of the Governor's. It's a lovely place to stay and you can save a little $$ to spend on a memento!

Thanks BeachGirl.
I am sure which ever one I pick, I will be thinking "maybe I should have gone with the other place".
I would like to save a little money to spend on some pottery, but I really do like the decor of Four Kachinas, and it has excellent reviews on TA.
Decisions Decisions.

Can you recommend somewhere to stay in Albuquerque?
Thanks.

ABQ - for a few days or before a flight? B&B or hotel?

Deb

We will be driving from Tucson AZ, probably spending 1 night at Silver City, then up to Santa Fe for 4 nights, then ABQ for 3 nights, then back to Silver City for 2 nights, and then back to Tucson.

I am open to either a B&B or a hotel. Suggestions welcome on the itinerary too.

DebitNM - I bought a Fodors guide book and saw your name and comments in there - and I said out loud "I know her from the website" LOL
Thanks much

Ok, now here is the next question - are you willing to try Priceline? I usually get rooms in the $43 a night range.

If so, I can give you some strategies for ABQ.

If you just want to book:

Embassy Suites is very nice, convenient too [just off I25, free parking, must drive to restaurants

Sheraton Uptown is very nice, good location near restaurants, free parking

Hyatt Place Uptown, ditto above

Doubletree Downtown is very nice, but $10 a day to park, close to lots of restaurants etc on Central.

Marriott courtyard near airport is nice, but have to drive to restaurant

B&B - Los Poblanos in the North Valley
http://www.lospoblanos.com/

Sarabande in Los Ranchos/North Valley
http://www.sarabandebb.com/

Bottger in Old Town
http://www.bottger.com/

Deb

I knew Deb would come through for you!

Thanks Deb. I will look into all the places you mentioned.
Not sure about Priceline - I have never used them before.
Thanks again.

Deb - One more question. Do you know anything about 2 more B&B's - Heritage House and Old Town B&B.
Thanks again for your time.

I don't know either. I googled them:
Old Town B&B - I am not too crazy about the area it is in.

Heritage House is in residential area, near one of the major hospitals. It is pretty close to I 25 and there isn't anything in walking distance from it, attraction wise.

There is a great restaurant for lunch [breakfast too, but that seems to be included in B&B] called The Grove. IT is on Central and Walter. We ate there recently for a late lunch and it was excellent. http://www.thegrovecafemarket.com/

The Artichoke Cafe is also near by, for an excellent dinner [we had our wedding dinner there]. http://www.artichokecafe.com/

I will try and check these B&B's out when I am in ABQ next time [mid July, if not before].

Deb

Sorry, looking back at my last reply -- those 2 restaurants are near the Heritage House.

Deb

Thank you so much for all your help.

Do you know another B&B - Adobe Nido?

I also have another question about buying pottery at the various pueblos. Not sure if you can help me with this, but I have no idea if the pottery prices are negotiable or not. Certainly don't want to offend anyone or open my big mouth and put both my feet in!!

Thanks again for taking the time to answer all my questions.

Again, don't know Adobe Nido. Googled it, I have been to the spa they recommend, Betty's Baths. The area is ok to a bit ??, nothing special, nothing awful, very residential. Again, nothing within walking distance

I think that you can indeed negotiate the pottery. I wouldn't haggle like in Mexico, but I think some polite discussion is ok.

Deb

I thought this might be helpful in case you shop for pottery etc at places other than at the pueblos:

http://art-collecting.com/nativeamerican_article1.htm

For more info on pueblos, art, etiquette etc

http://www.itsatrip.org/albuquerque/...etiquette.aspx

Deb

Thanks again Deb, you have been a great help.

I have also stayed at the Inn of the Governers a couple of years ago and we likded it quite a bit. Loved the included breakfast and the location was ideal.