travel_addict: I just secured casitas for santa fe on vrbo and some for taos at primer taos vacations. I think I found a new way to "travel"! Hope they are good experiences. I'll let you know.

Yes, Maria, please report back. I would love to find one *really* close to the plaza.

jane1973: I will, but i'm not going until november...

Congrats Maria! I've never had a bad experience yet with VRBO and I love feeling like I'm staying in a home instead of a cookie cutter hotel. Typically when I use VRBO, I 'interview' the owner and ask a lot of questions. If I have any inkling of a bad gut feeling, I don't rent from them. Always listen to your gut!

The Eldorado is a lovely hotel and conviently located. You'll do fine there. If you want to check others, you might try La Fonda or Inn of the Anasazi, though they may be pricier.

For restaurants, try El Shed for New Mexican and Geronimo and Santacafe for nice dinners. We also like Bistro 315.

You might want to drive to Chimayo, see the Sanctuario and have lunch at the Inn.

If you like pottery and linens, there is a great store a few blocks from the plaza. It has wonderful provencal linens and Italian and very high end Mexican pottery. I think it is called the Clay Angel and it might be on Lincoln. It is a wonderful store.

I ate at the Mineshaft over New Year's. It's quite a place with great character and "characters". The hamburger was OK. The maragarita was great.

Enjoy, annieladd

We haven't been to Santa Fe in many years and I imagine the changes since our last visit are staggering! One of the main reasons I would like to return is to tour the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. Since you enjoy art museums, this might be something you would like to do.

http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

AFter more hotel researching I decided to cancel Eldorado, there were just too many mixed reviews. I have since booked the Inn of the Governors, whicih seems to get more consistently good reviews. I liked the idea that parking is free and breakfast is included there. I also wanted a place with a pool, in the plaza area with hopefully a little Santa Fe charm. I hope this hotel fits the bill.

Is Inn of the Governors the place with all the flower boxes hanging from railings on the east side of the building? If so, I think you'll like it.

We were in Santa Fe last fall for four nights, and decided to book four nights again this fall. My mission this year is to find the perfect margarita, best chips, and tastiest salsa. Lotsa work to do! Especially to find something better than the charred tomato salsa at Ore House, overlooking the plaza on the SW corner.

My wife has other ideas. ;-) There were a couple stand-out meals last year, but the only restaurants names I can remember of those is The Shed and Pink Adobe. This year, Geronimo is on the list.

Have fun!

beachbum, in your margarita quest, check out Maria's. Then be sure to post your "best" list!

Maria's, another place to add to the list. Thanks jayne, and will do.

Any special plans for your trip this August?

Beachbum-- Just planning the usual plaza- wandering, farmers and flea markets, exploring new things that pop up and of course eating! Plus there's a big arts and crafts festival in the plaza the first weekend in August. I think we'll add in a trip to Taos this year...haven't been in a while. Someone on this board said they had a best meal of their life at a restaurant there. Now for the life of me I can't remember the name of the place! I figure it was either Joseph's Table or Doc Martin's.