a one night stay under $100 before heading to the Hyatt Tamaya Resort and Spa for the weekend.

when? That makes a lot of difference.
Deb

Oops. Forgot about that little detail. February.

Do you just want a clean, basic place?

http://www.garrettsdesertinn.com/

rates:
January 1 - February 29
$69 - $99 One Queen Bed
$79 - $109 One King Bed
$79 - $109 Two Queen Beds
$89 - $119 Mini Suite

Nothing fancy, but it would work for your dates.
Deb

Thanks Deb!!! I'll check out the link. May be what we're looking for.

Deb,
I posted another question and forgot I had this one out there and could have added onto it.

Anywho, curious about your opinion on Hotel St. Francis versus El Rey Inn. Which would you suggest?

I am sorry, but I really don't know these places to give you any valuable input. I used to live in Albuquerque, so I didn't stay in SF hotels.

I did have a friend who stayed at Garrett, which is how I came to suggest it to you.

I have asked Beachgirl to help here, hopefully she will be on soon. She's the SF expert!
Deb

Hi Lori, As mentioned Garrett's is very close to the plaza and is on the lower end.

El Rey is not walking distance to the plaza but is an old motor inn that has been redone and is very cute. Prices may be under $100 since Feb is low season.

Hotel St. Francis is an old-world style hotel in the plaza area -- and conveniently located across from Cafe Pasquals who serves the best cafe mocha anywhere as well as fantastic food. At St. Francis rooms are basic and small -- some really small -- but it has a nice restaurant for a quick muffin and coffee. You are walking distance to anything in the plaza area. Rates are usually very low for this place.

Our last experience with Garrett's was a very bad one (two dirty rooms and a poor manager) so for me I would choose St. Francis over Garrett's and the location is a smidgen better.

That's why Sheila is the go to gal for SF!!
Deb

{Thanks Sheila!!}

Thanks so much Sheila! I've gotten more comfortable with the fact that we've booked St. Francis. Since we'll only be there for a day and a half before heading south. There are tons more good reviews than bad, so that's got to stand for something, right? Thanks again!

St. Francis is a good choice! And the only thing more important than choosing your hotel is choosing your restaurants of course!

Have a great trip!

(Thanks, Debi! See you in San Francisco!)

Hey there,
I'm posting from my cozy room here at Hotel St. Francis. It is quite small, but for $66 I'm in no way complaining. Actually, as soon as we walked in my hubby remarked "this reminds me of a room in Europe." It really does. It's odd because it feels really comfy to be in a bed-and-breakfast type room with a blend of Asian, Victorian, and French decor, if you can imagine that. I'll post a report when we return but just wanted to let you know that my concerns were quelled. Great greeting by the front desk attendants, all three of them. Ok. Let me stop before I flow into a full blown trip report! LOL
CDG

Just read my own post. What I meant was it feels odd to be so comfortable in an eclectic room like this in the middle of Santa Fe, considering it's totally not Southwest decor. Didn't finish that thought.

Happy Valentine's Day by the way.

Glad to hear the St. Francis worked out for you, ChicagoDallasGirl. It does remind me of a hotel in Europe as well. Small. Quaint.