Calling Ellen-dil-pickle and Debit, Help!!
 

Hello ladies, and anyone else that is familiar with the Santa Fe area.

I'm really having a problem trying to make up my mind where to go for Christmas this year..( see other post on Christmas).
I don't usually have such a hard time making up my mind.
BUT, I will be on my own.. and I really would love to spend the holiday in Santa Fe. BUT others have suggested Las Vegas and my heart is also pulling at me to repeat a successful Christmas in NYC ( the first on my own).

Here is the problem. Because of other trips planned, I'm on a budget....and will only be there 5 days. I don't really want to spend the money to rent a car..
Soooo, am I better to leave Santa Fe for another time when I can spend more time and money? Also, I live near Toronto, so the cold weather does not bother me... but someone has suggested I could run into snowstorms. Not fun anywhere. I know no one can predict, but how likely is a snow storm, do you think?

Thanks for any advice.

Hi kodi!!
You can do Santa Fe without a car if you are planning to stay around the plaza area. You will need to take a shuttle from ABQ to get you up to SF - it is about 1 hour drive time.

A bigger concern to me would be IF you could find a hotel around the Plaza that would fit your budget. Christmas time can be expensive.

You can enjoy restaurants, museums, art galleries in Santa Fe if you can get yourself located near the plaza. Rooms will be cheaper the farther from the plaza, but getting to the plaza will be costly.

Email me directly if I can be more specific.

Debi

Debi, thanks so much for the quick response.
I do have more questions now.. Let me do some research and I will email you.
I usually have good luck with Priceline, but it might be a different story at Christmas.

Is Chicago too cold for you??? I love it in the winter.

Hi Sharon. Chicago is definately a place I want to visit, but I think when it's a bit warmer. SInce I've heard it's windy, it might feel colder at Christmas.
Thanks for the idea.

Santa Fe would probably be less expensive than New York, though, as Debi said, hotels aren't cheap. There is a motel called Garrett's Desert Inn on Old Santa Fe Trail - it's within easy walking distance of the Plaza, and it might be a good choice for you.

You won't need a car; it's a fairly small city and there are buses if you want to go up to Museum Hill.

It will definitely be cold, but I don't know if there will be much snow.

One perk, though - if you come to Santa Fe, we can get together and compare New Zealand pictures! :-D

Lee Ann

Mr. Pickle just reminded me that we had a huge snowstorm over New Year's which pretty much shut everything down this past January, but that was one of those record-breaking "perfect storm" things, and the chances of it happening again this year are pretty slim.

Lee Ann

Hi Lee Ann. Oh it's good to hear from you.
You guys are the best.
It's sounding better and better all the time.
Thanks so much for the info.
I sent an email to Debi and she has sent me some websites to look at.

I'm out the next couple of nights.. so will do some studying on the weekend. Then I'm sure I'll have more questions.I'll check out Garrett's. As long as I can walk to the Plaza, I'll be ok.

More later, after I do my research.

You both are already helping me make this decision.
Ahh, and the New Zealand pictures. You ARE trying to sway me.

I should have been in bed hours ago.....

>>Ahh, and the New Zealand pictures. You ARE trying to sway me.<<

Why, yes, I am! :-)

Lee Ann

LeeAnn, it's working!!!

Please drop me an email if you have a chance, so I have your email address. I don't seem to have it anymore.
[email protected]

kodi, Santa Fe in the winter is magical! I was there for the huge snowstorm that shut down I-40 and the highway into Santa Fe. It was like no other visit we've had there (and we've been going 17 years!) But that doesn't happen often at all but we were very happy to have arrived just in time before all the snow came.

There are several hotel choices in the plaza area that I've checked out and they are all under $200/night for stays over Christmas. Here is the websites for info:

www.allseasonsresortlodging.com
for Camas de Santa Fe, Dancing Ground of the Sun and Fort Marcy Compound. All of those are walking distance to the plaza.

Hotel St. Francis, located in the plaza, has rooms under $200, in fact one for $149/night. That's an incredible rate for the location and over Christmas!

www.hotelstfrancis.com

As LeeAnn mentioned, Garrett's Desert Inn has a great location.
www.garrettsdesertinn.com

I will add my photo link later when I take another break from packing!

Have fun planning and feel free to email me.
Sheila

Thank you so so much. Debi told me you were the expert!!!
I'm just heading out the door to go to work, but I'll be in touch later.

I have to check flights too, but Santa Fe is sounding better all the time..

Gotta run..
Thanks again..

You're welcome, kodi. No expert but I've been a few times. ;) I can't figure out how to post my pics on PhotoBucket from Santa Fe but when I do I'll post them.

Good, let me know.
I'm still on the run.. going out tonight..
but I do have Santa Fe on my mind!

Santa Fe is definately on my mind!
I bought Loney Planet Santa Fe, which is proving to me that my heart is already going there for Christmas.

Thanks for the great advice, and I'll post as soon as the airfare is a done deal.

Yes the airfare is a done deal. I'm really flying to Santa Fe for Christmas. I'm so excited!!
Thanks to all for helping me decide.
I know it will be great!

Hotel Plaza Real also is near (almost on) the Plaza and has pretty good rates. It's a little rough around the edges, but most rooms have a nice fireplace and sitting area. Enjoy, annieladd

Thank ;you Annie. I will check it out.
Finding a place to stay is next on my 'to do' list!

I've stayed at Hotel Plaza Real, too. Great location! It's next door to Inn of the Anasazi which has a great bar and restaurant. Also, a few doors down the other direction is El Meson, an excellent Spanish restaurant. The room I was in was just fine -- fireplace, small balcony with no city view, and the room was decorated in southwest decor. Not too tired yet.

Real has underground parking but I don't recall exactly how much -- somewhere around $12/$14 a day. To save a few dollars you can park in the public garage for $8/day.

Have fun putting your trip together! We're planning on the 26/27 thru New Year's again. It was just magical last year with all of the snow.

Beachgirl, thanks so much for the tips.
I'm thinking now , to save money, to go on Priceline and stay out on Cerrillos Rd and renting a car.
I've got so much on the go in the next year, I shouldn't even be doing this trip. Oh well, it's booked now!! And I can't wait.

Others may not agree, but I do hope you'll look at saving the money by not renting a car, and finding inexpensive lodging within walking distance of the Plaza. Check out Garretts (it's pretty basic), Plaza Real, Inn of the Governors, and St. Francis, (and maybe some B&Bs) and see if you can't find a place within your budget. Either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself, but if I were alone, and particularly with potentially snowy conditions, I think I would want to stay where the "action" is (such as it is, this is not a late night town). Either way, you're sure to enjoy yourself, but just my 2 cents. Enjoy, annieladd

Hi Annie, I appreciate the advice and I will check the prices of these places.
One reason I'd like to have a car is so I can drive out to visit a pueblo.

I'm not really a night person, and don't care about any nightlife, so don't mind going back to my room and reading after dinner. But I must admit, being in the plaza area would be nice.

kodi, another affordable place to check is Territorial Inn. It's just off of the plaza as well. They also have a continental breakfast and I think it was free parking!

I'm really surprised at how low the rates are for the holiday season! And I do suggest you get a car if it fits into the budget. You can see so much more of what makes Santa Fe special.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've looked at many of the hotels and they all look great. However, most are just not in my budget price range. The Inn of the Govenors is $356 a night!! Way beyond my budget, although it looks lovely.
Garrett's is more like it. I will most likely book there if I don't have any luck on Priceline.
And I agree Beachgirl, a car is a must. I'm so used to having one, I'd be lost without one.

kodi, I put the dates of 23 Dec for 5 nights in the search and all of the hotels I listed are under $200 night. Is it giving you something different? Sorry if I misled you on something.

Our last stay at Garrett's was just that -- our last stay. Dirty room. Dirty sheets and a gross shower. Check it out before you say "yes".

No, no, no Beachgirl, you certainly did not mislead me. I think it was just that one hotel that skyrocketed to $356. The rest were under $200.

I appreciate your help and value your advice.

I will be sure to read all reviews on Trip Advisor too.

I'm thinking of my last night, and that I will probably spend my last day in ABQ and stay the night there. I'd like to see some of that city.
Now to decide which area to stay there.

I can suggest some places in ABQ and things to see and do later today -- headed out shortly.

Debi

Thak Debi. I'm on my way to work, so will be back in the evening.

Cheapy places please...like HOliday Inn Express or something.

You guys are the best.

La Quinta Albuquerque North on San Antonio is coming up at $61 with a $10 bonus coupon. That would be ok. Nothing fancy, but a safe area. Easy to get to airport and to get to places.

These places are near the airport; not sure of your budget for the night. That would help.

Any of these should do. It would put you close to the airport and still able to get to see some things and eat close by.

La Quinta {Stayed there in 2000 for a night, ok}
2116 Yale Blvd SE, (505) 243-5500

Holiday Inn Express -2331 Centre Ave SE
(505) 247-1500 {Stayed there 1 night, was good}

Marriott Courtyard

1920 Yale Blvd SE,
(505) 843-6600 {stayed there a couple of nights, very nice}

Best Western
2400 Yale Blvd SE
(505) 242-7022

Amerisuites
1400 Sunport Pl. SE (505) 242-9300

Homewood Suites by Hilton
1520 Sunport Place SE,
(505) 944-4663

Debi

Debi thank you SO much.
LaQuinta sounds just about right. I like the price.
I don't need anything fancy. ..just clean.
Thanks for listing so many options. I appreciate it.
I'm just heading out, but will check them out later.

Would it be better to stay near the airport area or the North?
I'm seeing one of the LaQuinta on San Antonio coming up at $48 senior rate.
If I try Priceline, should I stick to North and Airport?

The one on San Antonio is on frontage road of Interstate, so ask for a room facing away from it and if they have a room facing east - you will have a view of mountains. A room facing west will give you nice sunset.

I would go with the $48 senior rate.

kodi - did you mean the name your own price part? If so, I am always a bit leary with Priceline and name your own price in airport area -- there are some really cheap ones that I wouldn't stay in. If you are just talking about regular Priceline, then I would do north or airport assuming you pick a decent chain.

Debi

Done!. Thanks Debi.
I'm booked into the one on San Antonio for $48. and I requested an east view away from the highway.
My flight isn't til the aftenoon, the next day, so I'll have lots of time to get to the airport.

I actually did mean Priceline where I name my own price.
I've had excellent luck, but must admit I've only ever bid 4 star in downtown areas.
I'll keep it in mind not to bid for cheaper places by airports. Thanks for that advice.