Hello all. I have looked through the posts, and I am trying to put together a first-time trip to New Mexico for the week of Memorial Day. I am trying to see if I can manage the expenses, and the walking - though young, I am hampered by arthritis in my knees. I am looking for itinerary suggestions and weather. There are wonderful posts here on where to eat. I need a modest hotel/motel. Not sure if I may rent a car for 1-2 days. Also concerned that it won't be too hot or too windy, as I read end of May could be in the 90's, the motel I talked to in Santa Fe said they had snow last May. I think I have found good airfare. Here's what I have so far:
Fly in to Albequerque sometime between May 24 -25, stay 2 days there, then catch the train or shuttle to Santa Fe, and stay there for 7 days, with day trips.

One motel I am looking at is on Cerrillos Road across from the Railway Park. They say it is a 15 minute walk to the Plaza, and safe to do to or from at night. Other than asking for a quiet room at the back, any other thoughts on locale?nnn

I am hoping to be able to do slow-paced walks to and around museums, and maybe a few trails, as long as I can sit every 20 - 30 minutes ( I know, it's sad). Most of my shopping would be window shopping, but I love people-watching, and will want to be able to sit out at cafes for meals or drinks.

Can anyone who has visited recently or lives in the area give me a bit of direction/feedback? I already have the time off reserved at work, so hoping to book this week. ( I also reserved time in April).

Thanks!

I had this on preview not sure why it posted. One place I am considering is the Santa Fe Sage Inn. anyone know how it is in 2012 - 2013? I looked up reviews, but I don't know who those people are & I trust my fodorites. Thanks!

Weather - the winds should have pretty much died down by late May. The temps should be nice as well, not likely to be uncomfortably hit. There is a big difference between a NM temp of 90 and a NY (I think that is where you love) 90 - it is a dry heat and yes, it really does make a difference. Snow in late May, not common, maybe in higher elevations/mountains outside of SF, but not really a worry.

It is best to have a car in ABQ though there are busses ( I know that Dayenu from Fodors was here and used public transit) that will get you to most places that visitors will want to see.

Are you going to have a car in SF? A week in SF is a long time without a car. I also would add 2 days to ABQ and take 2 off SF. There's lots to see and do in ABQ too.

I would suggest checking out Inn of the Governors.rices are usually decent and it is right near Plaza area. Walking to and from Sage, might be an issue - especially if you walk back in afternoon to rest and then walk into town for dinner then back after dinner. I would really try to get as close to town as possible for a hotel. Driving is an issue from motel into town as parking is a pain and you could end up walking from parking!

Hi Debit, thank you so much for the quick reply, and your notes. I was actually going to call out to you in my post for your expertise. Also, I had to smile, when I picked up the Fodor’s New Mexico guide from the library, and flipped it open to Albuquerque, on Word of Mouth, page 25, there you were!

From what I was reading, it sounded like I didn't need a car unless I was going to explore areas around Santa Fe. I was thinking of just renting one for 1 or 2 days, unless I find the only place I can rent is out at the airport, I haven’t gotten that far in my research yet.

So it sounds like the week I chose will work. On lodging, sure, I would prefer to be right off The Plaza. While I don’t want to end up in a place that is a dump, I need a modest, neat clean and safe hotel/motel. Inn of the Govenors is a totally different price point, with tax over $200/night. That is beyond my budget for a 10 day trip. I don’t plan to spend much time at the room/hotel.

Could anyone suggest some little places they have stayed in or know someone who stayed in? I have never used Priceline, because I don’t like commiting blind, and that is not cancellable - is that how it still works? I find kayak a LOT to sort through.

Wow, $200 a night for Inn of Governors is high! What is your per night?

Priceline is likely to get you in a place on Cerrillos Rd, not where you want to be - too far to walk and in the middle of strip malls etc.

Let me think a bit on places; would you do a vrbo? Or an AirBnB? I would be happy to check out any place you are interested in, but I won't be home til mid-March.

Debit, is vrbo the apartment rentals? It's just me, so an apt. probably not feasible. You are a doll to offer, and I may take you up on offer to check out logding, but I will need to secure airfare now. Are you saying I should avoid Cerrillos Rd. altogether? I had been concerned that no careful request for " a quiet room in the back" would avoid traffic, revelers, schools or other noise issues.
Governor's Inn had rooms at $179 on up, and tax is 15%. What would be a usual pre-season rate for something decent?

I was hoping to keep to $100- $125/nt, but if I found something at $85 that was cute, I'd be very happy. A friend telling me downtown hotels for $70 on priceline sounds like a gamble to me.

I will take any tips you have on ALB. I have some of your old posts and responses bookmarked. Hope you won't take offense if I post a query on The Lounge, as it gets a lot of traffic as well.
I am open to suggestions!

A lot of the "apartment" rentals in SF are in what are called "casitas" which are often just a studio or small 1 bedroom, they maybe condos in a garden apt bldg setting or in a stand alone ,cottage like setting.

Cerrillos is a very long road and many of the chain motels that are on Priceline end up being on Cerrillos and would not be walkable. I have no idea what the buses are like along there, but I am sure they do run into the Plaza area.

(Since this is really a travel question, it really belongs here, not in the Lounge. It's early in the day, give it a bit of time and others will be sure to chime in. I am only on so early, because I am presently in France. )

Ah! Merci! Vous etes trop amable! J'espère que vous appréciez votre temps là ! ( quel arrondisment?).
I will give it a little while.

(Je suis en Provence for cinq semaines.)

Just steps from the plaza is Garrett's Desert Inn. I haven't stayed there in a while but it has been updated and the location is fantastic. Also, check out Hotel Chime which is next door to Inn of the Anasazi and right off of the plaza. I don't know what their rates are during Memorial day but they are a good value for location and lodging. If you are going to be in Santa Fe for that time period I too, would recommend looking into vrbo for a condo rental. There are so many to choose from, too, and can be more affordable (and comfortable) than a hotel. Ft. Marcy has affordable lodging and is walking distance to the downtown area. Going back to the condo would require walking up a hill so that may or may not work for you.

There are rentals near the O'Keefe Museum that would be convenient. One company is Chapelle Street Casitas. Several fodorites stayed there for the gtg and is a good location.
http://www.casitas.net
Also, http://www.twocasitas.com.

I would avoid staying anywhere on Cerillos Road. It isn't the charm that you get from downtown Santa Fe. Three lanes of traffic and congestion.

I would definitely rent a car for a few days to visit Ghost Ranch, maybe Jemez Springs, Taos and the little towns in between such as Chimayo and Nambe.

Beach Girl, thanks so much for taking the time to post. I will check it out. How do I know if the one I have chosen will be reliable? Do you know anyone that used one of those services or a particular listing?

We've stayed at http://www.pueblobonitoinn.com/ a couple of times and been very pleased. Their rates for your dates in May are about $125/night. It's located about a block from the state capitol building, so it's an easy walk from the Plaza area.

Lee Ann

Another thought - sign up with Groupon and LivingSocial. They have both offered deals for Santa Fe hotels in the last few days.

Lee Ann

Hi, We were in santa fe last year over Easter and again in early May. Stayed both times at Inn of Governors. Quite a pleasant place. Both times they gave $25 food credit in their restaurant and full hot buffet breakfast. Both were decent. That adds quite a bit of value. The pool is year- round and walled. Food and drink can be enjoyed out there. Lovely.

hi linda, thanks mentioned above earlier. Thanks all.

Does anyone have a hotel to recommend in Albuquerque? For some reason both the Fodors NM & the SF-Taos-& ALB list only 3 lodgings total, and one is a campground. To make this 10-day trip work,I need a modest daily rate $100 $125 tops, but as low as I can go for probably 3-4 days in ALB, but fairly centrally located, SF traveling alone, so safe & clean. I will only be sleeping there, not hanging out. Open to suggestions. I am still looking at casitas for SF, but I live in a studio, so not sure I want that.

Thank you.

OK, I lept! I booked my airfare! Now I need places to stay. Please give me your best bets for ALB. Thank you to everyone who replied so far!

Thanks for the ideas. I guess I need to sit down again with the map & look more closely. I decided I will reserve a rental car for a few days in ABQ, and probably 102 in SF .

First step, tho, I need to secure lodging in both ABQ & SF.
If anyone has any suggestion for what towns in ABQ I should consider, and any hotels, I 'd appreciate it. I don't think I understood how spread out ABQ is and that I may not want to stay in the (business) center of town. Thank you!

I posted on your other thread but I would split your time between ABQ and Santa Fe. Actually, I'd spend the 10 days in Santa Fe but at least consider splitting your time. Hershey and others stayed at little units near the Plaza that will be perfect for you. I'd also rent a car.

I live in ABQ, so I'm not too familiar with hotels here, but the Uptown area has several places that should fit your needs and, hopefully, your budget.

Lee Ann