Santa Fe Bound....
Sep 17th, 2006, 11:25 AM
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Santa Fe Bound....
We finally decided on going to Santa Fe in October. I'm looking at Inn of the Governors(deluxe,fireplace room) or Inn on the Alameda casita. Anything you can say to help me decide? We want to do hiking--perhaps longer, challenging hikes---suggestions? Also, restaurants-basically want really good food and cool atmosphere-not necessarily fancy).
We are staying at Tamaya Resort on our way back to Albuquerque--good choice? Are there good hikes to do around there?
Thanks!
We are staying at Tamaya Resort on our way back to Albuquerque--good choice? Are there good hikes to do around there?
Thanks!
Sep 17th, 2006, 07:41 PM
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Tamaya is an excellent choice. Go to Coronado Monument, which is on RT 550 between where you exit I25 and Tamaya. There are some nice ruins and beautiful views of the bosque, which should be changing colors in mid Oct.
Debi
Debi
Sep 17th, 2006, 08:25 PM
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You can do some nice hikes at Bandelier National Monument; there are some in Hyde State Park just outside Santa Fe as well.
Santa Fe has tons of great restaurants. Try www.sfreporter.com for reviews and recommendations.
Lee Ann
Santa Fe has tons of great restaurants. Try www.sfreporter.com for reviews and recommendations.
Lee Ann
Sep 23rd, 2006, 09:43 AM
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Laurelee,
We just returned from a similar trip.
We started in Santa Fe at the Hotel Santa Fe, which was very nice. It is a little far from the Plaza, but it is walkable during the day, and the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the plaza as well.
During our stay we had breakfast at Tia Sophia's and Guadalupe Cafe, near the Plaza, and at Cloud Cliff Bakery and Chocolate Maven, which are a modest drive away from the Plaza. We would recommend all four.
For dinner, we ate at Pink Adobe, Santa Ana Cafe, and 315, near the Plaza, and La Choza (same owners as the Shed), a short driving distance away. We liked all of these as well.
Many Santa Fe restaurants post their menus on their web sites, so you can get an idea of the selection and cost (some are quite pricey) in advance. That's what we did.
We also spent four nights at the Hyatt Tamaya, and we loved it. I don't know how long you were planning on staying, but I found a package on the Hyatt web site allowing us to stay three nights and get the fourth night free. We stayed in a mountain view room with a full balcony. Some of the balconies are only walk-on's.
My phone is ringing. I'll provide more food and hiking info later.
We just returned from a similar trip.
We started in Santa Fe at the Hotel Santa Fe, which was very nice. It is a little far from the Plaza, but it is walkable during the day, and the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the plaza as well.
During our stay we had breakfast at Tia Sophia's and Guadalupe Cafe, near the Plaza, and at Cloud Cliff Bakery and Chocolate Maven, which are a modest drive away from the Plaza. We would recommend all four.
For dinner, we ate at Pink Adobe, Santa Ana Cafe, and 315, near the Plaza, and La Choza (same owners as the Shed), a short driving distance away. We liked all of these as well.
Many Santa Fe restaurants post their menus on their web sites, so you can get an idea of the selection and cost (some are quite pricey) in advance. That's what we did.
We also spent four nights at the Hyatt Tamaya, and we loved it. I don't know how long you were planning on staying, but I found a package on the Hyatt web site allowing us to stay three nights and get the fourth night free. We stayed in a mountain view room with a full balcony. Some of the balconies are only walk-on's.
My phone is ringing. I'll provide more food and hiking info later.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 11:24 AM
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Lauralee,
While at the Hyatt, we ate breakfast twice in the hotel's cafe, and it was fine. Twice, we tried to eat at the Range Cafe, in nearby Bernalillo, but on the first morning it was closed for renovation for two days but was still closed for renovation on the fourth morning. We ended up at Denny's those days.
For dinner, we ate at the Prairie Star, very near the hotel and the Santa Ana Casino, the Artichoke Cafe, in downtown Albuquerque, Terra, about half way between the hotel and Albuquerque, and the Corn Maiden, the hotel's gourmet restaurant. I would recommend all four.
However, there are some caveats about the Corn Maiden. We each got a different mixed grill (the restaurant has another name for them) and we each really liked two of our four items but were less enthusiastic about the other two. The fish (at least the night we were there) came in really large cubes on a skewer, so it comes medium on the outside and quite rare inside or well done outside and medium inside. What we really liked about the meal was that we were able to eat outside under the heaters, with a great view of the Sandia Mountains, and the salad and mashed potatos with green chiles. You can get an idea about the menu on the hotel's web site.
The other three restaurants also have web sites, but I don't think Prairie Star posts a menu. There I had bison and my girl friend had the stuffed sole -- both excellent.
One hike I would particularly recommend is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located somewhat between Santa Fe and the Hyatt. Actually it's a climb through narrow canyons and up a steep grade to the top of a mesa, but it is challenging because of the incline and the views at the top are spectacular. And the rock formations along the way are fantastic. I found good info with a Google search.
We also found Pecos National Historic Park, east of Santa Fe, very interesting, but you would need to do some research to find out if there is a good hike that could be combined with the visit. We just did a leisurely walk of the grounds.
The Hyatt has some walking trails, but they are not long or exciting. However, I found the hotel's free nature walk informative (but short). It was offered twice daily when we were there.
There are trails at Sandia Peak, which isn't too far away.
I'm not a hiker, so I have not checked, but I would guess the local Sierra Clubs have more info and possibly web sites. Check out Fodor's web site or books as well.
As other Fodorites advised me before we went on our trip, plan on wearing layers. In October, it will be quite chilly in the morning, warm up a little in the afternoon, and cool off quickly again in the evening.
Have fun.
While at the Hyatt, we ate breakfast twice in the hotel's cafe, and it was fine. Twice, we tried to eat at the Range Cafe, in nearby Bernalillo, but on the first morning it was closed for renovation for two days but was still closed for renovation on the fourth morning. We ended up at Denny's those days.
For dinner, we ate at the Prairie Star, very near the hotel and the Santa Ana Casino, the Artichoke Cafe, in downtown Albuquerque, Terra, about half way between the hotel and Albuquerque, and the Corn Maiden, the hotel's gourmet restaurant. I would recommend all four.
However, there are some caveats about the Corn Maiden. We each got a different mixed grill (the restaurant has another name for them) and we each really liked two of our four items but were less enthusiastic about the other two. The fish (at least the night we were there) came in really large cubes on a skewer, so it comes medium on the outside and quite rare inside or well done outside and medium inside. What we really liked about the meal was that we were able to eat outside under the heaters, with a great view of the Sandia Mountains, and the salad and mashed potatos with green chiles. You can get an idea about the menu on the hotel's web site.
The other three restaurants also have web sites, but I don't think Prairie Star posts a menu. There I had bison and my girl friend had the stuffed sole -- both excellent.
One hike I would particularly recommend is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located somewhat between Santa Fe and the Hyatt. Actually it's a climb through narrow canyons and up a steep grade to the top of a mesa, but it is challenging because of the incline and the views at the top are spectacular. And the rock formations along the way are fantastic. I found good info with a Google search.
We also found Pecos National Historic Park, east of Santa Fe, very interesting, but you would need to do some research to find out if there is a good hike that could be combined with the visit. We just did a leisurely walk of the grounds.
The Hyatt has some walking trails, but they are not long or exciting. However, I found the hotel's free nature walk informative (but short). It was offered twice daily when we were there.
There are trails at Sandia Peak, which isn't too far away.
I'm not a hiker, so I have not checked, but I would guess the local Sierra Clubs have more info and possibly web sites. Check out Fodor's web site or books as well.
As other Fodorites advised me before we went on our trip, plan on wearing layers. In October, it will be quite chilly in the morning, warm up a little in the afternoon, and cool off quickly again in the evening.
Have fun.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:01 PM
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Great trip report!
>>One hike I would particularly recommend is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located somewhat between Santa Fe and the Hyatt.<<
It's near Cochiti Lake; take the Santo Domingo Pueblo exit and head west. It's just before you get to the dam. I just drove past there this week on my way to get some Dixon's apples.
Lee Ann
>>One hike I would particularly recommend is at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located somewhat between Santa Fe and the Hyatt.<<
It's near Cochiti Lake; take the Santo Domingo Pueblo exit and head west. It's just before you get to the dam. I just drove past there this week on my way to get some Dixon's apples.Lee Ann
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