First trip to Santa Fe. Going to meeting at Eldorado in April. Can get a studio at their Casa Pueblo or a room at Hilton for $18 less per night than standard room at Eldorado. Is the Eldorado room worth the extra money?

Other choice is St Francis Hotel, almost $50 cheaper.

My FIRST choice would be the St. Francis.

I like the Eldorado (tho it's usually too pricey for us) and have never stayed at their associate property, Casa Pueblo. My impression was that the Casa Pueblo property is not as upscale as the Eldorado but still quite nice (and with access to the El's facilities)

At the St Francis, would you recommend the Standard or Midsise (limited city view or quietly tucked away) room? Can't afford the Deluxe. Then I'll just walk over and back to Eldorado for the meetings, receptions, etc.

Kay2, My experience is with the midsize room and there were 2 of us. Very pleasant. I saw the standard room and the quality of decor was the same but it looked a bit cramped for two if you're staying more than a night or so. The size wouldn't be much of an issue for us if we were just sleeping/showering there but on vacation we like to spend a little chill time in the hotel. It would have been perfectly comfortable for one person.

We really liked the ElDorado rooms with the kiva fireplace. We did not see the Casa Pueblo, however, or the Hilton, so I can't help you with a comparison.

Does the ElDorado still offer you your own "butler"? We were dumb enough to fall for this and pay the extra $$. Definitely not worth it IMO.

The Eldorado does the butler service, but only for the deluxe rooms. Our conference rate is only for standard rooms at the Eldorado, so I don't think I'd be getting a fireplace or balcony.

So, it's pay for the convenience of being at the conference hotel, $18 less to be across the street, or $30 less to be at the small room in the historic hotel and have to walk back and forth for four days.

I will be alone and I do just use the room for sleeping and changing. I sometimes like the convenience of being able to run back to my room to brush my teeth, though. However, I really like historic structures.

I think I just have too much going on right now and am having trouble making any decisions about anything. Like the airfare to SF is $200 more than flying to ABQ and then paying $50 or so RT for a shuttle. Sandia Shuttle has a slightly better schedule; if I miss it, it's two hours wait to the last one of the night.

Since you like historic, the St. Francis sounds like it would be your cup of tea. It has a wonderful foyer and veranda and nice restaurant. As a woman, I would feel very at ease there if alone.

The Eldorado is definitely a notch above in quality and it would be more convenient for that "run to the room". But is is almost too hoity-toity for our taste. We do, however, have no problem splurging on their absolutely stunning Sunday Brunch. My husband dreams of returning to it!

Well, I waited too long to make up my mind and lost the room at the St Francis, so decided to pay the extra $20 a night for the convenience and extra * at the Eldorado. It was nice for the convenience, but not worth the extra money. The public rooms are quite nice with the SW decor and the food was good. However, taxi and shuttle drop at front door with stairs and no bellman to help with bags or door. Room was just OK standard hotel--extra pillows on the bed and more artwork on the walls, but beat up furniture, worn carpet, and rough towels. A friend on the 5th floor (executive) said her room was no better. So I just didn't think the room was worth the price. It's also one of the hotels that has you sign on check-in that they penalize you if you decide to check out early. Otherwise, after staying a night and seeing the quality I would have shortened my stay and moved to a less expensive hotel. Parking at the hotel was free during the day, only charging their own guests the $16. So I could have stayed at a much cheaper hotel or motel out on the strip, rented a car to go back and forth to the meeting and the historic district, and still have paid less.