Santa Fe, four nights the beginning of May
Aug 21st, 2013, 12:55 PM
#21
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We stayed at Inn of the Governors a few years ago. Paid extra to get a room with fireplace. They give you firewood but no kindling. We managed to set off the smoke detectors trying to get it going. Very embarassing, esp. since we're both used to starting woodstoves/fireplaces, etc. Food included with the room was good. Hotel itself was clean, quiet, nice atmosphere. Daily weather forecast posted at front desk, to help figure out clothing & activities. Very convenient location. Would recommend.
Aug 21st, 2013, 06:33 PM
#22
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I cannot remember where I stayed a few years ago with my Mom... will have to go back and look - deb do you recall? I will say that I 100% loved my meal at http://www.geronimorestaurant.com/ - I am NOT really that into restaurants and man oh man... I think I would go back to Santa Fe just to dine there again! We sat on the porch area and it was really wonderful - everything about it!!
Now...to go and figure out where I stayed...
Now...to go and figure out where I stayed...
Aug 21st, 2013, 07:07 PM
#24
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Oh I remember all of it!!! Just not the name! Ha! It was a wonderful weekend - Patrick I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I went in May of 2011 for a weekend with my sweet Momma and got to see Deb too. 
We ate at The Shed - which was very recommended - I thought it was just okay... but oh... Geronimo... it was wonderful
We ate at The Shed - which was very recommended - I thought it was just okay... but oh... Geronimo... it was wonderful
Aug 21st, 2013, 09:53 PM
#25
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I agree about LaFonda for location, but not sure about the rate. There could be some good deals in May. Parking is $12 per day and no free breakfast. Just a great hotel though.
Free parking and breakfast at Sage Inn, but not sure about room sizes. It is a decent walking location, too.
Free parking and breakfast at Sage Inn, but not sure about room sizes. It is a decent walking location, too.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 04:24 AM
#26
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I'd definitely recommend the tour of Georgia O'Keeffe's home in Abiquiu. You need to make reservations in advance. http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/her-houses.html You can eat lunch before the tour at the Abiquiu Inn café.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 05:46 AM
#27
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We had a recent and third stay at the Inn of the Governors. I find it very comfortable and it seems to meet your requirements.
I almost booked the Hotel Santa Fe for my June trip, but was disappointed to find that they have a daily $18 resort fee.
I almost booked the Hotel Santa Fe for my June trip, but was disappointed to find that they have a daily $18 resort fee.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 07:38 AM
#29
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There is only one place to stay in the Santa Fe/Taos area.
La Posado de Taos.
Instead of comments about whether breakfast is or is not included and what about parking and internet fees, what you will find if you do a search is that people book a room to EAT THE BREAKFAST.
In other words, they book breakfast and a room comes with it.
La Posado de Taos.
Instead of comments about whether breakfast is or is not included and what about parking and internet fees, what you will find if you do a search is that people book a room to EAT THE BREAKFAST.
In other words, they book breakfast and a room comes with it.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 09:09 AM
#30
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If you only have 3 days, skip Taos. I disagree with the people who recommend it only for a day. If you take the High Road its over 2 hrs driving- the low road is about an hour and a half. There's a lot to see and do up there- too much for a few hours. Three days in Santa Fe scratches the surface. Bandelier or the Puye Cliffs is a great way to see the ancient native culture. For a doable day (or half-day)trip, I recommend Chimayo. It's a great place to learn a bit about the NM Hispanic cultural heritage. Spend time walking around downtown Santa Fe and up Canyon Road- over half of the city's 200 galleries are located there. Re: hotel- $150 is challenging for one of the nicer downtown hotels unless you can hit a deal. La Fonda just underwent a major renovation. It looks great- haven't yet seen a room. The Sage Inn, adjacent to the Railyard District is redoing rooms- they look great in photos. It's locally owned and the rates include breakfast. The buildings look a bit dated and the rooms are small, but you can't beat the rates. Breakfast is included and they have a shuttle service for guests. If you're into funky mid-century Rte 66 style- check out Silver Saddles. Also locally owned- they are very nice and get great TA reviews. If you can get the Hotel Santa Fe, the Inn of the Alameda or Inn of the Governors in your price range- they are great. I hear great things about Las Palomas (who is connected to the Hotel Santa Fe and shares their shuttle). There are also some great B & B options in your price range. And yes it can still freeze in May and even snow- and it's also shorts and sandal weather. Layer!
Aug 22nd, 2013, 11:59 AM
#32
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We booked the St. Francis for $145 per night, plus $11 per day parking. I could have booked the Inn of the Governors for $195, with parking and breakfast, which is pretty close to a wash, but we would not typically spend $40 on breakfast.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 01:10 PM
#34
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A lot to digest here and we're getting ready to head to California on Saturday, so this may wait till we get back.
Several quick comments. We had the worst meal ever at Geronimo, years ago. We ordered rack of lamb rare, it was not only raw and cold, it was FROZEN in the middle. We sent it back and it came back very well done. Or has my memory failed -- maybe it was the other way around -- first time very well done, second time frozen. But it any case, there was SO much attitude. We tried to joke about not eating frozen lamb, and they treated us if we didn't know what we were talking about. I remember asking the manager who came to the table to go ahead and try to cut in the middle, or just put his finger on it, and see that it was frozen solid. He refused.
And I have to laugh that there is only one place to stay in Santa Fe and it is two hours away and you stay there just for the breakfast! Now that's funny! We really aren't traveling to NM just for breakfast!
I'm still surprised no comments regarding Las Palomas. It looks great on the website, and can't believe no one mentions it. Am I missing something? Will check the others. Budget is flexible, but not the over $400 a night of a couple of them.
Several quick comments. We had the worst meal ever at Geronimo, years ago. We ordered rack of lamb rare, it was not only raw and cold, it was FROZEN in the middle. We sent it back and it came back very well done. Or has my memory failed -- maybe it was the other way around -- first time very well done, second time frozen. But it any case, there was SO much attitude. We tried to joke about not eating frozen lamb, and they treated us if we didn't know what we were talking about. I remember asking the manager who came to the table to go ahead and try to cut in the middle, or just put his finger on it, and see that it was frozen solid. He refused.
And I have to laugh that there is only one place to stay in Santa Fe and it is two hours away and you stay there just for the breakfast! Now that's funny! We really aren't traveling to NM just for breakfast!
I'm still surprised no comments regarding Las Palomas. It looks great on the website, and can't believe no one mentions it. Am I missing something? Will check the others. Budget is flexible, but not the over $400 a night of a couple of them.
Aug 22nd, 2013, 02:58 PM
#35
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I haven't mentioned Las Palomas because I don't know anything about it. Have you done a google map, street view? Looks pretty residential.
I also don't understand the set up. There seems to be several different buildings that make up Las Palomas. You typed La Palomas, I take it that this is the same place?
http://www.laspalomas.com/
I take it that you have read tripadvisor reviews; there is a comment that there are some studio/casitas and that they pictures on the website are for the condo units. I think you really have to know exactly what rooms and rates are being offered. Also saw that rooms are scattered over several blocks. Some comments about the dated rooms, less than clean, etc. you can read the reviews, I am sure you did. Just be sure to go beyond the first or second page of reviews.
I think that this is the kind of place that has lots of different types of accommodations that vary greatly and you could end up with something that isn't what you expected.
I also don't understand the set up. There seems to be several different buildings that make up Las Palomas. You typed La Palomas, I take it that this is the same place?
http://www.laspalomas.com/
I take it that you have read tripadvisor reviews; there is a comment that there are some studio/casitas and that they pictures on the website are for the condo units. I think you really have to know exactly what rooms and rates are being offered. Also saw that rooms are scattered over several blocks. Some comments about the dated rooms, less than clean, etc. you can read the reviews, I am sure you did. Just be sure to go beyond the first or second page of reviews.
I think that this is the kind of place that has lots of different types of accommodations that vary greatly and you could end up with something that isn't what you expected.
Aug 23rd, 2013, 05:06 AM
#36
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Ah yes, I did mean Las Palomas, not La. It is s sister property to Hotel Santa Fe and The Hacienda and had read that Las Palomas was actually the "best" of the three, but not sure by whose standards. LOL
I've read reviews for a lot of the major hotels and not sure that the couple of bad ones for Las Palomas are any worse or "scarier" than a few for any of the hotels -- and I usually know how to read between the lines. Location seemed great -- no, we don't want to be out very far. The last time we were at some casitas on Palace Road(which I think were torn down and is now La Posada de Santa Fe?), and it seemed a bit "out of the way", although not that far. Kind of like to be more "in the thick of things.
The hunt will continue. I'm kind of liking La Fonda, which is supposedly fully renovated by this fall. Inn of the Governors, and Inn on the Alameda also seem pretty good. Most discount sites and even hotels' own sites don't show any special rates that far in advance (some come up "no availability" because they aren't in the system yet, apparently.
I've read reviews for a lot of the major hotels and not sure that the couple of bad ones for Las Palomas are any worse or "scarier" than a few for any of the hotels -- and I usually know how to read between the lines. Location seemed great -- no, we don't want to be out very far. The last time we were at some casitas on Palace Road(which I think were torn down and is now La Posada de Santa Fe?), and it seemed a bit "out of the way", although not that far. Kind of like to be more "in the thick of things.
The hunt will continue. I'm kind of liking La Fonda, which is supposedly fully renovated by this fall. Inn of the Governors, and Inn on the Alameda also seem pretty good. Most discount sites and even hotels' own sites don't show any special rates that far in advance (some come up "no availability" because they aren't in the system yet, apparently.
