We are planning a mother/daughter trip to Santa Fe in October and really need help with a hotel. Mothers are 60ish, daughters are 30ish and an almost 2 year old. Would like to be in short walking distance (5 minutes or less) to the main shopping/gallery/restaurant district.

Here are a few we have found in our price range (preferably about $200 or less/night) with availability:

Garrett's Desert Inn
Hotel Santa Fe
Las Palomas
Santa Fe Sage Inn
Hotel Plaza Real
Chapelle St. Casitas B&B

If anyone can share their experience at any of the above, or recommend something else, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of these are further than we want to be, please let me know. Hard to tell from maps sometimes!

Thanks so much- happy travels!

I've only stayed at Chappelle Street Casitas before. They are definitely close to the downtown plaza area (about 3-4 blocks) and in a nice neighborhood. They were nice inside too, but not super clean. Not gross by any means, just not as clean as I would like, and I'm really not that picky. I did hear they've changed owners since then so who knows how they are now.

Garret's is within a few blocks of the plaza area and close to Canyon Road, but if I remember correctly, it doesn't have much character.

The Hotel Santa Fe is absolutely beautiful and has a great restaurant too. It's not too far from the plaza, but maybe a 5-6 block walk. It's very close to the Guadalupe Railyard area though which has a lot of great shops and restaurants.

I can't remember what Los Palomas looks like, but it's also about 5-6 blocks away from the plaza, but close to the Guadalupe area.

As for the Santa Fe Sage Inn, I've heard they did a really nice job remodeling the place, but it's right on a busy intersection so I've never considered staying there. Plus, it's probably a 9-10 block walk to the Plaza, and 4-5 blocks to the Guadalupe area.

The Hotel Plaza Real has a great location - right near the plaza and other shops/restaurants downtown. I don't know much about it though.

You might also want to check out vrbo.com. I've found a couple of great condos for rent on that site - in nice areas with kitchens and washers & dryers. That might be helpful with a 2-year old! Plus they are usually a lot less expensive. (The last 2-bedroom I stayed at was only $700 for the week!)

Good luck & have fun! It's beautiful out there in October.

We stayedQuality inn.Great pool and you dont need a car .There's a bus stop nearby taking you in 10 minutes downtown.Paul

Garrett's- think 50's motor inn. No character, but cheap and close.

Hotel Plaza Real- Great location and good price. It's a bit worn, particularly some wood rot on the outside, but you can't beat location/price. Our room a few months ago was great. We had sitting area w/ TV and wood burning fireplace, little wet bar and fridge, and king bed. Bathroom is tiny, but sink is separate from bathroom which I think is helpful. No pool, no restaurant, there is a bar. Only a few rooms have access to elevators, so keep in mind you'll be climbing some stairs, schlepping luggage, but it's not too bad. This isn't fancy, but I think has a good location/price.

You might also look at Fort Marcy Compound, condos which might be nice for family. It's a bit of a walk though. And, you might try Inn of the Governors.

Please stay at one of the hotels within easy walking distance of the Plaza. You'll be glad you did.

If price weren't an issue, I'd say stay at La Fonda or Inn of the Anasazi, but with your budget I think you'd be happiest at Plaza Real or Inn of the Governors. Enjoy annieladd

I wouldn't recommend the Inn of the Governors. My friend stayed there and it was dirty and loud.

Just a couple of weeks ago I stayed at the Hotel St Francis, a block from the main square. It's a wonderful old world style hotel. Great restaurant in the hotel and "high tea" every afternoon in the lobby. Gracious, helpful, and courteous staff.
I was pleased with the hotel and would highly recomend it.
Here's the link


http://www.hotelstfrancis.com/

We're staying at Inn on the Alameda in a few weeks and I'll report how it is. I know it isn't on your list but maybe it'll help.

Thank you so much everyone for all the great information! This is so helpful. Especially the details- very helpful when considering logistics with the 2 year old.

Sfamylou, a trip report would be great. We are definitely open to other properties.

Thanks again! With several months until our trip, I will check on this thread often, so if anyone else has a trip report or something to add, please do.

We stayed at the Inn on the Alameda in Feb. and loved it. It is a short walk to town. There are several room configurations you can choose. We actually stayed in their cheapest room and it was lovely.

The Inn has a very nice buffet breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese and has a really comfy lobby where people actually sat around the firplace and talked--especially during the happy hour.

They have a very pleasant and helpful staff--they helped many of us choose restaurants and hiking trails.