Santa Fe- never been.....
 

We're 2 fifty-something women. We're looking for a place to spend a few days, the last week of March. We like small inns/B & B's, good restaurants, shops to browse, things to do, pretty scenery. I don't know much about Santa Fe, but it might foot the bill. Is it possible to stay in an intimate inn but within walking distance of where we'd want to eat and browse? Where? We don't "hike," but love pretty, flat (!) walks. Possible? Thanks.

You'll love it. March will be cool nights sunny days in the 60's. Stay close to the Plaza and you'll be happy campers. Do a search for Santa Fe and there are alot of threads with hotel recommendations and such.

http://www.lafondasantafe.com/
They have some good online deals for that week.
Perfect location and a wonderful historic inn.

We loved it.
Santa Fe sounds perfect for what you describe.
Be sure to go to the Georgia O'Keefe museum.

Santa Fe is a wonderful place for you!!

Our own Kodi was just there over Christmas and had a wonderful time. She was alone and got lots of good suggestions here on Fodors -- her trip reports should give some insights:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097243

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097245

You will need to fly to Albuquerque and then rent a car or take shuttle to SF which is an hour north.

There are lots of choices for places to stay in and around the Plaza - depends on your budget. How long will be in SF? Perhaps something from VRBO.com will work. Lots of folks have used them in SF with success.

Also, BeachGirl247 [akak Sheila] is our resident SF specialist for hotels and restaurants - I am sure she will be happy to help.

There are lots of shops, galleries and museums that will fill your days and great restaurants too.

March might be a tad cool, but should be sunny during the days and at that altitude, the sun makes it feel much warmer. It will be cool in early morning and then again as the sun goes down - so dress in layers. Casual is the key here and be sure to drink lots of water so you can adjust to the altitude.



If you haven't looked on here -- Fodors] at Santa Fe as a destination, please do so. Lots of great ideas.

http://www.fodors.com/world/north%20...0fe/index.html

Also, using the search box at top of this screen - type in santa fe or santa fe b&b or santa fe restaurants to see all the great threads already on here.

http://www.santafe.org/

http://www.santafe.com/

Hope this helps...
Deb
{a former NYer and NMer, now a Coloradoan}

I think Santa Fe is perfect for what you are looking for! You have a lot of good restaurants and B&Bs to choose from:

<u>Food</u>:

La Boca - Spanish tapas, Reservations a must

Geronimo - eclectic continental (?) Fine dining
(still excellent even after the departure of Chef Eric)

Santa Cafe - not our favorite but others like it.

Bistro 315 - excellent food, cozy french bistro

Trattoria Nostrani - $$$$ Italian, food excellent, snooty waiters, small so reservation req'd &amp; No Perfume! or the owner will ask you to leave!

Cafe Pasquals -- dinner is excellent as well as lunch. Breakfast/brunch can be quite nuts but her food is fresh, organic and fantastic. And she has THE BEST Mocha Latte I have EVER tasted -- just in case you need a pickmeup in the mornings. ;)

<u>Lodging</u>:

Inn on the Alameda

El Farolito

Inn of Five Graces

Those are my top three choices. If you need more, just let me know.

I may be biased but I think Santa Fe is beautiful any month of the year!

Sheila

( Debi, you are too kind! :) )

We were in Santa Fe early last may and loved it. As all the others have said, it fits what you are looking for precisely.

We stayed at El Farolito and thought it was superb. Good location, lovely accomodations, good and varied breakfasts, wonderful owners and staff. I would call it more small inn than B and B because all the rooms have private entrances and most have outside seating areas.

You will really enjoy Santa Fe.

Ahhh, Yes, as Debi says, I was there over Christmas and really loved it. IT's a wonderful city to wander. The plaza area is beautiful and so interesting. Lots of great shops and restaurants. Canyon road is withing walking distance and is wonderful.
Museum Hill is a short bus ride away.
If you want to rent a car, there are many choices of drives into the country.

I highly recommend going to Santa Fe. I loved it.

anyone stay or hear of casa de estrellas in santa fe?

I've walked by it a lot but never stayed there. It's on Paseo de Peralta which is a busy street so I would be concerned if your room faces Paseo or a courtyard. The location is excellent otherwise.

Similar places would be:

El Farolito
Four Kachinas Inn
Inn on the Alameda

I am also interested in your suggestions. We will be visiting Santa Fe in December.
What will the weather be like at this time?
Thanks for your help.
Donna

Temps are usually 20's and 30's. This year we had a week of single digits and it was chilly! Only a little snow as well -- unlike last year's record snow that shut down the interstates. December is beautiful.

Just bundle up and grab a latte and you'll be fine.

I am one of the few that just finds Santa Fe one of the most contrived wanna be places ever..
Please no flames everyone but once you walk around the square and push the millionith chile pepper strand and the faux turquoise bracelets out of your way...
Maybe living in San Diego all my life and going down to Tijuana and it's very similar..
I find Taos to have for heart and soul and the flavor of New Mexico that I am trying to capture when I go to NM..
It will be cold, so you need to bundle up for your 'pretty flat walks'.
I love the state but hate the capital!

Hey BeachGirl,
What do you think of Inn of the Anasazi? Worth the extra $$$? Love Five Graces, but can't justify the rates this time. Other options are Inn on the Alameda and El Farolito, which we like too. Just thought we might try something different.....

Tahiti,
Comparing it to the early 80's, I had feelings similar to yours when my wife and I visited Santa Fe several years ago. Even heard some locals refer to the Plaza and surrounding area as &quot;Santa Fake.&quot; Yes, it does feel a little contrived (but I'm not sure how wanna-be fits). Regardless, it's become one of our favorite short-vacation destinations, if for no other reason than the charred tomato salsa served up at Ore House. ;-)

Hey beachbum..
I am giving Santa Fe another chance in July, since a friend puts on the big SF Muzik Fest and I think I will be a rocking on my drums.. ;)
Trust me..I SO want to love SF and maybe in July, hope to have a wonderful time and I think we have reservations at the Inn of the Five Graces..
I will report back and hope that I will be a changed gal!

Beachbum, Anasazi is nice but I think El Farolito or Alameda are my first choices. I lean more towards the small inn feel than hotel. However, I really enjoy the schmoozy bar and Library at Anasazi.

TahitiTams, Yes, Santa Fe has been &quot;discovered&quot;. I loved it better years ago as well. However, I do enjoy all of the great restaurants and galleries it has to offer as well as Museum Hill. Taos is more my speed but I really miss the restaurant choices, the opera, and Ten Thousand Waves when in Taos. Taos and Santa Fe are two different vacations to me. Hope you have a great time this summer!!

Sheila

Beachgirl,
My old colldge friend and I want to meet somewhere in between our homes - San Diego and ST Louis - I think we have chosen Santa Fe.

I looked up the Inn on the Alameda - it looks darling!

Will we need a car to get around or can we take a shuttle in from Albqu. and walk around? Or taxi to a restaurant if need be........?

Excellent choice!

Yes, Inn on the Alameda is charming and a large continental style breakfast as well.

No car needed. Look up Sandia Shuttle. It will take you from the airport to many select spots in Santa Fe for $25 each way. Then if you feel like you don't want to walk, cabs are available but may be a little slower than a big city as they don't have as many.

www.sandiashuttle.com

Would love to help you plan your trip so ask away!!

Thanks beachgirl-

I think we are shooting for the first week in April!! I am very excited.

I have not done any research at all except to look at the map and pick a spot we have not been to!!

I will be sure to pick your brain some more!!!

What is your favorite thing to do there?

Thanks for your help.
Is there snow every year?
What is the ave temp for Dec / Jan.
We are from Australia.
Thanks in advance
Donna

TahitiTams,
Hey everyone has there personal choices but don't you think saying that you love Taos but &quot;hate' SF is a little bit excessive. I'm finding it a little hard to take you seriously when you say &quot;Santa Fe(is) one of the most contrived wanna be places ever..&quot;
I think SF is one of the most beautiful capital cities in the country. You won't find any looming cold office buildings. At lunch time around the capital building its easy to rub shoulders with politicians and even the governor out for lunch. Its a very human capital and for its size has a arts culture that is superb. Is it as funky as Taos..well no..but Taos square has far less interesting stores and more junk Indian store that Sf does.