Hi everyone!

Could anyone recommend a hotel in Santa Fe within a short cab ride of the tourist area downtown and great dining? I'd love something with a uniquely Southwest decor, and an on-site spa would be a huge plus! Upscale is prefered, but would like to keep the room under $300 a night. Any thoughts?

Also, is there an airport in Santa Fe? Do you know its code?

Thanks in advance for any help!

We enjoyed the El Dorado Hotel (www.eldoradohotel.com). We had a room with a kiva-style fireplace. It is within walking distance of the plaza, and meets most of your other requirements, except for the on-site spa.

There is no airport in Santa Fe. You have to fly into Albuquerque and then take a shuttle bus to Santa Fe. There are a number of hotels as you describe. Go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...co-Hotels.html

The first several listed are all good.

Inn at Loretto is great and with spa. Get a room with a balcony, we did for much less than $300.00. Just do not stay at Dancing Ground of the Sun! Looks great on the internet but we lost our first night's deposit just so we would not have to stay there! I should post a warning to all. Not as advertized!
But you must eat at La Casa Sena, fantastic food! and El Shed for less expensive but good. Enjoy!

I would add to the list La Posada de Santa Fe and (outside of town but gorgeous) Bishops Lodge Resort. The supreme spa experience in SF is Ten Thousand Waves. Way better than any of the hotel facilities.

Just wondering if PeggyE is still around? I booked Inn at Loretto for this coming December, and it's costing me way MORE than $300/night. That was the only way to get a fireplace. Am I getting ripped off? Any suggestions for getting a better deal there? Thanks.

Hi Dreamer2,
You didn't mention when you were traveling so $300/night high season isn't bad for a room with a fireplace at Loretto. As mentioned already, I second La Posada and Bishops is a great setting with a free shuttle bus going into the plaza (5-10min max). There is an airport in Santa Fe (SAF I believe) and United flies there using their code share partner. No cabs are used really because everything is walking distance. Have you considered staying at a hotel without a spa and going to Ten Thousand Waves? It is one of the top spas in the country -- we never miss an opportunity and we go to Santa Fe 4-6 times a year. Its that good.
If you are flying into Albuquerque I would rent a car so you can tour around the SF area. Not sure how long you will be in the are but some excursions outside of town are worth it.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Sheila
(we're headed out the end of Aug for the last performance of 'Don Giovanni' at the Santa Fe Opera -- can hardly wait!)

Hands down winner for "being-right-in-the-middle-of-things" is the Inn of the Anaszi. Great hotel, wonderful restaurant and superb location (almost literally across the street from the Plaza).
Might be a tad over the $300/night, but worth it. (They do have specials every now and then.)

Oopps -- The Inn of the Anaszi DOES NOT have an on-site spa.
Sorry.

Thanks everyone for your quick and thorough replies. I can't wait to check out the hotels! But I also think definitely I'll go with the recommendation for Ten Thousand Waves. Sounds great! And it will relieve the in-house spa requirement. Thanks for the restaurant tip, too, PeggyE. Have a great trip, BeachGirl!

Just a PS:
I think I like either the Inn at Loretto or the Inn of the Anasazi. Is there anything about either that would sway me one way or the other?
Thanks again!

>>(we're headed out the end of Aug for the last performance of 'Don Giovanni' at the Santa Fe Opera -- can hardly wait!)<<

We saw it in July for our anniversary, Sheila. It was my first opera and I really enjoyed it. Have a great time!

Lee Ann

Both are luxury properties but I'd say the Inn of the Anasazi is a small step up from Loretto. The restaurant at Anasazi is outstanding, established and renowed. Loretto (last time I was in SF last year) had opened a restaurant which was upscale but kind of funky looking (in a quirky good way). Don't know anyone who has eaten there.

I've been researching a trip to Santa Fe as well and have been considering Water Street Inn. It is within walking distance to the plaza and looks charming - you can view and choose your room/suite on their website - they are all different (a lot of them have little private walkout courtyards). It is a little more reasonable than some of the other options (but still appears fairly high end/classy) and includes breakfast and afternoon snacks.

I'm jealous - our trip keeps getting delayed but hopefully I'll make it there before too long!!

I think we just lucked out on the rate at Inn at Loretto. We were not booked there, had reservations for 2 nights at Dancing Ground of the Sun, we went there & it was horrible. I called Inn at Loretto and am sure sounded at bit upset & asked if they had vacancy, they said come right over. It was our first stay in Snata Fe, we had just flown in from LA, I did not even ask the rate, my husband just didn't want our vacation blown. We got a king room with a huge balcony facing the front street. Not sure of the fireplace rooms, since this was May. They did have a great fire going in the lounge with music we enjoyed one night. Anyway, when we get the bill under the door the morning we are to leave, I can't believe the rate of $145.00 or something! Duh, I actually go to the front desk & question it, they said yes that is correct & they hoped we had a better experience in Santa Fe than how it started! I was shocked, those things never happen to me but I was impressed with their customer service & of course would recommend them. I know the rates are higher in December though & like I said we just had some good luck (but remember we had to forfeit $175.00 + TX to Dancing Ground of the Sun) so it helped out. You'll love Santa Fe though. Enjoy!

Peggy,

Dancing Ground of the SUn used to look just like the website.

WE use to stay there on a regular basis.(for Indian Market).

At the time the property was MUCH smaller ( about 6 or 7 rooms)and was run by a deligtful innkeeper. She was instrumental in the decor and upkeep. She ran the place more like a B&B. They had put a lot of money into the inn. The place was a "find"

Now she is gone, the place has expanded and is run by others...and in my opinion has gone straight downhill.

We no longer stay there.

Hi Dick, I know I had read your comments before we left, hoping for the best but it didn't happen...and we are pretty forgiving. I could see how it could have been great but believe me, they have not dusted or cleaned or fixed the heater or washed the windows in ages. They say there is a fireplace (kiva) but they do not tell you that you can not use it! The website shows a clean fireplace with a roaring fire in it. In reality it was all blackened & dirty & unusable. It all smelled musky & greasy. The girl working the desk even apologized & gave me a form to send back in for comments. She said the place was scheduled for a renovation. In light of that they should have refunded our one night's deposit but the manager (on phone)even wanted to fine us $25.00 more for the second night! I sent in my critique but did not get a reply or refund. But it all turned out well staying at Inn at Loretto more than made up for it. Next time I will take others comments much more seriously!