go_laura

Hi,

We've settled on Santa Fe for our mid to late May vacation (and are excited!), and now are trying to decide: should we pay more to stay within about 6 blocks or less walk of the Plaza but have less space and amenities for the money, or stay a 5 to 10 minute drive from the plaza and have more space, views and amenities, but have to deal with parking to come into town?

We can't afford some of the inns that have been most recommended on this site, that might give us the combo of the best of both worlds (we're hoping to stay to $200/night or less, even possibly getting down to $150/night.) We've been mostly looking at vrbo places.

We enjoy being able to walk to meals, sights, etc. but because we do remember how tired one can feel on vacation when ready to return to home base but still having a long walk ahead, we're feeling inclined to either short walk or short ride, rather than long walk...unless someone can convince us otherwise.

And are there any areas that are horribly built up that we should know about, to stay away from...we'd be really disappointed to rent a condo and find it's in the midst of one condo complex after another and chain shops, etc.

Thanks for any help!
Laura

DebitNM

Before Memorial Day is still low season, so that should help with rates.


I have listed several nice condos that are for rent in your range and in good location near plaza.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35111589


Parking in Plaza area is really difficult. If you stay at one of the places that is on Cerrillos Road, you will have to drive into the plaza and deal with parking.

I assume you will not just be keeping your activities to within the plaza area, so if you are only going in a day or 2, parking won't be too much hassle and you can stay out of the plaza area.

Given the choice a bit more space or being near plaza... plaza wins out.

Deb

BeachGirl247

Hi Laura,
Here is a condo in town that has been on our list to try and is very reasonable in price:

http://www.cyberrentals.com/USA/New-....htm#unitRates

If the 5-10 minute drive is coming from Tesuque and you are wanting a nice place to relax and views, then choose that. If you are going to museums, galleries and such all day then the plaza area is a good base. It is nice not to worry about driving back after a big meal and wine at dinner.

Keep looking at lodging. You should be able to find a place under $200 and like the one above, under $150/night.

Parking is crowded during high season and events so it shouldn't be bad. There are several big lots and public garage in town that is convenient to park -- $8/day for the garage at San Francisco & Sandoval by the plaza.

If you've found some on vrbo and need help on location let us know and we'll try to pin down which are better than others regarding location.

Just fyi, if you want to try a hotel, Hotel Plaza Real is a great location (next to Inn of the Anasazi) and is affordable. Nice rooms with a kitchenette (fridge, microwave and sink) and fireplace, too. Can't beat the location.

BeachGirl247

I forgot to add :

www.twocasitas.com

They have beautifully decorated and affordable accommodations. Also, each location gives you an address (and directions) so you can put the address into google maps and see exactly where it is located.

anna_roz

Location-location-location.

How much space do you need while on vacation and what amenities would be so important as to justify driving back and forth looking--and paying--for parking a few times a day?

Anna Roz

maria_so

I would definitely choose the plaza. When in Santa Fe, we are hardly in the inn/hotel, etc. You will want to be outside too and location should win out most.

we've used this vrbo in the past and it is about 3 blocks from the plaza. They several typesof floor plan avaialble.

http://www.vrbo.com/68963

go_laura

Thanks everyone! We don't plan to spend a ton of time in the Plaza, but it sounds like everyone's vote is to be near there, and that makes sense, so we can walk to dinner after resting up from the day, etc.

I've been looking at some of the places recommended (thanks again!) and here's a follow up question: we love, love, love wood burning fireplaces, but will it likely be too warm even in the evening mid to late May to want to use one? I'll feel very silly if I make that a requirement of our lodging and then never once use it.

Not at all sure yet of our plans, but thinking about day trips to Bandolier, Taos, Chaco Canyon, and Tent Rocks. Taking one day to pamper at Ten Thousand Waves a bit and wander around the Plaza. And a day for a couple museums.

Of course, that will likely all change once my baseball fanatic husband looks up the schedule of whatever minor league team is in Albuquerque. And also, once on vacation we usually throw out at least one day's plan if not more, to just lounge around

But that being said, would love any ideas re: itinerary. We like to be fairly slow paced but see things of beauty we've never seen before...does the above (prior to the baseball paragraph seem like a reasonable amount to plan for what will likely be six days, seven nights?

Thanks,
Laura

maria_so

well, how about going to abiquiu area? Hit plaza blanca, the mosque (dar Al Islam), abiquiu lake, ghost ranch for a hike (www.ghostranch.org), echo canyon, and the monastery. If you want to, you can also hit ojocaliente and do a soak (make sure you try and book for the private pools). www.ojocalientesprings.com

bandelier is a good one to visit as you are already planning and another thumbs up for finding tent rocks. that was one of our best hikes in NM. going up to chaco canyon is another day trip but be sure to spend some time in wonderful canyon road with all the galleries. as a part time artist, that place was had such an incredible pull for me. lunch at that cute little cafe was really lovely too.

maria_so

laura, even though you're not planning to spend all of your time at the plaza (we didn't either) after your day jaunts, it's nice to come back to the casita, relax for a bit and walk over to a nice dinner at the plaza area. so you see, location is still key. It definitely gets my vote!

sweetannie

Some Plaza Real rooms have a wood burning fireplace. Not fancy, and could use a refurbishment, but just fine for the price.

My vote is for location as well.

annie

BeachGirl247

laura, you may want to read this thread regarding Chaco Canyon. While I love Chaco Canyon I don't recommend it as a day trip.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34923700

sweetannie, I agree with you about Plaza Real. The last couple of stays the rooms have been fresh and clean and lots of wood for the fireplace. And best of all is the location. Or is it that it is next to the Anasazi hotel bar. :-?

maria_so

sorry, i meant pecos not chaco canyon as a day trip. i don't know why i often get those two confused in my head (name wise). pecos nlt monument is quite interesting and is only about 25 min from santa fe. Going through the town of pecos and the mountain wildernerness there is also a fun day trip.

http://www.pecosnewmexico.com/maps.php

ElendilPickle

Go_laura, the Albuquerque Isotopes are the AAA team for the Florida Marlins. www.albuquerquebaseball.com

The park is lovely, and we always enjoy the games.

Lee Ann

JackOneill

I haven't read all the responses so forgive me if I mention something that's already been covered.
I've been to Santa Fe many, many times. I've stayed off (sometimes way off) and on the Plaza. I prefer staying on or near the Plaza. But I also understand that can be pricey.
Last December we stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe which is within walking distance of the Plaza. (It's about a 15-20 minute walk. They also have a reliable shuttle service that you can call. They'll pick you up anywhere downtown.) I'm pretty confident in saying you can get a room for less than $200 a night there.
I think it's a very nice place. And to boot, it's very close to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame which is one of my favorite (casual) restaurants.
Have fun.

nnrobnz

Another suggestion for an Abiquiu day trip is a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe Home & Studio. Tours are conducted by appointment only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Mid-March through November by the O'Keeffe Foundation. All Georgia O'Keeffe tours last approximately one hour and are limited to a maximum of 12 people. An exterior tour may be arranged for larger groups.

The tours start from the Georgia O'Keeffe Home and Studio Tour Office next to The Abiquiu Inn which is under new ownership and is a good stop for lunch. Guests are taken by shuttle to the O'Keeffe Home and Studio five minutes away.

Cost: $30 per person
$25 each for students or seniors over 65
$25 each for members of Georgia O'Keefe Museum
For information and reservations, call the Foundation well in advance at
(505) 685-4539 or write:
Georgia O'Keeffe Foundation
PO Box 40
Abiquiu, NM 87510

DebitNM

May nights will be cool enough for a nice fire,early mornings too.

The Isotopes are a great team and the stadium is wonderful with great views. For day games, seats along first base line will provide less sun in your eyes. At night, the seats along third base line will be looking towards the mountains, which get a"watermelon" color during sunset [hence the name Sandia Mountain - watermelon in spanish]. The park is initmate and it is easy to walk around and get views from all angles. Food is pretty decent, but not cheap.

Deb

dmlove

We also stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe last June and although our room was a little small, it was very nice. We liked the location - 15 minutes to the Plaza, and as previous poster said, near the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. It's also near the newly developing Guadalupe District (the former railyards). It has a small but pleasant pool area. We found a terrific cafe on the way from the hotel to the Plaza -- Cafe Dominic.

go_laura

Wow, these suggestions are very helpful, thank you!

And of course lead to a new question...if we are to spend our arrival night in Albuquerque to see a baseball game, any recommendations on places to stay that would be not too far from the ball park or Old Town, which we'll want to see before the game if we arrive in time, but more likely the next day before heading up to Santa Fe?

And if I can get back on the computer tonite, I will likely respond to the offer of posting locations of a few vrbo's we're considering, to get feedback. The hotels mentioned unfortunately did not have rooms available for our dates, tho' I do plan to call the Campanilla Compound #, as their availability check online wasn't working for me.

Thanks again, I'm so impressed by how many have replied with helpful info, on this site!

Laura

paula1470

maria-I see that you recommened one of the casitas from Casas de Guadalupe. I was looking at renting one of the two bedrooms if my sisters and I do a trip in Sept. Do you have any advice on which casitas are better? Haven't been able to find many reviews about them. I am assuming they are within walking distance of the Plaza. Thanks.

ncounty

here is the best of both worlds: The Madeleine, formerly the Preston house which was the first B&B in Santa Fe. Rates are 110-210 with most of the rooms in the mid 100s. It is centrally located near the plaza so you can walk everywhere. I stayed there over 10 years ago and loved it. Can't believe the prices are still so reasonable!