Can anyone make some suggestions as to places to stay in the Santa Fe-Taos area. I will be flying into Albuquerque, NM and will drive from there to the area mentioned. In addition , what is the weather like around Sept. 15? Any comments regarding " must see ", places to eat and whatever else would be appreciated. Price range for accomadations can range from $85 to $130.

Thanks for any input ... Ben

Try the Inn of the Governors or Grant Corner Inn. I don't know that they'll get below $130, but they're about the best values in town without giving up location and quality completely.
BTW, Santa Fe is a very expensive town. Especially for its size. And September is a really popular month for tourism. Things tend to sell out early, so don't waste any time.

We stayed at the El Rey Inn earlier this summer. It is south of the Plaza area of town, on a busy road, but the place is lovely. We got a nice, motel-style room for $99. a night. Lovely pool area. They also have suites and continental breakfast.

I concur with the above recommendations although I think the El Rey is a little over priced. I think you could get a rate of around $65 if you give them a call. I've heard the rooms are a little on the small side but it is a beautiful property although it is away from the Plaza.

I would also throw in a couple of other suggestions:
Garrett's Desert Inn is fairly newly renovated and has a great resturaunt. It is very close to the Plaza and is a litlle less expensive. It is a motel-style property which makes parking less of a hassle. I ate there a couple of weeks ago and they were advertising a $99 rate. 505-982-1851
Santa Fe Motel & Inn is also fairly newly renonvated and is a budget property (less than $90) close to the Plaza area. It is not within walking distance of the Plaza but it is in the downtown area. 505-982-1039
Have fun. The weather is nice but you'll probably need a sweater for nights.

My son loved the Inn at Loretto but don't know what the rates are. Try a search.

My daughter and I stayed at Bishops Lodge last September. very very nice and it was warm enough to swim. Also have horses and a stable there. bishops lodge usually very expensive but in September we got a pretty good deal because it was off season - I think around 130 with AAA discount. I also think breakfast is included in rate.

We stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe last June. It was the most immaculate hotel I have ever seen! Very enjoyable!

I don't know if that will be off season, price-wise, yet. If it is, I'd recommend the La Posada. My husband and I stayed there in November and loved it. The grounds and the rooms are beautiful and it's a very short walk to the square. there is a wonderful spa also. If you choose to stay there, be sure to ask for a room that is not near the street because of the noise.

We stayed at a B&B that we loved called the Spencer House. It was charming,immaculate and the breakfasts were great. It was close to the Plaza.

Suggestions for sites: Bandilier National Park (if it wasn't hit by the fires), the Tsankawi ruins and the Sanctuario de Chimayo. All will require a bit of driving but well worth it.

Suggestions for food: If you like Asian noodles, you have to go to MuDu Noodles in Santa Fe. We loved it so much we went back twice. Best noodles we've had, and we eat noodles where ever we can. Other suggestions are The Shed (Mexican), Whistling Moon Cafe (kind-of Mid Eastern, but great!), Gabriels (don't get sucked into the $9 guacamole) and Il Vicino for wood burning pizza. Last but not least, go to Rocques right off the Plaza. It's a stand and Rocque makes the best fajitas.

I visit Santa Fe almost every summer. In September the days should be absolutely beautiful--around 75-80 degrees and the nights in the low 50s. I have stayed at the Alexander Inn B&B more than once and highly recommend it, especially for its walking distance to the plaza and Canyon Rd. galleries. They have a nice breakfast that you can eat inside or out on the garden patio. Price range $100 and up. We stayed in the cottage which has a living room, full kitchen,bedroom and big bathroom. Hotel Santa Fe is very nice and also on the plaza but very pricey. El Rey in looks nice but it you have to drive to get to the plaza and it is very difficult to find parking. It would be great for a family. Old Mexico Grill is an excellent restaurant off the beaten track (in a strip mall on Cerillos Rd.)
Visit the sculpture garden of Gerald Peters Gallery and Nedra Mettuci Gallery, next door to each other on Paseo de Peralta. Nice to stroll through before dinner. Both galleries are have excellent, museum quality work.
If the flaminco dancer Maria Benitez is still performing by September (we saw her in July) you must go see her show at the Raddison Hotel. It was top notch and tickets are reasonable--the highlight of our trip for sure.

The Residence Inn is nice and the discount rate there is around $119/night if you book in advance. Be advised, it is south of downtown. I think the website is www.residenceinn.com.

If you want luxury, go up the hill to the Ten Thousand Waves spa and rent one of the Houses of the Moon. They are awesome! Their website is www.tenthousandwaves.com. Room renters get free use of the communal hot tub, too.

Fave restaurants for us are the Natural Cafe and Ore House on the Plaza.

Enjoy!

We stayed a few years ago at a lovely hotel run by the local indian tribe...I wish I could remember the name, but it was excellent in every way. Dang, I just can't remember, but you could find out from the local chamber of commerce, I am sure. It was close in to town for walking, but just a little back from the general hub-bub. Used to live in NM and have a soft spot for that region, although now days, I think it is pretty touristy. Most of the shops on the square have been replaced by tourist trap sort of places. Try to get up in the mountains, or in to the Pueblos for some real interaction with the locals.

Julie- the hotel you were talking about is the Hotel Santa Fe, and you are correct, it is outstanding in every way!