Fodor's Expert Review Hacienda Nicholas
320 E. Marcy St., Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, USA See on Map Fodor's Choice
This classic Santa Fe Hacienda is just blocks from the Plaza yet set in a quiet residential area and sheltered from outside noises by thick adobe walls. Southwest decor mixes with French country and Mexican details to create an ambiance perfectly suited to this city. The inn is part of a small group of neighboring properties that includes The Madeleine, Alexander's vacation rentals (which comprises four exceedingly lovely cottages and casitas), and the full-service Absolute Nirvana Spa.
There's no gym on-site, but guests enjoy discounted admission to El Gancho Health and Tennis Club (10-minute drive) and free access to Shellaberger Tennis Center (12-minute drive).
room
The rooms are extremely comfortable and quiet, with details like plush comforters and sheets, and cozy robes. Several rooms and cottages open on to the interior courtyard, which has a kiva fireplace and offers a perfect respite after a long day of exploring
YOU SHOULD KNOW The Sage, Cottonwood, Hollyhock, and Wisteria rooms are accessed from a common interior space inside the inn; if you'd rather more privacy, opt for one of the other units, each of which has a private exterior entrance.
bathroom
The inn's charming bathrooms are brightened with Mexican folk-art tiles and vary greatly in size, and each is outfitted with eco-friendly bath products.
YOU SHOULD KNOW As with the rest of this historic property, bathrooms have a rustic ambience and each has its own individual design. If you're not a fan of B&Bs, you might be happier in a larger, more conventional property.
lobby
The warmly furnished living room of this handsome 1920s inn serves as the lobby and is a relaxing place curl up with a book (or peruse the extensive selection of local publications), snack on cookies, and mingle with fellow guests. In warm weather, the garden courtyard serves as a delightful outdoor common space.
spa
Located across the street in the same Victorian building that houses sister property, The Madeleine B&B, the tranquil Absolute Nirvana Spa is a full-service facility. After enjoying one of the 60- to 120-minute treatments, ranging from yogurt-and-honey body masks to Indo-Asian hot stone massage, soak in a rose-petal bath before a crackling wood-burning fire.
dining
The homemade, organic breakfasts and afternoon snacks will leave you begging for the recipes (which they'll cheerfully provide). Breakfast is served in the art-filled living-dining area or out in the sunny courtyard.
drinking
The inn hosts a nightly social hour with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres.
LOCATION
Getting Around
The inn is in a peaceful yet relatively central residential area on the east side of downtown, an easy 10- to 15-minute walk from many of Santa Fe's top museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants. A car or Uber is handy for exploring farther afield, to Museum Hill or the Santa Fe Opera, for example.
Restaurants
Chez Mamou French Cafe & Bakery (5-minute walk) serves a heavenly almond croissants, decadent croque madame sandwiches, and more substantial Gallic fare—moules frites, rack of lamb with red wine sauce—in the evening. Amid the dozens of fine art galleries on Canyon Road you'll also find exquisitely prepared contemporary cuisine at refined Geronimo Restaurant (15-minute walk), where you might sample sweet corn–and–lobster crepes followed by cherry-rubbed elk tenderloin.
WHY WE LIKE IT
For a smaller property in a residential neighborhood, Hacienda Nicholas has a lot going for it. The owners are friendly and helpful, the location quiet yet close to Canyon Road galleries and Plaza dining and attractions. You can also book treatments in the full-service spa across the street, and the management rents out four larger casitas and cottages that are ideal for longer stays or families. We're also fans of the inn's "green" practices, which include the use of eco-friendly cleaning products and lighting, and low-flow toilets.
QUICK FACTS
What’s Nearby
People also liked
El Paradero Bed & Breakfast Inn
$$ | 220 W. Manhattan St.
Downtown Santa Fe's oldest inn—the farmhouse it's situated in da... Read More
Casa Cuma B&B
$$ | 105 Paseo de la Cuma
One of the only accommodations in the attractive residential neighborh... Read More
Villas de Santa Fe
$$ | 400 Griffin St.
A residential-style resort comprising 100 all-suite units with separat... Read More
Pueblo Bonito Bed & Breakfast Inn
$$ | 138 W. Manhattan St.
Named for an archaeological site at Chaco Canyon back in the 1930s, th... Read More
Four Kachinas B&B
$$ | 512 Webber St.
The beautifully furnished sister inn to El Farolito, which is just aro... Read More
DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Fe
$$ | 4048 Cerrillos Rd.
A reliable chain option that's stands out among the many other big-nam... Read More
