22 Best Hotels in Southwestern New Mexico, New Mexico

A favorite of groups and small conventions that otherwise might have limited options in a town this size, this older outpost of the chain offers condensed versions of some of the luxuries of larger resorts. You can expect the chain's usual quality and contemporary, modern flourishes in standard rooms; a friendly staff rounds out an easy stay.

This getaway in the old mining ghost town of Kingston, along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway (NM 152), has sturdy log-beam ceilings, massive stone walls, an interesting history, and an informal, rustic atmosphere that makes it nice for families, but the charm here owes a lot to the care and tending, and presence, of the proprietors. It's not quite enough to describe this lodge as "historic." The "town" of Kingston—a bustling boomtown established around the turn of the 20th century and with a current population of about 30—and the surrounding area are fun to explore and fantastic by mountain bike, but keep in mind that Silver City is a full hour's drive west. Guests have access to Percha Creek and miles of hiking trails. The rooms on the north side of the main lodge have views of the mountains, and the south rooms look into the lovely greenhouse. One-bedroom suites have cozy, vine-wrapped balconies in addition to sitting areas. Breakfasts are healthy and hearty, and the kitchen is open for you to cook in if you bring your own food. There is also a studio apartment and a six-bedroom house.

Unassuming from the outside, Blackstone has such a creative personality that visitors need simply turn the corner into the colorful midcentury-style courtyard—which echoes Blackstone's origins at a 1930s motor court—to be won over. With just the right dose of quirkiness, the very well-appointed accommodations reveal the owners' good humor: a tasteful assortment of Jetsons, Lucille Ball, and Twilight Zone memorabilia adorn the themed rooms. Each has its own private soaking tub for unlimited indulgence in the healing waters, and a kitchenette (no stove). The lush wet room ($25 per hour)—with plants, waterfalls, a shower, and hot pool—transports you somewhere far away from this desert locale. Two huge private tubs are available for $5 per half hour. The in-house coffee is a custom blend and it's fantastic. The staff is helpful and can offer savvy tips on local dining and sightseeing.

Three camping areas offer views of the lake, which is within walking distance of each site. Cottonwoods and other trees shade two sites; the other has desert landscaping. The tent sites ($8) are lakeside. You can stock up on goods at a grocery store, bait shop, and gasoline station 3 mi from the park. Developed sites for RVs cost $10 to $14 ($18 with sewer).

On the western edge of the Gila Wilderness are five well-appointed private casitas ("little houses" in Spanish) overlooking Bear Creek, nestled on 260 gorgeous acres. The night skies are brilliant, with countless stars twinkling, and the swath of the Milky Way glowing brightly. Each casita has its own spotting telescope or high-powered binoculars. Watching the stars from the shared hot tub is not to be missed. Guests have access to the organic herb garden (in season), which is super for those wanting to use the casitas' well-equipped kitchens and barbecue grills. Custom-crafted Southwestern-style furnishings, kiva fireplaces, radiant-heated floors, and generously appointed baths make for a perfect year-round getaway. The gracious and well-informed hosts offer star parties and tips on hiking and local geology; there are 9 miles of trails right on the property. There's also a very well-curated art gallery on-site.

The inexpensive rooms at the Charles are a favorite among artists and healers who espouse all sorts of interesting and unorthodox approaches to health. Various alternative therapies are practiced. Costs depend on the treatment and its length, but $5 will buy you an hour-long soak in one of the nine indoor soaking tubs fed from natural hot springs ($4 for a half hour). For $8 (and a reservation) you can soak in one of two outdoor Jacuzzis up on the roof. The huge (400-square-foot) guest rooms, many of which have kitchenettes, have so much extra space you can easily imagine settling in for months rather than days; in fact, excellent weekly rates are offered. There is a nice gift shop on the premises with locally made pottery and other goods.

The lodgings at this resort are a fun step back in time. The lodge was built in 1911 for the dam's administration and engineering offices. The "cabins" are quaint, neo-pueblo, stucco structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s. The resort has been established as an official historic district, and the restoration of the buildings is top-notch. The lodge operates as a B&B and is furnished with many period antiques. The spacious covered porch overlooks the marina. The cabins are an experience in retro-chic, and all have views of the lake, and kitchenettes (you must furnish utensils, plates, etc.) The bar-restaurant ($), open weekends only, serves steaks, seafood, and sandwiches—and some excellent margaritas. On Saturday nights between about Easter and Labor Day, dance bands play blues or rock on the outdoor patio, which also has a bar. Booking is done through the Dam Site Marina office.

The mesa-top property feels like a resort and has panoramic views of the lake. Get a lake-view room if you can and enjoy the huge, lush lawn that seems to disappear into the water. The Ivory Tusk Tavern & Restaurant ($$) serves standard fare including hamburgers, and steak and seafood platters; there's a big Sunday breakfast buffet. A spa and full salon are on the premises for massage and beauty treatments, and golf packages are available for the Sierra del Rio Golf Course.

At night, campfires flicker along the beaches of the many sandy coves of Elephant Butte Lake. There are developed and primitive campsites, many of them delightfully secluded. Sites without hookups are first come, first served; sites with hookups can be reserved. There's a restaurant on-site.

This well-kept chain property is a highlight among Las Cruces accommodations—extra clean, with great service, a logical layout, and plenty of handy amenities (free Internet, a lap-style pool, and fitness center, plus microwaves and refrigerators in rooms). It's at the east end of town, with easy access to main arteries, but it's tucked off the road so fairly quiet.

A striking, contemporary hotel high on a bluff on the east side of town channels a gracious hacienda with its colorful common spaces and restaurants. Rooms are furnished in a dark Spanish Colonial motif, with a number of period-style pieces. The large outdoor pool offers respite during the hot months. Mezcla serves creative Southwestern food in an elegant space with tile floors and beam ceilings, and there's a fun indoor-outdoor bar, Azul.

New construction is rare for the area, and this 2008-built single-story stucco motel with a metal roof has rooms that are simple and comfortable and are just right to wash off the trail dust and get a good night's rest. The Largo has the best café in town ($), a busy little spot known for homemade corn tortillas and biscuits, gravy, and chicken-fried steak, and excellent red-and-green chile on Mexican food dishes. The Navajo tacos are famous. They serve "a real full plate," too. Above the spacious booths are mounted trophies (the owner is a hunting guide).

This grand two-story building was built in 1882 as a bank, but it was reinvented as a hotel in 1900. News accounts at the time touted the Palace as a first-class lodging with the intimacy of a small European hotel. The New Mexico Historical Preservation Office helped to restore and reopen the hotel in 1990, keeping much of the historical detail intact. Some rooms have Western-style furnishings, others have neo-Victorian decor such as ruffled pillow coverings and bed skirts. The upstairs room is a peaceful spot for playing board games or reading.

Color is the name of the game at this great little hotel-spa oriented around a rock courtyard and tucked behind a coyote fence right Downtown. Soaking tubs in private, serene spaces are reserved for guests only. Rooms are vibrantly colored and furnished with a mixture of contemporary and retro furniture; many have separate sitting areas and kitchens. Not all rooms are located on-site, but all are within minutes of the main building. The Aqua Room ($80) has an in-room soaking tub. The property also rents about 20 rooms located elsewhere around town.

This motel on a mesa overlooking Silver City has comfortable rooms with worktables and contemporary decor. It is quiet and clean, and part of the reliable Choice Hotels chain. You'll find extra touches here ordinarily associated with higher-end lodging, such as microwaves, refrigerators, indoor pool, a hot tub, and a gym.

In the northern reaches of the Gila National Forest, six campgrounds surround Quemado Lake and provide convenient access to hiking trails or lake fishing for stocked rainbow trout.

All the pools (five public and three private) at Riverbend are right on the Rio Grande, with sweeping views of Turtleback Mountain. With its days as a youth hostel well behind it, Riverbend now offers a smart balance of contemporary comfort with a touch of retro bohemian spirit. Beautiful stonework surrounds the tubs, and inspired stone mosaics line the spa's winding paths; a lovely open-slatted wooden pergola shades a fleet of chaise lounges, all facing riverside. Several styles of room are available—a few are set in cleverly camouflaged and vibrantly painted, single-wide mobile homes, and all have modern furnishings. A casita and several larger suites are ideal for families or groups. Private tubs at $15 an hour are a treat and a bargain. Massage treatments are available by appointment.

This elegant property led the way for the small but impressive upward trend in lodging in T or C. In a compact 1937 building in the heart of town, this inn feels like a secluded retreat because of the massive walls and boulders surrounding its mission-style exterior. The simple, tasteful rooms have hardwood floors and serene prints on the walls; some have grand jetted tubs, though their open location adjacent to the sleeping areas may not appeal to everyone. Bathrooms are well-appointed, and many have extra-large showers. Guests can soak in an outdoor or indoor kiva-style hot tub swirling with steamy water from natural, underground hot springs; massages, facials, and other holistic body therapies are available by appointment in the spa. Breakfasts are delicious and are made with mostly local ingredients. The lodge is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.

To inspire dreams of riding the range, rooms of knotty pine are set off with Western paintings and Native American artifacts, and some have Victorian-style flowered upholstery and matching art. Locally handmade quilts and Mexican textiles decorate the walls. The facility was a maternity hospital for the region in the 1920s. There are also 14 RV sites with full hookups ($30; weekly and monthly rates available).