Best Santa Fe Hotel – New Mexico
The best Santa Fe hotel displays the red chillis that have become the hallmark of the community.
Which is the best Santa Fe hotel? For a fairly small city (less than 150,000), Santa Fe offers a great selection of places to stay. This reflects the special fondness that many travelers have for the destination and – to a lesser extent – the fact that Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico.
Many people are drawn to Santa Fe by the art scene, others for the chance to have authentic contact with the Native American culture, and still others by the climate and the “high vibe” that can turn a casual visit into something approximating a spiritual journey.
With so many good hotels, being the best Santa Fe hotel is no small feat.
Certainly location is very important. A few hotels tout that they are “right on the Plaza,” which raises all kinds of red flags for me. The Plaza has become very touristy – and therefore noisy and crowded. And, if I can be honest here: I have great sympathy for the homeless, but I don’t want to encounter them when I return to my hotel at night.
Authenticity is also very important. The best Santa Fe hotel should reflect the city’s heritage and culture. Its size should also reflect the intimacy, the familiarity, that is unique to this destination. This rules out highrise hotels and any lodging that showcases an exotic culture instead of the Hispanic and Pueblo Indian culture of the American Southwest.
A scene from an early-morning walk on Canyon Road, Santa Fe.
So what is the best Santa Fe hotel?
I really like the Inn on the Alameda. It’s located a few blocks from the Plaza, so it’s quiet, but still very convenient. In fact, it’s the closest hotel to Canyon Road, which is handy for gallery shopping and absolutely perfect for early morning walks.
The cozy sitting room at Inn on the Alameda is adjacent to the Agoyo Lounge.
Culturally, it’s about as authentic as you can get. Built in the traditional style of the Southwest, with adobe walls and timber ceilings, the two-story property also includes kiva fireplaces and images of the Southwest displayed in public spaces and guest rooms.
The best hotel in Santa Fe: Inn on the Alameda.
Rooms and rates at Inn on the Alameda
Rates at this cozy boutique hotel include free parking, breakfast, wi-fi, and a wine and cheese hour in the late afternoon. Guests gather for meals in the Agoyo Lounge and in an adjacent patio where the trees are strung with tiny white lights. You can find more expensive places to stay in Santa Fe, but I doubt you’ll find a friendlier staff.
One of the Sanchez Suites at Inn on the Alameda.
The hotel offers 72 rooms including 12 suites. Number 136 is a large casita near the wedding garden (a favorite of those who choose the Inn for their destination wedding); number 140 is a beautiful suite (one of the seven Sanchez suites) that was once home – for few days - to Queen Noor of Jordan; ask for room 161 if you want a shower separate from the bathtub.
Like Santa Fe itself, the Inn on the Alameda positively exudes charm. That’s why I think it’s the best Santa Fe hotel.
Happy travels,
Category: Hotels, USA Southwest
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I’ve stayed at The Inn on the Alameda and found it the perfect place for a Santa Fe getaway. The accommodations were charming, the location superb, and the staff was very accommodating. When my husband said he craved some authentic spicy New Mexican cuisine, one of the cooks at the hotel sent us to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with the spiciest food I’ve ever tasted. In the winter they have some great deals. Check out their website.