Visitors flock to Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, for its rich history, architecture, confluence of cultures, museums and geography. What's especially appealing is a low-humidity climate, which is just right during the high tourist season that generally runs from May to September. Golf tourism is a major industry in the state, and the scenic hills around this town are dotted with several highly rated courses, including Quail Run, Santa Fe Country Club and Towa Golf Course. A luxury hotel on the Plaza provides a great base from which to explore the city and its links.
La Fonda
The current incarnation of La Fonda dates to 1922, making it the oldest hotel on the Plaza, but the spot has been home to inns catering to pioneers since at least the 1820s. The pueblo-revival inn is the oldest Plaza hotel. Its richly decorated, warmly welcoming lobby level has La Plazuela restaurant, La Fiesta cocktail lounge, a 24-hour business center, shops and art galleries, and The French Pastry Shop creperie and cafe. Its 167 guestrooms and suites offer all the basic modern amenities, and no two rooms are alike. Some rooms have a private balcony, fireplace and refrigerator. The hotel offers babysitting services, a spa, room service, a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, exercise room, a concierge service that can book tours and tee times, free WiFi throughout the property, and laundry and dry-cleaning services.
La Fonda
100 E. San Francisco St.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(800) 523-5002
lafondasantafe.com
Hotel Plaza Real
The look of this luxury nonsmoking Plaza hotel injects elements of New Orleans plantation architecture into traditional Native American and Southwestern decorating styles. Its 56 guestrooms and suites feature handcrafted furniture, free high-speed wireless Internet, a private balcony overlooking a courtyard and a fireplace (in most rooms). The traditional courtyard offers a nice spot to take a load off while preparing to hit the greens. The lobby area is filled with original art, textiles and pottery. Services and amenities include an executive meeting space, Jesse's Lounge (with live entertainment on weekends), in-room massage by appointment, private underground parking (for a fee), spa services and a 24-hour front desk.
Hotel Plaza Real
125 Washington Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-4900
hhandr.com
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
A 2006 renovation of this nonsmoking luxury hotel updated the bedding and decor in the guestrooms, which feature original artwork and textiles, four-poster beds, a humidifier and a gas-fueled kiva fireplace (in some rooms). Rooms have all the standard modern amenities, including a TV with a DVD player and WiFi access. Anasazi cliff dwellings are echoed in the hotel's flagstone flooring and vigas, which are roof supports fashioned from the trunks of trees. It was built in 1991 and is a half block off the Plaza. The lobby level has a library, business center and a comfortable common area perfect for reading and meeting fellow travelers. The hotel offers concierge services, valet parking, in-room massage and a laundry service. The on-site Anasazi Restaurant offers Southwestern fare. The hotel is on the pricey side. Dogs are allowed for a fee. Stationary exercise machines are offered by request. The hotel can arrange tours, private guides and tee times.
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
113 Washington Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-3030
innoftheanasazi.com
About The Author
Based in the Southwest, John C. Lauzon is a freelance writer and editor who has been writing professionally since 1997. His articles have appeared in "Details," "New York Press," "Entertainment Weekly," "British Esquire," "Penthouse" and "German GQ." He worked in magazine publishing for 10 years in New York City. Lauzon received a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Indiana University.
