The Best Hotels in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Note: This post was written in partnership with Tourism Santa Fe. However, as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Santa Fe is a cultural hotspot full of world-class restaurants, shopping and art. Unsurprisingly, Santa Fe is also home to fantastic hotels that cater to every type of traveler. If you’re trying to decide where to stay during your trip, this post will tell you what you need to know about three of the best hotels in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
If you’re also looking for ideas of where to eat, sightsee and shop, you can find my complete guide to Santa Fe here.
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, one of the top Santa Fe luxury hotels, hosted us for the first two nights of our trip.
Location
The resort is located on Pojoaque Pueblo, which is about a 15 minute drive from the heart of Santa Fe. The hotel is set on a sprawling and tranquil property with views of the nearby mountains.
Rooms + Art Collection
The 393 rooms include local Native American art and hand-designed furnishings. I highly recommend booking a room with a balcony and a Kiva style fireplace!
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder boasts an unbelievable art collection that includes over 400 works of art, representing every Native American tribe within the state of New Mexico. My favorite piece is the stained glass panel pictured below.
Other Amenities
For the gamblers out there, the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder has the largest casino in northern New Mexico. It has 70,000 square feet of gaming, including 1200 slot machines and a dedicated poker room. If you’re like me and gambling isn’t your thing, it’s easy to avoid the hotel’s casino. The casino is on a separate level from the hotel lobby so you only really see it if you’re looking for it.
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder also has multiple restaurants on site, a large spa, an indoor pool, a seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness center, 27 holes of golf, and 66,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces. As a bonus, the hotel is also dog friendly!
If you’re looking for a Santa Fe luxury hotel where you can unwind with a view of the mountains, or a place in the Santa Fe area to host your next event, or a gaming hotel, Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder is a great choice.
Hotel Santa Fe
Hotel Santa Fe is the only Native American owned hotel in downtown Santa Fe. We stayed there for the last two nights of our trip and loved the location.
Location
Hotel Santa Fe is about a 15 minute walk to the Plaza area in downtown Santa Fe. As an added bonus, the hotel is just steps from the trendy Railyard district, which is full of coffee shops, bars, restaurants and contemporary art galleries.
Rooms + Art Collection
The rooms are casually elegant and decorated in Southwestern style. Hotel Santa Fe also displays an award-winning Native American art collection.
Other Amenities
Hotel Santa Fe has an outdoor pool and hot tub, a spa, a fitness center, and a restaurant. The hotel also has a convenient shuttle service to help you get around and explore Santa Fe. It’s also dog friendly!
Hotel Santa Fe is a great option if you’re looking to stay in downtown Santa Fe, but are also interested in exploring the Railyard neighborhood. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, Hotel Santa Fe is a perfect jumping off point to explore both the traditional and trendier sides of Santa Fe.
La Fonda on the Plaza
La Fonda on the Plaza is one of the top luxury hotels in Santa Fe and the most historic hotel in the city. We didn’t have a chance to stay at La Fonda, but we stopped by for breakfast and a tour of the hotel.
History
According to city records, La Fonda sits on the site of the town’s first inn, which was opened in the early 1600s. This makes La Fonda the oldest hotel corner in the U.S. The hotel’s current structure was built in 1922.
Location
From its name, it should come as no surprise that La Fonda on the Plaza is the only hotel located directly on the Santa Fe Plaza. If you plan to spend most of your time in Santa Fe’s historic center, La Fonda’s location can’t be beat.
Rooms + Art Collection
The rooms at La Fonda include hand-painted headboards, handcrafted furniture and original artwork. If you’re looking for a room with a view, you can book a room with a view of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi or the Loretto Chapel.
As you would expect, La Fonda has a significant art collection. The hotel also offers docent led tours, if you’re interested in learning more about La Fonda’s history and art collection.
Other Amenities
La Fonda has a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, plus a fitness center with steam rooms. It is also a dog friendly property.
If you’re coming to Santa Fe for a romantic getaway, La Fonda on the Plaza is an ideal place to stay. If you aren’t able to stay at La Fonda, try stopping by their restaurant, La Plazuela, for breakfast. It has a secret garden ambience and memorable chile rellenos.
All in all, there are plenty of options for accommodations in Santa Fe. But if you’re looking to stay at one of the best hotels in Santa Fe, I highly recommend any and all of these three hotels. Each has a unique atmosphere and offers a different experience.
Have you been to Santa Fe?
xx
Vicki
