Santa Fe - American Southwest - page 146

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fireplaces. Be aware that unless you've secured a suite, most rooms tend to be fairly small.
Fortunately, the hotel benefited from major remodels in recent years, including a $6-mil-
lion one in 2008, so all the bathrooms are modern and the rooms have fine linens and
comfortable beds. Most notable are the Zen-Southwestern-style spa rooms, as well as a
few “gallery suites,” appointed with original artwork from some of the region's most
prestigious artists. Travelers who are reluctant to trust the whims of older adobe construc-
tion should reserve one of the spa rooms or any of the other 40 newer rooms. Most rooms
lack views but do have outdoor patios, and most are tucked back into the quiet com-
pound. The top-notch on-site restaurant, Fuego (p. 157), serves artfully prepared inter-
national cuisine in a romantic, Spanish-colonial dining room. The Rockresorts Spa offers
a full range of treatments.
330 E. Palace Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501. & 800/727-5276 or 505/986-0000. Fax [phone]. www.
rockresorts.com. 157 units. $239-$359 double; suites $449 and way up, depending on the season. Vari-
ous spa packages available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. $30 resort fee per day includes parking. Amenities: 2
restaurants; bar; babysitting; concierge; health club; Jacuzzi; outdoor pool; room service; spa w/full treat-
ments. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, CD player, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi.
Expensive
Don Gaspar Inn Finds If you'd like to pretend that you live in Santa Fe, that
you're blessed with your very own Southwestern-style home—in a historic neighbor-
hood—full of artful touches such as Native American tapestries and a kiva fireplace, this
is your inn. A 10-minute walk from the plaza, Don Gaspar occupies three homes con-
nected by brilliant gardens and brick walkways. Rooms vary in size, though all are plenty
spacious, most with patios, some with kitchenettes, and there's even a full house for rent.
Travelers looking for an adventure beyond a hotel stay, but without the close interaction
of a B&B, enjoy this place. Though the rooms don't have views, all are quiet. The Court-
yard Casita, with a kitchenette and a sleeper couch in its own room, is nice for a small
family. The Territorial Suite, with carpet throughout and Italian marble in the bath, is
perfect for a romantic getaway. All rooms have bathrobes and fireplaces. The friendly and
dedicated staff serves a full breakfast—such as green-chile stew with fresh baked items—
on the patio under a peach tree (the fruit from which they make cobbler); in winter,
guests eat in the atrium.
623 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87505. & 888/986-8664 or 505/986-8664. Fax [phone]. www.
dongaspar.com. 12 units. $118-$165 double; $165-$205 suite; $185-$245 casita; $295-$355 house.
Rates include full breakfast. AE, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Babysitting. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair
dryer, Internet.

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Hotel Plaza Real Value This New Orleans-meets-Santa Fe Territorial-style
hotel, built in 1990, provides comfortable rooms near the plaza. The construction and
decor of the lobby are rustically elegant, built around a fireplace with balconies perched
above. Clean and attractively decorated rooms have Southwestern-style furniture, many
with French doors opening onto balconies or terraces that surround a quiet courtyard
decorated with ristras (strung chiles). Beds are comfortably soft and baths small but with
an outer sink vanity. The junior suites have an especially nice layout, with a sitting area
near a fireplace and good light from the north and south. In recent years, the hotel has
been receiving some needed upgrades.
125 Washington Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501. & 877/901-7666 or 505/988-4900. Fax [phone]. www.
hhandr.com. 56 units. $119-$149 double; $149-$289 suite, depending on time of year and type of room.
Additional person $20. Children 11 and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $12
per day. Pets $50 per stay. Amenities: Lounge. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.