Santa Fe - American Southwest - page 153

1862 Cerrillos Rd. (P.O. Box 4759), Santa Fe, NM 87502. & 800/521-1349 or 505/982-1931. Fax 505/989-
9249. www.elreyinnsantafe.com. 86 units. $99-$165 double; $125-$225 suite. Rates include continental
breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Health club; 2 Jacuzzis; outdoor pool; sauna;
Wi-Fi (in lobby). In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer.
Inexpensive
La Quinta Inn Value Though it's a good 15-minute drive from the plaza, this is my
choice of economical Cerrillos Road chain hotels. Built in 1986, it has had ongoing
remodeling to keep the rooms comfortable and tasteful. The rooms within the three-
story building have an unexpectedly elegant feel, with lots of deep colors and Art Deco
tile in the bathrooms. There's plenty of space in these rooms, and they're lit for mood as
well as for reading. A complimentary continental breakfast is served in the intimate
lobby. The outdoor kidney-shaped pool has a nice lounging area and is open and heated
May to October. The hotel is just across a parking lot from the Santa Fe Place mall,
which shoppers and moviegoers appreciate. The Flying Tortilla coffee shop is adjacent.
4298 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87507. & 800/531-5900 or 505/471-1142. Fax [phone]. www.
lq.com. 130 units. June to mid-Oct $92-$115 double; late Oct to May $79-$89 double. Children 18 and
under stay free in parent's room. Discount for AAA members. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Maximum 2 pets stay free. Amenities: Executive-level rooms; outdoor heated
pool. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.
BED & BREAKFASTS
If you prefer a homey, intimate setting to the sometimes-impersonal ambience of a large
hotel, one of Santa Fe's bed-and-breakfast inns may be right for you. All those listed here
are in or close to the downtown area and offer comfortable accommodations at expensive
to moderate prices.
El Farolito The owners of this inn, which is within walking distance of the plaza,
have created an authentic theme experience for guests in each room. The themes include
the Native American Room, decorated with rugs and pottery; the South-of-the-Border
Room, with Mexican folk art with a full-size sleeper sofa; and the elegant Santa Fe-style
Opera Room, with hand-carved, lavishly upholstered furniture. A two-room suite has
been added in the main building, with a queen-size iron bed and Southwestern decor.
The walls of most of the rooms are rubbed with beeswax during plastering to give them
a smooth, golden finish. All rooms have kiva fireplaces and private patios. The common
area displays works by notable New Mexico artists. Part of the inn was built before 1912,
and the rest is new, but the old-world elegance carries through. For breakfast, the focus
is on healthy food with a little decadence thrown in. You'll enjoy fresh fruit and home-
baked breads and pastries. Under the same stellar ownership (but a little less expensive)
is the nearby Four Kachinas Inn ( & 888/634-8782; www.fourkachinas.com), where
Southwestern-style rooms sit around a sunny courtyard. A little less lavish than those at
El Farolito, these rooms are sparkly clean, all with patios.
514 Galisteo St., Santa Fe, NM 87501. & 888/634-8782 or 505/988-1631. Fax [phone]. www.
farolito.com. 8 units. $150-$280 casita. Rates include hot entree breakfast buffet. AE, DISC, MC, V. Free
parking. Amenities: Babysitting by appointment. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer.

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Hacienda Nicholas This inn, a few blocks from the plaza, has a delightful
Southwest hacienda feel. Rooms surround a sunny patio; my favorite is the bright Cot-
tonwood, with a serene feel created by the sunshine-colored walls, wood floors, and a
kiva fireplace. Even more luxurious, the Sunflower has French doors, plenty of space, and
a fireplace. The rooms off the sitting room in the house are more modest but also have a