5 Best Hotels in Day Trips from Santa Fe, New Mexico

Set in the rugged red rock hills of a secluded village between Taos and Abiquiú, this fabled hot springs resort appeals to a wide range of tastes and budgets, from spiritually minded adventurers seeking a moderate-priced wellness retreat to couples wanting an upscale yet secluded spa getaway (it's a favorite of celebs filming movies in New Mexico). Accommodations run the gamut from the charmingly spartan and unfussy 1916 Mission Revival–style hotel (no TVs, common shower rooms, simple furnishings) to the elegant suites and guesthouses—some with fireplaces and soaking tubs. The impressive common spaces include a beautiful lobby, spa boutique, and lithia springs and mud pools at the bathhouse and spa, where all lodgers have complimentary access to the mineral pools and milagros (miracle) wraps. Well-prepared food and drink are served in the Artesian Restaurant, which serves tasty meals in a charming dining room and the adjoining wine bar. Don't miss a chance to explore the resort's many trails that wind through acres of gorgeous scenery.

In the serene Chama Valley amid the red-rock scenery that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe, this inn, located beside the Welcome Center for tours of the artist's home and studio, contains casitas, suites, and rooms brightly decorated with Southwestern accents that may include woodstoves, kiva-style fireplaces, wood-beam ceilings, verandas, and screen-in porches. This is an excellent base for exploring the trails and museums of Ghost Ranch, and amenities include a great little restaurant and an excellent art gallery.

Managed by Hilton, this expansive, upscale gaming and golfing resort is 15 miles north of downtown Santa Fe, just off a freeway but with spectacular views of the mountains and Rio Grande Valley—it's a great option to be close to the start of the High Road or if you'd prefer to stay close to but still a bit outside of the City Different. Rooms are spacious and airy, all with large windows and some with full balconies taking in the dramatic vistas. The property offers plenty of leisure amenities, including an extensive slate of treatments in the 16,000-square-foot Wo'P'in Spa, access to a pair of championship layouts (27 holes) at the adjacent Towa Golf Resort, a concert venue, and a good mix of upscale and casual restaurants and bars. There's also an enormous casino, but it's set well away from the lobby and public areas on a separate level, making it easy to ignore if gaming isn't your thing. Hilton also operates a less pricey but quite nice Homewood Suites next door.

Intimate and peaceful, this classic adobe inn offers sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo range and contains nine charming rooms decorated with antiques and Native American and other regional arts and crafts. The Luminaria Room, in the main house, has a private patio, viga ceilings, and a brick floor. The separate one-bedroom Casita Suite has a kiva-style fireplace, tile floors, kitchenette, and a sitting area. There are several covered porches, and a massive bird-feeding station draws dozens and dozens of birds. 

This antiques-filled three-story log-and-stone home is set in the evergreen folds of the Sandia Mountain foothills, with 4 acres of wooded grounds beckoning outside the back door. The top two floors have rooms with balconies and big picture windows that bring the lush mountain views indoors. The third-floor room also has cathedral ceilings; some rooms have fireplaces or jetted tubs, and one has its own private entrance. Breakfast, served in a plant-filled room or outside on a patio with a fountain, often includes fresh fruit, pancakes, or waffles with sausage.