2 Best Hotels in Outside the Plaza, Santa Fe

All the beautiful Southwestern and Mexican furniture in this small, upscale compound is custom-made, and all the art and photography is original. Rooms are spacious and pleasant with fireplaces and separate entrances; some are in their own little buildings. El Farolito has a peaceful Downtown location, just steps from the capitol and about a 10-minute walk to the Plaza. The same owners run the smaller Four Kachinas inn, which is close by and has one handicapped-accessible room (rare among smaller Santa Fe properties). The breakfast here is a real treat, featuring a tempting range of delicious baked goods.

It's a pleasant 10-minute walk west of the Plaza to reach this group of properties consisting of a few historic, luxurious compounds, one of them Spanish Pueblo–style adobe, another done in the Territorial style, and others ranging from rooms in renovated Victorian houses to contemporary condos with up to three bedrooms. A network of brick paths shaded by mature trees leads through these buildings, connecting them with secluded courtyards and flower gardens. All units have fireplaces, microwaves, and refrigerators (and full kitchens in some cases), and individual art and handcrafted furnishings, and rates include an extensive continental breakfast. It's an elegant alternative to the city's upscale full-service hotels, affording guests a bit more privacy and the feel of a private cottage rental—though it is managed by the Hotel Santa Fe.