2 Best Hotels in South Side, Santa Fe

The kind of place where Lucy and Ricky might have stayed during one of their cross-country adventures, the El Rey was built in 1936 but has been brought gracefully into the 21st century, its rooms and bathrooms handsomely updated without losing any period charm. Rooms are individually decorated and might include antique TV armoires, beamed ceilings, upholstered wing chairs, and sofas; some have kitchenettes. Each unit has a small covered front patio with wrought-iron chairs. Beautifully landscaped grounds are covered with flowers in the summer and towering trees shade the parking lot. There's a landscaped courtyard with tables and chairs by the pool.

This low-slung adobe property significantly transcends the generally sketchy quality of the several other budget motels along Cerrillos Road, thanks to the tireless efforts of its owner. There's a kitschy, Western aspect to the place—rooms are named for icons of the West (Annie Oakley, Wyatt Earp) and contain related plaques with colorful biographies and local cowboy art. Furnishings are decidedly Southwest: Mexican-tile bathrooms, serape tapestries, built-in bancos, and equipale chairs (made of woven wood and leather) are present in most rooms. Enjoy breakfast on the covered ramada picnic area. The popular home-furnishings and gift emporium, Jackalope, is next door.