4 Best Hotels in The Plaza, Santa Fe

This historic, reasonably priced hotel by the Santa Fe River has cheerful rooms with a Mexican theme, bright colors, hand-painted folk art, feather pillows, Southwestern fabrics, and handmade furnishings; deluxe rooms also have balconies and fireplaces. Perks include a complimentary sherry and biscochito (anise cookie) welcome, breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi, and parking. The on-site restaurant Del Charro is popular for lunch, dinner, and late-night drinks and snacks (the bar's chicken wings are arguably the best in town). The drinks are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the bar stools are usually populated with locals.

This venerable downtown landmark comes with modern amenities but still retains a warm, artful design—including whimsical painted headboards and handcrafted furniture that's faithful to the vision of Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, the vaunted architect responsible for the hotel's elegant Southwestern aesthetic. Though there has been an inn on this corner for centuries, the pueblo-inspired structure you see today was redesigned in 1922 by famed regional architect John Gaw Meem and has since been enlarged many times. Antiques and Native American art decorate the tiled lobby. Some suites have fireplaces; the rooftop suites are the most luxurious and include continental breakfast and private concierge services. A year-round heated pool and steam room are great for relaxing. La Plazuela Restaurant, with its hand-painted glass tiles, serves tasty, creative Southwestern food. Live bands rotate nightly in the snazzy La Fiesta Lounge, and the beloved Bell Tower Bar (open spring through fall) serves light food and offers commanding views of the mountains and Downtown. Don't forget to book a free docent tour of the property to truly appreciate its history and art collection.

One of the few slightly more affordable, full-service hotels near the Plaza, this attractive, Territorial-style adobe hotel with a mix of spacious standard rooms and even bigger suites is a solid option, especially given the extensive amenities available in many units—wet bars, kitchenettes, spacious sitting areas. All the rooms are decorated with handcrafted furnishings and Southwestern textiles, and many have woodburning fireplaces and either shared or private patios. You enter some rooms through a charming central courtyard, while others are set down interior hallways. The hotel's main restaurant, Estevan, serves a mix of traditional New Mexican and American fare, and the offbeat Low 'n Slow Lowrider Bar—decked in artfully displayed vintage car parts—is a fun spot for a drink. In an additional nod to the area's low-rider and cruising culture, the hotel owns a 1964 Impala lowrider that is popular for selfies. The hotel is beside the venerable city library and across the street from the New Mexico History Museum and several good restaurants.

Just south of the Plaza, this stately three-story hotel retains a historic vibe but has been given a modern flair—with expansive stone floors, plaster walls, and spare furnishings lit by massive pillar candles at night, the lobby feels a bit like a monastery. The simple, elegant rooms with high ceilings and casement windows have rustic Mexican furnishings. If you're looking for more of a splurge, the Cardinal Suite has a private balcony with views over the rooftops of downtown. The cocktail bar, Secreto, serves excellent cocktails and has a light bar menu. An added bonus is the Gruet Tasting Room, where you can sample the still wines and respected sparkling brut from one of New Mexico's best-known wineries.