Santa Claran Hotel Casino
460 N. Riverside Dr., Española, New Mexico 87532, USA
Why We Like It
Priced attractively and with a handy location midway between Santa Fe and Taos and relatively close to Abiquiu and Ojo Caliente as well, this modern six-story hotel offers clean, mid-range to upscale accommodations. It's an especially good choice if you're a fan of bowling or gaming, as these activities are offered on-site.
Fodor's Expert Review
This modern six-story casino-resort hotel in the small city of Española lies about midway between Santa Fe and Taos and offers comfortable, spacious accommodations with extremely reasonable rates. It's nothing fancy, but rooms are bright and modern, and the common spaces are quite attractive.
You Should Know Although this is a gaming property, the casino has a separate entrance and you can't hear any noise from the lobby are rooms.
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Room
The spacious rooms have all the amenities you'd expect of an upscale hotel, except for work desks, but there are small tables with two chairs that can serve this purpose. Many rooms have balconies with patio chairs, and those on the higher floors have sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and high desert. The color schemes and artwork reflect the heritage of the Southwest.
Bathroom
The good-size bathrooms have quartz counters and large walk-in showers with glass doors. The larger suites have deep soaking tubs as well.
Lobby
The large two-story lobby is a nice place to relax—it's decorated with sofas and armchairs, and there's a small cafe in the back selling coffee and snacks, and beyond that a small patio with a fire pit and a few tables and chairs.
Pool
Year-round, you can relax in the hotel's indoor pool and adjacent hot tub.
Gym
The Santa Claran has a basic exercise room, but you can also get some exercise and have fun in the adjacent bowling alley, which has 24 lanes.
Dining
There's dining on-site both at the Grill at Santa Claran, which serves decent Southwestern and American fare three meals a day, and at Java Lounge, a small cafe serving Starbucks coffees and light snacks that's located at the rear of the lobby.
Drinking
The on-site Grill at Santa Claran has a full-service bar that's open until 9 or 10 pm depending on the evening. It's popular both with guests of the hotel and those visiting the adjacent 27,000-square-foot casino.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Set in the middle of Española on the main state highway between Santa Fe and Taos, the Santa Claran is easy to find and reach but isn't close to much within walking distance, so a car is a must for staying here and exploring the area.
Restaurants
El Paragua (3-minute drive) has long been well-regarded for classic Mexican and New Mexican specialties, including steaks smothered in green chiles and beer-battered Baja-style shrimp. In tiny Chimayó, on the High Road to Taos, the charming and historic Rancho de Chimayó (15-minute drive) is lovely venue for a brunch or dinner on the patio or in one of the atmospheric dining room. The traditional New Mexican fare is outstanding.
Bars
The Iguana Café (18-minute drive) at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder has a great menu of margaritas, and you'll find several other popular restaurants and bars in this popular casino-resort. Make your way to Gabriels (18-minute drive) for table-side guacamole, generous drinks, and wonderful sunset views from the patio.
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