Santa Fe Motel and Inn
510 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, USA
Why We Like It
That this charming little property bursting with traditional Santa Fe style looks like a modest no-frills motel at first glance is part of its appeal. From the moment you step into the lobby, where fresh-baked cookies await you in the afternoon, you can tell the management at this well-priced property really care about making guests happy. The location, steps from the galleries, shops, and restaurants of the hip Railyard District, is an added bonus.
Fodor's Expert Review
An interesting, wallet-friendly property in Downtown's historic South Capitol neighborhood, this neatly kept little gem has both relatively conventional motel rooms and three roomier—and highly charming—casitas. This 24-unit boutique hotel stands out from other properties in this price range thanks to its welcoming staff, particularly good breakfasts, and the care the management takes in decorating and maintaining the rooms.
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Room
These are your typical motel rooms, by any stretch. Rooms are decorated in classic Santa Fe style, with hammered-tin mirrors, painted folk furniture, equipale (pigskin) chairs, tile floors, and local artwork. Bedding above average for this price point, and the beds have decorative ironwork and colorful striped spreads in Southwestern colors. Deluxe options include rooms with kitchenettes and private fenced-in patios, and three pet-friendly casitas offer full kitchen, extra sitting room, and—in two of them—wood-burning fireplaces.
You Should Know All of the accommodations here have exterior entrances, many of them opening up to a parking lot. It's handy if you want to park near your room, but don't expect scenic views from standard rooms.
Bathroom
With Saltillo tile floors and colorful Talavera walls and counters, the bathrooms carry through the inn's cheerful and colorful Southwestern aesthetic. All have combination shower/tubs and soft, high-quality towels. The management here thinks of every little detail, even placing cheerful yellow rubber duckies by the tubs.
Lobby
The very small lobby is essentially just for checking in (and picking up a couple of fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon), but there is a nice little patio next to it with a table and chairs, and guests can also relax in the breakfast room or elsewhere amid the very nicely landscaped grounds.
Dining
There's no restaurant, but an impressive hot-breakfast buffet is served in the charming breakfast room, which has a wood-burning kiva fireplace, brick floors, and a wood-beam ceilings with skylights.
Drinking
You won't find any on-site options, but there are numerous bars as well as Kaune's Neighborhood Market (which has a great wine and beer selection) within a short walk.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The motel has a handy location within walking distance of the Rail Runner train station and all the restaurants and shopping in the Railyard District as well as South Capitol and the Plaza area. There is free parking, though, if you do bring a car, and driving (or Uber) is the most practical way to explore attractions outside the city center.
Restaurants
Vinaigrette (5-minute walk) stands out from many Santa Fe restaurants for its menu focused heavily on big meal-size salads with farm-fresh ingredients; you can also pick up tasty gourmet provisions, coffees, desserts, and cool culinary gifts at the restaurant's hip lifestyle store, Modern General, which is next door. For hearty and authentic Northern New Mexican fare, from red-chile pork tamales to sopaipillas stuffed with beans and smothered in chile, it's hard to beat Tomasita's (5-minute walk), which occupies an old train depot.
Bars
Make your way to Santa Fe Spirits Tasting Room (2-minute walk) to sample locally crafted calvados-style apple brandy, single-malt whiskey, and artisan gin. There's always a lively crowd of locals and tourists shooting pool, enjoying burgers and barbecue, and hobnobbing over drinks at convivial Cowgirl BBQ (6-minute walk).
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