With Santa Fe construction height limited to three stories, from virtually every rise there's an unobstructed view of the sky and, to the northeast of Santa Fe, the Sangre de Cristo mountains. A daily drama takes place overhead, beginning with a watercolor dawn that heralds the intense light of day, then dusk, and finally an ink-black night pierced by a zillion stars.
Romantic Santa Fe Hotels
While many Santa Fe hotels appear from the outside to be similar low-slung adobe expanses, there are differences. The Eldorado Hotel, a Four-Star, Four-Diamond property a few blocks from the Plaza (downtown hub of shopping, dining, and lodging) features a fireplace, balcony, and Jacuzzi in most rooms.
Find out more about exceptional Santa Fe hotels in these profiles:
Other Favorite Santa Fe Hotels
Set on a corner of the Plaza at the end of the Old Santa Fe trail, the funky La Fonda Santa Fe boasts one of the best locations. Both its lobby and individual rooms are decorated in the ornate Spanish Colonial style. La Fonda's French Pastry Shop and Bakery, serving ice-cream crepes, can make breakfast or brunch in Santa Fe a sweet meal.
Also on the Santa Fe Plaza, Inn of the Anasazi provides an upscale experience in the midst of a heavily touristed area, and it contains a first-rate restaurant as well. It receives top marks from both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines. Even if you don't stay there, schedule a meal in its elegant restaurant. (But be warned: You'll never have the stomach to eat Taco Bell again.)
If you'd rather stay outside of Santa Fe, The Bishop's Lodge features all the fun and amenities of a country resort, including horseback riding.
Santa Fe Dining
Santa Fe's southwestern cuisine is heavily influenced by Mexican cooking, so unless you're accustomed to fiery food, there's potential for indigestion. Nouvelle-cuisine restaurants serve dishes combining chilies, beans, and cornmeal in new ways. The best-known is Coyote Cafe, while Santa Fe locals swear by Café Pascal's.
As the food in Santa Fe has become more refined (without losing any of its spiciness), restaurant offerings have increased and several places have garnered top cuisine awards. Savor Santa Fe's Top Restaurants when you go.
Ultimate Santa Fe Relaxation
New Age meets Old West at Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe. It's a Japanese-style hot-tub spa set in the hills high above Santa Fe. Reserve a private outdoor tub with its own adjacent plunge pool. A pre-dusk appointment guarantees an awesome view of the sunset. Follow up with his-and-hers massages using Ten Thousand Waves' cedar-scented lotion.
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