La Fonda on the Plaza

La Fonda on the Plaza occupies the southeast corner of the Santa Fe Plaza, and there has been an inn on this spot since the early 1600s, when the city was young. The present building dates from the 1920s and was designed in the Pueblo Revival style, with thick walls, rounded corners and carved wooden beams. It was once part of the Harvey House chain, which brought rail travelers to the Southwest, and it still carries the romance of the Santa Fe Trail, whose wagon trains ended their long journey almost outside the front door. Inside, the hotel is a gallery of New Mexican craft. Rooms feature hand-painted furniture, local art, carved doors and tiled bathrooms, and the public spaces mix stained glass, painted ceilings and murals. The lobby is a lively meeting place, and the restaurant La Plazuela, with its painted windows and garden courtyard feel, is a classic Santa Fe room. The rooftop bar, with views over the Plaza and toward the mountains, is one of the best places in town for sunset.

The great advantage is location. You step out of the door and you are on the Plaza, with the Palace of the Governors, the museums, the Cathedral Basilica and dozens of shops and restaurants within a few minutes. This makes La Fonda ideal for a first visit, for travelers without a car and for anyone who wants to wander in the evening without worrying about a ride home. The trade-off is that downtown can be busy, especially during festivals and summer weekends, and room sizes and layouts vary because the building is historic.

Rooms differ in character, from compact standard rooms to suites with sitting areas and fireplaces. If you value quiet, ask for a room facing an interior courtyard rather than the street, and if you want views, request an upper floor. Parking is available but usually costs extra, and the hotel's central position means you may not need a car at all. Check the details when you book, since services and policies change.

The hotel is also known for its ghost stories, a happy fit with the city's love of legend, and its role in local history, as a place where travelers, artists and politicians have stayed for generations. It suits couples, history lovers and first-time visitors who want atmosphere more than modern minimalism.

If you prefer a quieter, more secluded stay, look at Bishops Lodge in the foothills or La Posada de Santa Fe, which sits a little farther from the center. For a modern, family-friendly alternative with a free breakfast, consider the Drury. For many travelers, though, there is no substitute for waking up and walking straight into the Plaza.

Book early for September fiestas, the summer markets and the winter holidays, when rooms are in great demand. Ask about the history displays in the lobby, and take a few minutes to look at the art.