Where to Stay in Santa Fe (Best Areas & Places) (2024)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Santa Fe | | Tips | FAQ

I’m a seasoned traveler and Santa Fe is one of my favorite destinations. I’ve compiled this list to help you decide where to stay in Santa Fe.

First-timers should stay in Downtown Santa Fe. Not only will you be close to many of the city’s best attractions, but you’ll also have dozens of beautiful and architecturally intricate hotels to choose from. La Fonda on the Plaza is my top pick because of its fantastic location and the beautiful art throughout.

But other areas may be suited to travelers with different priorities. I’ll walk you through all the other places to stay and give you their pros and cons to help you choose.

We’ll start with a summary of my favorite hotels.

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Best Places to Stay in Santa Fe

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Santa Fe? Here are my top picks:

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – La Fonda on the Plaza
• ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
• 👪 Best for Families – La Posada De Santa Fe
• 👔 Best for Business – The Hacienda & Spa
• 🏨 Best Boutique – El Rey Court
• 🥾 Best Near Hiking Trails – Casa De Gracia
• 💵 Best Budget – Best Western Plus Inn of Santa Fe

Ok, let’s do a deep dive of the best areas and neighborhoods in Santa Fe:

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Santa Fe

• Downtown Santa Fe

Best for First-Time Visitors

• Historic Eastside

Best for Hiking

• Canyon Road

Best for Art Galleries

• Midtown Santa Fe

Best for Affordable Prices

• Railyard District

Best for Nighttime Entertainment

See Also

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Most neighborhoods in Santa Fe are relatively close to one another, typically within walking or biking distance. Many travelers stay in the downtown/Santa Fe Plaza area but some suburbs also have a distinctive appeal.

I recommend staying downtown to be close to the top attractions if it’s your first time in Santa Fe. However, if you’ve been to Santa Fe already, consider staying closer to the foothills in the quiet Historic Eastside neighborhood.

Downtown Santa Fe

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors| ✨ Best Downtown Santa Fe Hotels: Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi • La Fonda on the Plaza • Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe

First-time visitors who want to be close to the bulk of the action should stay in Downtown Santa Fe. This is where you’ll find the majority of popular museums, art galleries, restaurants, and a large concentration of hotels.

Don’t miss fun annual events in Downtown Santa Fe like the Labor Day Indian Market or the Wine & Chile Fiesta. Both are great opportunities to get a feel for the local culture and to find those can’t-live-without souvenirs. Most places and activities are within walking distance, negating the need for an Uber or taxi.

Many of Downtown Santa Fe’s accommodations pay homage to the town’s Indigenous and Spanish roots. La Fonda on the Plaza is one example, and it’s my number one pick for where to stay in Santa Fe. The hotel’s intricate architecture and original art make it one of the most attractive hotels in the city.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Santa Fe:

• Within walking distance of major attractions
• Plenty of budget-friendly, boutique, and luxury hotel choices
• Excellent restaurants
• Near special events and souvenir shops

Cons of Staying in Downtown Santa Fe:

• Can be noisy at night and crowded during the day
• Hotels may sell out, especially on the weekends
• Food can be expensive
• Hard to find public transportation

Historic Eastside

👉 Best Area For Hiking | ✨ Best Historic Eastside Hotels: Casa De Gracia • Harmony House • Fort Marcy Suites

Stay in the Historic Eastside Santa Fe neighborhood to be away from the bustle of Downtown Santa Fe and closer to hiking trails. The Historic Eastside accommodations are closer to the rolling foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They tend to be more peaceful and blend in with their natural surroundings.

There are no grand, luxurious resorts in this suburb, but there are quaint cottages and timeless homesteads draped in ivy.The Casa De Gracia is one such place with charming details and a relaxing shady backyard.

The Historic Eastside isn’t as active as downtown Santa Fe, but there’s still plenty to do, especially for outdoor lovers. Easily explore the Dale Ball Trails and dozens of others from this side of town. Picnic at Patrick Smith Park or spend time birdwatching at the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary.

Pros of Staying in the Historic Eastside Neighborhood:

• Quieter than the downtown area
• Close to hiking trails and other outdoor activities
• Many home rental options

Cons of Staying in the Historic Eastside Neighborhood:

• Farther away from the centralized, tourist location
• Few hotels
• Food and accommodation can be pricey

Canyon Road

👉 Best Area For Art Galleries| ✨ Best Canyon Road Hotels: La Posada De Santa Fe • Inn on the Alameda • La Fonda on the Plaza

Canyon Road is one of the most affluent Santa Fe neighborhoods. The organic adobe community boasts an art gallery-lined street with over 100 showrooms.

Art lovers and travelers in search of some artistic inspiration should stay in Santa Fe’s Canyon Road district. The Inn on the Alameda is a good choice because it’s just a block from Canyon Road but within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza.

Canyon Road is far less crowded than the downtown area but still receives its fair share of tourists. Visitors can spend hours strolling and shopping, admiring sculptures, and chatting with artists along this art-filled street. There are plenty of cute cafes, restaurants, a teahouse, and a wine bar to stop in for a bite to eat too.

Pros of Staying in Canyon Road Neighborhood:

• Hundreds of art galleries and adobe rentals
• No chain restaurants or hotels
• Small-town feel
• Just a few blocks from historic Santa Fe Plaza

Cons of Staying in Canyon Road Neighborhood:

• Not many hotels are available
• Accommodation and food can be expensive
• Roads are very narrow, not good for wide vehicles
• Can be extremely crowded, especially on the weekends

Midtown Santa Fe

👉 Best Area For Affordable Prices | ✨ Best Midtown Santa Fe Hotels: El Rey Court • Courtyard Santa Fe • Best Western Plus Inn of Santa Fe

Midtown Santa Fe is one of the most overlooked districts in the city.

It was once an industrial district filled with warehouses but is now a hip, up-and-coming neighborhood in the southern part of town. You won’t find yourself bored for a moment in this area known as the “edgier side of Santa Fe.”

Visit the Baca Street Arts District in Midtown. This art-forward area is known for its galleries. Or head to Second Street for a selection of bistros, coffee shops, and taprooms. Meow Wolf is another Midtown Santa Fe attraction, and you don’t want to miss this unusual, interactive art installation that’s larger than life.

Midtown Santa Fe is an emerging tourist destination and is a great place for visitors to stay for affordable accommodation options. I recommend going with Best Western Plus Inn of Santa Fe for the absolute best prices.

Pros of Staying in Midtown Santa Fe:

• The most affordable district in Santa Fe
• Near fun art entertainment
• Far less crowded than other Santa Fe, New Mexico neighborhoods

Cons of Staying in Midtown Santa Fe:

• Farther away from the main downtown activities
• Fewer entertaining activities and sightseeing options
• Hotels aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as other hotels in Santa Fe

Railyard District

👉 Best Area For Nighttime Entertainment | ✨ Best Railyard District Hotels: The Hacienda & Spa • El Sendero Inn • Inn of the Governors

The industrial environment of the Railyard District makes it one of the coolest places to stay in Santa Fe. Many locals hang out in this area of town, where live music echoes from breweries and fresh produce is sourced from the weekly farmers market.

Visit the Museum of Culture and the Railyard Artisans Market. Don’t miss Tequila Tuesday at BOXCAR, partake in a historic Railyard walking tour, or have a picnic in Railyard Park.

There are many hotels in the Railyard District, but for a true luxury experience, you can’t go wrong with The Hacienda & Spa. I also recommend checking out picturesque boutique rentals like the Clementine House before you make your final decision.

Pros of Staying in Railyard District:

• Removed from main tourist crowds
• Close to fun Santa Fe attractions, restaurants, and breweries
• Within walking distance of Downtown Santa Fe
• Many accommodation options are available

Cons of Staying in Railyard District:

• Farther away from the main tourist attractions
• Food can be expensive
• Not close to nature or any hiking trails

Tips for Staying in Santa Fe

Read Online Reviews Beforehand

Check the online reviews even if you find the perfect hotel in Santa Fe for the perfect price. Reviews from past travelers will update you on things the hotel won’t say outright themselves. This will save you an unhappy experience in the long run and keep you from potentially booking accommodation that’s less than satisfactory.

Keep the Cleaning Fee in Consideration

House rentals are on the rise in Santa Fe. More and more visitors opt to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel because they usually get the whole house to themselves.

Take the rental cleaning fee into consideration when budgeting for your house rental. The cleaning fee usually doesn’t show in the price per night and can sometimes be as much or more than the nightly price.

Go Grocery Shopping

While Santa Fe is one of the best places to visit in the USA, it’s not the cheapest. Go grocery shopping and purchase your own food to save some money while in Santa Fe.

Most house rentals and some hotel rooms have their own kitchens. Factor this feature into your decision on where to stay in Santa Fe to save some money in the long run.

Plan for the Season

New Mexico experiences four distinct seasons. If you visit this culturally rich Southwestern town in the winter, be prepared for the cold.

That said, I still recommend traveling to Santa Fe in the winter because there are far fewer tourists at this time and hotels will be heavily discounted. With the proper layers, this can be your new favorite season to travel to New Mexico.

Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit because New Mexico has quite a few hot springs to visit, even in the snow.

Look for Bundle Deals

Hotel bundle deals are often available online if you book early enough. If you’re a last-minute planner like me, however, then you’re better off checking bundle websites for accommodation discounts.

I recommend comparing the prices of many different third-party websites to find the cheapest one. You can also try calling the hotel directly to see what their private price is, outside of third-party websites.

Choose Your Location Based on Activities

Figure out what you want to do in Santa Fe before you book your accommodation. This way, you can be closer to the activities you want to do without having to travel a long distance.

Stay in Downtown Santa Fe for at least one night if you want to experience all the top Santa Fe attractions.

Several New Mexico hot springs are 1- 1 ½ hours northwest of Santa Fe. The charming Indigenous town of Taos is 1 ½ hours north of Santa Fe. Figure out what activities are on the top of your list then stay in an area of Santa Fe that’s close to them.

Search for Dog-Friendly Hotels in Santa Fe

Traveling with your four-legged friend? You will need to search for dog-friendly places to stay in Santa Fe. Luckily, you’ve got some great options.

La Fonda on the Plaza, El Rey Court, and Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe are all some of my top hotel picks and they’re all pet-friendly. Always be sure to confirm ahead of time with your hotel to ensure its dog-friendliness.

If you’re traveling in an RV, there are also many pet-friendly RV parks around town, like Santa Fe Skies RV Park.

Rent a Car for Santa Fe

While most attractions are within walking or bike-riding distance in town, I recommend renting a car to get around more fluidly. With a car, you can take extended day trips out of town, park all day at a hiking trailhead, or drive between famous downtown museums instead of walking.

Discover Cars is one of my favorite rental car companies in New Mexico. They have every kind of car available for rent, even 4WD rentals for winter visitors. Rent a car in the middle of the week for the most affordable prices.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Santa Fe

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With so many great places to stay in Santa Fe, this town should be at the top of your New Mexico travel itinerary. Let me know in the comments which accommodation you’re booking!

For more New Mexico travel inspiration be sure to check out our where to stay in Albuquerque guide!