where to stay in santa fe ( best area & hotels )

Where is the best area to stay in Santa Fe?

By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023

Santa Fe holds a fair few interesting records as it is one of the oldest state capitals as well as being one of the highest located capitals with an elevation of 7000 feet. Part of its charm is that Santa Fe has a relatively small population of 70,000 and therefore tourists can really enjoy their time here without the worry of hassling with millions of people whilst inhaling lots of vehicle fumes. The scenic beauty is often described as the “Land of Enchantment” and welcomes you with colour, art, music and dance as well as a long history.

The best area to stay in Santa Fe is the Historic District as it has the most amount of tourist attractions and is certainly the most happening place with its focus being Central Square, which is where many people gather and meet and is a brilliant place to watch the world go by. Santa Fe downtown area has a maze of museums as well as various historic architecture sites, night time entertainment, a diverse range of shopping opportunities and plenty of art galleries and dining options.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Santa Fe, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.

If you are interested in where to stay in Santa Fe, you may also be interested in where to stay in Albuquerque and where to stay in Denver.

Historic District, the best area to stay in Santa Fe

First Time / Tourists / A Weekend

The downtown area is particularly small as well as vibrant and offers a fun and eventful stroll through the main tourist area. It is generally busy during night as well as day and, being a big hit with the tourists, means that the place is well guarded by police making it an incredibly safe neighborhood to stay in.

The downtown area is served by a whole host of public transport services including buses and trains from and to the airport as well as getting around the city. This area has a remarkable number of small roads and pathways with the main road being Paseo de Peralta and has a good number of shops dotted all along it as well as restaurants, pubs, cafes and some hotels.

The best place to start your journey of the city is by the Santa Fe Plaza, which is where people from all over the city and further afield come to meet loved ones, friends, business partners and lots of others. The Plaza is home to cafes, restaurants, shops, hotels and some tourist attractions including the New Mexico History Museum, which happens to be the oldest public building in the country and now houses a brilliant historical museum with many floors that display artifacts from the earliest settlers to the present.

Another interesting one is the Museum of Art, which is focuses mainly on New Mexico art with the International Folk Art Museum having various exhibitions on local, regional and national textiles, traditional arts, toys, model villages, clothes and much more.

Other museums to note are the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, which has many exhibitions on Hispanic art, and Ranchos de los Golondrinas, which has a huge outdoor museum that has reconstructions of villages, vineyards, mills, farms that imitate those in the Spanish colonial days.

The main historic sights in the downtown neighborhood include St Francis Cathedral, which is impressive inside and out with striking art, colour and structure. Loretto Chapel was built in the late 19th century and was modelled after the Gothic Sainte Chapelle in Paris with the staircase being one of the major highlights and the San Miguel Mission is one of the oldest churches in the country.

The majority of the shopping can seem very art based, as you will notice the sheer amount of art galleries and gift shops dedicated to art as you walk around the downtown area. These art galleries and shops have pretty much sell everything to do with the subject from Native American techniques to Asian works, though the area is dominated with arts from Native America and one of the most popular roads to see these is on Canyon Road.

Try the main square in the downtown area for other shops and there are a few small markets and malls like De Vargas Centre and Sanbusco Centre, which sell toys, food, books, clothes, technology, jewelry, handmade crafts and much more.

Night time is one of the most popular times of the city with the downtown area wonderfully lit up and many theaters and halls putting on numerous productions including musicals, operas, concerts, dance performances and much more with the Santuario de Guadalupe Greer Garson Theatre and St Francis Auditorium being some of the most famous.

Let’s hope you like your spicy food as there is a huge collection of Mexican restaurants found in the center, though there are plenty of other options with San Francisco Street having seafood places, French, Guatemalan, Chinese, Thai, Italian and many other cuisines. The whole downtown area is infested with pubs, bars and clubs, so you are never too far away from one, and many places focus on beer and general alcoholic drinks from Mexico.

You are also spoiled for choice in terms of accommodation options, with the best area being centered around the main plaza, which cater for all budgets and most offer spacious rooms and excellent customer service.

Other areas to stay in Santa Fe

Cerrillos Road

Cheaper Hotels

Staying along or close to Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe is a fantastic choice for those on a budget who want to easily access the city center. You can follow Cerrillos Road right into the center of Santa Fe and easily enjoy all the fun of downtown! You will find lots of accommodation options that are less expensive than in the heart of the city including well-known chain hotels and some local motels, like the El Rey.

There is plenty to do along Cerrillos Road such as visiting the Santa Fe Place Mall or doing some antique shopping! Cerrillos Road also has several outlet shops at the southernmost end and plenty of places to eat either directly on or slightly behind the road. There’s a range of cuisines to choose from including American, African, and Mexican. El Parasol is a must-try for some award-winning tacos and burritos!

Most booked hotel in Cerrillos Road:  Ramada by Wyndham Santa Fe  ⭐⭐⭐

Canyon Road District

Galleries / Boutiques / Restaurants

For art lovers, the Canyon Road District is definitely one of the best places to stay when in Santa Fe. The sheer amount of art galleries within this mile-long district is remarkable! Indeed, there are over a hundred of these magnificent galleries here, featuring international art- from Native American art to Contemporary International Art and much more.

It is also very pleasant just to stroll along Canyon Road, admire the picturesque trees lining the road and even eat and relax at one of its excellent cafés or restaurants. And for those who love outdoor festivals, Canyon Road is a brilliant place to stay. There are several annual festivals that attract visitors from all over, including the exciting Christmas Eve Farolito Walk- perfect for a Christmas vacation.

In terms of places to stay, you can find a wide range of hotel options here, within walking distance of the many galleries.

Most booked hotel in Canyon Road District:  Inn on the Alameda  ⭐⭐⭐

Railyard Arts District

Contemporary Art

Santa Fe’s Railyard Arts District is the best place to stay for contemporary art lovers. Although it doesn’t have quite the number of galleries as Canyon Road, here the specific focus is contemporary art. You could easily spend at least several days exploring and admiring the world-class contemporary galleries here, including Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Evoke Contemporary and many more!

There are also many more things to do in this exciting district. Shoppers will love staying in Railyard Arts District, as there are a number of excellent local artisan shops and boutiques here. Entertainment lovers will also enjoy staying here, with regular shows and events which make this area fun and lively. With excellent local and international eateries, you also won’t go hungry. Nature lovers can enjoy strolling around the pretty Railyard Park and having a family picnic.

There are a variety of places to stay here, and excellent rail connections to other parts of New Mexico.

Most booked hotel in Railyard Arts District:  Hotel Santa Fe  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guadalupe District

Shopping / Restaurants

Very close to the Railyard Art District lies Santa Fe’s vibrant Guadalupe District. One of Santa Fe’s oldest neighborhoods, there is plenty of history and culture to be found here. There are plenty of hotel options to choose from here, too, whether you are on a budget or not.

The Guadalupe District is a perfect place to stay for foodies. You can find some of Santa Fe’s best and most varied restaurants here. From local to international cuisine, the Guadalupe District is certainly a top culinary hotspot in Santa Fe. Its quirky cafés are also a great option.

History lovers will also be in their element here. The Guadalupe District is steeped in history, and its prize gem is definitely the fabulous Santuario de Guadalupe Church and shrine. You can also shop at the iconic Farmer’s Market, and of course make the short trip to the Railyard area.

Most booked hotel in Guadalupe District:  Guadalupe Inn  ⭐⭐⭐

Tesuque

Luxury hotels

Just outside of Santa Fe city (in its metropolitan area) you can find the beautiful village of Tesuque. If you love nature and panoramic views, this is the ideal place to stay! Indeed, Tesuque is very small, with less than a 1000 population, perfect for escaping the crowds.

Hikers and walkers will particularly love staying in Tesuque. There are numerous hikes and country trails to be find here, and the river trails are particularly popular. The Tesuque River flows through this village and the riverside trails are simply stunning, great for families, couples and even solo travelers looking for peace of mind.

Despite being small, you can easily find places to stay in and around Tesuque. Despite being a remote village, it is a surprisingly short taxi ride from downtown Santa Fe, so you really have the best of both worlds here. There are even several art galleries in Tesuque.

Most booked hotel in Tesuque:  Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐