Best Luxury Hotels in Santa Fe

The 5-pearl, 65-room Encantado sits in a secluded spot a few miles north of Santa Fe with great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Big, luxurious rooms are decorated in a modern Southwestern style, featuring concrete and wood floors, Native American-style rugs, and a color scheme or warm browns and oranges, as well as high-end extras such as radiant floor heating, wood-burning fireplaces, and private patios. The fine dining at Terra restaurant is rated highly, and the resort also features an outdoor seasonal pool, Jacuzzi, luxury spa, and even free rentals of a Mercedes Benz for the day. But some guests have complained of noise in first-floor rooms from second-floor foot traffic, and though the location is beautiful, it's a 20-minute drive from Santa Fe Plaza, the city's shopping and cultural center.

The 4-pearl Rosewood Inn, which underwent a major renovation in 2008, is one of Santa Fe’s most desirable hotels. It has an ideal location right by the Santa Fe Plaza, the city's cultural center. Big rooms have charming Southwestern style, with wood floors, beamed ceilings, kiva-style fireplaces, and lots of Native American and regional artwork. The Anasazi Restaurant is one of Santa Fe’s best, and serves Southwestern-influenced American cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. There's no pool or fitness center, though, so those who want more amenities may consider the nearby Inn and Spa at Loretto.

This upscale property has a long-standing reputation as one of the finer inns in Santa Fe. A historic chapel adjoins the hotel, the location by the Plaza can't be beat, and the decor is classic Santa Fe. Highlights include the stylish Luminaria Restaurant that is renowned for its fresh, organic cuisine and The Spa at Loretto, popular for its varied array of treatments. Rooms have a warm, earthy feel and offer high-tech amenities such as flat-screen TVs and iPod docks.

The 81-room upscale boutique, housed in a historic building two blocks the Santa Fe Plaza, underwent a complete renovation in 2011 and now features simple, mission-style decor inspired by the principles of St. Francis of Assisi. The elegant, minimalist rooms have original wood floors, sturdy wood furniture made by local artisans, and a color scheme of gray and white -- but, as in many historic buildings, they're small. The hotel features a fine dining restaurant serving New Mexican cuisine, as well as a bar with outdoor seating available offering appetizers and cocktails. But there’s no pool or Jacuzzi, and guests will have to pay a daily fee for parking. If a pool is a priority, consider the nearby Inn and Spa at Loretto.

The business-friendly four-pearl Eldorado offers the convenience of being just two blocks from the Plaza, plus some great features such as a fine dining restaurant, a top-notch spa, and some of the largest business facilities in town. The Southwestern-themed rooms are attractive and clean, with nice touches such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks.

The Inn at Vanessie is a boutique, 11-room bed and breakfast located within walking distance of the Plaza. Rooms are among the most charming available in this price category, with Southwestern decor and in some, extras such as fireplaces and patios. Free Wi-Fi and a free hot breakfast add value, and the location is perfect for exploring the busy retail area nearby. There's no pool or fitness center, but Vanessie Restaurant gets great reviews, and a professional pianist plays several nights a week in the lounge.