Hotels

It's difficult to find a bad place to stay in Santa Fe. From downtown hotels to Cerrillos Road motels, ranch-style resorts to quaint bed-and-breakfasts, the standard of accommodations is almost universally high.

You should be aware of the seasonal nature of the tourist industry in Santa Fe. Accommodations are often booked solid through the summer months, and most places raise their prices accordingly. Rates increase even more during Indian Market, the third weekend of August. During these periods, it's essential to make reservations well in advance.

Still, there seems to be little agreement on what constitutes the tourist season; one hotel may raise its rates July 1 and lower them again in mid-September, while another may raise its rates from May to November. Some hotels recognize a shoulder season, so it pays to shop around during the in-between seasons of May through June and September through October.

No matter the season, discounts are often available to seniors, affiliated groups, corporate employees, and others. If you have any questions about your eligibility for these lower rates, be sure to ask.

A combined city-state tax of about 14.6% is added to every hotel bill in Santa Fe. And unless otherwise indicated, all recommended accommodations come with a private bathroom.

Reservation Services -- Year-round reservation assistance is available from Santa Fe Hotels.com (tel. 800/745-9910), the Accommodation Hot Line (tel. 800/338-6877), All Santa Fe Reservations (tel. 877/737-7366), and Santa Fe Stay, which specializes in casitas (tel. 800/995-2272). Emergency Lodging Assistance is available free after 4pm daily (tel. 505/986-0038). All of the above are private companies and may have biases toward certain properties. Do your own research before calling.

Bed & Breakfasts -- If you prefer a homey, intimate setting to the sometimes-impersonal ambience of a large hotel, one of Santa Fe's bed-and-breakfast inns may be right for you. All those listed here are in or close to the downtown area and offer comfortable accommodations at expensive to moderate prices.

Neighborhoods

Downtown -- Everything within the horseshoe-shaped Paseo de Peralta and east a few blocks along either side of the Santa Fe River is considered downtown Santa Fe. All these accommodations are within walking distance of the plaza.

The North Side -- Within easy reach of the plaza, the north side encompasses the area that lies north of the loop of Paseo de Peralta.

The South Side -- Santa Fe's major strip, Cerrillos Road, is US 85, the main route to and from Albuquerque and the I-25 freeway. It's about 5 1/4 miles from the plaza to the Santa Fe Place, which marks the southern boundary of the city. Most motels are on this strip, although several of them are to the east, closer to St. Francis Drive (US 84) or the Las Vegas Highway.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

RV Parks -- At least four private camping areas, mainly for recreational vehicles, are located within a few minutes' drive of downtown Santa Fe. Typical rates are $28 for full RV hookups, $18 for tents. Be sure to book ahead at busy times.

Campgrounds -- There are three forested sites along NM 475 on the way to Ski Santa Fe. All are open from May to October. Overnight rates start at about $12.