Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Fe

This Holiday Inn Express is typical of the chain, with simple amenities and generic, largely dated decor designed for a convenient, inexpensive stay. The building is on a main road through the area, surrounded by hotels, stores, and restaurants -- many of which are large chains. Though the road gets plenty of traffic, there’s not too much noise inside the hotel. The lobby is a functional space with a hint of the Southwest evident in terra-cotta tiled floors and yellow-orange accent walls. Even so, the decor wants for a touch of Santa Fe culture. The hotel appeals to leisure travelers looking for a budget-friendly option near Santa Fe, but it doesn’t stand out from its nearby competitors. 

The Holiday Express is on Cerrillos Road, a main road through Santa Fe. The road is full of bargain hotels and shops catering to locals. There is an organic grocery store a five-minute walk away, and a larger grocery store a 13-minute walk down the road. A bus stops almost directly in front of the hotel for access to the city. Santa Fe Plaza, the cultural and shopping center of the city, is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. From there, guests have walking access to specialty shops, sights, museums, and entertainment. Outside the city, the Santa Fe Opera House is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Ski Santa Fe, a popular spot to enjoy nature year-round, is a 50-minute drive from the hotel. Santa Fe Municipal Airport is a 12-minute drive away, and Albuquerque International Sunport is an hour away.

Low-frills rooms have dated decor, though their decent amenities provide the basics for a quick stay. The design is generic, and clashing patterns in the carpet, drapes, chairs, and papered accent walls feel disjointed. Wood dressers and work desks alongside small tables and chairs provide space to work and relax. Beds are comfortable with options for two queens or king-size mattresses. Suites include a sitting area with a sofa separated from the sleeping area by a partial wall (or no wall at all), leaving no privacy between the spaces. Each room has a 32-inch flat-screen TV with some cable channels, mini-fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, and iron. Straightforward bathrooms have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and free toiletries.

Amenities here are typical of the Holiday Inn Express chain. A free continental breakfast of eggs, sausage, fruit, biscuits, and yogurt is served in a nondescript dining area off the lobby. The food is adequate, standard fare for budget properties. A small, seasonal pool occupies a sunny patio next to the parking lot. There are a few tables and black metal loungers. A lounge off the lobby has a few tables and a sofa in front of a TV. The fitness room is tiny, housing only a few machines. A business center and free Wi-Fi appeals to business travelers in need of basic services. Those with pets can take advantage of rooms set aside for guests with animals.