SureStay Collection by Best Western Inn at Santa Fe

This tidy, three-story hotel is surprisingly quiet, given its location next to the busy Fashion Outlets of Santa Fe complex. It’s a friendly place with a modest lobby that’s nicely decorated in colorful Southwestern style. A comfy living room area has several pieces of handsome leather furniture and Native American patterned rugs atop hardwood floors. The area in front of the natural stone registration desk opens up into an airy, two-story space. Native American art decorates the walls throughout the Inn, including the cozy El Cafe & Bar that has a gas fireplace and rough-hewn wood beams across the wood paneled ceiling. The restaurant’s outdoor seating overlooks the pool area that has a popular gas fire pit and lots of seating. Expect to see mostly budget-conscious tourists here who don’t mind the 20-minute drive into downtown in exchange for lower rates. 

The Inn is located near the junction of Interstate 25 and Cerrillos Road, a crowded road with miles of restaurants, hotels, and businesses. The Inn is adjacent to the Fashion Outlets of Santa Fe that’s home to several notable retailers including Levi’s, Coach, and Polo Ralph Lauren. The retail complex also has a couple of restaurants, but that’s the extent of dining options within walking distance. A Walmart Supercenter and several restaurants (including a Starbucks) are five minutes by car. The Santa Fe Municipal Airport is a 12-minute drive. The Santa Fe Railyard Station is 15 minutes by car. Downtown Santa Fe and the Plaza are 20 minutes away by car, and the landmark Santa Fe Opera House is a 30-minute drive. It’s approximately a one hour-drive to Albuquerque International Airport.

These clean and quiet rooms feature bright Southwestern accents including art and Native American bed throws and bolster pillows (they are solid red in some rooms). Otherwise, they have a rather traditional and bland decor that includes soft yellow walls, white bedding, and gold and brown carpet with diamond patterns. While on the small side, good lighting and cheerful colors keeps them from being gloomy. Traditional Queen Rooms have armchairs, while the Double Rooms (two twin beds) only have the office chairs that accompany the tan granite desks. Larger, studio-style Mini-Suites add sofas. The rooms are well equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, safes, coffeemakers, flat screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Roomy, tan granite vanities are placed just outside the bathrooms, which also are a bit small with dated acrylic shower inserts. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Views of the surrounding area are unremarkable.  

The Inn has a nice list of features for this price range. It's a 20-minute drive from downtown Santa Fe, but it helps make up for it by operating a free shuttle that operates from morning to early evening. The El Cafe & Bar serves a free breakfast buffet with eggs, potatoes, and other hot dishes. It also serves American classics with a Southwestern flair for dinner, and has happy hour specials. The Inn has a convenience store that sells souvenirs, sundries, and food including frozen entrees. Vending machines are available as well. The fitness center is a bit small, but it’s open 24/7 and has free weights and a few pieces of cardio equipment. The heated outdoor pool is also on the small side, but it's adequate for a quick dip. It’s part of a nice patio area with a fire pit and whirlpool. Three small meeting rooms are available for group functions, and the lobby has a 24/7 business center with a computer and printer. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, and the Inn has a guest laundry room. Wi-Fi, weekday newspapers, and parking are free, and there is an electric vehicle charging station in the parking lot. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.