Santa Fe Sage Inn

Santa Fe Sage Inn, located near shopping in the Guadalupe District, has a motel-style arrangement, attractive Southwestern-style decor in the public areas and rooms, and some of Santa Fe's most reasonable rates. The pleasant lobby has terra-cotta-tile flooring and a cozy seating area, and a free breakfast is served daily in a room kept warm by an adobe kiva-style fireplace, and framed by hardwood floors and a ceiling of Pueblo-style vigas (log-style wooden beams). 

The Sage Inn is located on Cerrillos Road, six blocks (about a five-minute drive) from the Plaza, and one block from shopping in the Guadalupe District. Many restaurants are available within walking distance, and the Plaza -- the shopping and cultural center of town -- is easily reached by using the “Sage Coach,” the hotel’s free shuttle to any destinations within two miles. The hotel is a five-minute drive from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and New Mexico Museum of Art, as well as Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the nation. A 10-minute drive gets you to Canyon Road, home to over 100 art galleries and studios. The hotel is an hour-and-a-half drive from Albuquerque International Airport.

Santa Fe means “Holy Faith” in Spanish and is home to about 85,000 people of varying cultural backgrounds including Hispanics, Native Americans, and Anglos. New Mexico’s fourth-largest city is also the nation’s highest capitol and its oldest: It was founded in 1607. The “City Different,” as it’s known, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet at the southern edge of the Rockies, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Although the cool summer hiking and skiing in winter offer great reasons to visit, it’s best to keep in mind that the high elevation also means more stress for the body while acclimating. Most people become used to the thinner air after two or three days which means that strenuous physical activity will become easier and less dangerous if you wait a day or two after arriving in town. One more caution -- one alcoholic drink at this altitude feels like three at sea level!

The Spanish influence seen so often throughout Santa Fe stems from the missionaries who arrived in the 1600s to convert the local Native American population. Old missions such as the San Miguel can be seen scattered across New Mexico and offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history. Often times, these missions are located at or near Native American pueblos, such as Tesuque or Cochiti, which are home to the various Pueblo peoples. Visiting New Mexico’s pueblos offers a chance to interact with the locals, purchase art and wares, and gain a better appreciation of New Mexico’s rich history.

Today, Santa Fe is the one of nation's largest markets for buying and selling art. In addition to the many galleries at the Plaza and along Canyon Road, several museums including the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum (showcasing the painter’s long relationship with New Mexico) celebrate the creative spirit in Santa Fe.

The Sage Inn’s 145 rooms are decorated in Southwestern-style decor: Native American-style rugs and pillows, leather and wood chairs, ornamental tinwork, and wrought-iron details. The rooms are small -- starting at 170 square feet. Rooms have either kings or two queen beds. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, and ironing equipment. Bathrooms come with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted mini-hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and an assortment of toiletries.

Santa Fe Sage Inn's offers free breakfast daily; it includes hard-boiled eggs, cereal, bagels, muffins, and ready-made French toast and waffles. The breakfast room is adjacent to Derailed, Santa Fe Sage Inn's bar/eatery that opens to the public in the afternoon. A meeting room that also exhibits the Pueblo theme is connected to the dining room via wooden doors. The outdoor seasonal pool is small but adequate for a dip, and the fitness room features free weights and several machines. The hotel offers a free shuttle to Santa Fe Plaza, the city's cultural center, which is a five-minute drive away. Wi-Fi is free throughout. There is a daily fee for parking in front of rooms, but it is a reasonable rate.