The Lodge at Santa Fe

The Lodge at Santa Fe is the vision of owner Jim Long, a native New Mexican. On the outside, the lodge features appealing sandstone walls and wood beams. The hilltop location provides great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A laid-back scene can be found at the spacious outdoor seasonal pool and separate whirlpool. The lodge has more of a buzz at night, both in the restaurant and lounge. A 160-seat theater that hosts live entertainment, including flamenco dancers, and the on-site Spanish-style chapel make the Lodge a popular place for special events and weddings.

The Lodge at Santa Fe is located outside of the old town, about one mile from the Plaza. A free shuttle connects guests to the Plaza every hour or by request. The hotel also offers free self-parking.Santa Fe sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet at the southern edge of the Rockies, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Tourists are attracted by cool summer hiking and skiing in winter, but keep in mind that this high elevation requires some time to acclimate. A Spanish architectural influence is seen throughout Santa Fe, and stems from the missionaries that 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.Today, Santa Fe is the nation's third largest market for buying and selling art. In addition to the 100-plus art galleries and studios at the Plaza (a five-minute drive away) and along Canyon Road (a 10-minute drive away), several museums, including the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, celebrate the creative spirit of Santa Fe.The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Santa Fe Municipal Airport and a 65-minute drive from Albuquerque International Sunport.

The Lodge at Santa Fe has 128 rooms with Southwestern-style decor (including boldly patterned carpeting and carved wood furniture) and amenities such as flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi (though some guests have complained about signal strength). Some higher-level rooms have extras such as adobe fireplaces, wet bars, hot tubs, and large balconies. All units are spacious and certain rooms -- such as those in the Kiva Wing -- are very big, at 500 to 700 square feet. Views are excellent from the second floor on the mountain side (facing east) while other rooms may only overlook the pool or the parking lot.

The Lodge at Santa Fe is a short drive away from Santa Fe, but has plenty of its own features, too. The seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub area is a relaxing space to soak up the sun (though the occasional nighttime pool party can be noisy). The fitness center, while small, has a few decent cardio machines. Live entertainment is staged at the 160-seat Maria Benitez Theatre, and weddings are frequently held at the on-site Spanish-style chapel. The on-site restaurant serves New Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the second floor of the hotel, as well as takeout for guests who prefer to dine in their rooms. Excellent views of the city lights and Sangre de Cristo Mountains are available both inside and out. The adjacent Lodge Bar opens daily in the evenings.