Murray On Travel

The Hotel Saint Francis is located just a block-and-a-half from the historic central plaza of Santa Fe.  This boutique hotel has been beautifully remodeled in such a gentle way that it hasn't lost its historic New Mexico roots.  The 81 room property is smoke-free and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  By paying respect to the past this hotel's modest accommodations offer an "Old West" high-end experience.

A large lobby offers plenty of comfortable chairs for relaxing and a few tables suitable for getting some work done.  In the evening it's peaceful ambiance was overshadowed by the lively hotel lobby bar.  Hotels Website Link

Room #212 is a standard guest room but most would consider it a bit small by modern standards.  The petite size isn't unusual for a hotel constructed almost 100 years ago.  Even with the small size my room at the Saint Francis delivered comfort without eliminating the historic bones of this classic Santa Fe hotel.  There was no desk or suitcase stand in room.  The room works best if you are not bringing a lot of luggage.

A modern sink replaces the traditional washbasin & pitcher of water you might have found 90 years ago.  But in keeping with the Hotel's respect for history the design is spot on.  There was no in-room coffee or refrigerator.  For $5 you can have morning coffee delivered to your room at a time you select.  There is a small hanging area in closet.  I wonder if years ago travelers to northern New Mexico had such comfortable beds with excellent linens and pillows?

The shower was small and dark but workable.  I was surprised to find the towels just average.  The bathroom had marginal ventilation.  Room #212 offered plenty of easily accessible AC power outlets and the WiFi had good signal strength, Download: 4.24 Upload: 4.01.

I loved the room's classic worn wooden floor.  It helps one imagine what it must have been like to rest your head in this hotel when it opened in 1924.  A time when travelers arrived by horseback or a Ford Model T.   Get more info on Santa Fe New Mexico click here.

You are surrounded by beautiful lighting everywhere in the St. Francis. Great attention has been paid to creating a period feel with the lighting fixtures and the bulbs used in them.  At another Santa Fe hotel I visited they had beautifully hand crafted ceiling fixtures with ugly coil florescent lamps. The Hotel Saint Frances uses lighting in the rooms and public areas to enhance the historic ambiance of this hotel.

I did not dine in the hotel's main restaurant but I'm told by locals that it is excellent.

A long patio runs along the front of the hotel and is the perfect meeting place on a warm summer's day.  It's great for watching tourists and locals pass by as the day turns into evening.  When the bar is open the staff provides table service.  Free self parking is available in a lot next to the Hotel.

The visit to the town of Santa Fe is all about experiencing its rich history and culture.  The Hotel Saint Francis enhances that historic journey without sacrificing the modern conveniences that upscale travelers expect.

The La Fonda hotel is a classic property located on the famous central plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico.  It is important to note in this review that the hotel was established in 1929 and has been giving its guests a wonderful venue for visiting this beautiful city.

Room #319 is a large standard room with two beds in the historic section of the hotel.  Vibrant colors and plenty of lamps provide a bright, whimsical atmosphere.

The room has a nice big bright bathroom with a shower/tub.  Rooms, shapes and sizes vary around the property since sections are of different vintages. For more on the hotel visit their website.

The light fixtures, architectural details and room's furniture are very unique with a Southwestern artistic feel.

Not much of a view here but other rooms offer better ones.  Keep in mind that this is classified as a "standard" room.  Read more about Santa Fe.

In-room coffee, iron & board, hairdryer, empty refrigerator and complimentary water are in the room.  The closet has an old-fashioned and oddly-shaped safe that uses a key, not an electronic code.

During my visit I had very poor WiFi in my room: 2 bars out of 5 in various spots I tested in the La Fonda's public areas.  (Speed Down: 0.84mbps, Up:0.75mbps)  I did find a spot in the lobby that gave me 3-4 bars out of 5.  My tablet and phone showed similar issues.  WiFi requires login authentication provided at check-in.

The lobby area of the La Fonda is very busy since the property is a bit of a tourist destination because of its historic nature.  Locals also make the lobby bar a regular hangout.  Years ago my Mother-In-Law met her Husband in the La Fonda bar. She was a local and he was a student at the military school in Roswell New Mexico.  The hotel's main restaurant is excellent, reservations are suggested.

The Tower Bar is a great spot to enjoy the beautiful Santa Fe sunsets.  One downside to staying in a historic property is that hotel guests will need to share their experiences with Santa Fe tourists who wander this historic hotel.

The La Fonda operates a parking structure that is attached to the hotel.  There is an additional charge for parking. 12 Noon is checkout time.

A small pool is located in the center of the property, isolated and quiet.  Nearby is a very small gym with basic cardio equipment.  Massage services are also available.

The La Fonda Hotel also offers services for business meetings, weddings and other events.