[jspharmd]

I'm going to be in Santa Fe on July 8-11. I'm bringing bikes to ride, but my current question is where to stay for a reasonable price (<$110/night)? I've found multiple hotels in this price range, but we all know how helpful reviews can be. Every place is either AWESOME or HORRIBLE. Leaving me with no idea about what it is really like.

I often stay at Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn, etc.

I noticed several hotels were Cerrillos road South of downtown. Reviews of these hotels said they were too far from downtown and in a bad neighborhood. Is this true?

Additionally, there were a couple of places on Buffalo Thunder Trail road North of town. Is this too far away from town? Is this area an enjoyable place to stay?

Thanks for any feedback! I'll be back with some ride questions as we get closer to July!

 

[skinewmexico]

Not sure of the price, but my all-time favorite place to stay in SF for the last 15 years is Las Palomas. Close to town, full kitchen, local furniture. Awesome. Not to be confused with the same old hotel room in a stucco building.

Las Palomas » santa fe hotel, hotel santa fe reservations, hotel rooms santa fe, hotel suites santa fe,romantic hotels, santa fe new mexico » Las Palomas

 

[jspharmd]

That looks like a great place. If it were just my family, I would likely stay there. However, we are meeting some friends and their families, so I have to find something a bit cheaper than $179/night. Thanks for the great recommendation though!

 

[Steve B.]

I wouldn't believe the reviews about the Cerrillos Rd area being a "bad neighborhood", like East LA or East NY. SF doesn't really have terrible neighborhoods like inner cities. OTOH, I would not be leaving valuables in the car at night, certainly not the GPS attached to the windshield, but that's common sense anywhere.

The Cerrillos hotels spread all the way south from the St Francis/Rt285 intersection al the way to the Airport Rd. and beyond. Ton's of choices. The further south you go, the further from the "Plaza" area, which is the downtown tourist area. The oldest of the 50's style motels are at the north end of Cerrillos, the newer stuff, La Quinta, Holiday In Express, etc.. are further south. So just a bit more driving (like 10 minutes) to get to the Plaza.

The Buffalo Thunder Trail is a new one and is up in the Nambe area. I believe it's a Hilton on a reservation casino site. Not as much up that way in terms of food, more down in SF.

 

[skinewmexico]

Have you looked into VRBO? I've gotten some killer deals in Moab thru them.

 

[theBreeze]

The Buffalo Thunder Resort is 12 miles north of Santa Fe. If you are wanting to be in the city close to a variety of restaurants and shopping then this os mot the place to be. I live about 6 miles from there and while it actually might be fine for a dedicated biking vacation, if the others in your party dont golf then they will have nothing to do but gamble at the casino.

Anyplace at the south end of Cerrillos Rd will require driving to get to the downtown plaza area, which means paying for parking too.

 

[jspharmd]

Thanks for the great feedback. I hadn't thought about how much we would spend on parking each day (driving into town with two cars). That could easily justify an extra $10-20/night on a hotel.

Also, the Cerrillios Rd. places sound fine, it is just that you never know about a place until you stay there. The last time I was in Santa Fe was 10+ years ago. We stayed in a really cool little bed and breakfast within walking distance to the plaza. I can't remember the name, but it doesn't matter since we will have kids with us.

Once I saw Buffalo Thunder was 1) a 20 minute drive and 2) a casino, I figured it didn't match what we were looking for in a place. I would love it for the riding, but only 1 other person on this trip is riding.

I will check out VRBO, Thanks!

I appreciate the different perspectives.

 

[theBreeze]

If you want a charming place that is far enough from the main plaza to have reasonable rates, but a whole lot more character than your average chain hotel, check out the El Rey. Its on Cerrillos Road, but up by St Micheal's instead of way out at the far end. It is surrounded by courtyards which help reduce traffic noise. It's been locally owned and operated by one family for a long time. Lots of options of rooms and suites. It consistently gets great reviews.

Santa Fe Hotels - El Rey Inn

 

[Terex]

If you want a charming place that is far enough from the main plaza to have reasonable rates, but a whole lot more character than your average chain hotel, check out the El Rey. Its on Cerrillos Road, but up by St Micheal's instead of way out at the far end. It is surrounded by courtyards which help reduce traffic noise. It's been locally owned and operated by one family for a long time. Lots of options of rooms and suites. It consistently gets great reviews.

Santa Fe Hotels - El Rey Inn

This is what I was going to recommend. Great place.

 

[madduck]

are you familiar with air bnb? similar to vrbo.
https://www.airbnb.com/
airbnb has an app.

 

[Birddog]

Another vote for the El Rey. They have housekeepers that have been with them for over 20 years. The rooms are a little small, but good enough, and very clean. Some of the rooms are made of real adobe. The pool looks good and the courtyard is nice. lots of shade too.

 

[skinewmexico]

If you stay at the El Rey, you should get up some morning and go to the Tecolote Cafe for breakfast.

 

[jspharmd]

are you familiar with air bnb? similar to vrbo.
https://www.airbnb.com/
airbnb has an app.

I checked out both house rental sites and they have some really nice places. The problem is coordinating with friends and their changing plans. I will definitely keep these sites for future trips.

Thanks!!

 

[jspharmd]

If you stay at the El Rey, you should get up some morning and go to the Tecolote Cafe for breakfast.

I'm calling the El Ray today, and will definitely check out the Tecolote Cafe. Any specific breakfast selections you would recommend?

 

[Randy99CL]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but could anyone living in SF comment on the road riding in that area? Just how dangerous is it??

I'm working to move there within a few months, following my GF who's been there a year.
Her daughter, a 10 year resident, says that she doesn't know any cyclists that haven't been hit by a car!!! Obviously, she is exaggerating and likely knows few serious cyclists but her statement has my GF concerned that I'll move there and get snuffed.
The daughter says there are lots of drunks driving big pickup trucks.

I can't imagine it will be any more dangerous than here in NE Ohio. Lots of stress-related road rage, drunks and trucks.

 

[Tlaloc]

Ride up to the ski area and have dinner at the Coyote cafe.

 

[skinewmexico]

Only guy I know with a house in SF was the victim of a hit and run on the ski hill road. Woke up in the hospital.

 

[Steve B.]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but could anyone living in SF comment on the road riding in that area? Just how dangerous is it??

I'm working to move there within a few months, following my GF who's been there a year.
Her daughter, a 10 year resident, says that she doesn't know any cyclists that haven't been hit by a car!!! Obviously, she is exaggerating and likely knows few serious cyclists but her statement has my GF concerned that I'll move there and get snuffed.
The daughter says there are lots of drunks driving big pickup trucks.

I can't imagine it will be any more dangerous than here in NE Ohio. Lots of stress-related road rage, drunks and trucks.

Generally stay off:

- St Michaels
- St Francis, also known as Rt 84/285 from I 25 north to about, well everywhere. There's a frontage road north of Tano Rd. if you need to head north on a bike.
- Cerrillos, from I25 north to to where it becomes Peralta.
- Old Las Vegas Hwy. No shoulder, fast cars

Last time I rode there, these were OK.

- Old Santa Fe Trail, heading SE from Peralta to where it goes to dirt
- Rt 14 south of I25, to Madrid.
- I25 from Pecos Trail to the Rt84/285 turn off heading south. Long downhill. Or continue on I25 to Glorietta Pass, then off to the local road and down into Pecos, or north up to Teroro. Yes, you can ride the interstate and the locals do it all the time.
- The area NW and west of town, L Tierra, thru Las Campanas and south on Caja del Rio, to 599 to Airport Rd.
- Ski Basin Rd
- Bishops Lodge Rd to Tesuque
- SW of town, 599, Paseo Real, Los Pinos. anything thru La Cienaga, Frontage Rd., Bonanza Creek Rd to Lone Butte and back up Rt 14, to Ranco Viejo to Richards, then back into town.

Lot's of options on all that, some as long loops, some as out and backs.

SB

 

[Randy99CL]

Generally stay off:

Last time I rode there, these were OK.

Lot's of options on all that, some as long loops, some as out and backs.

SB

Wow, thank you very very much Steve! I'll save your guide and make up a map.

It is interesting that you can ride on the interstate; that's what I do here in Ohio. I feel safer on the six-foot wide shoulder than on two-lane roads or city streets...but if something bad happens it will be reallllllllllllllly bad.

Thanks again, your list will be a great help!

 

[theBreeze]

You are right. Sounds like a lot of exaggeration.

I've been riding in and around the Santa Fe area for over 12 years. I personally know a couple cyclists who have been hit, only one seriously. There have been cyclists killed, but then that happens anywhere. There are streets that I wouldn't typically ride on, and anyone who is in town for more that a week will quickly learn which ones.

That said the riding is terrific! There are plenty of alternative routes other than the main drags. There is a new bike trail from the Railyard area going out south. Old Las Vegas highway has been repaved with decent shoulders and dedicated bike lanes along the busier stretches. Also you can go north out of town via Old Taos highway to frontage roads along Hwy 84/285 and go for miles and miles out of town that way.

Because of it's size Santa Fe is easy to get out of the busy part of town and ride for miles and miles in the open country. There are several groups that meet to ride both on weekdays and weekends.

Riding safely in SF is the same as riding safely anywhere. Pay attention to where you are going, ride defensively, obey the f'king traffic laws. One of the guys I know who was hit is an older guy who is notorious for riding with his head down and not watching where he's going. Not saying getting hit was entirely his fault as I wasn't there, but I can certainly imagine him being unaware of a situation he might have avoided. Luckily he wasn't hurt and his bike took the brunt of the damage.