Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico

About.com Rating 5 Star Rating

By Andrew Collins, About.com Guide

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Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico

One of the distinctive, sumptuous guest rooms at Santa Fe's Inn of the Five Graces.

photo courtesy of Inn of the Five Graces

The Bottom Line

Santa Fe's most inspired lodging option, and the state's only member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, the rambling Inn of the Five Graces looks intriguing from its traditional adobe exterior along narrow DeVargas Street, the oldest road in America's second-oldest city. But you need to pop inside and look around to understand how this small, exquisitely charming, luxury hotel stands out from all the others in town, with its fascinating East-meets-West aesthetic and relaxed yet highly attentive service.

Pros

Although rates are rather steep, every imaginable amenity and service is included
It's steps from the Plaza but on a quiet side street away from the crowds
One of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the state, and charming staffers at that
It's a great size - large enough for privacy but small enough for personal attention
There's a full-scale Tibetan-inspired spa as well as a treadmill

Cons

It's one of the pricier options in town, even with all the included perks
The richly ornate, whimsical rooms don't sit well with minimalists
It's a comparatively small hotel

Description

At 150 E. DeVargas St., just off Old Santa Fe Trail, in the historic center of town.
The 24 rooms and suites have WiFi, satellite TV, CD and/or iPod players, and - in most cases - kiva-style wood-burning fireplaces.
In-room perks include refrigerators stocked with complimentary snacks, plus free phone calls within New Mexico.
Bathrooms and showers are done with ornate tilework and come with high-end bath amenities and toiletries.
Book online or call 505-992-0957.
Shopping, dining, and nightlife are within walking distance, but it's best to have a car to explore the surrounding area.
Rates start at $425 and run up as high as $900 for two-room suites and $2,500 for Luminaria House.
The clientele is mostly straight, but this is a highly gay-friendly property in one of the Southwest's top gay getaways.
It's an hour's drive from New Mexico's major airport in Albuquerque, which is served by most major airlines.
Popular sidetrips include Taos (90 to 120 min.), Abiquiu (60 min.), and Los Alamos (45 min.).

Guide Review - Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Owned and operated by one of the Seret family - who have long been known in Santa Fe for their design, textiles, and fine furnishings businesses - Santa Fe's distinctive Inn of the Five Graces sits along a historic lane, hidden away from the bustle of this tourist-driven city. Although well-cloistered, it's practically within the shadows of the city's "Roundhouse" state capitol building, and it's a short walk from the scads of inviting art galleries, tony boutiques, and first-rate restaurants of the City Different.

There are 24 rooms and suites, including the swanky 2,000-square-foot Luminaria House (with two bedrooms, five fireplaces, two decks, and two patios) and filled with museum-like artifacts, tiles, hand-carved furnishings, and finely woven pillows and tapestries imported from all over the world, but especially the India, Mexico, and the Far East. There's a dreamy 1,001 Nights quality to these spacious rooms and suites, which have wet bars and receive twice-daily housekeeping. The hotel is neither modern nor especially Southwestern in style, which suites devotees but might put off those looking for a more traditional Santa Fe accommodation. Included in the rates are parking (a scarcity in downtown Santa Fe), Friday afternoon wine-and-cheese, an ample breakfast, all staff gratuities, and plenty of other fun touches, including dreamcatchers left on your pillow at turn-down.