The Inn & Spa at Loretto is a charming and luxurious destination nestled in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico. This boutique hotel is renowned for its traditional Pueblo-style architecture and is the most photographed building in the state. The hotel’s premier location in the heart of Santa Fe on the historic plaza makes this AAA Four Diamond resort irresistible.
The Inn & Spa at Loretto hosted me, but all opinions are my own.
About Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a vibrant town known for its unique blend of cultures, including Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo. The town’s history dates to 1610, when the Spanish colonists arrived, making it the oldest state capital in the United States. Santa Fe’s rich history is reflected in its architecture, with many buildings showcasing the distinctive adobe style, and gives a nod to its Pueblo roots. The city’s historic district, with its winding streets and old-world charm, is reminiscent of the layout of many Spanish towns.
Arts and Culture
The arts and culture scene in Santa Fe is thriving. The town is home to over 250 art galleries and dealers, making it one of the largest art markets in the country. Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch of art galleries, is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. Here, you can find everything from contemporary and abstract art to Native American and folk art.
Santa Fe is deeply rooted in Pueblo culture. The Pueblo people are indigenous to the Southwestern United States, and their influence is evident in Santa Fe’s architecture, art, and cuisine. Numerous Pueblo communities surround the town, many welcoming visitors to explore their rich heritage. The annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest of its kind globally, shows Pueblo culture’s lasting influence.
She Buys Travel Tip: If you plan to attend the Indian Market, reserve your hotel early. The Santa Fe Indian Market is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18, 2024.
Spanish Influence
Santa Fe’s rich cultural tapestry also includes Spanish influences in its cuisine. Traditional New Mexican food is a fusion of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American flavors. Dishes like enchiladas, tamales, and chiles rellenos, which are popular in the region, have their roots in Spanish and Mexican cooking.
The Spanish influence also extends to the arts. Spanish Colonial art, which includes woodcarvings, tinwork, and colcha embroidery, is a significant part of Santa Fe’s art scene. The city hosts Spanish Market every year, an event that showcases traditional and contemporary Spanish Colonial art and culture.
She Buys Travel Tip: The Spanish Market will be held in July 2024. The exact dates are TBD.
Santa Fe’s religious practices also bear the mark of Spanish influence. Many residents are descendants of the original Spanish settlers and continue to practice Catholicism, the religion brought by the Spanish.
Santa Fe is home to the oldest church in the United States, the San Miguel Chapel, built by Spanish colonists around 1610. When you visit, notice the steps protected by displays on the church floor of original steps dating to the 1300s. Take your time to study everything inside–the bell, the charms, the ceiling, and the stained glass.
Walking Distance
The Inn & Spa at Loretto, one of the top-rated Santa Fe hotels by TripAdvisor, is in a great location because it’s within walking distance to art galleries, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe Plaza, and is next door to Loretto Chapel.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Hotel guests receive complimentary tickets to tour Loretto Chapel.
In downtown Santa Fe, the art galleries on Canyon Road beckon. Just steps away from Inn & Spa at Loretto, you could spend a whole day visiting the 100+ art galleries and talking to the artists. If your time is limited, as mine was this fall, the pleasure of speaking to the artists in the shops inside the hotel was immeasurable.
Amenities at Inn & Spa at Loretto
Guest Rooms
Room types at the Inn & Spa at Loretto include 136 guest rooms and suites with richly appointed features that display comfort, culture, and luxury. Some rooms have king beds, and others have two double beds in a King Suite.
My guest room on the fourth floor was steps away from the outside balcony, with lounge chairs and a view of the city. The private balcony from my room had a small table and chairs and a similar view of the city. Two comfortable easy chairs were placed in front of the kiva fireplace in the corner of my guest room, and a floor lamp shed warm light onto the cozy scene.
All guest rooms feature Southwestern décor with rich, warm, and vibrant colors of the Native American cultures of New Mexico. Every room also has four pillows per bed (a girl can’t have too many pillows), high-quality linens, comfortable mattresses, coffeemakers, a flat-screen TV, a hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, an ironing board and iron, an electronic hub with USB ports, free wifi, and fine toiletries.
The Penthouse at the Inn & Spa at Loretto is unique as it’s the only one in Santa Fe. This top-tier luxury suite features five terraces, two bathrooms, a master king bedroom on the second floor, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with high-end amenities, a formal dining area that can accommodate eight people and a wood-burning kiva fireplace. It also offers in-room spa services and dining services. It also has a library, a sunroom that doubles as an artist’s studio, a spiral staircase, and a panoramic view of Santa Fe.
Hotel Amenities
- Valet parking
- Bar/lounge
- Pet friendly
- Paid private parking nearby
- Outdoor pool – heated
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Conference facilities
- Meeting rooms
- Couples massage
- Massage
- Baggage storage
- Non-smoking hotel
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry service
- Dry cleaning
- Free wifi
- Fitness Center
- Skiing
- Business Center with Internet access
- Breakfast available
- Banquet room
- Spa
- Concierge
- Shops
SheBuysTravel Tip: The resort fee covers valet parking, outdoor heated pool access, fitness center access, wifi, and in-room bottled water.
SheBuysTravel Tip: When the bell staff delivers you and your luggage to the room, be sure to ask how the air conditioning works and how to open the door to the balcony. For safety, there is a vertical lock at the top of the balcony door that I couldn’t reach.
Wellness
Outdoor Heated Pool
When I was there in October 2023, the swimming pool was under construction. It promises to be an enticing area surrounded by lush bushes, chaise lounges, and a hot tub when it’s complete.
Fitness Center
Elliptical trainers, medicine balls, mats, free weights, and treadmills offer a complete workout in the Fitness Center.
Spa
If you are looking for a wellness retreat, look no further. The Spa offers services and treatments that will relax and revitalize you. The setting is subdued and quiet, from massages to rituals and skin care to haircuts for men and women.
Dining at the Inn and Spa at Loretto
Luminaria Restaurant and Patio
The Luminaria Restaurant and Patio serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It was too cool to dine outside on the patio when I was there in October. However, I had the best seat in the dining room because I could see out to the courtyard and adjacent to the famed Loretto Chapel. This charming view was the perfect setting for the Chef’s Tasting Menu.
Executive Chef Richard Padilla, recently promoted from Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town, is making his mark at the Inn & Spa at Loretto with signature dishes like the Beef Short Rib Croquette. He braises the ribs in New Mexico Red Chile Toasted Pods. The Chile enhances the beef and adds flavor to the tender meat. He pickles peppers for the dish, adds a potato purée, and feels like it’s the perfect bite. And he’s right! It’s the ideal combination.
The Living Room
The Living Room at Loretto is known for its friendly atmosphere, great food, excellent wines, and unique hand-mixed drinks.
Happy Hour seemed the best time to be sociable. I had a craft cocktail (Her Majesty’s–made with Empress Gin, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and fresh grapefruit juice–it’s purple!) with appetizing small plates designed by Executive Chef Richard Padilla. A guitarist played soft Spanish music and created a warm, embracing feeling.
Meals and drinks are served daily from 4 to 10 pm, with beef, chicken, shrimp, and duck selections.
They have a happy hour every night and live shows from Thursday to Saturday. It’s a welcoming place to be at any time of the day.
In-Room Dining
For breakfast, you can select from eggs, cereal, a fruit platter, oatmeal, pancakes, and French toast with sides of beans, bacon, or tortillas.
The lunch and dinner menu offers a few starters, soup of the day, a Caesar salad, and entrees like burgers and tacos. There are several selections on the kid’s menu. However, I guarantee you’ll want to make a meal of the appetizers in the Living Room during Happy Hour.
An extensive wine menu features wines by bottle or glass from New Mexico, Oregon, California, Europe, and Argentina.
The beer menu features imported and domestic bottled beer, craft, and local beers.
Crafted Tasting Room
Step into the Crafted Tasting Room to sample New Mexico’s top wines and spirits, and you can choose from a carefully selected assortment of spirits and bottled wines to take with you.
Breakfast is served daily in the early mornings, offering tea, coffee, cocoa, juice, pastries, savory pockets, and parfaits. I enjoyed a carefully crafted coffee that was so good that I had to have a second.
Delicious small plates like oysters, Beef Short Rib Croquettes (the specialty of Executive Chef Richard Padilla), and Venison Green Chili Stew come with recommended wine pairings, so there is no guesswork for a tasty meal.
Shops at Loretto
The Shops on the ground floor hold artistic treasures. From religious art made from old Bibles and pen and ink drawings made into books to glittering gold necklaces fashioned from gold threads and unusual garments that scream art and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is always a pleasure to speak with artists about their art while surrounded by it.
Custom Tours
Heritage Inspirations offers tours with custom-crafted itineraries at Heritage Hotels and Resorts. At Inn & Spa at Loretto, you can take an e-bike tour (or just rent e-bikes) and get your gear at the ground level in the hotel. Depending on the time of year, you can book skiing or snowshoeing in Taos or a Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu Landscape tour from Santa Fe.
How To Get To Santa Fe
Drive
From the east or west, take Interstate 40. Then, connect with Interstate 25 north or south into Santa Fe.
Fly
Albuquerque International Sunport serves the central New Mexico region. The airport is about 64 miles from Santa Fe and takes about one hour by car, depending on traffic. Rental cars are available.
The Santa Fe Regional Airport connects you with direct flights to and from Denver, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Phoenix. Departures and Arrivals are between 1 pm and 11 pm daily. Rental cars are available in the terminal and off the airport.
Train
Amtrak serves the Albuquerque station daily, with one eastbound and one westbound train. The Amtrak station is about one hour away from Santa Fe. Rental cars are available near the train station, but hours are limited.
Final Thoughts
The Inn & Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers more than a comfortable stay. It provides an immersive experience of the town’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and deep-rooted Pueblo culture.
Inn & Spa at Loretto|
211 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone Number 505-988-5531
Check-in is at 4 pm.
Check-out time is 11 am.
Major credit card accepted
Currency is USD
24-hour cancellation policy
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