Oyster knows what travelers look for in their hotels. When we review properties around the world, we evaluate how every feature stacks up against the competition, from the rooms to the pools to the restaurants. So if you're planning a trip with the kids and need a place to start, you've come to the right place. Take a look at our top picks for families in Santa Fe, and get inspired!
The Buffalo Thunder is a sprawling Hilton resort 14 miles north of Santa Fe on the Pojoaque Pueblo reservation. There's plenty of fun to be had for the whole family -- parents can head to the huge casino and the golf course, with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and kids can splash around the massive pool or check out the game room. There are also numerous on-site restaurants with children's menus, so families can stay on the property during their visit without getting bored of the dining options.
This hotels multi-bedroom suites and location right by the Plaza make this an excellent upscale pick for families. The property has a long-standing reputation as one of the finer inns in Santa Fe, and there's plenty on-site to keep families entertained, including a heated outdoor pool, indoor retail area, up-to-date room technology (flat-screen TVs and iPod docks), and even a historic chapel.
The Inn of the Governors is an competitively priced upper-mid-range hotel three blocks from the Plaza. Colorful Santa Fe-style decor gives the rooms and interior spaces a cozy, authentic feel, and the hopping Del Charro Saloon attracts the locals and serves tasty eats. A free breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and sherry, and free covered parking all help make this charming hotel a good value for families -- and the heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi are nice family-friendly features (though the pool is on the small side).
The all-suite condos at the upper-middle-range Villas de Santa Fe are large, clean, and have the latest tech features, as well as kitchenettes with Cuisinart appliances -- so families can have plenty of space to stretch out, and even dine in. A free shuttle is offered within three miles, which helps avoid the headache of parking at the Plaza (which is five blocks away) and the on-site pool (though small) and game room are favorites among the kids.