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Plan to fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ, www.cabq.gov/airport); the drive to Santa Fe is 59 miles - a little under 1 hour by car. There aren’t many direct flights from the East Coast, but all of the major airlines fly here, including American, Continental, Delta, United, USAir, Frontier, and Northwest. Southwest is especially worth checking out as they usually offer some of the best rates (www.southwest.com). Smaller airlines serving ABQ include Mesa, Great Lakes and SkyWest.
There is a small airport in Santa Fe, but it only serves charters and Great Lakes Aviation (www.greatlakesav.com) to and from Denver, last we checked, for about $100 roundtrip.
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Once you land in ABQ, the options include taking a shuttle into Santa Fe or renting a car. If you are staying near the Plaza in Santa Fe, you really will not need a car to get around – everything is close by, including great restaurants, museums, art galleries, shops and the wedding sites. However, if you’d like to plan day trips from Santa Fe, are spending a few more days in town, or would just prefer to have a car, it’s definitely driver-friendly, though metered parking is somewhat limited.
Also, there are taxis once you’re in town, but not exactly up to Manhattanesque standards. The one service, available 24 hrs:
Back to topCapital City Cab Company 505-438-0000
All of the major rental car services are available at ABQ, including Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Enterprise, National and Thrifty. Two specials to check out:
Back to topAvis:
Friends & Family save up to 15% OFF travel in the US and Canada Use Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number K449900
Budget:
Friends & Family can save up to 15% OFF travel in the United States and Canada. Use Budget Customer Discount (BCD) Number U037100
The shuttles will usually drop you either at the Plaza or directly at your hotel; estimate 90 minute travel time for drop-offs. Call ahead for reservations if you anticipate needing the shuttle – they accept walk-ons but only if space is available. There are two shuttle services:
Back to topSanta Fe Shuttle: www.shuttlesantafe.com 888-833-2300 $40 roundtrip
Sandia Shuttle Express: www.sandiashuttle.com 888-775-5696 $43 roundtrip
Less expensive:
Santa Fe Sage Inn
www.santafesageinn.com 866-433-0335 (Chris) 15-20 min walk to the Plaza and Gallery, bus or taxi available, free parking Clean, comfortable motel, free wireless, pool, a little bit further out 2 queen or 1 king $95; ask for our wedding up to 1 month prior
Moderate:Garrett’s Desert Inn
www.garrettsdesertinn.com 800-888-2145 (Leslie) 3 blocks to the Plaza, 2 blocks to the Gallery, $8 parking Nicer motel-style, cute café next door, pool, great location 2 queen $116; ask for our wedding up to 1 month prior
Hotel Plaza Real
www.santafehotelplazareal.com 505-988-4900 (Matt) Right off the Plaza, short walk to the Gallery, parking $13/night Small boutique hotel, New Mexican ambience, simple rooms on shared courtyard, *unbeatable value for location* 2 dbl or king $160, Suites $175; ask for our wedding up to 1 ½ months prior
Inn on the Alameda (likely where we’re staying)
www.innonthealameda.com 800-289-2122 (Scott) About 4 blocks to the Plaza, 1 block (closest) to the Gallery, free parking Quaint Southwestern hotel, some casitas, hot tubs, free breakfast, afternoon wine & cheese 2 queen $194, king $207, deluxe $252, Suites $302+; ask for our wedding (#2418) up to 2 months prior
Hotel Santa Fe
www.hotelsantafe.com 800-825-9876 (Todd or Sonya) 10-15 min walk to the Plaza, 15 min walk to the Gallery, free parking, free shuttle anywhere within 1 mile Larger hotel, Native American influence, restaurant, pool, activities on-site Traditional king or 2 dbl $169; suites available; ask for our wedding (#4263) up to 1 month prior
Inn of the Governors
www.innofthegovernors.com 800-234-4534 (Annie) 2 blocks to the Plaza, short walk to the Gallery, free parking Cozy Southwestern-furnished hotel, free breakfast, pool, adjoining well-priced restaurant/bar No group rate available; Traditional around $209, great “mini suites” around $349
More Expensive:Las Palomas
www.laspalomas.com 800-754-6835 (Sonya) 3 blocks to the Plaza, about 20 min walk to the Gallery, free parking Casita-style with separate patios, artsy, charming, romantic, free breakfast Studio king $159, King + Living room $199; ask for our wedding (#46) up to 1 month prior
Inn and Spa at Loretto
www.innatloretto.com 800-727-5531 2 blocks to the Plaza, 2 ½ blocks to the Gallery Beautiful pueblo-style hotel, gorgeous restaurant, bar, pool, spa, great location
Also try:Eldorado Hotel
www.eldoradohotel.com 800-955-4455 2 blocks to the Plaza, short walk to the Gallery Elegant, relaxing Southwestern-influenced luxury hotel with restaurant, bar, pool, spa
Hotel websitesVacation Rentals (Great site for private casitas, condos, and homes for rent by owner; usually 2 or 3 day minimum) www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/new-mexico#3861
www.hotwire.com
www.hotels.com
www.priceline.com
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This list is by no means extensive – there are many many more hotels, motels, inns, and B&Bs in Santa Fe, but these are the ones we would personally recommend. Please keep in mind that September is a peak tourist month in Santa Fe – book early! Prices above do not include tax, which is a staggering 14.625%. Also, the group rates listed were quoted to us in January. Please ask about other promotions or lower rates – they may be available! The names listed in parentheses indicate the sales managers we contacted – but you should be able to speak with anyone for reservations.
One final word of caution: there are many inexpensive motels and chain hotels located along Cerrillos Road, which will likely pop up on a web search. Most of these are located at least several miles from the Plaza and the Gallery, so while you would save money staying there, you’d definitely need to rent a car to get back and forth. If at all possible, we’d recommend staying closer in.
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