Hacienda Nicholas Santa Fe

Hacienda Home Away from Home

Great price/value. That's my vote.

My wife says "homey elegance." No pretentiousness, although she says "excellently decorated." I say comfortable and well-appointed.

Here's how it happened. On our first visit to New Mexico, we'd planned to stay in Albuquerque for three nights, but didn't care for the city (just another Phoenix or LA wanna-be). We disliked Albuquerque enough to head up the highway to Santa Fe. An adventure. Without reservations.

We'd heard to head off Cerrillos toward Paseo de Peralta and the Plaza. We saw a hotel. Pulled in there, waited ten minutes behind a line of cars waiting to be valet-parked. When I ran in to get a price list at the hotel's front desk, the guy on duty didn't have one. He gave me excuses about why there was only a brochure without any rate information. I asked if he had any rooms around $200 and he sneered. Okay, maybe he just gave me a look of disbelief that I'd even ask. Or maybe it just wasn't his night.

We backed out of the valet waiting line, got onto Palace, and then saw what looked like a couple of inns behind a historic church on Faithway. The first inn we tried, the Madeleine, was booked solid for the night. However, a rate brochure was right there inside the front door, for the Madeleine and for the Hacienda Nicholas. (Low-season rates ranged from around $110 to under $200, pre-tax.)

The innkeeper was very accommodating and told us that she could check on the availability of a room at a brother inn across the way, Hacienda Nicholas, in the same "family of inns." We asked about the size of this "family." She conveyed that the inns were in some transition at the moment, with some construction improvements going on around the corner near the Juniper (vacation rentals available of the cabin and casita variety), and some staff improvements to be made over the next few weeks, but that the inns' owner would make every effort to see that we had a happy stay.

We enjoyed staying three days in the Cottonwood room of the Hacienda Nicholas. The room opened onto fireplace and lounging space, both inside and out. The complimentary wine and cheese (daily from 5-7 pm) hit the spot before our nearby dinner reservations each night. The breakfast was different each day, but always well prepared (served 8-10 am). The extremely comfortable mattress and the large tiled bath area made for a pleasant stay when we were in our room.

The Nicholas (like the Madeleine) is located walking distance to both the Plaza and Canyon Road, and we got helpful pointers on what to see and do. We enjoyed the friendliness of the innkeepers. My wife says we now have a home away from home in Santa Fe. This is the best deal, for the most attractive environment, we've seen on our many travels in this country and others.

Terrible Experience

Our one-night stay at the Hacienda Nicholas was one of the worst experiences we have ever had in our extensive travels.

The property is not at all well-maintained and definitely not clean. The so-called fine linens advertised on their web site were stained, wrinkled and dingy - the manager said they could not afford to have pressed sheets. We stayed in the Nicholas room - the most expensive at $199. It was dirty and shabby.

The owner was called in to talk with us as the manager only offered excuses as to why the room and facility were so poorly maintained. Caroline did come to the room and acknowledged there were problems. It was 7:30 p.m. at that point. She offered to move us to another of her properties, Juniper. My husband checked it out and determined it may be better..we were so "creeped out" with the present room, we decided surely this would be better. Remember it was night and dark at this time.

Caroline was pleasant and understanding and gave us a bottle of wine (even if it was "two buck Chuck" wine) and fire wood. However, the Juniper was also poorly maintained and not clean. The next morning was a scarry awakening - the kitchen area was dirty, dust was everywhere, not to mention the robes had black hair and stains on them. There was construction going on behind the property so we had a lovely view of a port-a-potty.

The breakfast was minimal - a waffle and some fruit. As guests served themselves, the fruit was not replenished nor was the juice. There were some good cookies....that is about the only positive thing I can think of to say. The breakfast photo on their web site certainly was not representative of what and how the breakfast was served.

Hacienda Nicholas is an old historic building that could be interesting....but not at the expense of being poorly maintained and dirty. Sorry, Caroline, I know you made an effort, but Hacienda Nicholas really needs some help, not excuses.

We come back every year!

This is a very pretty and welcoming place! We stay at this Bed & Breakfast every year, for at least one night, and usually more than that. The staff is extremely accommodating and interested in making everyone's stay enjoyable, and there are always delicious (!!!) home-made cookies and cakes available, as well as lemonade (also home-made), coffee, and tea, no matter what the time of day or night. Breakfast is great, too. This is a charming, old adobe hacienda. As such, the rooms do show some wear (for example, minor scuff marks here and there on the walls), but they are very clean, comfortable, and well-appointed. The patio and garden are great for relaxing and reading.

The BEST yet

Hacienda Nicholas...this was our over 10th trip to Santa Fe Indian Market, and was the BEST. We have stayed at Carolyn Lee's other B&B, Alexander's Inn, and Madelaine Inn. This is the 2nd year at Hacienda Nicholas. We bring friends with us, and have made good friends with other guests that share a love of Indian Art. We share "Pizza and Beer in the Courtyard" instead of eating with the extra 100,000 people in town. It was so comfortable to visit and share pot stories in the living room. The food was super. Temperatures 30 degrees less than Phoenix was a treat, too. The rains did not slow us down. The walking distance to the square, personal attention, great breakfasts, homemade treats, and staff there to welcome you and make your stay better than comfortable...they are all things that make this the best weekend of the year (plus the Indian Art).

Love the Nicholas

LOved staying at Hacienda Nicholas in Santa Fe NM. Very friendly and intimate atmosphere...casual, relaxed. Great breakfasts, clean comfortable rooms and excellent bed.

Loved Hacienda Nicholas

My high school friends and I spent 4 days & nights at Hacienda Nicholas the first week-end in May. We were treated with such care and attention as well as fed such wonderful food the whole time we were there. The staff was very attentive and helpful and the food was outstanding. I hope to go back with my husband very soon.

Sharon Arnold

The BEST B&B anywhere

great hospitality, beautiful rooms, perfect location, fabulous food, value pricing, an all round gem in Bed & Breakfast accomodations. We have stayed at the Hacienda Nicholas at least twice a year for the past 7 years, and will always recommend and return to this wonderful place. Helpful waitstaff, personal asisstance, and uncompromising attention, this bed & breakfast is unparalleled with any other accommodation of it's class. STAY AT THE HACIENDA NICHOLAS. There is really no other choice.

Enjoyed Every Minute

What a perfect place to stay! Close/walking distance to the town square .... comfortable rooms ... and very accommodating staff! Stayed there a couple years ago and Regan made a special point of making our stay wonderful ... great food! And ...a lovely, quiet courtyard area to sit and play cards with a glass of wine! We'd go back again for sure ! In fact making plans now with Regan who is still there !

Happy at the Hacienda!

Eighteen years of annual visits to Santa Fe and eighteen marvelous stays at Hacienda Nicholas. Near the Plaza, you can park your car and walk everywhere. The Inn is delightfully appointed with Southwestern furnishings and artwork, beds have luxuriously soft sheets and lovely quilts -- the gathering room has a huge fireplace and sink-into sofas! Breakfast is a sumptious event, with choices of fresh fruit, muffins, artisan breads, and egg dishes flavored with cheese and local chilies. Combine this with witty hosts and attentive owners, and you have a home-away-from-home that will call you back year after year.

Delightful Inn, close to everything.

We recently returned home from our second delightful stay at the Hacienda Nicholas in Santa Fe. Hacienda Nicholas is one of three properties (the others being Alexander's Inn and The Madeline) in Santa Fe that are owned and managed by the same people. The Inn(s) are clean and comfortable. Characteristics of the Hacienda Nicholas are (1) cordial reception and generally helpful service staff, (2) an excellent breakfast with a variety of cold offerings and a fresh-cooked hot offering, (3) home-made cookies or pastry and coffee/tea available almost all the time, (4) wine, cheese and nuts available from 5-7 each afternoon, (5) a comfortable sitting area in front of an inviting fireplace at which one can meet the other guests, (6) quiet and comfortable rooms, (7) useful compilations of local attractions and restaurant menus, (8) fans and telephones available in rooms; air conditioning, and (9) a convenient location within a few blocks of easy walking to the Plaza. Return guests are offered a modest discount. A very nice place to stay, with honest value for the money.