The spirit of Santa Fe runs deep: The high-desert New Mexico town at the edge of the Sangre de Cristo hills is a place for artists and adventurers, spa lovers and shoppers—a place where never-ending blue skies meet majestic deserts. Furthermore, luminaries such as Georgia O’Keeffe found boundless inspiration here, and the enduring culture of tribes like the Apache and Navajo remains a vital part of everyday life. Consequently, with so much to engage every type of traveler, it’s no surprise that GoTravelDaily readers rank it among their top destinations in the American Southwest.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, marking an increase of nearly 25 percent compared to pre-pandemic voting levels. Over 685,000 votes were cast across more than 8,500 unique properties, including hotels, cities, and cruise lines.
Hotels were classified into categories such as resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities. They were rated on the following criteria:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
Respondents had the option to rate each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflected the average of these responses.
What Readers Loved
What makes the hotels of Santa Fe so special? Readers indicated that their connection to nature, heritage, and tradition was paramount. La Fonda on the Plaza, ranked No. 2 on this year’s list, is described as “the essence of Santa Fe,” appreciated for its historic hotel’s proximity to downtown cultural sites. Guests also enjoyed the Southwest-style rooms with beds that felt “like sleeping on a cloud.” Moreover, the Santa Fe spirit thrives at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (No. 4), noted for its “super stylish” ambiance and being “the best place to stay for the Santa Fe Indian Market,” while being “removed from the crowds of the Plaza” thanks to its intimate Pueblo-style architecture and spa specializing in healing rituals.
The Winner
The Inn of the Five Graces
GoTravelDaily readers were captivated by this historic adobe resort “on a quiet street of historic Santa Fe,” just steps away from the San Miguel Chapel. The 24 guest rooms and suites, adorned with hand-laid mosaics, Moroccan textiles, and authentic kiva fireplaces, have been described as “exquisite,” “comfortable,” and “tasteful.” Guests were particularly impressed by the five-treatment-room spa, which was acclaimed as “world-class,” and “one of the most gorgeous spas in the world.” The hotel is conveniently located near the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Santa Fe Plaza’s artisan markets, making it an ideal home base for day trips to Pueblo villages like Taos and San Ildefonso, as well as popular hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains—all of which the Inn’s “professional” and “comfortably friendly” staff are available to arrange.
The Full List
Reader Score: 93.65
Reader Score: 88.14
3. Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
Reader Score: 86.24
4. Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Reader Score: 85.19
Reader Score: 84.75
