TL;DR

Retro motel vibes: with a modern boutique redesign.
Historic Route 66: location with vintage neon charm.
Lush greenery: and outdoor spaces enhance the atmosphere.
Blend of history and design: for a playful, stylish stay.
Check prices here

Have you ever wanted to stop off a stretch of desert road, swagger up to an office, and slink into bed in your own little stucco hut?

But then, like, not had bedbugs or Javier Bardem murdering anyone in the next room? This remodeled boutique roadside motel off the old 66 in Southwest Santa Fe is your opportunity.

Even those who have not watched too much Twin Peaks and developed odd road trip fantasies will enjoy El Rey, which has topped its renovation with an utterly charming swath of greenery climbing up the side

It helps that the original structure was adorable, a lumpy whitewashed stucco number with a light-up sign that was perhaps not retro then, but is now an almost perfect representation of the genre.

The blank-slate style as incorporated into the renovation, which features clean design studding with charming touches.

It’s an impeccable work of luxury, history, design and fun that is sure to please.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 86, retaining original cozy dimensions.
Santa Fe details: like wood beams and patterned flooring.
Modern basics: include Bluetooth speakers and Direct TV.
Upgrades available: with fireplaces, patios, and kitchenettes.
See each room in detail here

The dimensions of the original rooms have been retained, which is a fancy way of saying the rooms are cozy, which is hotel-speak for the rooms are not large.

They ARE cozy, though, and the airy design makes them feel perfectly comfortable.

Each room is different, but many have the quintessential Santa Fe wood beams, and all have gorgeous patterned flooring.

The most basic, the Queen, King and Doubles, provide Bluetooth speakers, seating, and TVs with Direct TV.

From there, there’s enough room for comfy writing desks, and you can indulge in luxuries like kiva fireplaces, private patios and kitchenettes.

The top tier is the Casita, a two-bedroom space with all the amenities and a dining area.

Bathrooms are simple yet effective, clean white tile with accents in black and blue.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Free coffee and tea: available daily in the lobby.
Turquoise Trailer: serves breakfast Wed–Sun.
La Reina Bar: with tequila focus and live events.
Swim Club: heated pool with weekend bar.
Community vibe: with music nights and charity events.

El Rey is its own entire property, with the space and the taste to make a hip hangout. Coffee and tea are available for free in the lobby, and you can enjoy them throughout the grounds.

Breakfast is your own battle early in the week, but Wednesday-Sunday the Turquoise Trailer serves up breakfast tacos and croissants, the legitimate GOATs of breakfast options.

There’s also granola, and espresso based coffees with multiple milk options,

Situated as it is, in an area without a lot going on, the onsite bar, La Reina, is a crucial spot for guests and locals alike.

They offer charming seating inside and out, with a tequila-focused drink list and a small selection of snacks.

They’ve also got a superb program of live music and other events, including Queer Night, when a portion of drink sales are donated to the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico.

A gorgeous pizza oven is open a few days a week, April-October.

Finally you’ve got the Swim Club, the seasonal heated pool with a pop-up bar open Saturdays and Sundays.

It’s a relaxed spot with cute murals and classic vinyl lounge chairs, the kind of place where Greta Gerwig would film a high school pool party.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Roadside motel: setup, car recommended for exploring.
Downtown Santa Fe: less than 10 minutes’ drive.
Museums nearby: include Georgia O’Keeffe and History Museum.
Canyon Road: for galleries and dining, 10 minutes by car.
Transport options: include public bus and rideshares.

We’ll be frank, you’ll want a car. It’s a roadside motel, after all, and aren’t you fulfilling car-related fantasies here? The on-site parking is key, which allows you to bop downtown whenever you want.

It’s less than 10 minutes to the center of town, where you can enjoy the New Mexico History Museum, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Art, to name a few.

Canyon Road, the city’s best-known spot for gallery-hopping, gourmet restaurants and cafés, and the best of Santa Fe’s handicraft shopping, is also 10 minutes’ drive, though you might have to wander around for street parking a bit if you want to avoid paying.

Public transport is accessible, with a stop right outside the hotel, and rideshare apps will easily get you where you need to go.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

”The El Rey Court has vintage charm. We have stayed in many rooms over the years. Room #10 is large with a tile floor, and has a fun glass brick-walled bathroom. It was very clean and quiet during the three nights we spent there….”

”Great location,, charming history & architecture, clean rooms,, comfy beds, nice facility, mature trees & birds on proprerty, thoughtful additions to property for longer stays….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Lighting could have been better. Tried to check in a little earlier and was put on the waitlist to check in before regular check in time of 4pm. Came back almost 4:15pm and room still wasn’t ready….”

”My only complaint would be that the rooms, esp the bathroom, are a little dark and could use more lighting. I had a single room and this was the case, by my friends’ double room was a bit brighter (more light sources). It was a little noisy from the traffic but it wasn’t terrible. I did have some very noisy neighbors watching sports on TV and yelling. I called the front desk and I think they must have moved to another room….”

> Read all the reviews right here