Piñon Court by La Fonda: The Perfect Base for a Walkable Santa Fe Getaway

There are a few things I consider essential to a good road trip: snacks, a solid playlist, the right companions, and a loose itinerary with space for spontaneity. Most importantly, I want a place to stay at the end of a long drive where I can park my car and not step back into it until the next leg of the journey.

On a road trip to New Mexico, I found just that at Piñon Court by La Fonda in Santa Fe. The property sits between two popular districts in the state capital. A half-mile walk in one direction took me to the Railyard District for a lively farmers market and art market. Half a mile the other direction, I was in the heart of Santa Fe Plaza to see Indigenous Peoples Day performances and browse vendors selling traditional jewelry.

It proved to be the perfect base for this leg of the trip. My mom, sister, and toddler daughter had made most of the drive from Denver with me the day before and we spent one night at the (probably) haunted Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. We were set to spend a few nights in Santa Fe to meet up with my wife, who flew in for the weekend. We had no formal plans other than to eat as much New Mexican food as we could and soak up Santa Fe’s architecture and famous art scene.

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Photo: Booking.com

The building didn’t become Piñon Court by La Fonda until 2022, but it has a long history. It started as the Galisteo Inn in the 1930s and catered to travelers drawn by the sunshine and dry weather. At the time, tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases were rampant, and doctors often recommended escaping humidity — giving the Southwest a distinct reputation for wellness. Santa Fe’s natural beauty, which artists like Georgia O’Keeffe helped share with the world, was another draw. This was also the age of Route 66 and the birth of motels — a style of accommodation that got its name from a mash up of motor and hotel. Santa Fe is right along the old Route 66 and was a popular stop for road trippers following the road.

The Galisteo Inn thrived in this era, but couldn’t keep that magic forever. The hotel closed, and the building was used for office space in the mid-1900s. In 1991, real estate developers purchased the building to restore it as a boutique hotel. Construction didn’t finish until 2003, when it was rebranded as the Old Santa Fe Inn. Then, in 2022, the La Fonda hospitality group purchased the property. That same year, Piñon Court was recognized by Historic Hotels of America. The building retained its Pueblo Revival style — also called Santa Fe style — characterized by adobe walls and wooden roof beams called vigas, which extend beyond the exterior walls. (During my stay, ristras, those iconic bundles of chiles found across New Mexico, hung from the vigas.) The new owners undertook a series of renovations and upgrades while staying true to the original aesthetic and architecture. Rooms and the common areas were refreshed, and a restaurant-lounge was added for on-site dining.

And, of course, the new owners changed the name once again. The name Piñon Court pays homage to the piñon pine, New Mexico’s official state tree since 1949 that’s loved for its pine nuts and aromatic wood.

Photo: Booking.com

The 58-room, pet-friendly property offers a variety of styles. Some have a patio or balcony, others a kiva fireplace — the beehive-shaped fireplaces built into the corners of adobe homes since the Indigenous Pueblo times. All rooms are decorated with locally inspired art, such as prints by Santa Fe artist Willard Clark.

We booked one classic queen room — just the right size to fit our toddler’s pack-and-play in the closet — and a king room with a fireplace and patio. We often spent our downtime on that patio, where a high wall muted the traffic noise from the street. There was space and seating for the five of us to break into all of the honey, fresh bread, fruit, and other snacks we picked up at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market.

Photo: Booking.com

Staying true to the original motor lodge concept, there’s plenty of parking and a space is included in the $25 resort fee. A guaranteed spot for your car that’s within easy walking distance of key parts of town is easily overlooked by travelers unfamiliar with downtown Santa Fe’s parking challenges. Having a car is convenient for exploring farther reaches of the city, like Museum Hill. But that convenience fades when visiting central Santa Fe, where parking can be hard to come by. A courtyard parking lot encircled by rooms — combined with Piñon Court’s highly walkable location — puts any concerns about parking to rest.

In the mornings, the hot breakfast bar has coffee, breakfast burritos, and other staples. The indoor space and patio transform into the Bistro at Piñon Court later in the day, featuring a menu focused on local ingredients and regional flavors. Stop by during happy hour to enjoy regional beer and wine, as well as cocktails that highlight New Mexico spirits.

Photo: Booking.com

Other amenities, like a fitness center and spa, are located off-site at the sister property La Fonda, half a mile away. Piñon Court guests can receive special discounts on spa services when booking through the front desk.

There are just enough amenities on-site to stay comfortable if you don’t feel like venturing out. But the true benefit to staying here is quickly realized by putting on your walking shoes.