Arrival/Check-in: Guests were crowded around the concierge, debating dinner plans and eating complimentary cookies, when I arrived with my partner for a two-night stay. Having valeted the car and left the luggage in the trunk — a dapper porter named George would take it from there — I made my way to the beautiful, adobe-walled lobby with its gorgeous flagstone floor and a fire roaring in the hearth. The scent of piñon pines permeated the air, and soft leather chairs beckoned visitors to curl up with a good book. This, I thought as I stood before the massive, hand-carved front desk for a swift and friendly check-in, was just the Santa Fe I’d had in mind.

Guest Quarters: Décor can make or break a boutique, and the designers of this sumptuous Mobil 4-star sanctuary clearly understand that concept. They’ve used vigas and latillas, large cacti and gaslit kiva fireplaces, authentic Navajo rugs and replicas of Anasazi pottery to create a warm, welcoming ambience. Just a handful of the hotel’s 58 guestrooms could be called spacious, none come with stunning views, and the bathrooms are in no way remarkable. But with their big four-poster beds, handcrafted desks and color schemes that evoke the local terrain, they combine rustic charm and elegant design to soothing effect. And given their proximity to Santa Fe’s bustling center, they’re also incredibly quiet.

Services/Amenities: Located just a block off Santa Fe’s historic central Plaza, the Inn of the Anasazi (the latter is Navajo for “ancient peoples”) is within easy walking distance of many of this UNESCO Creative City’s marvelous sites, including the wonderful Georgia O’Keefe Museum, the new Railyard Park and dozens of acclaimed galleries. The hotel displays its own extensive collection of Southwestern art as well as an elegant ground-floor library full of books on the subject. On the first morning of our stay, my partner took advantage of the hotel’s in-room massage services while I retreated to the library with a hot coffee, browsed the mouthwatering menu of the Anasazi Restaurant (one of New Mexico’s best) and got directions from the concierge to the trailhead of a hike she suggested we take that afternoon, which, of course, was fabulous. And yes, one could certainly fault the hotel for having no gym — stationary equipment is available upon request — but I saw it as another reason to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

The Experience: I’ve combed my notes for criticisms, things I should warn you about before booking this reservation. But everything from the dining to the sleeping to the coming and going was so effortless and enjoyable that I only wish I had it to do over again. Could the TV be bigger? Sure. But in a place as pretty as Santa Fe, watching it would be such a waste.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub/shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Large, flat-screen TV
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Ample lighting
• High-quality bed linens
• Choice of pillows
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Easy-to-set alarm clock
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• In-room coffeemaker
• Large, complimentary laptop safe

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

113 Washington Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
tel 505 988 3030
www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/innoftheanasazi