Hotel Scene

Hotels have dreamy atmospheres meant to whisk guests off to another mindset. Walking into a four-star lobby feels like vacation, even in your own town. They are places to get a resort tan on a Tuesday after work (The Pool Bar @ La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa) or to have more than two mimosas at brunch, with fresh-squeezed orange juice (Anasazi Bar and Lounge @ Inn of the Anasazi). They have wonderful read-a-book-with-a-whiskey nooks (Secreto Lounge @ Hotel St Francis) and lovely sip-Champagne-with-a-view points (The Bell Tower @ La Fonda on the Plaza). For those times you need to get away from it all while remaining in city limits, hotels are your friends.

Agave Lounge @ Eldorado Hotel

309 W San Francisco St., 988-4455

Agave has a bloody Mary bar on Saturdays and Sundays ($12) and they pour a fine dirty martini every day of the week. The ambient environment will feel even more romantic after your first one. #mood.

Amaya @ Hotel Santa Fe

1501 Paseo de Peralta, 955-7805

Sitting between the Plaza and the Railyard, Amaya is perfectly situated for a stop during a downtown-hopping day. Warm up on a crisp fall day with a cup of their red chile vegetarian tortilla soup ($6), which comes with cheese on top. 'Nuff said.

Anasazi Bar and Lounge @ Inn of the Anasazi

113 Washington Ave., 988-3236

We've said it: beautiful, boozy brunch. On Sundays it's the home of the $24 "hearty breakfast," which comes with blue corn pancakes. But hey, the orange juice is freshly squeezed. Mimosas may help you swallow the bill.

Bar Alto @ The Drury Plaza Hotel

228 E Palace Ave., 982-0883

The bartenders at Alto rise to the level of the aesthetic. Everything they pour is delectable and the views from the deck are even more so. Do yourself a favor and watch the sunset here with something off their ever-changing specialty cocktail list, like the Italika made with mezcal, green chile vodka and lillet blanc ($7).

The Bell Tower @ La Fonda on the Plaza

100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511

This rooftop bar is open daily until sunset, because that's when it's most glorious. There's a panorama of the city, the mountains and the famous New Mexico skies, and they have a big selection of margaritas, all served in blue-rimmed glasses. A Patron Silver Coin, salt please ($13). Have your camera ready.

CAVA Santa Fe Lounge @ Eldorado Hotel

309 W San Francisco St., 988-4455

This redesigned lounge is in the center of the hotel and has an open floor plan, creating a living room feel. The bottles are gloriously lit, and who doesn't like shiny stuff and happy hours? It happens here every Wednesday-Friday from 5-7 pm.

Gruet Tasting Room @ St Francis Hotel

210 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-5700

Try five wines ($10) and get a glass of the one you like best in the stunning new room that nurtures the internal desire to drink all of the vino. While most of it is bubbly, try the stills too.

La Fiesta Lounge @ La Fonda on the Plaza

100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511

It's a party in the hotel lobby at the newly remodeled bar that lets the space shine. They feature live music by local bands most evenings from 6-9 pm, and you can enjoy three kinds of salsa while you watch the band ($12).

Low ’n’ Slow Lowrider Bar @ Hotel Chimayó Santa Fe

125 Washington Ave., 988-4900

The decor is lowrider-inspired, as the name suggests. They have a full bar that serves a tart New Mexico 505, inspired by a lowrider legend Mike Roybal, with Svedka, lemon juice and cava ($10) every day. On weekdays they serve discounted well drinks ($5) and beers ($4) from 4-6 pm, and again from 10 pm-midnight.

Luminaria Restaurant and Patio @ Inn and Spa at Loretto

211 Old Santa Fe Trail, 985-7915

Dine and drink al fresco on the patio and catch a different view of the Loretto Chapel, which sits right next to this bar. Don't miss the magenta strawberry jalapeño margarita, which makes good use of the balance between sweet and spicy ($12).

The Pool Bar @ La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa

330 E Palace Ave., 986-0000

Pay $30 on a hot summer day to lounge by the resort's pool, drink to your delight and feel like you're on vacay. Where else are you going to get your summer color? They serve mint-packed, frosty mojitos that really beat the heat.

Secreto Lounge @ Hotel St Francis

210 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-5700

A roaring fireplace in the lobby makes this spot king of northern wintery nights and the couch-lined portal makes it queen of summer evenings. They serve the legendary smoked sage margarita ($12) all year long. Bring a book and enjoy this place solo during a snowstorm—it's unforgettable.

Staab House @ La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa

330 E Palace Ave., 986-0000

This establishment boasts the kind of dark wooden bar top that calls for whiskey. Enjoy a glass in a fancy occasional chair and ghost-hunt the halls after. Julia (the ghost) is around somewhere, just probably not on Thursday and Friday evening when they feature live music. She's shy.

The Bar @ Four Seasons Rancho Encantado Resort

198 State Road 592, 946-5700

The only things capable of out-swanking this bar is the views from its patio and maybe its martini selection. It's the kind of place that calls for bubbles. Get a glass of Gruet Blanc de Noirs ($12), the local stuff.

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