If you’re looking for one of the most affordable hotels within walking distance to all the main Santa Fe sights and attractions, look no farther than the Santa Fe Sage Inn. The Santa Fe Sage Inn is located directly across the street to the newly developed Railyard Park, which has an array of shops, restaurants, art galleries and events…everything is so close that you’ll never have to get in your car to explore. At the Sage Inn, they like to say, “we connect you to the heart of Santa Fe.” As you watch the video below you’ll see just how true their slogan is.
The Santa Fe Sage Inn has 155 rooms, with two accommodation levels to choose from, standard and superior—each has two configurations available, king, or double queen. There isn’t a lot of difference between the standard and superior, but the superior rooms do have a mini fridge and full length mirror, along with some decorative trim that sets them apart.
There are a number of free amenities included in your room stay…for starters, there is a free shuttle to downtown (six blocks away) that runs each hour on the hour. 
Additionally, there is a 24-hour fitness room, laundry facility, pool, free wi-fi and a free “sunshine” breakfast each morning. I was particularly impressed with how friendly and accommodating the staff was…they really go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable and make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable stay. They even organize a “City Different” walking tour, which will educate you on the history and culture of Santa Fe. The tours run three days a week from May to October and cost just $12. Click here for more information.
Santa Fe is one of my favorite places to visit, during my recent stay I checked out some new places, as well as some of the classics. Santa Fe was the winner of the 2012 Rand McNally and USA Today’s “Best of the Road” for best food in small town America—one of the reasons was surely its unique identity and distinct culinary flavors. One place you can learn about the “New Mexico” style of cooking is at the Santa Fe School of Cooking…I participated in a taco cooking demonstration one day. We learned the history behind the taco, some of the various ingredients that can be used…then, we got our hands into the process of preparing a feast for all to enjoy.
While in Santa Fe you may want to look the part, so two places to check out are, Kowboyz for vintage western wear, and Sissel’s for authentic Indian jewelry and accessories. If a game of 9-ball, live music and libations are for you, head over to Cowgirl. Speaking of places to eat, a nearby Santa Fe staple is Tomasitas…a family-run Mexican food restaurant that features a world-class mariachi band on Tuesday nights—this all-female mariachi performed at the 2012 Olympics in London.
On Tuesday and Saturdays, directly across the street from the Santa Fe Sage Inn, the Railyard has a farmer’s market and art show. You’ll often see some amazing musicians and performers in the area entertaining passersby. For the best selection of locally produced goods, get there early as many of the vendors sell out. After perusing the market, you may want to check out some of the nearby world-class art studios and galleries.
Next time you’re in New Mexico and you want to stay in the heart of Santa Fe, consider the Santa Fe Sage Inn for your lodging needs. If you’ve ever stayed at the Sage Inn, please leave a comment below and share your experience with my readers and me.
Santa Fe Sage Inn information:
Address: 725 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505.982.5952
Email: SageInn@SantafeSageInn.com
Web: SantaFeSageInn.com
Rates:
Nov 1st – April 30th $59 to $89
May 1st – Oct 31st $89 to $149
Activity: For something fun to do, check out the “City Different” walking tour that departs from the Santa Fe Sage Inn.
From my experience, Comfort Inn’s are modest hotels that are clean, convenient and…well, comfortable.
One of the most beautiful areas of Tucson, Arizona has to be Sabino Canyon, which is located at the base of the iconic Santa Catalina Mountains. Situated in the heart of Sabino Canyon is one of the most revered resorts in Tucson…the Loews Ventana Canyon. “Ventana” is the Spanish word for “window,” which is such an apropos description for the resort. Loews Ventana Canyon is the window to so many things during your stay. For starters, as you look to the east the resort is the window to the Sonoran desert, as you look to the west your elevation provides amazing views and is the window to the expansive city of Tucson below. You’ll find this “window” theme throughout the property—from the southwestern cuisine, playing golf on a world-class course, to the exploration of the extensive and unique array of cacti and wildlife. The 
My traveling companion (Rhonda) and I had been in southern Arizona exploring several parks, i.e. Saguaro National Park and Kartchner Caverns for a few days prior to our Loews Ventana Canyon arrival. As we made our way to the resort, we were met with a very unique weather phenomenon…a blizzard! A blizzard in any other part of the country may not be considered a “phenomenon,” but this was the desert. A dusting of snow on the nearby mountains is not a rare occurrence, but cotton ball sized snowflakes in the heart of town certainly is. While the weather was unexpected, it was an exciting opportunity to capture a few rare photos. I even filmed some video of folks throwing snowballs at each other in the heated pool. The resort was all abuzz with the unique weather that lasted on/off most of the day of our arrival.
Of course there was also a flat-screen TV along with a loveseat and sleek desk with an ergonomic chair to take care of a bit of blogging business. The best part may have been the terrace deck overlooking the city of Tucson as the night-lights glimmered in the distance.
There is an interesting story as to how the waterfall became a focal point of the property. During the planning phase of the resort, Mr. Tisch (the president of Loews) was flying above the site in a helicopter with his architect when he spotted a huge cascading waterfall…he said, “we need to build the resort around that!” It probably wasn’t long after, that they discovered the source of the waterfall was short-lived caused by the heavy rains of monsoon season. Either way they were committed to figuring out a way to share this experience with guests year-round, so a 2.2 million gallon koi pond reservoir system was constructed and the water recycled all the way back up the mountain. I can’t imagine how powerful the pump system must be to accommodate this wondrous endeavor.
When weather permits, a huge outdoor seating area overlooking the golf course and city lights awaits. Click the following link to read my full 
As we strolled the property we were trying to decide what we should do next. There are so many activities to choose from, here are just some of the highlights:
dating hundreds of years.
Tucson, Arizona is synonymous with luxurious resort lodging and world-class golf. One of the pillars of the resort golf community is Omni Tucson National—where for more than two decades the resort played host to the prestigious PGA “Tucson Open” tournament.
Our room had a private terrace with breathtaking views of the golf course and the Santa Catalina Mountains in the distance. The avocado and chocolate brown leather furnishings were ultra comfortable, with two high-back chairs, loveseat and large ottoman. The king size bed was wondrously comfortable and included feather down pillows and triple-sheeting linens.
While the resort my not have hundreds of rooms, the property is expansive and all-encompassing. Here are some of the highlights:
You’ll also find showers and countless accoutrements to help you get ready for your next resort activity.
If you plan a trip to Tucson, I have no doubt that the Omni Tucson National Resort will be able to accommodate all of your lodging needs.
You just don’t experience this connective occurrence at a typical resort or other vacation venues.
There are always freshly baked goods and refreshments available throughout the day. Prior to the dinner service you won’t want to miss happy hour (note: BYOB – appetizers supplied) in the saloon—this is a great time to mingle and get acquainted with fellow guests to talk about the day’s activities and to further bond with family and new friends. There is a wonderful deck attached to the saloon, which is the perfect spot to enjoy one of those amazing Arizona sunsets.
Many guests will not miss a ride, while others might enjoy a nearby hike, a game of tennis, a soak in the spa, or a sweat in the sauna. Everything is provided for you at the ranch, but you can also mosey outside the grounds for a round of golf or an off-road excursion. Each day of the week provides a different schedule of events in which you are welcome to participate. You can visit the 
You can even get your butt or your boots branded (as seen in the video). I also enjoyed watching guests trying to steer three reluctant calves into a boxed pen during a team-penning contest at the corral. Evening entertainment includes square dancing in the barn, western music, or simply some fun and competitive games in the ranch house. Of course depending on how long you stay, there’s enough free time to relax, swim, read, or just soak up the Arizona sunshine in a quiet, restful atmosphere.
The Flying~E~Ranch is certainly a peaceful, relaxing place and the entire staff will go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable and welcome. It amazed me at how the staff made a concerted effort to know everyone’s name and to make sure they introduced new guests to ones who’ve been there for a few days.
Perched atop basalt bluffs with sweeping views of the Walla Walla Valley rests a resplendent domicile known as the Cameo Heights Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Cameo Heights is opulent through-and-through…no expense was spared in creating an atmosphere to put guests in a state of euphoria during their stay. I have visited well over a hundred B&B’s…few have thought through the guest experience as well as owner/innkeepers Alan and Deanne. Out of the entire nation, Cameo Heights Mansion was recently named a 
The room was spacious at over 400 square feet and came equipped with:
Recognizing that Cameo Heights may be a bit out of the way for some, Alan and Deanne integrated many on-site activities (including “The Vine” restaurant), so that folks don’t have to (nor will they want to) leave. Some of the on-site activities include:
There are many things to do within a short drive from Cameo Heights…here are just a few ideas:
At 8am each morning you can select to receive a fresh pastry and your choice of coffee, tea, coco or juice delivered right to your room. At 9am you can head to the second floor for a formal breakfast with the other guests.
My understanding is that ultimately the issues boiled down to a lack of finances…in order to finish the mansion to the high quality standards that the couple envisioned. After more than a decade of hurdles, blood, sweat and tears, Cameo Heights finally came to fruition. The completion is really a testament to the will and character of Alan and Deanne to see their dream come true. Today the couple welcomes folks to share in the luxury that they worked so tirelessly to complete. Their mission is to create an experience for their guests that they will not soon forget. The work ethic to complete the mansion continues today as they work to make sure every guest feels welcome and enjoys their time away. If you do further research on the various review websites, you’ll see that Cameo Heights scores nearly a perfect score on the hundreds of reviews listed.
Last week I set off on an adventure to find a treasure…one of epic proportion. The first step in my mission was to locate an old sailing map that I was told could be found in Vancouver, B.C., near the fishing village of Steveston–this map would lead me to a “San Juan Treasure.” After a bit of a goose chase, I finally procured the map from a reliable source…a man of solid character.
This area is absolutely spectacular, with ocean views to the horizon and a stretch of raw sugar-like sand so inviting, that it was a challenge to keep my focus on the treasure.
Many of the over 500 rooms offer sensational terrace views. The accommodations have a comfortable Caribbean feel and are nicely appointed with king sized beds (along with other configurations), super comfy pillows (an important factor for me), flat screen TV, mini bar and desk with electronic jack-pack to hook up nearly every toy imaginable. My room was a bit small, as too was the bathroom, but nicely appointed nonetheless. With that said, no one should be spending much time in their room in this island paradise anyhow, there is a plethora of activities in and around the resort to occupy you nearly every moment of the day. Here are just a few suggestions:
The pool area at the San Juan Marriott is outstanding…from the centerpiece water feature, to the swim-up bar, water slide…and, with plenty of lounge chairs to sun yourself, you may not want to leave poolside.
If you’re looking for a break from your swim attire, head up to the lobby level, where on the weekends in the lounge, they magically move a wall and expose a lively dance floor (which is hidden from view during the day).
A short cab ride away is Old San Juan…a must for photographers, historians or anyone with a pulse for culture.
I’ve always felt an inherent connection with nature. For me, getting outdoors (for a hike, bike ride and/or camping/backpacking excursion) and experiencing what Mother Earth has to offer is extremely exciting and fulfilling. I just love the adventure of seeing what’s around the next bend. To see rivers flow, unique plants grow and wild animals on the go can be euphoric. Being in and around nature seems to unite oneself to life.
the main building—I noticed many architectural and design details integrated into the space which nature inspired. For example, the 
I would say that more than half the guests I met had visited the Inn in the past. As a matter of fact, I was introduced to the Inn by family friends who’ve stayed at Run of the River nearly a dozen times over the years. The quantity of returning guests is a testament to owner/innkeepers Steve and Jan for maintaining such a desirable escape for refuge seekers.
Swiss Gruyere and Cremini Mushroom Quiche, Roasted Baby New Potatoes with Herbs de Provence and Apple Croissant Bread Pudding with Homemade Caramel Sauce.
Private decks with lots of space for relaxing.
Located in the small seaside community of Langley, Washington on the illustrious Whidbey Island, rests an inn that embodies what home-away-from-home should feel like. Owned by Jim and Jenny Pensiero, the Saratoga Inn was build with comfort in mind. As you explore the property, you’ll see evidence, and even a few symbols underlying the comfort theme around every corner. For example, are you familiar with the feeling of breaking in a good pair of leather shoes? After a while those shoes become so comfortable that they develop into an extension of the owner. Well, at the entrance of Saratoga, you’ll notice an old shoe planter that symbolizes this metaphor. You’ll also quickly observe that the inn does not feel pretentious in any way, nor is the décor over the top, but rather just…comfortable.
Several of the rooms on the second floor have seating decks, while others have ocean views. Sleeping options include: king, queen or twin with queen. The sixteenth room is actually a suite called the “Carriage House.” This space is 650sf providing private and romantic accommodations. The Carriage House is detached from the Inn and offers a great-room, kitchen and large bathroom with soaking tub providing mountain and water views.
While I was in Langley the weather could not have been better. I really enjoyed waking to see the sun rise above the snow capped Cascade Mountains as it shimmered off the foreground water…often with barely a ripple. I also took advantage of a complimentary bike to get a lay of the land. Langley is a charming community with many restaurants, shops, galleries and sights to see. It’s a very relaxing area, and I soon understood what “Island Hospitality” was all about.
Saratoga Inn
