Reimaging the past: Revamped Piñon Court hotel offers hospitality in a historic setting

Santa Fe visitors have a new place to lay their heads.

La Fonda Hospitality Group has re-envisioned a historic property that has served as a hotel since the 1930s. Piñon Court is a boutique hotel at 201 Montezuma St. in downtown Santa Fe near the Railyard District. The hotel opened under its new name and design in late June.

“The name actually comes from the aromatic piñon trees that Santa Fe is famous for, especially in the winter, when everybody burns the wood in their fireplaces and you know that you’re in Santa Fe,” said Danielle Auckerman, Piñon Court general manager. “And just the idea of the tree and being rooted and planted here in Santa Fe. And also, being able to continue to grow.”

The 58-room hotel, conceptualized by MENDIL + MEYER DESIGN STUDIO, has classic rooms available in a variety of floorplans that range from 180 to 320 square feet. The junior and one bedroom suites have work areas, microwaves and mini-fridges and there are adobe gas fireplaces and outdoor spaces in certain rooms, according to a Piñon Court news release. Room reservations can be made at pinoncourt.com.

“Forty-one of our rooms were fully renovated and refreshed,” Auckerman said. “New paint, new flooring, new tiles and new bathrooms were all put in. It’s just really refreshed, really lovely, just kind of bright. Most of the walls are painted a lovely soft white. And that’s kind of the the essence of the decor.”

Other renovations include the hotel’s lobby and its restaurant, Bistro & Lounge, which serves food and drinks from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

“It’s a New Mexican fare,” Auckerman said. “Of course, we always have our classic burger, which everybody loves. We do flat breads as well. There’s a nice offering of different dishes, like a really lovely chicken and salmon plate as well. So it’s a nice menu that kind of offers something for everybody.”

Reservations are not required at the Bistro & Lounge.

“They can just walk in,” Auckerman said. “We’re really happy to now be able to offer that to our guests after they’ve had a long travel day. Anybody who’s visiting Santa Fe or our neighbors in the area have come and really enjoyed their dinners as well.”

The property was built in the 1930s in a Spanish Colonial Revival style. It first opened as The Galisteo Inn and catered to people traveling along Route 66. It was renamed the Old Santa Fe Inn in 2003 and acquired by Cienda Partners and Bentley Legacy in 2022.

The hotel has been recognized by Historic Hotels of America, which is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The hotel earned the recognitions by preserving and maintaining its historical integrity, architecture and ambiance, according to the news release.

“Piñon Court is the perfect blend of old and new and we’re excited to preserve the history of the property while offering today’s travelers a contemporary stay,” Brooke Evans, partner and chief marketing officer at Bentley Legacy Group, said in a statement. “The hotel promises an unforgettable stay that stands apart, yet still offers the high level of hospitality that has become synonymous with the La Fonda brand.”