The locals can answer better than I but FWIW the elevation of Sante Fe is 7200'. We live at 7500' w/out AC. Occasionally at night in the warmer months we might use a teeny little table fan.

Years ago I was in Taos in August and didn't miss A/C. It's at slightly less elevation than Santa Fe. I'm thinking that if the place you're considering doesn't have A/C (I don't like it either) and seems nice, it means you probably won't need it.

Don’t a lot of the houses there have the rooftop ‘swamp coolers’? Or whatever you call those things.

Mtn: just seeing this now , which is almost 9PM here. I’ll post back with info, etc. tomorrow morning. Question: are you looking to rent a casita at a Santa Fe B&B or an entire house from someplace like AirBnB?

Thanks, Lynn! No rush. As to your latter question, sometimes it is hard to tell ... in other words I see a casita listed on Air BnB but then I notice that there are casitas 1,2,3 or a,b, and c. And lots of things on Air BnB are also on other sites.

Main thing is we don't really want to be part of a hotel, we would rather have our own little place.

mtnrd, I don't know if the messaging function works on GW/Houzz these days, but message me the addresses of the places you're considering and I'll tell you if they're independent and just part of a private compound, or if they're part of an actual commercial hotel. Are you needing just for you and DH - no kids? Does it need to be a certain size? And does it need to be in-town/walkable to things, or can it be a bit further out?

I am not in the city of Santa Fe but the county. I do not have an adobe (but would love one) and also do not have a/c nor do we use a swamp cooler. Generally, we find June to be the most uncomfortable month. July is normally cooler if the monsoons start firing. I have my fingers crossed for a very good monsoon season because our precipitation has been abysmal. The times when I miss a/c the most is if there is a wildfire burning and blowing smoke to my area. During that time I have to determine if I want to swelter while sleeping or inhale the smoke.

I would say in your situation, it would depend on what your plans are. During the warmest part of the day, are you going to be out and about anyway or wanting to take a nap. In the evening, are you comfortable sleeping with the windows open? If not, then a/c might be more comfortable for you. Of course, if no a/c I would want to make sure there were ceiling fans.

Good point, TishTosh. At first I am thinking, of course we will be out and about. Then I think ...ooh... a nap, yum.

Jakabedy, You are so kind! It is just DH and I. Our parameters are ... must have private outdoor space, must be cute and charming, must have a separate bedroom (not a studio), and space for parking one car. It also must have a kitchen, though it can be tiny; I like to make breakfast and sometimes even get cheese and crackers and fruit for dinner.

As far as location, I think we would like to be able to walk around, but OTOH we were already there once and saw the main sites. A 15 min. or less walk to the plaza is fine. One thing that can be hard to determine, is how pleasant the walk is. To me that is more important than the duration of the walk. I would enjoy just meandering around neighborhoods and looking at the architecture (will prob take a tour to do that as well). From what I have read I prob want to be on the Eastside then? We have opera tickets but I recall that is a drive outside of town,no reason to locate near there.

PS I don't see how to message you?

I see no reason not to post them here, so here you go, 4 i am looking at. I notice the price from high to low is almost 40% less. So even though they strike me as pretty similar, the locations must explain it (although one of them is indeed very small ...but that is not important to us)

1. All new and downtown, very cute (or just good photos?)

http://www.adobedestinations.com/property/downtown-magica#Reviews

2. Across from cool coffee shop and short walk to grocer's (Kaune), nice area for walking?

http://www.adobedestinations.com/property/la-casita-de-la-acequia?PageDataID=117749&AD=7/19/2018&DD=7/22/2018

3. A little further out? nice decor, close to Canyon Rd.

https://www.airbnb.com/payments/book/whos-coming?code=HMSSZTKWTB&hosting_id=21799824&s=8cOnx77f

4. Very cute, highly rated, similar location to acequia; multiple units but still has private outdoor space - location?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19564151?location=Santa%20Fe%2C%20NM%2C%20United%20States&adults=2&children=0&infants=0&guests=2&check_in=2018-07-19&check_out=2018-07-22&s=QGntlDCq

OK, about adobe homes and A/C. Real adobe homes, like mine, have very thick, real adobe block walls covered with stucco. This keeps the outside air, be it hot or freezing, out. And, it keeps the inside cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter. Our humidity here is very low, averaging 9%. Because of this, swamp coolers work great when we need them during the day (they are pretty much useless in high humidity areas). When the sun goes down here in Northern New Mexico, the outside temps almost always drop 20 to 30 degrees. So, we don't use our swamp coolers much at all during our Summer nights. And yes, most adobe homes do not have a/c for this reason. We just open a couple windows to get good cross-ventilation at night while we sleep. And, this cool night air flowing in, cools the inside of the house also. In the mornings, we just close up the windows once the temps start rising, close drapes or shutters on the west and south sides of the house, and we stay nice and cool all day.

** But, you do need windows in the bedroom that you can open at night, windows that are not up close to the ceiling like the 4th casita listed, a safe location, and a quiet location where street, shop, restaurant, etc. noises won't keep you awake.

I can't seem to access that third casita. The fourth doesn't impress me with it's high windows and no location listed. I do like the first and second casitas. Both look to be in good locations, although the first, Downtown Magica, is closer and within easy walking distance to the Plaza, but far enough away from any noise from shops, restaurants, etc. Ceiling fans are also a must out here IMO.

I hope this helps you make a decision, MTN. If you were looking for a fantastic B&B, I can't think of a better one than El Farolito. It has individual casitas, with small, stocked kitchenettes, beautiful SW décor, private outdoor patios, beautiful grounds, onsite parking, fantastic owner/hosts, wonderful gourmet breakfasts, and it's in a beautiful, quiet, safe, shady location, within easy walking distance to the Plaza. We've actually stayed there ourselves twice and loved it. But, I'm not sure if any have separate bedrooms. I just would not take the closest casita to the main house, as there is a shared patio between those two. Not private!

(edited to add that a lot of new homes and businesses do have a/c.)

I know that you've been to Santa Fe before, but let Jakabedy, Tish and I know if you'd like any restaurant recommendations. DH & I eat out a lot and have many favorites . . . and a few stinkers we can warn you away from. We just had lunch on our anniversary, two weeks ago today, at a new one for us, Jambo. Wonderful Caribbean and African gourmet food. We loved it!

BTW, are you planning to head to Taos this trip? Love, love, love Taos!

Hi Lynn,

Thanks so much for your input! I think I will err on the side of places that at least have a ceiling fan, should there be a heat spell. This is the third listing you couldn't see above.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21799824?wl_source=list&wl_id=265740351&role=wishlist_owner&adults=1&children=0&infants=0

El Farolito looks very charming! Great suggestion. We may end up there, esp. if we want to do a shorter stay; Air BnBs have 4 night minimums usually and if we go to Taos we might spend one of our nights there.

I will definitely hit you guys up for restaurant ideas before we go. Last time we were there we had great food everywhere we went!

BTW, what about Ghost Ranch? Is that worth a trip do you think. Off topic, but I was researching it and came across, apropos of nothing, the most lovely wedding photos. I especially love the flowers. FWIW:

http://chicvintagebrides.com/glamorous-rustic-vintage-wedding-ghost-ranch/

PS I just looked at it again, and it is funny --- i found a colorphobe wedding! NO wonder I like it.

“Colorphobe” (LOL)? I’ll bet you loved the movie “Chariots of Fire” then. I think it’s what started me on my true love of the color white, in clothes, in flowers, in interiors. Love that movie still.

We were just on a 4-day trip in Taos. No skiing, just relaxing and fine dining. We stayed at El Monte Sagrado there. We will definitely stay there again.

LOL! You won't believe it, but I have never seen that movie. I know I should.

Looking forward to Taos, wish it were ski season though!

Do you have any thoughts on the general location of the other property I just listed? And would you visit Ghost Ranch? (or Abiquiu or are they one in the same?)

You NEED to watch “Chariots of Fire”! Maybe on a cold Winter’s evening, all by yourself with a glass or two of great wine. The costumes, music and cinematography are beautiful!

Taos great dining: The Love Apple, Byzantium, Lambert’s of Taos. Lunches at 5 Star Burgers (fantastic), Tim’s Stray Dog up in the ski village. Orlando’s Mexican Cafe for truly great NM food. I love their beef enchiladas with red (chile sauce). And, if you haven’t seen it yet, the beyond-wonderful Millicent Rogers Museum.

Taking the High Road to Taos from Santa Fe, stop for lunch at the historic Rancho de Chimayó for lunch. Great New Mexican food in a very beautiful and memorable setting. Make sure to pack your Garmin for this trip!

I’m embarrassed to say that in all these years here, I’ve never been to Ghost Ranch. Perhaps Tish or Jakabedy can advise you there. I have heard that it’s wonderful, though.

As to the area of that SF casita, it’s south and east of the Plaza, but very close. Close to my favorite Canyon Road, too, so it is in a good area from the general location they’ve indicated.

Whatever you do while in Santa Fe, do eat one dinner at Geronimo on Canyon Road. Insist that you have a table in the back room, never the front. The elk there is exquisite, but then, everything at Geronimo is.

Fabulous, I cannot wait. Thank you again, Lynn.

We were last in SF for a few days in October and used the AC. I have been to Ghost Ranch many times. In fact my college had a Jan Term program there and I went one year for the month. It's rustic. We took our kids once for a week in the summer for a family program, and they even thought it was rustic! The area is beautiful, though. Georgia O'Keeffe's home and studio in Abiquiu is nearby and we enjoyed our tour. Did you go to Museum Hill in SF on your last visit? We enjoyed our day up there.

We ate some fabulous meals in SF including one at Geronimo. I guess we got lucky because we were seated in the back room! We also enjoyed meals at La Plazuela at La Fonda, The Shed (always eat there for lunch during our visits-but the red chile was so hot this time I couldn't eat it. Good thing I got green too!), Compound and we had an amazing burger at the brewery in the Railyard area-can't remember the name of it.

Ohhhh, we love The Shed! We've been eating there since we moved here many years ago. You do have to be careful ordering their chile (sauces), as they can be hot for folks who don't live here and eat chile all the time. It's a fantastic place for breakfast or lunch, but perhaps order the chile on the side. La Plazuela at the La Fonda hotel is so pretty. It has a great "Santa Fe atmosphere", and being right off the hotel's huge, beautiful lobby, and with it's glass walls, it's a great place to soak in the atmosphere . . . and to people watch. I've seen a lot of celebrities there over the years. We also love Harry's Roadhouse out on the Old Las Vegas Highway. And, the iconic Café Pasqual's is a must-do for breakfast (or lunch). It's right off the Plaza. And, of course, Tomasita's for wonderful New Mexican food. OK, now I've made myself very hungry (LOL)!

We LOVED Tomasita's!

Olliesmom: I especially love their combination plates and their beef enchiladas with red chile (sauce).

Lynn, we want to go back real soon-so many good restaurants for sure. We really, really liked The Shed too. So many places we still want to shop and eat. I think we may stay at the La Fonda next time. Really liked the Inn on the Alameda but just for a change next time, La Fonda sounds fun. Definitely want to try El Farolito too! We plan to go back quite a bit-since its a great three day weekend trip for us. I loved the people too. You are lucky to live there.

I've never stayed at the La Fonda, but friends that have tell me the rooms are small, unless you opt for a large suite. My first choice would be El Farolito. It seriously is beautiful, safe, central, quiet, very Santa Fe . . . and the host/owners are wonderful. So are the breakfasts and happy hours there.

Lynn, good to know! El Farolito sounds just lovely.

Hi! I've had a crazy week and have just made it back here. I agree with Lynn's thoughts on the casita choices. #1 will be on a bit of a hill on the northeast corner of downtown. Fairly walkable to plaza, restaurants, and Canyon Road. #2 is in a bit more of a quasi-residential area. Still walkable to places, but a bit further to all things than #1. #3 is a bit further east of downtown -- looks to be on or near Alameda, so could have a bit of traffic noise. Will feel more like a neighborhood setting. #4 is in the South Capital neighborhood - truly residential (meaning working people of means rather than simply people of means). It will give you more of a true feel of a neighborhood of year-round residents with children. It's a bit closer to the railyard area, but a bit farther from the Plaza and Canyon Road.

I like the restaurant selections, and will add a few: Coyote Cafe is very good. And if you have time, go to El Nido out in Tesuque. I'll admit my bias because some dear friends of mine are partners in the newly reopened (2016) operation, but it's truly terrific. Get reservations, because July is opera season and El Nido is near the SF Opera so very busy at those times. For inexpensive casual, Cowgirl Cafe in the Guadalupe/Railyard area is great. They have a courtyard with live music, but you can eat inside as well. For truly fine dining, try Geronimo. Also, for fun and history, El Farol on Canyon Road. It closed for a while when the long-time owner sold a few years ago, but has now reopened and is doing well -- this is a place you can go for just drinks if you want, and dine elsewhere.