La Fonda is Santa Fe, as I have often heard. Now I know why. This iconic hotel is located next to the Santa Fe Plaza, but somehow it is more the Plaza than the Plaza is. The real Plaza is just a greensward with the Palace of the Governors flanking it on one side. The lobby of La Fonda is the real meeting place in town where you come to be seen and to see and observe others --- either that or the Bell Tower Bar on the 5th floor. You can catch all sorts of interesting bits of conversation. You might meet anybody from your next door neighbor to a movie mogul. The lobby has at least three restaurants including The French Pastry Restaurant, La Plazuela, and a bar and grill where U.S. army operatives used to hide out during World War 2 looking for Russian undercover agents who came to Santa Fe to spy on Los Alamos. There are art galleries just like outside as well as clothing and handbag shops. It's like Santa Fe in miniature all under one roof.
Tip: I didn't stay here because it's not pet-friendly. Otherwise it's the only place to be in town. If I did stay here I'd want one of the rooms up a short flight of stairs right off the main lobby. I could see them on the way back from the bathroom and one bank of elevators.