La Fonda on the Plaza, historic hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico
La Fonda on the Plaza is a hotel in Pueblo Revival style in Santa Fe featuring traditional adobe architecture characteristics with rounded corners, stepped forms, and stucco walls. Small wooden beams called vigas protrude from the walls, adding rustic detail to the exterior design.
An inn occupied this site starting in 1607 when Spanish colonists founded Santa Fe, making it the oldest hotel corner in the United States. The current building opened in 1922, designed by Isaac Rapp, who popularized the Pueblo Revival style in Santa Fe by drawing inspiration from ancient Native American and Spanish structures.
La Fonda reflects the blend of Native American and Spanish influences that define Santa Fe. Native American art hangs throughout the interior, and the hotel actively supports local artistic events like the Indian Market, allowing visitors to experience the region's creative traditions firsthand.
The hotel sits on the Plaza and serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby museums, galleries, and historic sites like the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, all within walking distance. Its central location allows visitors to easily access traditional craft markets and local art events in the surrounding area.
Historically, La Fonda was a gathering place for diverse travelers including traders, soldiers, and miners, giving it a rich collection of stories. Its connection to the Santa Fe Trail, sparked by William Becknell's visit in 1821, made it central to a major trade route that shaped the American West.
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