January to April, 2012 dates are:

January – 1/19-21

February – 2/2-4; 2/9-11; 2/16-18; and 2/23-25

March – 3/1-3; 3/8-10; 3/15-17; 3/22-25; and 3/29-31

April – 4/5-7; 4/12-14; 4/19-21; and 4/26-28

So jump on the bandwagon, and find out for yourself why everyone is talking about Santa Fe!

To see if your favorite U.S. hotel made the list, click here!

Santa Fe’s eclectic mix of Native American, European and Spanish cuisine make this southwestern city a foodie’s paradise!  Trip Advisor agrees and recently named the City Different one of the Top Ten US Food Destinations.

The Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe’s premier small hotel, is launching a contest in honor of the designation to hear about the best spots in town from visitors and natives alike. Participants simply need to describe their favorite restaurant in thirty words or less (a mouthwatering picture can’t hurt!) in a post on The Inn on the Alameda’s Facebook wall. The entry with the most ‘likes’ will win a $200 gift certificate to enjoy at their favorite restaurant! One lucky voter will also win a $100 gift certificate to a favorite Santa Fe dining spot so make sure to check out the tasty posts.

The contest runs from November 24-January 1, 2012.

United Kingdom
Where: Orient-Express’s British Pullman
What: A murder mystery filled with tricks and treats at every turn!
Why: Halloween can be awfully spooky with ghosts out to play and witchcraft in the air. But when you add murder to the mix, all bets are off! Leave the trick-or-treaters at home for this thrilling and chilling journey aboard the Orient-Express’s day train, the British Pullman. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s famous novel Murder on the Orient Express, the Murder Mystery Lunch will keep you on the edge of your seat. Hop aboard and travel back to 1933 where love and intrigue set the mood. Piece together the clues during an exquisite five-course lunch, accompanied by a glass of champagne and a half-bottle of wine, as you watch the mystery unfold.
(This journey departs November 11, 2011, rates start at $460 per person)

Nantucket
Where: Jared Coffin House and the White Elephant
What: A supernatural encounter
Why: Nantucket is the perfect place to take the family for a Halloween escape! Every year kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating at the shops and stores lining Main Street. Stay at the White Elephant, a family-friendly hotel located just a few blocks from the action. For a super spooky stay on Nantucket, the Jared Coffin House, built in 1845, is said to be haunted by the ghost of the whaling captain after whom the house is named. The ghost of Jared Coffin is rumored to appear in room 223, and guests of room 609 have claimed to see an apparition of a little girl. Other ghosts are also believed to roam the halls and rooms of this historic property, including the ghost of an old man who sometimes sits near fireplaces when a fire is roaring. Come see for yourself if the stories are true!

Paris
Where: La Reserve, Le Pavillon des Lettres, Pavillon de la Reine and Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
What: A haunting visit to the Catacombs of Paris
Why: For a chilling and historical Halloween experience, work up your courage and climb down into the Catacombs of Paris, where the bones of millions of people rest. Transferred from Parisian cemeteries in the late 18^th century, the remains line the walls of the underground labyrinth. Wander through at your own pace for an eerie peek into the past. After your tour, unwind at La Réserve, located in the ultra-chic 16^th arrondissment. If you love literature, stay at Le Pavillon des Lettres, the Didier Benderli-designed hotel located just steps from the Champs-Élysées. Its sister hotel, Pavillon de la Reine, is located on the beautiful Places des Vosges in the Marais, Paris’s Jewish quarter. Head over to the quintessential Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and sip mulled wine at Le Bar. No matter which hotel you choose, this is sure to be a Halloween you’ll never forget!

Guinot and ESPA
Where: at home!
What: A special Halloween face mask
Why: Even if you’re not planning on dressing up for Halloween and knocking on neighbors’ doors, you can still wear a mask! Try Guinot’s NEW Hydra Sensitive Face Mask to soothe and strengthen the skin after a week of munching on candy at every meal! Or, try ESPA’s NEW Skin Radiance Mask, made with pumpkin to enliven dull and tired skin. So, carve a pumpkin to make a spooky jack-o’-lantern for your front door and continue the pumpkin party with this radiant mask!

Santa Fe, New Mexico
Where: Inn on the Alameda
What: Diá de los Muertos and a few ghost sightings
Why: There’s nothing like a dark autumn night, a huge harvest moon, and a few ghouls to get your heart pounding. In Santa Fe, All Hallow’s Eve coincides with a Mexican celebration, Diá de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, when souls return to Earth and are greeted with feasts, music, and dancing. The spirits here are in full gear when Halloween comes around. Take advantage of the Inn on the Alameda’s 26^th Birthday rate that begins on October 30 and be on watch for La Llorona, the weeping woman who appears mysteriously, crying for her lost children, according to an old New Mexico legend. Perhaps you’ll bump into Julie Shuster Staab, the former lady of the manor who haunts La Posada, or Geronimo Lopez, who’s still hanging around his 18^th century home.

The holidays can be hectic with all that shopping to do and all those family dinners to attend. Give yourself a break this year and plan a festive vacation! Whether it’s a snowy escape, a sunny getaway, or an urban adventure, there’s something for everyone.

SNOW
Where: Palace Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland
What: A Swiss winter wonderland
Why:  Taste world-famous Swiss Fondue and admire the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Alps from the windows of the oldest electric cogwheel-train as it climbs Mt. Rigi. Browse more than 45 stalls of holiday gifts and confections at the annual Christmas Market and wander the festively decorated medieval streets as carolers serenade in the distance during a winter escape to Lucerne, Switzerland. The Palace Luzern’s annual New Years Eve party will be the perfect start to 2012, and the hotel’s special New Years Eve package won’t break your budgeting resolutions for the new year!
When: The New Years Eve package starts at $844 (two nights, double occupancy) and is valid only December 30, 2011-January 1, 2012

Where: La Réserve Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
What: An enchanted holiday
Why: Spend the holidays at La Réserve Genève – explore the International Christmas Market, wave hello to Santa Claus at the Annual Electric Christmas Parade, and attend the annual Christmas Tree Festival where international artists display beautifully crafted sculptures and trees. For a special holiday evening, leave the kids with La Réserve Genève’s experienced babysitters, available for children aged 6 months to 13 years.
When: holiday rates start at $500 per night

SUN
Where: GoldenEye Hotel & Resort, Oracabessa, Jamaica
What: Who said the holidays had to be cold?
Why: Nestled on Jamaica’s north coast, GoldenEye Hotel & Resort was once the Jamaican home of author Ian Fleming and the site where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. Holiday festivities include dinner and entertainment on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a New Years Eve Extravaganza, Festive Afternoon Teas, and Champagne Cocktail Party. Guests can kick off the New Year in good health kindness of the hotel’s fitness and activity program, with offerings such as daily yoga, paddle boarding, and local runs through Oracabessa. Younger visitors can kayak, snorkel, or participate in the hotel’s coral restoration program.
When: Holiday rates start at $1,040 per night from December 15 – January 7

Where: Pacific Coast Holiday, Roundtrip from Los Angeles to the Hawaiian Islands
What: 14 days of culture, fun, and adventure aboard Crystal Symphony
Why: Leave the snow behind and tour the sunny Hawaiian Islands aboard Crystal Symphony. Sign up for private dance lessons, take a helicopter ride over Oahu, or discover the wonder of whale-watching near Maui. Children will love learning to snorkel, kayak, and surf in the beautiful, warm waters.
When: December 21, 2011 – January 4, 2012, two-for-one fares start at $7,050 per person, and include $500 per person all-inclusive “ As You Wish” shipboard credit, plus free, round-trip air and airport transfer from two dozen North American gateway cities (or generous air credit).  Restrictions apply.

CITY
Where: Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
What: A patriotic holiday
Why: Plan a Christmas visit to the Park, and start your stay with delicious homemade gingerbread cookies and Eggnog. For those revelers looking for the best place to bring in the New Year, the Park offers New Years guests two tickets to the hotel’s popular New Years Eve celebration in the Lounge. Extend the holiday cheer all winter long with the hotel’s Comfort and Joy package, which includes hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies to enjoy after braving the cold to attend the National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the White House grounds or visiting the National Christmas Tree, lit daily during December.
When: Christmas package rates start at $445 for the first night and at $245 for each additional night from December 22-26, 2011; New Year’s Eve package available December 27-January 22, 2012 (contact hotel for rates); and Comfort and Joy package rates start at $299 per night from November 28-February 29, 2012

Where: The Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, New Mexico
What: 26^th anniversary celebration
Why:  Escape for a weekend at the Inn on the Alameda in Santa Fe, a city known for its dazzling luminaria displays! The Inn is turning 26 this year, and Santa Fe’s beloved and charming hotel is celebrating by offering a special anniversary rate.  Guests who stay at the inn for three consecutive nights between October 30 and December 12 will pay just $26 for the third night! To get in the holiday spirit, travelers can attend a festive Santa Fe Desert Chorale winter concert or check out the shops of the historic Santa Fe Plaza area.
When: Special rates start at $336 from October 30-December 12 (excluding November 23-26 and November 30 -December 5) 

Where:  Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York City
What: A rejuvenating ‘spa-cation’
Why: New York City is never more alive than at Christmastime with tree-lit ice skating at Rockefeller Center, enchanting carriage rides in Central Park, and lavish window displays at Saks. For people looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, the Peninsula Spa by ESPA is offering a day-long ‘spa-cation,’ including a 60-minute treatment, a special lunch, and complimentary use of the pool and fitness centre.
When: Spa-cation package is available Monday – Thursday weekly for $285

The Inn on the Alameda knows that the best way to experience the City Different is with a best friend in tow, and that is why Santa Fe’s most popular and charming hotel is offering a special Best Friends Package! Starting at just $332, the two-night package is perfect for BFFs (or families) who want to catch up, relax, and, of course, have a lot of fun. Located in the heart of the action, the Inn is the perfect place from which to explore the endless charms of Santa Fe.  At the end of a busy day, they can sit back and reminisce over wine and cheese, while having a massage, in the hot tub, or in the comfort of their room.

Best friends really do get the best deals with this package that includes two nights cozy accommodations, the Inn’s lavish “Breakfast of Enchantment” each morning, a complimentary wine-and-cheese reception each afternoon, two 50-minute massages in the Inn’s massage room, two bottles of water on arrival, gift certificate to use for sweet treats at Kakawa Chocolate House, right up the street from the Inn, complimentary parking, all day coffee service, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and local and toll-free telephone calls at no charge.

Two-night package rates, based on double occupancy, range from $332 to $670, plus tax, depending on room-type and dates selected. The two-night charge for any additional person sharing is $100, with a maximum of four people per room. This BFF package is not applicable for certain peak season dates, holidays, or special events. For details on what is happening in and around town, visit www.santafe.org. To book this package, call 888-984-2121 or write info@innonthealameda.com.

We’ve all daydreamed about striking it rich with that pot of gold, and now it looks like there is a chance to live out our Captain Jack Sparrow fantasies in none other than the City Different! After being diagnosed with what he thought was fatal cancer in 1998, Forrest Fenn, a famous Santa Fe art dealer, claims to have hidden a chest full of loot, $2 million to be exact, in the sands of the New Mexican desert. Instead of using an old-fashioned map to lead treasure hunters to the X, Fenn published a memoir titled The Thrill of the Chase that supposedly contains all of the clues needed to find his desert fortune.

It just so happens that Santa Fe’s treasured small hotel, the Inn on the Alameda, is the perfect place to plant one’s self when searching for Santa Fe’s hidden cache! Nestled in the heart of the city, there is no better spot for taking advantage of all of Santa Fe’s cultural charms while chasing down those clues. After a long day of fortune hunting, the Inn is a great place to relax and rejuvenate, and we promise that a stay at  Inn on the Alameda is a treasure within itself!

To read more about Fenn’s hidden treasure, check out this Huffington Post article http://www.huffingtonpost.com/margie-goldsmith/2-million-santa-fe-treasu_b_932299.html

The Inn on the Alameda is turning twenty-six, and Santa Fe’s most popular and charming hotel is celebrating by offering a special anniversary rate.  Travelers can join in on the birthday fun and explore the alluring city of Santa Fe during a truly spectacular time of the year. Guests who stay at the Inn for three consecutive nights between October 30 and December 12 will pay just $26 for the third night!

The celebratory rate, dwindling off-season crowds, and the City Different’s year-round charm make a winter getaway to the Inn on the Alameda a must. Located in the heart of Old Santa Fe, nestled between the historic Santa Fe Plaza and Canyon Road Art Galleries, there is not a better spot in town for taking advantage of the endless excitement. While culture enthusiasts will love gallery hopping on Canyon Road and museum exploring at the Museum Hill complex, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy snow-shoeing at Hyde Park and hiking at Tent Rocks. To get in the holiday spirit, travelers can attend a festive Santa Fe Desert Chorale winter concert or check out the shops of the historic Santa Fe Plaza area to pick up a one of a kind gift. With something for everyone, travelers should start planning their visit to Santa Fe now for the Inn on the Alameda’s birthday celebration!

Available between October 30-December 12, the “26 and counting” package includes: Three nights welcoming accommodations in a variety of room types, daily “breakfast of enchantment” buffet and afternoon wine and cheese reception, complimentary parking, free Wi-Fi in guestrooms and public rooms, and local and toll-free telephone calls at no charge.

**Excludes these dates (11/23-26; 11/30-12/5). The rate is based on a three-consecutive-night stay, single or double occupancy, and is subject to availability. The package price ranges from $336 to $716, depending on rates and room types. State and local taxes are not included. The special rate does not apply to existing packages and cannot be combined with other offers, nor does it apply to groups reserving more than five rooms. For package reservations, call directly (1-888-984-2122) as this special rate cannot be booked on-line. To see what is happening in Santa Fe, visit www.santafe.org.

Music festivals, world-class opera, hiking, biking, museum hopping, unique culinary adventures and art shopping – Santa Fe has plenty to offer this summer! Recently nominated by Travel + Leisure as one of “America’s Favorite Cities,” Santa Fe invites travelers from around the world to dive into its unique culture and exciting history.

Right in the heart of the city is the Inn on the Alameda, a charming, cozy inn as rich in history as the city itself. Located just steps away from some of Santa Fe’s most exciting attractions, the inn maintains a secluded serenity throughout its stone courtyards and peaceful patios. Authenticity radiates from the handcrafted finishes, adobe walls and southwestern décor, reflecting the essence of “the city different.”

Whether a relaxing getaway or adventurous fun in the Southwest sun, Santa Fe has it all!

For more activities in Santa Fe, visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau web site: http://santafe.org/perl/page.cgi?g=1067

According to Paul Hogarth of the Huffington Post, New Mexico is the most beautiful state along Route 66 —and we agree! If you, too, are planning on getting your kicks on, come see for yourself at the Inn on the Alameda in Santa Fe or Hotel Parq Central in Albuquerque. Both hotels are located along the celebrated roadway and are certain to convince you that New Mexico truly is the Land of Enchantment.

Never know what restaurants to try on vacation? The Inn on the Alameda has that problem solved. Its Tasting the City Different package takes its guests through the streets of Santa Fe, starting at the Santa Fe School of Cooking and hitting four uniquely Santa Fe dining destinations. Led by a chef from the cooking school, guests will taste the menus, meet the chefs and owners, and learn about the eclectic mix of old and new in this region’s distinctive cuisine. The package also includes a cooking class, teaching guests to throw some southwestern flair into their kitchens at home.

Rates for this package range from $675 to $1302 for two people and include three nights at the Inn on the Alameda, a three hour Cuisine and Culture walking tour, a two and a half hour demonstration cooking class, a $10 gift certificate to the Santa Fe School of Cooking gift shop with a 10% discount, daily continental breakfast, and a daily afternoon wine and cheese reception.

January – April, 2011 dates for the package are:

January: 1/20-22 and 1/27-29

February: 2/3-5; 2/10-12; 2/17-19; and 2/22-24

March: 3/17-19 and 3/24-26

April: 3/30-4/2; 4/7-9; 4/14-16; 4/21-23; and 4/28-30

**Tours are conducted Monday, Wednesday or Friday afternoons, depending on dates selected

The Inn has classic Pueblo-style architecture, emphasized by the Mexican tile, handmade furniture, hand-woven rugs, local artifacts, and Kiva fireplaces. While there, take advantage of the free parking, two outdoor hot tubs, fitness facility, guest laundry, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

For reservations and information, contact the Inn on the Alameda at 1-888-984-2122 or 505-984-2121 or at www.innonthealameda.com.  For details on the school, visit www.santafeschoolofcooking.com.