El Rey Court Motel

El Rey Court Motel in Santa Fe, New Mexico is “Where Fast Lives Slow Down.” So decelerate your engine, pull over into this motor court, and prepare for a relaxing respite from your busy road trip. Book a room today to stay on your Route 66 or New Mexico road trip.

El Rey Court (formerly El Rey Inn) is a historic Santa Fe hotel that opened in 1936. Located on the original Santa Fe alignment of old Route 66 (now Cerrillos Road), this motel transports you back to the heyday of The Mother Road with a modern twist.

Stay in one of the 86 unique rooms, including suites with fireplaces and kitchenettes. The property was meticulously renovated in 2018, transforming it into a modern travelers oasis, without losing any of its original charm.

The property’s contemporary Southwest design vibrates from every wall and the laid-back vibe permeates throughout the property.

No two rooms at El Rey Court are exactly alike. But each bespoke space features adobe architecture with a contemporary Southwest vibe. Find white-washed walls, exposed wooden ponderosa pine beams, original artwork, antique furniture, and local textiles in every nook. But, don’t worry, you’ll also find all the modern amenities you could ask for, like complimentary WiFi, a Bluetooth Tivoli speaker, and a flat-screen with DirecTV.

El Rey Court is the perfect place to spend the night in Santa Fe, but it isn’t just for tourists. It’s also a destination for locals with on-site events and their locally-famous Swim Club and La Reina Bar.

Swim Club

Open seasonally, El Rey Court’s Swim Club is one of the best pools in Santa Fe. The 45.6-foot-long-by-26-foot wide outdoor pool is an ideal place to take a swim or soak up some sun. Relax by the pool or the adjacent hot tub and fireplace. Guests get complimentary access but locals can also purchase day or season passes.

La Reina Bar

Also on the property is La Reina Bar. This cozy spot mimics the charming vibes of the rest of the motel and features a menu of tequila- and mezcal-centric cocktails. Stop in for a drink or to hear live music and look for the kiva fireplace emblazoned with one of the hotel’s mottos: “Where fast lives slow down.”

El Rey Court is one of the best motels in Santa Fe, and all of Route 66 (though it does have some competition from Albuquerque’s El Vado Motel, which was built by the same hotel developer). It’s also convenient to just about anything you want to do in Santa Fe. It’s just a short drive to Santa Fe Plaza or Meow Wolf. And if you don’t feel like traveling far, walk next door for one of the best meals in town at The Pantry. Book a room today to stay on your Route 66 or New Mexico road trip.

Photos of El Rey Court Motel in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Plan Your New Mexico Road Trip

Planning a New Mexico road trip to stay at El Rey Court Motel and see all the best roadside attractions in the state? Plan your road trip with these road trip resources, road trip planning articles, and Route 66 road trip planners.

Roadside Attractions Near El Rey Court Motel