The Washington Inn began welcoming guests on 1 September 2026, bringing 27 residential-style suites to a quiet address two blocks from Santa Fe Plaza.
Located at 220 Otero Street in the city’s Historic District, the locally owned hotel is one of downtown Santa Fe’s first new-construction lodging projects in decades. Its studios and one, two and three-bedroom suites combine the independence of a private residence with professional hotel management.
The location places guests within walking distance of Santa Fe’s museums, galleries, restaurants and historic sites, without positioning them on one of the centre’s main thoroughfares. Across its four buildings, the hotel offers contemporary interiors influenced by the colours, art and architecture of New Mexico.
Residential-style suites near Santa Fe Plaza
The Washington Inn has been conceived as an alternative to a conventional hotel room, with accommodation ranging from compact studios to three-bedroom suites sleeping up to six guests.
Its three studios are designed for couples, solo travellers or business guests, while the 10 one-bedroom suites have separate bedrooms and open-plan living areas. In addition, the property offers 11 suites with two bedrooms and three suites with three bedrooms, bringing the total number of bedrooms across the property to 44.
Sizes range from 321 square feet to almost 2,000 square feet. Depending on the category, guests can expect living rooms, dining spaces, full kitchens and in-suite washers and dryers. Gas fireplaces, walk-in showers, stone countertops and private patios add comfort to longer stays, while Made In cookware and L’Occitane toiletries are provided.
“We wanted to create the kind of place we would want to stay when visiting another city,” owner Marc Bertram said. “You can spread out with your friends or family, cook a real meal, but still walk out the door and see the best of Santa Fe. It feels personal and residential rather than a traditional hotel room.”
The larger layouts make the property well suited to families and groups who want shared living space without booking several separate rooms. They also give couples and solo travellers room to settle into Santa Fe for more than a weekend.
Bertram said the suites could encourage extended visits, combining the feeling of a luxury second home with the professional management of a hotel. Reported nightly prices range from $300 to $1,200, depending on the suite and travel dates.
Contemporary architecture with Territorial influences
The Washington Inn occupies a one-acre site with approximately 36,000 square feet of developed space. The compound combines two renovated buildings dating from the 1950s, a newly constructed casita and a contemporary addition to one of the original structures.
Local firm Architecture Alliance designed the exterior, drawing on the Territorial character of the earlier office buildings rather than recreating the Pueblo Revival architecture commonly associated with Santa Fe. The use of stacked stonework, restrained lines and brick accents gives the hotel a more contemporary identity while retaining a connection to its setting.
The historic façades were left largely intact. New sections use related materials and architectural details, allowing the four buildings to feel connected without disguising which elements are original.
Interior design studio 4D continued that approach inside, creating relaxed rooms with a residential feel. Muted browns, rich reds, sage green and whitewashed walls reflect the colours of the high desert, while the furnishings favour warmth over a formal hotel aesthetic.
Each building has its own suite theme and palette, giving the accommodation subtle variations across the property. The shared spaces and suites include folk art, modern work, Southwestern pieces and oil paintings depicting abstracts, portraits or regional scenery.
Santa Fe artist Lee MacLeod was commissioned to create an oil painting of Diablo Canyon for the lobby. It anchors an art collection assembled from varied works.
“We wanted the art to feel especially impactful and varied, like eclectic art in a high-end home,” designer and owner Sydney Shults said. “All the oil paintings highlight different subjects including abstracts, landscapes, and portraits. The art is filled with beautiful colors while still feeling undoubtedly Southwestern.”
A hotel without an on-site restaurant or bar
The Washington Inn has no restaurant or bar. Guests can prepare meals in their suites or walk to the dining rooms, cafés and shops surrounding Santa Fe Plaza.
For travellers who value privacy and independence, contactless check-in reduces the formality of arrival. Concierge services remain available for local recommendations and practical assistance.
The property’s shared facilities include a fitness centre, Clearlight Infrared Sauna, boardroom and dog relief area. On-site parking is limited to 15 spaces, although a complimentary parking pass is provided for every suite. The hotel directs guests requiring additional spaces to the nearby Marcy Street Parking Garage.
Selected suites are pet-friendly for dogs weighing less than 75 pounds. A daily fee of $35 applies, with beds, bowls, toys and gourmet treats available. Cats are not accepted.
The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle. Its official guest information recommends ABQ Express Shuttle for connections with Santa Fe and Albuquerque airports, Peak Transportation for private black-car transfers, and local taxis from Santa Fe Airport.
A decade-long development by two Santa Fe families
The Washington Inn is a joint project from the Bertram and Duettra families, who acquired the Otero Street property in 2016. Construction began in July 2022 following several revisions to the design.
The development faced delays connected to the pandemic, construction disruption and vandalism before work was completed in August 2026. Marc Bertram has not disclosed the total project cost.
The site’s earlier history includes a period as the estate of Levi A. Hughes, a Santa Fe wool baron and banker. Builder Robert F. McKee acquired the property during the 1950s and constructed one of the buildings now incorporated into the hotel.
Space for new lodging projects is limited in central Santa Fe. Bertram described the site as a rare opportunity to introduce a different type of accommodation downtown, where established hotels more commonly offer traditional rooms and full-service facilities.
General manager John Wickham leads the opening team, bringing more than 15 years of experience across boutique hotels and guest-experience roles. Pre-opening reports indicated that the hotel expected to employ between 12 and 15 people.
Reservations are now available through The Washington Inn website or by calling 505-416-8711.
