Santa Fe Amarillo: Your Dream Western Getaway Awaits!
Santa Fe Amarillo: My Dream Western Getaway…Or Did I Just Dream it? A Rambling Review (with some actual helpful info, I swear!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of Santa Fe Amarillo that's less a perfectly polished travelogue and more a chaotic tumbleweed of thoughts, feelings, and probably too much detail about the complimentary toiletries. Consider this your unfiltered glimpse into the Wild West… well, a slightly more domesticated version of it. And yes, I will cover all those darn categories because SEO, am I right? Ugh.
(Accessibility & Getting There, Because Let's Start Simple)
First things first, accessibility. Santa Fe Amarillo seemed pretty on top of things. Elevators, ramps… all the good stuff for folks who need it. They’ve got “facilities for disabled guests”, and from what I saw, they meant it. Getting there was a breeze. Airport transfer? Check. Valet parking? Yep. And blessedly, free parking on-site (because, let's be real, those parking fees can kill a vacation budget faster than a tumbleweed in a dust storm). I'd also say "car park on sight" so they could easily park. The whole getting-around situation was pretty darn easy.
(Cleanliness & Safety – Because COVID Has Ruined Everything, Right?)
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room: the plague. Santa Fe Amarillo made a serious effort to look clean and feel safe. They're using "anti-viral cleaning products," and the staff is well-trained. They go through all the protocols. They had the "daily disinfection in common areas" going on. The fact that they were doing all that gave me peace of mind. "Rooms sanitized between stays" (yay!), and, get this, you could even “room sanitization opt-out” if you're, you know, one of those people. But honestly, I appreciated all the precautions. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere. My inner germaphobe was basically doing the Macarena. And hey, “cashless payment service” meant I didn't have to touch anything gross. A+.
(Internet & Staying Connected – Because Who Actually Unplugs?)
Okay, I confess. I was glued to my phone the entire time. Don't judge! The good news? Santa Fe Amarillo delivers on the internet front. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Absolutely. Wi-Fi in public areas? Also yes. Now, I did try to use the Internet [LAN] once, but let's just say I'm more of a Wi-Fi kinda gal. The speed was decent. Enough to stream Netflix and avoid any real-world interaction. Basically, you could stay connected – which for me, is a huge win.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where the Real Fun Happens)
Okay, now this is where things get interesting. Let’s tackle the food. Santa Fe Amarillo has a restaurant (multiple, in fact!), a bar, and even a "snack bar." Honestly, I’d have to say this is one of their best feature.
- Breakfast: They offered a buffet (which, I’m usually wary of right now), but they also did individual packaged food options. The "Asian breakfast" caught my eye (which was a wonderful surprise!), as weird as that may sound. I'm a sucker for breakfast so I did have the Western breakfast too. Good stuff. And if you're a breakfast-in-bed kind of person? They've got "breakfast in room" and even "breakfast takeaway service"!
- Lunch/Dinner: I had some "salad in restaurant" and some "soup in restaurant". No complaints there, everything was prepared well. But this is where the fun starts! The restaurant had a pretty extensive menu, offering "international cuisine," "Western cuisine" and even "Asian cuisine." I’m a big fan of “happy hour," and it seemed alright.
- The Bar: The "poolside bar" was the real star. Picture this: sun setting, a ridiculously strong margarita in your hand, and the faint sounds of… well, whatever music was playing, but it sounded awesome. The "Bottle of water" was appreciated.
- Everything Else: Room service [24-hour]? Yes! Coffee/tea in restaurant? Indeed! Coffee shop? Yup! The "vegetarian restaurant" was a nice touch too, even though I mostly went for the steak.
(Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Or How I Spent Most of My Time)
This is where Santa Fe Amarillo really shines. This is where I can say it might just be my dream western getaway! I'm a spa kind of girl. I really dove into the "SPA" as much as I possibly could. And the spa experience was…heavenly. First off, the "pool with view" was just stunning. Second, the "Sauna", "steamroom", and "spa" (as in THE Spa experience) completely wowed me. The "massage" was one of the best I've ever had. Seriously, I think I may have slipped into a nap during my "Body scrub" and "Body wrap," the whole thing was just utter bliss. The "Fitness center" was there too, although I’m not sure I actually used it…I was too busy relaxing!
(The Room – My Temporary Fortress of Solitude)
My room was pretty darn spacious. I did appreciate the "Air conditioning", and "Blackout curtains" were my best friend. The "Desk" was essential for my daily journaling (okay, and maybe a little work). A "Refrigerator" was a HUGE plus. The bathroom had "bathrobes" and "slippers" – the little things that make a difference. "Coffee/tea maker"? Absolutely essential. The "bed", extra long. The "sofa" was perfect for collapsing on after a long day of… well, relaxing. "Non-smoking" rooms are a good thing too. My room was "Soundproof" and "Soundproofing" so there was zero noise disruption.
(Services & Conveniences – The Little Things That Count)
Santa Fe Amarillo is a well-oiled machine when it comes to service. The "concierge" was helpful. "Daily housekeeping" was a godsend. "Laundry service" saved me from the horrors of packing dirty clothes. They had a "convenience store" (because let's be honest, we all forget something). "Currency exchange" was handy. The "elevator" made getting around easy, and the "doorman" always gave a friendly greeting. They even had "facilities for disabled guests."
(For the Kids – If You Happen to Have Some Around)
I didn't bring any kids, but I did notice they were serious. There was a "Babysitting service", they were "family/child friendly," and they had "Kids facilities" and a "Kids meal" - so, great for families!
(What Didn't Quite Hit the Mark)
Honestly? The only real downside was the occasional… let's call it “lull” in the atmosphere. Sometimes the place felt a little too quiet. But hey, maybe that's what you want in a getaway, right? It's a small observation, though, because the place is really amazing.
(Quirky Observations & Random Thoughts)
- The "shrine" was an interesting touch. I didn't use it, but it was there.
- The "Shrine" was an interesting touch. I didn't use it, but it was there.
- I got a little obsessed with those little bottles of complimentary water. Seriously, they were my lifeline.
- The staff was genuinely friendly; however, for the most part, they were extremely efficient but perhaps not overly chatty and warm.
- I might or might not have gone back for seconds (or thirds) at the breakfast buffet. Don't judge.
- If you decide to propose here, take advantage of the "Proposal spot." (wink, wink).
(Overall Impression & Recommendation – The Big Finale!)
Santa Fe Amarillo is a winner. A solid, comfortable, and well-equipped hotel at a reasonable price. There’s plenty of space, the staff is excellent, and the spa is to-die-for. The food? Delicious. The pool? Stunning. It's the perfect place to escape, unwind, and maybe…just maybe…live out your Western fantasies.
Final Verdict: Highly recommended. Go. Book it. Treat yourself. You deserve it (and so do I!)
Book Your Dream Western Getaway at Santa Fe Amarillo!
Tired of the everyday grind? Craving a little adventure? Then saddle up, partner, because Santa Fe Amarillo is calling your name!
Here's why you NEED to book NOW:
- Unwind in Style: Soak up the sun at our stunning outdoor pool with a view, rejuvenate your body and mind at our luxurious spa (trust me, the massage is life-changing), and enjoy a relaxing soak in our outdoor Jacuzzi after a long day of exploring!
- Gastronomic Delights: From hearty Western breakfasts to mouthwatering international cuisine, our restaurants and bars will tantalize your taste buds. Indulge in handcrafted cocktails, visit our fun happy hour, and experience a culinary adventure!
- Relax and Recharge: Enjoy the comfort of our spacious and well-
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is real life, Amarillo, TX, style. Specifically, the Best Western Santa Fe. Pray for me. (And my sanity.)
Day 1: Arrival, Deliberate Decisions and Doubt
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at Best Western Santa Fe – Amarillo, TX. Okay, first impressions. The exterior… well, let's just say it has a certain charm. Sort of a, "we've seen a few tumbleweeds roll by" kind of charm. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. Check-in was smooth, which is a win. The woman at the desk, bless her heart, seemed genuinely thrilled to be there. Makes you wonder what she has seen in the hotel.
- 1:30 PM: Room Reconnaissance. The room… it's clean! Honestly, a huge relief. Carpet's a little… textured. The TV is… well, it's a TV. I immediately hit the "check bed" button to make sure the bed is clean. I'd have taken a picture, but my phone's still charging from the drive.
- 2:00 PM: The Urgent Need for Caffeine and Food. I'm not proud of it, but I found the nearest Starbucks. (Shame on me, I know. Supporting the corporate overlords.) But those drive-thru lattes are my love language right now. And after that, it's Taco Villa, because you're in Texas, and it's obligatory. The taco salad was… adequate. Maybe I should have been more adventurous
- 3:00 PM: Settling In. Questioning Life Choices. Back in the room. Unpacking. Honestly, I'm starting to question why I thought this was a good idea. Four days in Amarillo? Seriously? Is there that much to see? Maybe I should have gone to the beach. Or at least somewhere with a wider variety of food options. And what's with the weird smell of air freshener? I swear, it's a mix of pine and sadness. Deep breaths. Gotta embrace the chaos.
- 4:00 PM: The "First Attempt" at Finding "Culture": The Cadillac Ranch, and then some weird sculptures. Okay, Cadillac Ranch. Iconic, yes. Worth the drive out? Debatable. It was crowded, filled with the scent of spray paint and the sounds of… well, teenagers being teenagers. I tagged my own Cadillac, which, let's be honest, felt a little pretentious. I then took a drive down the street to see some other sculptures… Not sure what was going on there.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner - Finding Local Flavor (sort of). I'm trying to be adventurous. Went to a local place called "The Big Texan Steak Ranch". The challenge is eat a 72-ounce steak, but I ate a hamburger. It was okay, not the best, but I couldn't face all that meat. And all those people. And all that music. My ears are still ringing.
- 8:00 PM: Bedtime Ritual: Watching TV Time to watch TV. Maybe make some choices, maybe make some decisions, but overall, I'm tired.
Day 2: More Deliberations, and a Deep Dive
- 7:00 AM: Wake Up, or rather, emerge, from a slightly creaky sleep. The bed… not bad. Not amazing. But it'll do. The air conditioning is… aggressive. I almost forgot I was in the middle of the desert, it's so COLD. I had to put on a sweater!
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the Best Western. (Oh dear.) I had high hopes, but they were quickly squashed. The coffee tasted like burnt tires, the waffles were suspiciously perfect, and the "fruit" selection consisted entirely of bruised bananas. I ate a waffle anyway. I needed fuel for the day.
- 8:30 AM: A Trip to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum. I was skeptical, but you know what? It was actually… fascinating. The history, the horses, the sheer dedication to the breed… I was surprisingly moved. And there was a really cute pony statue. I may have taken a selfie. Don't judge.
- 11:00 AM: More of the Cadillac Ranch! I swear I saw something I hadn't noticed before.
- 12:00 PM: The "Big Texan" Experience, Part Deux My stomach won't let me eat the steak, but I was going to try it. The show, and atmosphere were actually pretty fun. All those people, all that food.
- 2:00 PM: A Drive down Route 66 - or at least a chunk of it. Cool to see the historic route, but it was a bit sad to see so many abandoned buildings. It made me think of how the town changed and evolved through time.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner and the Unavoidable. I was craving tacos again, but I also wanted to try something new. So I had the worst tacos and walked into this random, really awkward place.
- 8:00 PM: Lights out, for real this time.
Day 3: More of the Same (ish), and a Sudden Discovery
- 7:00 AM: Coffee, but this time from the dollar store. The Best Western coffee situation is still a disaster. I have to give something to the dollar store coffee, which is more drinkable.
- 8:00 AM: The Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The Grand Canyon… but in Texas! Okay, so maybe not quite as grand, but still breathtaking. The vastness, the colors, the sheer scale of the thing… I was left speechless. I spent the whole morning just wandering around, soaking it in, and feeling tiny.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch with a View (and a surprise encounter). I packed a sandwich and ate it overlooking the canyon. Bliss. And then, I met this really cool guy from Colorado, who was also traveling solo. We ended up chatting for an hour, swapping travel stories, and just connecting. It reminded me why I do this.
- 3:00 PM: A deep drive through Amarillo (again). Trying to find souvenirs, and maybe see a movie.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner, and a Revelation. I went to a local diner, and I had a chili cheeseburger. And it was delicious. Like, truly, surprisingly, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Maybe Amarillo is starting to grow on me.
- 8:00 PM: Reflection, and the realization that I might actually be enjoying myself.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 4: Departure and a lingering taste of the unexpected
- 7:00 AM: The Last Breakfast. (Please, no more waffles). Okay, I'm officially over the breakfast bar. I grabbed a granola bar and some coffee from Dollar Store.
- 8:00 AM: The "I Can’t Believe I’m Leaving" Shopping Spree. Some souvenirs.
- 10:00 AM: Final Room Check, and Departure. Okay, so I'll be honest. I was dreading this trip. Amarillo felt like some dusty, forgotten corner of the world. But… it wasn't. It was kind of… magical. Maybe it was the canyon, maybe it was the encounters with unexpected people, maybe it was just the feeling of being utterly, gloriously, unplugged.
- 12:00 PM: Heading out. After a final look around, I said goodbye to the Best Western Santa Fe (and its questionable air freshener). And yeah, I'd actually come back. There's something about this quirky little city that got to me.
- The Drive: The drive home was long, but that was okay.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- Best Western Santa Fe: It was clean, and the staff were nice!
- Amarillo: It ain't Paris, but it's got soul. Give it a chance.
- The Taco Villa: Still kind of meh
So there you have it. A messy, imperfect account of my time in Amarillo. Life isn't always pretty, but it sure is interesting. And sometimes, the unexpected is the best part of all. Now, off to find some decent coffee. Wish me luck!
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Santa Fe Amarillo: So, You Think You Wanna Go? (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, Seriously... Why Santa Fe *Amarillo*? Seems Kinda Random.
Alright, alright, settle down there, Mr. or Ms. Skeptical. "Santa Fe *Amarillo*"? Yeah, the name's a bit...much. I get it. It's like your aunt who insists on wearing leopard print to a funeral. But listen, the "Santa Fe" part is for the vibe. Think: art, history, chili peppers drying on the patio, that specific earthy smell that only New Mexico seems to have. The "Amarillo" part? Well, that's for the *experience*. Which, honestly, can be anything from a perfectly grilled steak to accidentally ending up at a karaoke night where the only songs available are from 1987.
I heard it was the place you can unwind, you know, slow down, breathe that clean Texas air... right? I'm only repeating what someone told me. I haven't been, it's just on the list. But my friend, she went there. The one who is afraid of everything. Seriously. And she LOVED it. Said it felt like stumbling into a John Wayne movie, but with better wifi. Okay, maybe not *better* wifi, but you get the picture.
What's the Deal with the Food? Real Foodies Welcome?
Food? Oh, the food. Look, if you're picturing Michelin stars and delicate foams, you might be in the wrong place. (Though, hey, maybe a hidden gem exists! Let me know if you find it!) The food scene is...well, it's got character. Expect hearty portions, lots of meat, and enough chili peppers to set your mouth on fire. That's not a bad thing! My aunt loves spicy food.
Think juicy steaks cooked to perfection (or maybe a little *too* well-done, depending on your luck). Think big, fluffy biscuits. Think...well, think lots of places with "Chili" in the name. And definitely try the local brews - they go down *real* easy after a long day of... everything. Just be prepared for a possible existential crisis when you realize you've eaten three plates of ribs by yourself.
I heard a story from a friend (yes, again, the one who went) about a diner. Supposedly, the waitress looked right through her as she asked for a coffee refill, never blinked, never spoke, and just kept pouring. She seemed to be communicating with the universe. The food was good though.
Okay, I'm Sold on the Food (Maybe). What is there *to do* in Santa Fe Amarillo besides eat myself into a coma?
Alright, alright, non-foodie friend! I get it. There's more to life than a meat coma (says the person who *loves* a good meat coma...). The real draw is the history and the art, or so I'm led to believe.
You could check out the historic sites. Feel the ghosts of the past. Or maybe you just feel...sunburned and bored. Some people love it, some people end up just wishing they were back at the hotel watching Netflix. It depends on how much you're into that sorta thing. There's a giant cross. And maybe a museum or two. Honestly, I'd probably get lost looking for the bathroom. So, you know... your mileage may vary. My friend found a gallery, they had some "modern art," but it just had lots of colors smeared on a canvas. She stared at it for hours. Wondering if she understood it. She didn't. But she felt a connection.
And, of course, there are the roadside attractions. The *Big Texan Steak Ranch* is one thing you will *not* want to miss. It's a legendary place. The Big Texan is fun. That's probably the best part of the area. Its got a huge statue of a cowboy, and you can try to eat the 72-ounce steak. Unless it isn't, and then you're a loser. But that's how it is.
How's the Vibe? Is it Touristy? Or Can I Pretend I'm a Cool Cowboy (or Cowgirl)?
Tourist level? Pretty much. But in a good way? Maybe. It depends on your tolerance level for selfie sticks and oversized hats. You'll definitely see them. Embrace it! Or roll your eyes and quietly judge from the sidelines. No judgment here. I'm the queen of passive-aggressive observation.
The "pretend you're a cowboy" thing? Go for it! Buy the hat. Wear the boots (even if your feet are screaming after an hour). Just don't try to rope anything...unless you *actually* know how. That could get awkward - and potentially involve a hospital visit. I've heard a lot of people say this place is "authentic". But they aren't from that place, what do they know? Anyway, the locals wear the real deal, its possible to blend in, but it's probably very very hard.
Okay, Fine, I'm Considering Going. Is it Expensive?
Compared to some other places? Probably not. But "cheap" is a relative term. Flights can fluctuate wildly. Accommodation ranges from basic motels to fancy hotels. Food can be budget-friendly (hello, cheap diner!), or you can blow your budget on a fancy steak. The trick? Do your research. Look for deals. And pack your own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for emergencies. You'll thank me later.
But hey, if you're looking to live the high life, then go for it. It's your vacation. Order that expensive wine. Go for the best cut of meat. Live it up, I say! Just don't come crying to me when you run out of money halfway through. I'm not lending anyone anything. Especially not my peanut butter and jelly.
And don't forget the souvenirs! Because everyone needs a cheesy tee-shirt that says "I <3 Santa Fe Amarillo!" Or a Stetson, naturally.
Is it... Safe?
Generally, yes. It's not some lawless Wild West situation. But, as with any place, be aware of your surroundings. Don't wander around alone in dark alleys at 3 AM. Keep your valuables secure, and listen to your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. I'm pretty sure I had a bad feeling about a used car dealer once, and I was right. I still don't know what they did.
Use common sense. That's the best advice I can give. Don't be an idiot, and you should be fine. And, if it's not safe, well, maybe you'll come back here and tell me all about it? I probably won'tStay While You Wander
