The historic Plaza Hotel offers elegant and comfortable rooms in the heart of old town Las Vegas, New Mexico. The Plaza Hotel looks like it did when built, a grand Victorian façade with three floors of 14’ ceilings and huge windows overlooking the Plaza. Matching walnut staircases wind elegantly from the lobby to all floors. In total, the Plaza Hotel and Event Center has 70 guest rooms, with 19 overlooking the plaza.
The Plaza Hotel
When the Plaza Hotel opened in 1882, it was the fanciest hotel in the New Mexico Territory. Overlooking the Old Town Plaza Park, the hotel was/is a favorite for film crews, historians, and travelers looking for a place to stay with character and a story to tell. Numerous notables and ne’er do wells have passed through the doors, including Doc Holiday and Tommy Lee Jones. The hotel has provided a backdrop and ambience in several films, including Easy Rider and No Country for Old Men, as well as the television series Longmire.
Las Vegas History
Las Vegas was established prior to the region becoming part of the United States. Settlers established the community on a land grant received from the Mexican government in 1835. The town was laid out in the traditional Spanish Colonial style, with a central plaza surrounded by buildings. The buildings were designed to provide space for merchants and residents. However, they doubled as towers for additional defense when the community was attacked.
Located on the western edge of the Great Plains, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Las Vegas was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the American expansion west after the Mexican American War, first as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail, later as a stop on the Santa Fe Railroad. By the 1870’s, Las Vegas was the biggest, and most affluent, town in the New Mexico Territory. There are almost 1000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, many within walking distance of the hotel.
Guest Testimonial
Charming Historical Hotel | “This place is so amazing! We love to stay in historic hotels and this one describing itself as “The Belle of the Southwest,” did not disappoint! We arrived on a wintery evening and upon entering, the warmth of the place just fills you up. It was a holiday, January 1st and the restaurant and bar were bustling with holiday travelers and the Christmas decorations were gorgeous. The staff A+. We were starving after a treacherous drive on snowy roads during a snowstorm and the waiters took care of our every need.
Our room was gorgeous and huge, completely unexpected especially since we had booked a budget non-plaza view room. Our room was beautifully flooded with natural light, and our bed although we were warned it was a true full size was comfy and warm. The bathroom was updated and sparkly clean. I loved the details of all the antique furniture and the various bookshelves throughout the halls where you could pick a book to read! Also we read that local artisans often design the furnishings throughout the hotel. The windows must have been 14 feet, truly a sight to see! Couldn’t recommend this place more highly. Enjoy your stay and welcome a part of history into your experience.“
~ Aylyn Yalaz, Denver, Colorado
Dining
Coffee Shop Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 7 AM – 8 PM
Prairie Hill Café Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 7 AM – 9 PM
Byron T’s Saloon
Tuesday – Saturday: 12 PM –10 PM
Sunday: 9 AM –9 PM
Plaza Hotel | Las Vegas, New Mexico
230 Plaza St
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 425-3591
reservations@plazahotellvnm.com
plazahotellvnm.com
From Albuquerque & Santa Fe
Take I-25 North toward Denver. Vegas NM is about an hour north of Santa Fe or an hour forty-five minutes from Albuquerque. Vegas has three exits on I-25, any will get you to the Plaza but its best to take the second one, to University Ave. This goes left over the freeway to historic downtown. Turn right (north) at the first light: Grand Ave. Then left (west) in two blocks onto W National Ave. National becomes Plaza St. and dead-ends at Plaza Park. The hotel is on the right.
From Colorado
Take I-25 south toward Albuquerque & Santa Fe. Vegas NM is about four hours south of Denver. Vegas has three exits on I-25, any will get you to the Plaza but its best to take the second one, to University Ave. Go right from the freeway off-ramp to historic downtown. Turn right (north) at the first light: Grand Ave. Then left (west) in two blocks onto W National Ave. National becomes Plaza St. and dead-ends at Plaza Park. The hotel is on the right.