Cowboy Life: Historic Hotels & Saloons

There are a number of Wild West hotels still in operation where you can stay, have a meal, and belly up to the bar.

The Brown Hotel, Springer. The hotel is restored and refurbished with collections from their antique shop. Built in the 1920s, this site is listed on the State Register of Cultural Properties. 17 rooms.
302 Maxwell Avenue, Springer
575-483-2269
Colfax County

Eklund Hotel, Clayton. An elegant stone hotel of the day, built in 1892. In the early days, the hotel hosted cattle barons passing through on the Goodnight-Love Trail, outlaws the likes of Black Jack Ketchum, and well-heeled travelers from the train that passed nearby. Today, the hotel rooms are newly renovated, the original 1894-carved bar is still the centerpiece of the saloon, and the restaurant serves hand-cut steaks and excellent chicken fried steak. 26 rooms.
15 Main Street, Clayton
575-374-2551
Union County
theeklund.com

El Portal Hotel, Raton. Built in 1903, hand-painted southwest murals adorn the walls. Rooms are appointed with chandeliers, original antiques, and claw-foot bath tubs. Bordertown Café serves home-style breakfast and lunch. 20 rooms.
101 North 3rd St., Raton
888-362-7345, 505-445-3631
Colfax County
elportalhotel.com

Laguna Vista Lodge, Eagle Nest. The spirit and heritage of the West is alive at this 1900s hotel, restaurant and saloon. Each afternoon in the courtyard, a speaker in period dress talks about the area history and gives tours of the original hotel (which became a house of ill repute!). A holdup is staged in the restaurant dining room daily at 6pm. True West Magazine named the saloon "The Best in New Mexico" and one of the best in the fifteen western states, for four consecutive years. The original hotel building is home to many ghosts - all original hotel guest rooms are already "occupied!" 25 rooms.
51 E. Therma, Eagle Nest
800-821-2093, 575-377-6522
Colfax County
lagunavistalodge.com

Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas. "The Belle of the Southwest" built in grand Victorian style in 1882 is now authentically restored with modern amenities. Byron T's Saloon is an original cowboy saloon serving drinks and appetizers. Doc Holliday shot a fellow who cheated at cards in this very saloon. Oktoberfest German-style dinners served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October. Join us for a traditional holiday dinner this Thanksgiving! 37 rooms.
230 Plaza, Las Vegas
800-328-1882, 505-425-3591
San Miguel County
plazahotel-nm.com

St. James Hotel, Cimarron. This is the first lodging facility in Northeast New Mexico with hot and cold running water! Among its guests were William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, sharpshooter Annie Oakley, renowned Western artist Frederic Remington (who sketched among the nearby hills), and popular Western novelist Zane Grey (who soaked up this locale for his 1929 novel "Fighting Caravans"). Tin ceilings, antique back bar, restored murals. 22 rooms.
617 So. Collision Ave., Cimarron
866-472-5019, 575-376-2664
Colfax County
stjamescimarron.com

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