We travel all year, we travel all over, we almost exclusively use Hilton properties and for the most part, that usually guarantees us pretty decent digs. This is not the case with the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza.
The only thing this hotel has going for it is the location. The check-in was 3 hours because they were full the night before, once there one night I can see why. All the maids seemed to congregate in the room next to mine for a little party of sorts the next day for two hours.
Everyone likes a nice roaring fire place in the lobby when they walk in? But not when it vents directly into your room! My room had so much smoke that night when I came in from dinner I had to open the balcony door to get it to draw it out. It was 25*, so my room never got above 60 with the door cracked, which was ok, because at 11pm an extremely rude and very English challenged security guard beat on my door, after quizzing him as to what he needed I opened the door, he explained he saw that my balcony door was open (yes he was looking in balcony windows) and he needed to come in and check and see if I was smoking (well just lmao). I explained the door was open because of the pinion fire wood smoke and he could have called, he then demanded to come in. I closed the door and said I would call the police if he came back. I then called the front desk and told them the story and that they needed to place a do not disturb sign on my door (which was not in my room), she said she couldn't, she was the only one there, I told her to get mr rent a cop to....it took over 2 days to get a do not disturb sign. My overcoat, my flight jacket and all hanging clothes including unworn ones had to be dry cleaned when I got home, they smelled like I had been to a bond fine and even after 2 days of hanging in the garage, they still stunk.
The hotel bar, except for the bar tender was just as bad. Luckily it wasn't busy. Went for a before dinner cocktail and was greeted with a screaming crying baby IN THE BAR, not only that, they had the baby, actually bouncing the raw baby diaper on the bar itself and the woman had the audacity to lean over to another patron and ask them to quiet down while watching a game and voiced his opinion on a call. Then another family comes in with strollers and decides they need a chair I had waiting on my colleauge. I had to tell the bartender they were making a scene because I would not give up the chair.
What all this writing is about is but one thing. The complete lack of any type of management in the property whatsoever. Whoever is there clearly does not give a flip about their patrons. And the employees are left to do whatever they want to.
I would stay across the street next time. Really, it was that bad.

Pros: Fantastic location, great New Mexican room service menu (especially since I discovered fruit salsa- and asked the chef for the recipe), friendly staff

Cons: They didn't have my room ready at check in, the decor could use renovation, and the heater was fairly loud

When I returned home, I received a guide book on Santa Fe from the hotel. I'm not sure if it was meant to be sent earlier, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Visited during Christmas holidays, and the hotel was very warm and welcoming. Decorations were lovely. Great fireplace in lobby and lovely outdoor fireplace by the swimming pool. It was located conveniently in the historic distiric and staff were very friendly.

Location is good, only a block or two from the Plaza, restaurants aplenty within walking distance. Make sure to get a courtyard room as the hotel is surrounded by busy streets at most hours of day and night. In-room dining menu is limited and food not very good. Bar is OK and family-friendly, especially for dessert after walking the Plaza after dinner [at another restaurant, though]. Entire back side of hotel was under construction, so don't know if the rooms under construction will be any nicer or being brought up to level of our room -- which was really rather boring hotel furniture and nothing to speak of. Really just another Hilton, and unremarkable at that. Hotel is utilitarian if you're only going to sleep there -- after all, sightseeing and restaurants around Santa Fe are wonderful.