Axel's take: 7.8/10
A characterful budget base with good breakfast, but noise and fees need weighing. A budget-friendly, motel-style hotel on Santa Fe’s south side, scored for what it is.
Coyote South is a budget-friendly, motel-style hotel on Cerrillos Road, not a downtown boutique retreat. It’s a good pick for travelers who want Southwestern character without paying for a Plaza address. Booking.com’s overall rating is solid, and recent Expedia guests repeatedly praise clean rooms, helpful staff and freshly made breakfast burritos. Proximity to Meow Wolf is another practical plus; exploring historic Santa Fe generally means arranging a ride.
The compromises are compact rooms and uneven quiet: Tripadvisor guests report road noise and sound from upstairs, while occasional odor and mattress complaints temper the otherwise positive room feedback. The hotel explicitly charges a daily Xperience Xclusives fee covering breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi and downtown transport. Recent guests praise that transport, but earlier reviews describe service interruptions, so confirm arrangements. We’d skip it for a reliably silent stay or walk-out-the-door access to the Plaza.
-
Best for: budget-conscious travelers with a car; Meow Wolf visitors; travelers bringing pets
-
Watch out for: road and upstairs noise; daily amenity fee; compact rooms and occasional odors
-
Location: Southside Cerrillos Road location near Meow Wolf; not a walkable base for the historic center.
-
Rooms: Compact, Southwestern-styled rooms; comfort is generally praised, but noise and mattress feedback vary.
-
Cleanliness: Recent Expedia reviews are mostly positive; occasional pet odors and housekeeping complaints remain.
-
Service: Helpful staff earn frequent praise, though Tripadvisor reports some check-in and availability frustrations.
-
Amenities: Breakfast burritos, gym, laundry and downtown transport; confirm transport arrangements before relying on them.
-
Fees and surprises: Official site lists a daily amenity fee; pet charges and an incidental deposit also apply.
Axel's opinion of Coyote South, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Expedia · Booking.com · Tripadvisor. Reviewed Oct 10, 2026.