Here is my friend's reply re Santa Fe:

Oh yeah
The three best places to stay in Santa Fe are : Inn of the Anasazi, La
Posada,
and El Dorado....figure $200+
A little less, but also near the old plaza are : Santa Fe Inn and
Motel, Hotel
Santa Fe ( Indian owned and run), and Don Gaspar Inn and B&B....figure
$125.
Finally there is a resort that has cottage type accommodations, horse
back
riding etc ...Bishop's Lodge... about $145, but out 4 miles from town.
We also have a Hilton that is near the plaza, and then all the rest of
the
chains in the less attractive areas of town.
The best restaurant is Geronimo's, then the Compound. Also, Santacafe',
Pasquale's, Rio Chama....for a taste of old New Mexico there is Maria's
which
serves 100 different kinds of Margaritas. For a drink on the Plaza try
The Ore
House. Bishop's Lodge Restaurant is woth the little drive. La Casa Sena
is great
and has live singers. The bar at the Palace restaurant is a must (
huanted and
in red velvet).
In Taos, the best is El Monte....I think $250+....we like the Inn at
Taos....figure $125. Joseph's Table is a great restaurant....El Monte's
Serpentine Bar is not to be missed. Also El Monte's resaurant is tops.
For sights around Santa Fe....Shidoni foundry, Bandolier Cliff
Dwellings, Pecos
Ruins and National Park , Tent Rock National Park, lots of hiking
trails near
town in Santa Fe National Forest.
Every Thursday there is a section in the local paper called Pasatiempo.
It
carries all the current activities aimed at tourist and locals alike.
If your friends have particular target activities, we'd be pleased to
help their
planning. Lots of info can be viewed in Santa Fe web sights. Las Cruces
will be
warm to hot. Santa Fe and Taos are 6000 feet higher elevation and
cool...like
60s. It is 4.5 hours drive from Las Cruces to Santa Fe.
Hope they enjoy New Mexico.