Located on a quiet street on Santa Fe, New Mexico's east side near the Plaza, this historic adobe home features an elegant decor that might best be described as "Southwest meets Provence."

The resonant prints of artist Gustave Bauman grace the gentle curves of adobe painted in soft shades of sunlight, while the rustic frames of hand-crafted Mexican furniture stand in stark contrast to the lace curtains that drape the windows.

The bed and breakfast inn's centerpiece is a large living area referred to as the "Great Room." A 20-foot ceiling, thick wooden vigas, and softly colored hand-toweled plaster walls define the room while a fireplace large enough to cook in provides its warmth. The Great Room's relaxed decor segues into an inviting courtyard filled with roses, wisteria, iris, daisies, pansies, and geraniums. Guests often meet in the courtyard for breakfast or afternoon tea, and when the weather turns chilly, they sip their cocoa and cider while standing around the courtyard's kiva fireplace.

Each of the bed and breakfast's seven guestrooms has cable television, air conditioning, telephone, a private bath decorated with Mexican tile, and a wrought iron or hand-carved four-poster bed. The three largest lodging accommodations come with a fireplace, king-sized bed, and direct access to the courtyard. The premier suite, "The Nicholas," also includes a sitting room with sofa. Down and feather comforters keep guests cozy at night, and there are soft cotton robes to slip into when the sun rises.

The Hacienda's hearty breakfast entrees include everything from blueberry pancakes and quiche to southwest frittatas and breakfast burritos. There is a variety of fresh fruit, cheeses, yogurt, and whole grain breads to choose from, and made-from-scratch muffins and incredibly moist homemade granola round out the early-morning fare along with a dose of hot coffee or tea. Then, as the day progresses, guests enjoy a full complement of homemade snacks, including decadent cookies, brownies, pies, and cakes.

As for lunch and dinner, the bed and breakfast is just a few blocks away from the many fine restaurants of Santa Fe's historic plaza, which also boasts an eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and museums.

Your hosts at Hacienda Nicholas want to ensure that your visit is a special and memorable one. They invite you to come share the Santa Fe experience with them.

A new addition to the inn, the Absolute Nirvana Spa, is a luxurious Indonesian-style spa in the back garden. Recently selected by Conde Naste Traveler as one of the hottest new spas in the world, the spa offers a selection of facials, traditional Asian spa rituals, and luxurious rose petal baths, as well as therapeutic, hot stone, and Thai massages.

The area's various pueblos and cliff dwellings are a veritable showcase for southwestern art.

If you would rather spend your time taking in New Mexico's breathtaking countryside, the nearby Canyon Road is a great drive, there are numerous archaeological sites to explore. Santa Fe National Forest is home to several state parks and surrounded by natural beauty

For the athletically inclined, the Hacienda Nicholas provides guest privileges at the full-service El Gancho Health Club, and downhill and cross-country skiing areas are also nearby.

The Santa Fe area accommodates year-round recreation with its top-flight tennis facilities and championship golf courses, hiking and biking along the Rio Grande and river rafting.