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The Best Hotels in Ruidoso, New Mexico

The golf course at MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites overlooks soaring misty mountains
The golf course at MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites overlooks soaring misty mountains | Courtesy of MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso / Expedia

The village of Ruidoso, in the Sierra Blanca Mountains, was first settled by the Mescalero Apache and is now a year-round destination beloved by skiers, families, and foodies who enjoy the area’s coffee houses, wineries, and brewpubs. It’s the ideal base to explore the great outdoors, with ziplining, horse riding, fishing, and mountain biking on the doorstep in Lincoln National Forest. Ghost towns, art galleries, and casinos will appeal to the less active, while these top places to stay in Ruidoso are sure to suit everyone.

MCM Elegante Lodge & Resort

Hotel, Chain Hotel, Resort

Golf course with hotel buildings in the background at MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso.
Courtesy of MCM Elegante Lodge & Suites Ruidoso / Expedia

Keen golfers won’t need to go far to get a game in at this palatial property surrounded by the national forest. There’s an 18-hole golf course at the hotel itself and the resort also has the largest indoor saltwater pool in Ruidoso, an on-site massage therapist, and a huge convention center. Pets will be happy too, with two dog parks for them to stretch their legs after long journeys.

Ruidoso River Resort

Resort, Independent Hotel, Hotel

The log cabin-like exterior of a hotel building with balconies, trees and a covered picnic table in the middle at Ruidoso River Resort.
Courtesy of Ruidoso River Resort / Expedia

If you prefer a little more space and freedom than a hotel can offer, this property on the river is a perfect choice. With a choice of one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos available, it’s a fantastic option for those visiting Ruidoso with a family or a group of friends, but also for those couples who like to cook for themselves when away. Condos come with fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, fireplaces, and balconies so it’s easy to make yourself at home and there’s a shared courtyard with waterfall and fire pits for alfresco evenings.

Comfort Inn & Suites Midtown

Hotel, Budget Hotel

Two double beds in a carpeted, budget cream-toned hotel room, with a couch, an armchair and a writing desk at Comfort Inn Midtown
Courtesy of Comfort Inn Midtown / Expedia

This property is smack bang in the center of the Lincoln National Forest, so is ideal for anyone heading to attractions including Ruidoso Winter Park and Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts. It was renovated in early 2020 so rooms are clean and contemporary, with a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker and some have sofa beds if you’re traveling with the family. Breakfast is free and there’s an indoor heated pub and hot tub for total relaxation.

Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins

Inn, Hotel

Log cabin-like exterior of the Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins building with trees in the background.
Courtesy of Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins / Expedia

For an authentic mountain retreat with a wow factor, these inns and cabins in Upper Canyon feel like a real escape from the rat race. Lodges are perfect for a romantic getaway from it all with rustic pine decor, a kitchenette, a whirlpool tub, and a gas grill for meals under the stars. Choose a cabin if there are more than two of you traveling as some sleep up to six and come with full kitchens, a private hot tub, and a large open deck.

Sitzmark Chalet Inn

Inn, Hotel

A budget hotel room with a red accent wall, chair, footrest and microwave on the left, bed stand in the middle and double bed on the right at Sitzmark Chalet Inn.
Courtesy of Sitzmark Chalet Inn / Expedia

A local institution since 1959, this inn makes a welcome change from identikit chain hotels yet rooms are still a great price. Distinctive details lend a homely feel including handmade pine headboards, bedspreads from El Paso Saddleblanket Company, porch swings, and outdoor picnic tables for a drink at the end of the day. There’s a library to borrow books and board games, an outdoor whiskey barrel steam sauna for soothing ski-weary limbs, and free locally roasted coffee and fresh muffins served in the lobby each morning.

Hotel Ruidoso

Hotel, Independent Hotel, Budget Hotel

Budget hotel room with a sofa facing a wall-mounted TV, a service hatch and doorway leading to two single beds and a desk at Hotel Ruidoso – Midtown.
Courtesy of Hotel Ruidoso – Midtown / Expedia

Location is everything at this property – one of only two hotels within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of the historic Midtown District. There are plenty of places to eat just a stroll away but guests are also treated to a free hot breakfast including fresh waffles – and there’s a 24-hour sweet shop on-site for midnight sugar cravings. Rooms have LCD flat-screen TVs and movie channels, fridges, microwaves, gourmet in-room coffee, and MP3 docking stations.

Hampton Inn & Suites Ruidoso Downs

Hotel, Chain Hotel

Hotel room with a large bed with an orange headboard on the left next to a sofa and a window and a wooden desk and chair on the right at Hampton Inn & Suites Ruidoso Downs.
Courtesy of Hampton Inn & Suites Ruidoso Downs / Expedia

Party animals are in the perfect spot at this budget hotel on Highway 70, just five minutes from Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Billy The Kid Casino. There are plenty of restaurants close by for grabbing dinner before nights on the town too. The hotel itself has free parking and breakfast, a gym, indoor pool, and business center, and bright, airy rooms with HDTV, ironing boards, coffee-maker, and mini-fridge to stash snacks.

High Sierra Condominium

Hotel, Resort

Table tennis table in the centre of the room under exposed eaves, raised-height windows and a sofa on the right at High Sierra Condominium.
Courtesy of High Sierra Condominium / Expedia

Embrace a simpler way of life at this rustic, family-friendly resort at the top of Camelot Mountain. With an elevation of 7,484ft (2,281m), the sweeping view is the real draw here but the one, two and three-bedroom condos are also great for large groups who want to rent more than one property for a holiday together. All guests can take advantage of the heated indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, and games room with a snooker table and there’s a concierge service to help plan activities further afield.

Ruidoso Lodge Cabins

Hotel, Independent Hotel

Photo of cabin exterior at the front with outside seating area and trees in the background at Ruidoso Lodge Cabins.
Courtesy of Ruidoso Lodge Cabins / Expedia

Get back to nature at these gorgeous knotty pine cabins right by the water’s edge on Ruidoso’s Main Road in Upper Canyon. All ten cabins are surrounded by soaring pine trees with plenty of grassy areas for children to run around on. Each lodge has a full kitchen for cooking meals when it suits, but also comes with a barbeque grill so you can get out in the fresh air. There’s a fireplace for cozy nights in and some cabins have a whirlpool tub for added luxe.

Ruidoso Mountain Inn

Hotel, Inn

Budget hotel room with a bed, a TV and a bedside table and two windows with one overlooking a field at Ruidoso Mountain Inn.
Courtesy of Ruidoso Mountain Inn / Expedia

This budget hotel on Highway 70 is in a great spot for checking out Ruidoso’s many attractions, particularly the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and the Pillow’s Funtrackers amusement park which are both within walking distance. The hotel itself has 102 rooms that each come with a fridge, microwave, and separate bathtub and shower, and extra beds can be supplied for a small charge if you have children in tow.

On a budget? Check out our pick of the best cheap hotels in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

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