INN AT VANESSIE A New Team Of Women Are Shining Up Santa Fe's Enchanted Gem With Art & Community Interview by Krysti Joméi | Photos by Birdy & Courtesy of Vanessie Tucked away in the corner of the United States’ oldest capitol city, Inn at Vanessie is an artists’ home away from home. Two blocks from Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza and Railyard Arts District, this endearing boutique hotel offers comforting refuge with 21 uniquely designed rooms and suites, each adorned with a distinctive collection of original paintings from the owner’s personal collection. Bordering San Francisco and Water Street, it’s a literal hop-skip to downtown adventures: watering holes, galleries, indie shops, green spaces, the River Trail, and the art aficionado’s crème de la crème, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return. But when you’re ready to call it a day, cozying up is a guarantee, as the hotel is serenely sequestered on its own block, providing an undeniable oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city’s streets. While Vanessie now mainly accommodates travelers and tourists, for decades it was the local haunt for good food and live music (and yes, even some ghostly sightings). Their critically acclaimed Piano Bar — an official Santa Fe Landmark — served residents nightly with live entertainment and cuisine for over 40 years. But over the course of various management turnovers, priorities shifted with creativity taking a back seat, leaving the piano bench empty and the lively bar and restaurant closed to the public. However, a heart for art can only beat quietly for so long. A passionate art collector and supporter of artists, the inn’s owner brought on a brand new team of women this year trusting in their creativity-centric vision. Operations Supervisor Valerie Alvarado and Head of Operations Reyna Sanchez aim to revitalize the soul of Vanessie through their local wisdom and deep-seeded love for art and building community. “Art is what has kept Vanessa alive,” Valerie Alvarado explains, “When the piano bar was open, it was this meeting spot, this social place to all of Santa Fe. Whether it was people who were working downtown, those who were retired, artists, tourists, they would meet here. It brought people together. And I want to bring that back.” The Santa Fe local decided to join Vanessie’s team in hopes of giving back to her community and sparking creativity and connection to all who travel through the inn’s doors. Though she’s currently working to finish important aesthetic renovations to the rooms and grounds, in addition to planning the builds of four new art-centric suites, her heart lies in stoking the flame of Vanessie’s original ember as a gathering place emphasizing entertainment. “Out of all the hotels in the Plaza, we’re more for the West Side in a sense of where all the neighborhoods are than the East Side where there’s a lot of very expensive hotels around. So Vanessie truly feels like a local gem,” she says. Reyna Sanchez joined Vanessie with the aim to reactivate the hotel’s mission to serve as an open-armed community hub. “I just want everyone to feel at home when they come to Vanessa. I want people to know that everyone — everyone — is welcomed and they will be loved and respected.” Her words eco the first painting guests are greeted with in the grand high-ceiling lobby: an ancient inspired piece gifted by the late artist Bill Worrell showcasing hand-painted script stating that ALL are welcome and safe at the hotel. That includes our beloved furry friends, because at Vanessie, pets are family. Further, this manifesto extends to the new tight-knit local staff, the majority of which are women. “We’re not a big chain company, we’re family-owned. And we have almost all women running the inn, and mostly all women of color. And the few men on our team are amazing. But it’s time for that change. I’m full-blood Mexican and I want everyone to know that you can be a part of the minority and you can still shine bright like a star,” she says. Reyna also jumped on board to find community herself. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she longed to be part of a team and a city where she truly felt like she belonged. “On a personal level, I found a home at Vanessie, just in the littlest things like listening to the girls here whenever they pronounce my name. I love the women I work with,” she expresses. Growing up in Santa Fe and witnessing firsthand critical issues that are often swept under the rug like in most larger cities — houselessness, education disparity, growing substance abuse/addiction issues to name a few — Valerie is determined to champion inclusivity and make a difference where she can. “I’m proud to be part of something that wants to help our community and has the potential, whether that’s contributing in an artistic way to bring us together, or helping guests learn a bit of Spanish, or partnering with a local community college to help our staff learn English,” she says. A painter herself, Valerie understands the healing aspect of art and the impact it can have on bridging gaps culturally and socially. In addition to reactivating the Piano Bar and resturant for dining and events, one of her goals is to develop an Artist Market showcasing local talent and vendors. “It’s like what Rumi says, we’re all seeking love, all of humanity. That’s what unites us. Sometimes we can’t make logic out of our feelings or the world we live in, even though we try to so much. And that’s where art comes in and helps you just feel. You don’t have to do anything else with art, just feel,” she closes. Whether you’re visiting this jewel city in The Land of Enchantment or it’s the place you call home, Vanessie’s doors are always open by the women who run it. While you stay tuned for what the future holds for their dining and entertainment, swing by this gem for a tranquil stay, local knowledge and tips, and inspiring conversations about art, community and more.
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