The Chama Hotel & Shops

It is conveniently located to the train station and is in close proximity to a number of restaurants that are within walking distance, which is lovely. We found it clean, and that is the most critical attribute to any hotel in my estimation, but far from nice or modern. No air conditioning was a downer but there was a box fan in the room that was effective and loud enough to drown out noise from the hallway. The old time locks on the doors close loudly which is not helpful if you are a light sleeper. Overall the room was in better condition than the appearance of the building. Limited options in Chama!

The owners bought this old place a bit back and did a lot of restorations. Things like old fashioned plumbing (that work better than some of the new stuff) Push button light switches and old creaky wood floors make this place VERY charming. They cook a lot of desserts on-site and have a great Sunday Brunch and a really nice diner. It was really busy during the Chama Days Celebration but the service was good, the food was terrific and the other customers were all in good moods. The second floor balcony that over looks the New Mexico to Colorado Steam Train Depot is across the street and the sunrises are amazing!

The hotel is old with a lot of character. Don't expect modern and updated. Our room was "antique" but very clean. We slept very well on the comfortable and clean bed. There was bottled water, a coffee pot and coffee. The small hotel restaurant serves tasty, home cooked food, and the desserts are fabulous. All the staff was polite and helpful. Even the guests were friendly and helpful. We ate our evening desserts and drank our morning coffee on the balcony and watched the train passengers boarding for the Cumbres-Toltec railroad. There is a great coffee shop and some restaurants within walking distance as well as interesting shops to purchase gifts. We will stay again on our next trip to the area.

Not much I liked about this place. I guess I’m spoiled. In all my years of travel I don’t remember a motel experience worse than this one. It put me in a foul mood from the minute I walked in the door. No one was at the desk for check in. (This was right at the so-called check-in time.) Rang the bell multiple times. Waited five minutes. Then I got my phone and called them. No one answered. Went next door to look for somebody. When I came back I found a maid - Finally. The lady was actually very nice. She just gave me my key. She was the only good thing about the place. I have bad knees and walking up and down stairs is difficult and painful. When I made my reservation I asked for a ground floor room as close as possible to my vehicle. The room I got was on the top floor at the extreme other end of the building, as far as possible from the door. They would not switch it. I had to make numerous painful trips up and down the stairs with my luggage, then again when I left. It’s an OLD building. Must be over a hundred years old. Very bad shape. All systems are primitive. In need of many repairs. Very few electrical outlets and in poor locations. Poor lighting. Just one big light in the middle of the room. Nothing on or near the desk. Can’t see what I’m doing at the computer. No light at all in the shower. Bathroom sink is old style, just bolted to the wall with absolutely no place to set anything down. Coffee pot is out on the dresser with an extension cord running across the floor into the bathroom outlet. Outlet does not work unless the bathroom light is on. No air conditioning. I was afraid to open the window because there were about 50 flies trapped between the window and the screen. If I opened the window they would have come right in the room. One pane of glass is broken. I’m sure the flies will find it sooner or later. Some broken glass is still on the floor. The next day when I got back I was forced to open the window. It was HOT in the room. Yes - the flies got in. The room was very small and cramped. I had to put the TV on the floor to use the TINY desk. There were more things I didn't like, such as junk and broken furniture in the hallways and a pile of dirty sheets in the hall, all day and night. I could go on, but I think you have the point. I would never stay here again. No way.

Booked this primarily because it was close to the train station. It's adequate. A bit run-down. Bed was comfy enough, room big enough. Toilet was low to the ground and the seat was small. Overall -- just adequate.