Jenny's View
Friends,
Our guests truly become part of our extended family, and your expressions of solidarity with our staff during these challenging times helps us persevere. On behalf of all of us at La Fonda on the Plaza, thank you!
With the approval of our PPP loan application, the situation is starting to improve. The final week of April we were able to bring back 60 staff members to work on special projects and tackle maintenance issues, and we hope to bring more of our staff back as soon as possible. Because La Fonda typically runs such high occupancy, we always had to crunch these projects into the colder months, and that limits things like outdoor painting, stucco work, exterior tile and landscaping projects. The lobby and restaurants are likewise busy year-round, so we’ll take this opportunity to completely deep clean those areas as well. It’s been so nice see the hotel come to life with familiar faces, laughter and comradery!
La Fonda has made every effort to shine bright during this crisis. We launched our #BellTowerBlue campaign to demonstrate our solidarity with the caretakers, essential workers and first responders on the front lines of this crisis. Every evening at 8 p.m. our Bell Tower blazes blue in their honor, symbolic of honesty, responsibility and loyalty. It can be seen aglow across all of Santa Fe as a colorful testament to the values we live by.
We now stand as one of the only hotels open in Santa Fe's downtown plaza district. After 98 years in business, now more than ever, we're committed to extending our traditional hospitality to anyone seeking a safe and comfortable refuge.
April was quite memorable. We launched our very first virtual wedding from La Terraza Ballroom, broadcasting the ceremony live to over 600 guests worldwide (with the bride and groom, officiant and musician). As you can imagine, the bride and groom put on an unforgettable show! I couldn't be prouder of our amazing staff that went above and beyond to make sure the event was perfect. Our team secured a talented, local photographer, prepared a private gourmet dinner served on our finest china (served of course at a socially responsible distance), popped open top shelf champagne and pampered the love birds with countless other amenities. We're blessed to have been part of their journey and wish the lovely couple a lifetime of health and happiness!
By partnering with other businesses and local nonprofits we've been able to make an even greater impact on our community. With support from Southern Glaser, Hornitos Tequila and the Santa Fe Wine & Chile organization, La Plazuela continues to prepare and deliver hundreds of hot meals for Santa Fe's frontline medical workers. Our recent delivery of Chef Lane's famous meatloaf and yummy enchiladas, prepared family style for the caregivers and first responders at Presbyterian Hospital, was met with deep-felt appreciation. We promise to keep our support coming. You too, can help! With every $100 dollar La Fonda gift certificate purchase, we donate 10% toward the cause.
While we're disappointed Santa Fe won't experience the bustle of our signature art markets this summer, we're hopeful that New Mexico's outdoor spaces, rich culinary offerings and eclectic art galleries will reopen when appropriate and entice wanderers to return to our City Different. We'll be here with open arms, serving up the tried and true flavors of the southwest that I know you've been missing!
Just the other day our General Manager, Rik Blyth reported that our Terrace patio has become the go-to venue for birdsong. House finches, wrens and juncos are all over the place – even nesting in some of our evergreens! He keenly noted, "Mother nature is taking advantage of the pause in our daily lives to spread her arms even wider." What a wonderful way to observe this strange time. Let's all pause and reflect on what holds true meaning – and spread our arms even wider.
In gratitude,
Jenny
