Among the 4 or 5 vintage 1930's "motor court" motels on Cerrillos Road, this one may be the most visually appealing from the street -- with the exception of the high-priced El Rey (which I highly recommend - if you want to spend $100). The Western Scene Motel is the least expensive of the bunch. Free cable TV, and free local calls (dial 9). No wi-fi, of course. The sign says that they have a few larger units including kitchenettes. I saw one bad review here, but I personally didn’t see anything that was really objectionable. The bathroom, despite being very small with a few cracked tiles around the sink, was better than I expected. The tub/shower was newish. The queen bed was firm and good. You get to park 3 feet from your door -- no hallways or stairs. Relatively close in, just a mile from the plaza downtown.

The property is serviceable but expect some frayed edges. Torn carpet, maybe a sink that drains slowly, cracks & dings, stuff like that. It varies. But for the price, it’s okay if you’re not too picky. I don't mind the wear and tear, and the only turn-off was the broken English of the foreign-born family that owns it. It made reservation and check-in a little clumsy. A minor annoyance.

Santa Fe is an expensive city -- even a Motel 6 is not cheap -- and this place is similarly priced ($40-$45 in 2009) and maybe cheaper. Rates in Santa Fe vary dramatically with the seasons, from pricy to extra-pricy. The motel shows its age as far as maintenance, so if you’re like things new and in perfect repair, you’d best move on down the road. But I’d still take the Western Scene -- torn carpet & all -- over a sterile chain. It is what it is, and these 70 year-old throw-back motels appeal to a certain type of traveler who is more interested in atmosphere and history than amenities like brand-new (bland) rooms and hair dryers. This one is comparable to the Thunderbird Inn and Cottonwood Court. The King's Rest Court, also a block down the road, is $10 more but slightly nicer.