DeeDee

We are planning a weekend gathering of relatives in Albuquerque in May. We would like recommendations of the best area to stay for the following: proximity to airport (transportation without car rental); walking distance to various restaurant choices; hotel with nice open common areas for gathering and nice, safe area. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. We normally spend some time during the day sightseeing in groups and are together for breakfast and dinner. We are talking about 12-15 people. Thanks!

tomfuller

There is plenty of lodging along Central Avenue (old and newish) which is the old Rt. 66. http://www.itsatrip.org/albuquerque/historic-route-66/
There is good bus service along Central.
If someone does not want to fly, the Amtrak SW Chief arrives during daylight hours in ABQ. The train station is only a block off Central so I don't know much about ground transport from the airport.
The zoo/arboretum and aquarium are at the west end of the city. There are also some museums in the old section in the west end north of Central.
The Sandia tramway is at the east end.

DeeDee

Thanks, tomfuller. Can you suggest lodging?

DebitNM

What is your nightly budget per room? That makes a big difference.

There are motels close to airport, but I would not spend more than an overnight before a trip at one.

While there are several motels along SW Central, the majority are not that nice. There are places to eat along that part of Cenral, but again, not the nicest.

What kinds of things are you going to want to see and do.

The buses aren't the most efficient way to get around, many of the sites are really spread out. A car is most helpful to get to most of the places folks want to see.

DeeDee

We definitely don't want an airport hotel. Looking for a nice hotel that has nice, open common areas where we can visit and where we can walk to nice restaurants if we choose. All of us are flying in and some will have rental cars. We all have different interests so we will probably break out in small groups to see the sights during the day or perhaps we will do some things together during the day. Main purpose is to be together, so morning and evening meals together are a must. Budget for lodging would be in the neighborhood of $85 - 120. Not opposed to chain lodging if it meets the criteria.

tomfuller

DW and I spent 2 nights at the Route 66 Hostel in a pepto pink room. At least it had an ensuite bathroom with shower.
It is not what you are looking for for a group.

ElendilPickle

Hmmm...maybe Downtown? There is a Doubletree and a Hyatt (no idea how much it costs to stay at either one), and some restaurants and bars within walking distance.

The best place to find a cluster of good restaurants is Nob Hill, but there aren't any places to stay nearby, and I don't know that I would want to take the bus along Central in the evening.

Lee Ann

DebitNM

I did a random look on kayak and The Doubletree is showing $98 for the 16th - 19th of May. Also Hotel Cascada [I have stayed there when it was a different brand and it was nice].

Uptown area would work well for restaurants. There are several chains there: Sheraton, Hyatt Place Uptown, Hilton Garden Inn.

Do any of the folks qualify for Senior rates? AAA or AARP rates ? That would help too.

Why don't you use your dates, look on kayak and then ask about specific places and we can give you feed back. Lee Ann and I are both locals.

DeeDee

Thank you, DebitNM. I will do that and post some hotels for your comments.

dulciusexasperis

You might want to check this site before choosing a hotel.
http://bedbugregistry.com/search/hot...buquerque,-nm/

The increasing number of bed bugs in the USA has consequences for the traveller. Hotels are the number one place to come in contact with them.

The issue is not the bite, bed bugs do not carry or transmit any diseases. The issue is taking them home and ending up with an infestation.

You can find out a lot more by doing some Googling around 'Bed Bugs'.

Anyone travelling would be wise to know more about them.

DebitNM

And why did you pick THIS particular thread to post that link??? Every city has issues with this and the reports on that website are not verified. Not saying this isn't a problem but it CAN happen at ANY hotel in ANY city. One should always check when first entering room. Common sense says to do that.

DeeDee

Okay, I see a cluster of hotels in the Louisiana Blvd area off I-40. Any opinions about Albuquerque Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn Uptown, Hyatt Place Uptown or Homewood Suites Uptown? It appears from Google maps that there are some shopping centers nearby with restaurants, all within walking distance. Prices on these hotels would work for us. So if you are familiar with this area - is it a nice area? any drawbacks? and do the hotels have nice, common areas where our large group could hang out and visit easily?

DebitNM

I would pick either the Hyatt Place or Homewood Suites as my first 2 choices; hen Hilton Garden Inn and lastly ABQ Marriott due mostly to location.

I cannot answer about the large common area; I suggest calling each hotel directly [not an 800 number] and ask them.

The area is a nice area, the Uptown Shopping area has a lot of restaurants [chains] and nice stores. Coranado Mall is close by too, as is a large Target and Trader Joes. There are no sites within walking distance and not sure how the bus thing would work. There is a main bus route going east-west on Menual Blvd. I think going to tourist sites will involve at least 2 buses maybe more.

BigRuss

You need to arrange rides with the folks who will be renting if you don't want to rent yourself. Albuquerque is spread out and is far larger than you think (it's more than 33% larger than Philadelphia, which is the 5th largest city in the country and 125% larger than Baltimore). The bus rides from Coronado Mall (which is a decent area, no question) to the center of town will be long.

Christina

Why don't you stay near the Old Town area in a historic place, like Hotel Andaluz? They do have a really good lobby space. I enjoyed my stay there a lot, and various things are within walking distance. Albuquerque isn't that huge that a taxi ride from the airport is that expensive.

http://www.hotelandaluz.com/our-story/

DebitNM

Andaluz is above her price point and it is downtown, not Old Town.
The taxi ride from airport isn't the biggest transportation issue; it is going to and from sites.

Hotel Albuquerque is IN Old Town and but it also above her price point; it does have nice public areas.

DeeDee

Thank you all for your comments...very helpful. Is Old Town preferable over downtown? In looking at your comments and some on tripadvisor it seems that downtown would be less suited for weekend, leisure travel. I assume Old Town would be better with plenty of restaurants and shopping. Remember we aren't there to see all the sights of Albuquerque so the transportation issue isn't huge. It would be helpful to have a hotel with a complimentary airport shuttle, though. I will look at Hotel Albuquerque to see how much beyond our stated price the rates are there.

DeeDee

Actually I like what I see online for the Hotel Albuquerque. It's $125 for lodging including breakfast. Looks to be central to Old Town and a museum, also close to the transportation hub. Any comments on Hotel Albuquerque?

DebitNM

Old Town is nice to walk around but honestly, it is filled with tourist oriented restaurants with so so food and the most shops are pretty shlocky.

Downtown is much quieter on weekends, though not dead.

I still think Uptown is a better way to go if you can't swing Andaluz or Hotel Albuquerque.

Another possibility - http://hotelparqcentral.com/

They offer continental breakfast, free airport shuttle, and other nice perks. With AAA or AARP might work. It is in an ok area, but there isn't really anything to walk to in the area.

I would also ask any hotel you are considering if they will do a group rate since you may be renting enough rooms to get a deal!!

DeeDee

I will do that. Thank you DebitNM.