JenniferK2005

I will be spending 2 nights in Albuquerque at the end of June. I booked a room at the Rio Grande Inn near Old Town, but the more I read reviews of the Old Town area, the more I'm concerned about safety issues.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a clean, safe hotel in any part of Albuquerque? I'd like to be in a place where we feel comfortable walking around during the day and in the evening (not late, but after dinner). As far as the hotel, I don't need anything really fancy, but I do want to be comfortable. I'm willing to spend more for a good location and safe hotel.

We plan to visit Sandia Peak one evening for a sunset ride in the tram and likely the BioPark area. I would like to walk around Old Town, but I'm willing to drive there if the hotels are safer in another area. We will have a rental car, so I'm looking for somewhere that has parking for a reasonable rate (or free), but a safe parking lot.

If you have any "can't miss" restaurant ideas, I'll take those too!

I'd really appreciate some hotel suggestions! Thanks!!

happytrailstoyou

In April we stayed at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. We didn't feel unsafe, but we were disappointed that Old Town in Albuquerque is a pretty tawdry place in comparison to Old Town in Santa Fe.

I first booked a room at Clubhouse Inn, and I'm sorry I cancelled it in favor of the Old Town location:

http://albuquerque.clubhouseinn.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ew_Mexico.html

HTTY

happytrailstoyou

PS I checked out the Best Western Rio Grande location on the map. It's only about 1/2 mile from Old Town but it seem a lot farther because the walk isn't pleasant.

HTTY

tomfuller

Check "The Hotel Blue" on Central Avenue near Robinson Park.
I like the Botanical Garden and the Aquarium better than Old Town. Closer to downtown and the hospital is the Doubletree which looks to be a "safer" choice but more expensive.
My DW and I spent 2 nights at the Route 66 Hostel on Central Avenue but I would not advise walking too far from there after sunset. There is a good bus service running E-W on Central Ave. The east end of the bus route is at the entrance to the Sandia gondola ride. We came into town on Amtrak and did not rent a car. We walked a lot(daytime) and rode the bus.

ElendilPickle

I think you'll be fine, as far as safety goes, if you keep your reservation. But there are places near Uptown (Hyatt Place, the Marriott, etc.) which you might like better. You'd be close to Louisiana and I-40 and able to get where you want to go.

Taking the bus is fine if you have lots of time to kill. If you want to actually see things in your two days in town, rent a car.

Debit NM has a lengthy restaurant recommendation thread in the New Mexico folder. Scroll to find it, and let us know if you have any more questions.

Lee Ann

JenniferK2005

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions!

DebitNM

Late to the party on this one, but there are several better choices. As Lee Ann said, there are several near Uptown that are nicer. There are also some along the I25 corridor: The Hilton is nice, as is Embassy Suites and there is a courtyard near Paseo del Norte which a bit further, but nice. The Sheraton on Menual is nice too.

The Doubletree in downtown charges for parking and downtown can be a bit, hmmm, iffy in the evening as there are lots of bars there etc. I personally would not stay on Central, so that would leave out Hotel Blue too.

If you want to run by any specific hotels and locations, I will be happy to give you input.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tnms-picks.cfm

justwishin

We always stay at the Airport Marriott: nice, roomy, reasonable, and a short drive on the freeway to the mountains or the city.