Suggestions for places to stay for a last minute trip...what area to stay or avoid? My husband and I will have a car and a budget hotel ok if safe and clean. . Suggestions for dining, we prefer mom and pop places. We love green chiles! We wouldn't mind a splurge for dinner one night.

Budget for hotel?

How much power is splurge dinner? cuisine?

( NM food doesn't tend to be splurge meal. )

We are trying to do less than $80 and are going in less than 2weeks. Hoping to get a last minute deal. For splurge$50 per person with wine for a dinner but really want some local places for breakfast and we love burgers with green chiles No preference on type of food.

I'll get back later this morning with more specific info, heading out but:

DO NOT stay at any motel that is just off any ABQ exit ramps of
I-40 !!

Seriously, there have been too many incidents of car break in's in those type of places.

DebitNM, would that apply to places like Nativo Lodge also?

Native seems not to be one that gets hit.

Nativo, sorry.

To the OP, there are some upper scale ones: Courtyard, Marriott Pyramid, a couple near Uptown - A Hyatt Place there that would be ok but not sure about $80.

Why don't you post any ones you are considering and I'd be happy to help.

I would stay away from Rodeway Inns, Econolodges, Super 8, Motel 6 etc.

Anything in the Uptown area even off 40 would be fine. Also the Holiday Inn Express off 40 by the Pueblo Cultural Center would also be fine.

Generally one can do well with $90/night in ABQ. All the hotels by the airport are fine also.

The Clubhouse Hotel by the Big Eye on Menaul might fit your budget.

There's no end I'd cheat local food, for chains try Garcia's, Monroe's or Los Cuates.

No end of cheap

Big I, not Eye

Menaul is not a street to stay on for the most part.

The area near the Cultural center is iffy too.

Thanks, DebitNM, good to hear as we are booked for a quick overnight en route. For the OP, would it be a possibility for them?

Yes.

I play pub trivia every week at The Cube BBQ on Central between I-25 and University. They have some of the best barbecue in town, as well as fantastic burgers.
http://www.thecuberestaurant.com/

Lee Ann

Breakfast and Lunch -
Frontier *
Garcia's *
Mary & Tito's **
Golden Crown Bakery **
Cocina Azul ***
Range Cafe
Duran Central Pharmacy *
Flying Star
Bocadillos New Mexico ** [excellent and unusual sandwiches]

All are primarily New Mexican/Mexican except Range Cafe and Flying Star

Splurge Dinner -
Artichoke Cafe
St. Clair Winery & Bistro
Seasons Rotisserie-Grill
Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
Scalo Northern Italian Grill
M'tucci's Italian
Torinos' at Home
Elaine's
Farina

Not really splurge but very good and decent price:
Zacatecas Tacos + Tequila
Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
Dion's [several locations, best pizza in town]
Budai Gourmet Chinese Restaurant [best Chinese in town]

Debit: Do you live in Rio Rancho? The Sheraton, the Crowne Plaza, the Hampton Inn, the Clubhouse Inn and the HIE / Pueblo Cultural Center all on different parts of Menaul and all are good. There are some motels on Central I would avoid.

The Comfort Inn on Yale near the airport is under $80.

Thanks everyone for your replies. We have seen several priceline for 3 stars in our range and several by the airport. Any LaQuinta's to avoid? They seem to be in our price range. From my understanding it is easy to drive around ABQ. things we plan on doing include Old Town, Museum of Nuclear Science, petroglyph national monument ,Rio Grande Nature Center. We will spend one night in Santa Fe and stop at Tent Rocks.

I lived in RR when I first moved to NM, I live in East Mountains now. ??

The La Quinta on Menaul near University is across the street from a huge truck stop; issues with drug sales and prostitution in that area.

This one should be ok:
La Quinta Inn & Suites Albuquerque Journal Ctr NW

I personally don't like staying near airport. Chain restaurants and not much else in the area.

I would be careful with priceline, if you end up with one that you don't like, it's too late as they are prepaid. 3 stars isn't a guarantee for a good area.

As I stated before - ask about a specific motel/hotel rather than a broad category like chain name -- I can help more that way.

Best thing to eat in Albuquerque is Frost Gelato at the Coronado Mall (and there may be others there now). And yes, they're stacked with customers even in the winter. Quality will out.