Hotel location Albuquerque
 

We're driving from Colorado to Albuquerque next month for three nights. If time allows, we might make day trips to Santa Fe and possibly Taos as well as spend some time exploring Old Town and the International Balloon Museum in ABQ.

I'm torn about where to stay (as in location) - I'd prefer a quiet area with easy parking - I'm considering a hotel in Uptown - does that make sense based on what we want to see?

I know some people prefer to stay in Old Town, but I've read quite a few hotel reviews which give me pause - many people have mentioned not feeling safe - it'll be my 81 year old Mom and myself; I don't want to inadvertently end up in a dicey neighborhood.

Also, is parking hard to come by near Old Town? We'll spent at least a few hours there, but it's not the main focus of our trip.

My first suggestion that is out of the fray and easy to get to Santa Fe and or Taos would be Tamaya Which is just north of ABQ. It's a lovely hotel, on beautiful grounds with lots of easy parking and spectacular views.

My second recommendation would be Los Poblanos B&B in the north Valley. Stunning propery and views. Again, easy enough to get into other areas.

<B>WHEN next month?? That is a HUGE factor as it is Balloon Fiesta and that overloads the city and hotels are often long gone and prices spike.</B>

Also, price factor helps narrow things down.

As a general rule, no chain motels along I25 or I40.

DATES AND PRICES will help.

Also, ask here FIRST before you book, especially if non refundable rate.

Uptown is ok but very commercial, safety is "ok" for the most part.

Thanks for your input Deb.

Not going during Balloon Fiesta - I'm smarter than that.

I'd looked at Tamaya, but it's more than I want to pay for this particular trip...and that whole resort fee thing just puts me off - I avoid places that charge one. We're going to see the area, not to hang around a hotel/resort.

I was more interested in location than specific hotels.

Sounds like you think north would be a good idea.

http://www.nativolodge.com/

Not sure if they have resort fee --
http://www.sandiacasino.com/hotel/

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...5-54ba596febe2

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...5-54ba596febe2

I'm following this for ideas, but I would not recommend the Courtyard Albuquerque. We stayed there in December for one night and the rooms are very dated and need to be renovated. The sliding glass door was covered in condensation which dripped into the carpet.

Thanks for the input wtm003! Always good to get 1st hand info.

Thank you both - I will take a look at those links (minus the Courtyard).

I've got a gazillion Hyatt points, so I'm now considering either the Hyatt Place Uptown or Hyatt Place near the Airport - any thoughts about these, location-wise?

I see Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa is a Hyatt property also...

Nativo Lodge looks promising...

We stayed at the Nativo Lodge very recently and found it quite pleasant and priced well. Also, on our day of arrival (we flew in), I received a text from them letting me know they were expecting us, and whether we needed anything. I texted back asking for close-by restaurant recommendations and quickly received word back. Pleasantly impressed, especially at the reasonable price.

Thank you sludick, that's very helpful.

I would not stay at Hyatt airport. The one at Uptown is surrounded by shopping centers and Trader Joes. I'd be a bit concerned at night going in and out of car to motel.

I'd go Nativo before I'd do Uptown.

I highly recommend the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, having stayed there 4 or 5 times. A beautiful property and well worth paying the resort fee.

We stayed at the Sheraton ABQ Uptown and we got the club level and it was under $100 for 2 and that included food and cocktails.. Breakfast too.
Santa Fe was an hours drive but all highway.
We are staying there again.

The Sheraton seems to get a mixed bag of reviews; many saying rooms are tired, drab and need updates.

We picked someone up that was staying at hotel and we were solicited for a handout by someone 'who was away from home, car broke down, needed $20 for gas" or some such thing.

When we returned a few hours later, same woman was in the lot walking up to cars and started towards us. We made sure our friend was inside before we left.

It is borerline sketchy area at night.

We had a renovated room, it was full and had no issues...thank goodness!
Maybe we will stay in Santa Fe, this upcoming trip.

This was this past Thanksgiving weekend.
But you my dear, are a NM local and you give such solid advice!

Sounds like you got a very good deal Moonfish.

Okay, change of plans. We've decided to stay one night Taos, two nights Santa Fe; we'll visit Albuquerque as a day trip from Santa Fe. I've booked a hotel in Santa Fe and I'm considering several promising options in Taos.

This routing makes more logistic sense, and will enable us to make a loop, driving 24/285/64 on the way down, and then I-25 on the way back.

Your suggestions have been much appreciated.

I think we're good to go accommodation-wise, but does anyone have any restaurant suggestions? I'm on the prowl for lots of green chile.

I like the Shed on E. Palace Ave in Santa Fe as well as Geronimo for something more upscale.

Santa Fe restaurants -
La Choza [our favorite]
The Santa Fe Bite
Tomasita's Restaurant

Drinks at the Bell Tower -
https://www.lafondasantafe.com/dinin...bell-tower-bar

Taos -
Orlando's New Mexican Cafe [our favorite]
The Love Apple [may not have green chile]
Lambert's of Taos [$$$$ but excellent]
Michaels Kitchen Cafe & Bakery [breakfast or lunch]

Forgot --

Go to see Ronald Roybal play flute. He is amazing. The lounge has the best prickly pear margaritas.

http://www.ronaldroybal.com/performa...otel_santa_fe/

I've just booked the El Pueblo Lodge in Santa Fe.

Prickly Pear margaritas...now you're talking! Thanks for the suggestions Deb.

Inn of the Governors is also worth looking at...free breakfast I think and you can walk to Plaza

Deb -

Lucky us, we'll be in Santa Fe on a Tuesday night when Ronald Roybal is playing at the El Flamenco. I've just booked two seats. My mom will love it (she adores Brule' and the flute). Thanks for the heads up!

Deb -

Not sure if you'll see this, but I wanted to thank you for your recommendation of Orlando's in Taos (which we loved) and Tomasita's in Santa Fe (where I loaded up on green chile to bring home).

We chose El Pueblo Lodge in Taos, which was brilliant, and the Santa Fe Hyatt Place, which was also a very good choice for us.

We really enjoyed our morning at the Balloon museum and our day in Old Town in Albuquerque as well as the Ronald Roybal concert in Santa Fe (although we were surprised there were only 10 people in the audience).

I wish I'd asked for food recommendations in Albuquerque - our lunch at the Church Street Cafe was the worst of the trip, and the service was beyond awful.

Hi!
I am so glad that things worked so well!

Yes, Church Street cafe is not good choice. Real tourist trap.

El Peublo Lodge is a fun place to stay; good choice.

Not sure why so few people show up for Ronald's performances; he's awesome. He is all over town, so it tends to be a lounge type act most of the time. I am always spellbound by him!

Ronald said he wanted to try his hand at concerts; evidently, the lounge experience has grown tiresome. In his words 'sometimes it's golden, other times it's just a lounge'.