My ABQ Hotel: Did I Screw Up?
Jan 19th, 2012, 07:21 AM
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My ABQ Hotel: Did I Screw Up?
I'm visiting New Mexico for a week in May and looking forward to it. My last 2 nights will be spent in the "Q", allowing me one full day of sight-seeing before jetting out.
So I went to Priceline and bid $65 on a 3.5* hotel, hoping for Anduluz or the Sheraton Uptown. "No Way!" said The Man. Feeling a bit itchy on the trigger finger, I tried again right away, dropping down to a 3* for $60 with visions of Hyatt or Hotel Albuquerque dancing in my head. The next thing I knew Bill Shatner was congratulating me on my "Winning Bid". I am now proud owner of two nights at the Radisson!
Next stop was Trip Advisor, where I learned that my hotel was far down on their list of recommendations, ha-ha. Well, at least there's the Water Park. I thought, being the optimistic soul that I am. Noooooooo, it's only open Fri-Sun and my stay is Mon-Wed. Ha-ha-ha-ha!
OK, but what about the price? A little research uncovered that rooms at the Park Inn Radisson start at $139/night. I did The Math: Shatner & The Big Deal delivered for almost 60% off, as advertised!!!!! Moral of This Story: Be careful what you bid on . . . because you just might get it?
Seriously, Folks-In-The-Know: is this place THAT bad? Thinking positive: from what I gather, it has free parking, a nice indoor pool (separate from the Water Park, I think), and pretty decent-looking guestrooms (thanks to a $20 million renovation).
How about location? Are there any good restaurants close by? If I want to visit Old Town, Nob Hill, and Route 66 should I drive, take the bus, or can I walk?
Please let me know how to make the best out of this. Thanks.
So I went to Priceline and bid $65 on a 3.5* hotel, hoping for Anduluz or the Sheraton Uptown. "No Way!" said The Man. Feeling a bit itchy on the trigger finger, I tried again right away, dropping down to a 3* for $60 with visions of Hyatt or Hotel Albuquerque dancing in my head. The next thing I knew Bill Shatner was congratulating me on my "Winning Bid". I am now proud owner of two nights at the Radisson!
Next stop was Trip Advisor, where I learned that my hotel was far down on their list of recommendations, ha-ha. Well, at least there's the Water Park. I thought, being the optimistic soul that I am. Noooooooo, it's only open Fri-Sun and my stay is Mon-Wed. Ha-ha-ha-ha!
OK, but what about the price? A little research uncovered that rooms at the Park Inn Radisson start at $139/night. I did The Math: Shatner & The Big Deal delivered for almost 60% off, as advertised!!!!! Moral of This Story: Be careful what you bid on . . . because you just might get it?
Seriously, Folks-In-The-Know: is this place THAT bad? Thinking positive: from what I gather, it has free parking, a nice indoor pool (separate from the Water Park, I think), and pretty decent-looking guestrooms (thanks to a $20 million renovation).
How about location? Are there any good restaurants close by? If I want to visit Old Town, Nob Hill, and Route 66 should I drive, take the bus, or can I walk?
Please let me know how to make the best out of this. Thanks.
Jan 19th, 2012, 07:47 AM
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Although we live here now, again, we lived out of area for a bit. When we came to ABQ, we stayed at Radisson on at least 3 occasions. This would be around 3 years ago, actually just before the Water Park opened. It was still a Radisson [I just noticed the other day that it had been rebranded at Park Inn.
We were very pleased with the hotel, the rooms were a good size, clean and really, there was nothing wrong with hotel at all. It has indeed lots of free parking, the [free] pool area is very nice and it is in a good location for seeing other spots in ABQ.
ABQ is not a walking town for visitors for the most part. You have a car? Drive to where ever you want to go, it is the easiest way. We do have buses here, mostly for local commutes, but I know there are some Fodorites that have used them for seeing the sights, but I wouldn't bother since you have a car.
Route 66 unfortunately doesn't really exist as a place to walk to/around. It is what is known as Central Ave and can easily be driven down to see what's left of some kitchy motels. Nob Hill is a better place to walk around and it is on Rt 66, so that will be best bet.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tnms-picks.cfm It needs to be updated, but most of it is still valid.
FWIW, you would have had to pay for parking at Anduluz and Hyatt [not sure if they have in and out]. Sheraton Uptown [we have stayed there too] isn't all that much different than Radisson [location and set up, minus the water park]. And Hotel Albuquerque isn't anything special, except it is within walking distance to Old Town.
So, all in all, you did just fine and I am sure you will be satisfied with the hotel. Any other Q's; ask away.
We were very pleased with the hotel, the rooms were a good size, clean and really, there was nothing wrong with hotel at all. It has indeed lots of free parking, the [free] pool area is very nice and it is in a good location for seeing other spots in ABQ.
ABQ is not a walking town for visitors for the most part. You have a car? Drive to where ever you want to go, it is the easiest way. We do have buses here, mostly for local commutes, but I know there are some Fodorites that have used them for seeing the sights, but I wouldn't bother since you have a car.
Route 66 unfortunately doesn't really exist as a place to walk to/around. It is what is known as Central Ave and can easily be driven down to see what's left of some kitchy motels. Nob Hill is a better place to walk around and it is on Rt 66, so that will be best bet.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tnms-picks.cfm It needs to be updated, but most of it is still valid.
FWIW, you would have had to pay for parking at Anduluz and Hyatt [not sure if they have in and out]. Sheraton Uptown [we have stayed there too] isn't all that much different than Radisson [location and set up, minus the water park]. And Hotel Albuquerque isn't anything special, except it is within walking distance to Old Town.
So, all in all, you did just fine and I am sure you will be satisfied with the hotel. Any other Q's; ask away.
Jan 19th, 2012, 08:02 AM
#3
Know nothing about the hotel and little about ABQ, just wanted to comment that tripadvisors ranking system is absolutely meaningless in most areas. I don't know how they come up with it, but in the Tampa Bay area, the top ranked hotels are way out in Timbuctu and nothing special at ALL! Check an area you are familiar with, such as your own town....it's a real eye opener!
Jan 19th, 2012, 08:07 AM
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Lots of good info here: http://cabq.gov/visiting
Jan 19th, 2012, 08:21 AM
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http://www.betterbidding.com and http://www.biddingfortravel.com are always good to check before bidding...
Jan 19th, 2012, 09:31 AM
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Thanks for the feedback, you guys!
I did check the bidding sites first. While I know there might be a better deal out there somewhere, there is only so much time I am willing to spend looking for it. $60 for a $139 room works for me! This is well within my travel budget. And if the hotel is good enough for DebitNM, I'm sure I will be fine.
I will have a rental car with me - which is why free parking at the Radisson is a big plus. Where is the best place to park when I visit Old Town and Nob Hill?
I did check the bidding sites first. While I know there might be a better deal out there somewhere, there is only so much time I am willing to spend looking for it. $60 for a $139 room works for me! This is well within my travel budget. And if the hotel is good enough for DebitNM, I'm sure I will be fine.
I will have a rental car with me - which is why free parking at the Radisson is a big plus. Where is the best place to park when I visit Old Town and Nob Hill?
Jan 19th, 2012, 10:04 AM
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You did fine. I'm sure you'll be happy at the Radisson.
There is a big restaurant thread in the New Mexico forum - be sure to check it out. You're right across the street from Rudy's BBQ (a small Texas-based chain with great food) and Blake's Lotaburger, a NM institution.
For Nob Hill, there is a lot of street parking, plus there is a small free lot behind the Nob Hill shopping center at Carlisle and Central. In Old Town, we usually park at the lot next to the Albuquerque Museum.
Lee Ann
There is a big restaurant thread in the New Mexico forum - be sure to check it out. You're right across the street from Rudy's BBQ (a small Texas-based chain with great food) and Blake's Lotaburger, a NM institution.
For Nob Hill, there is a lot of street parking, plus there is a small free lot behind the Nob Hill shopping center at Carlisle and Central. In Old Town, we usually park at the lot next to the Albuquerque Museum.
Lee Ann
