Albuquerque, NM

Winding down into the bowl that holds the thriving city of Albuquerque, travelers will appreciate the turquoise and coral colored overpasses that reflect the shades of desert against the sky. The contrast of the young and happenin’ downtown with the southwestern charm of Old Town provides something for everyone.

You won’t want to miss a walk around Old Town, filled with quiet courtyards, curio shops and restaurants. Turquoise and silver vendors line the square, and you can enjoy live music on Sunday afternoons. Stroll around the square, window shop, and enjoy a meal at one of the many fine restaurants. Take your time and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the historic heart of Albuquerque.

www.albuquerqueoldtown.com

www.itsatrip.org

Albuquerque is a city with many charms: a long and privileged history, a modern southwestern vibe and the romantic Rio Grande flowing through its shady, cottonwood valley--to name a few. There are so many ways to experience Albuquerque, and where you stay is a significant part of the setting for your adventure here. I'm providing three options, each so completely different, yet magical in their own way (see more in-depth descriptions below):

• Adobe & Roses--a lovely B&B that is the exact embodiment of its name
• Hotel Andaluz--an incredible boutique hotel in the heart of downtown
• Mauger Estate--a charming Queen Anne with lots of complimentary treats

Hotel Andaluz

Relax by the fire in this intimate library for guests, just off the main floor lobby. The lobby itself is a stunning example of Spanish colonial style, with dark, beamed ceilings and terracotta tile floors.   Private casbahs lining the large lobby are the perfect place to unwind with friends in the evening, and for sampling tapas and drinks (both half-off during Happy Hour, 4-6). Try the pork sliders or grilled artichoke with goat cheese. The great thing about tapas is you can try several before filling up!

 

Hotel Andaluz, a true luxury hotel, has a rich history in downtown Albuquerque; it was the fourth hotel every built by Conrad Hilton.

The current owner is just as ambitious--in providing an incredible experience for guests--with modern, plush rooms in a convenient location.

Walk to nearby restaurants and coffee shops or stay in a soak up the romantic ambiance and amenities Andaluz offers. Even if you don't eat breakfast on-site, make sure you get some of the special house coffee served in the lobby every morning. It's amazing!                                               

 

 

www.hotelandaluz.com
Rates from $140

#505-242-9090
*pet friendly

 

 

 

 Mauger Estate

I love a B&B that provides the perfect setting for intimacy and relaxation as well as the opportunity to mingle with other guests and share your travels with these complete strangers who often turn out to be kindred spirits on adventures of their own.

Walk into Mauger and you're greeted with the aroma of fresh granola baking in the kitchen--a spicy blend of cinnamon and savory sweetness. 

After settling into your comfortable room (there is a pet-friendly suite available, with a private yard for your pet!), take the time to mingle with guests over a glass of wine and cheese & crackers. You'll glean a few "where to eat and what to do" tips, and possibly even make a few new friends.

Walking to dinner is a definite option, but we chose to take the short drive to nearby Old Town to see the luminarias--since it was the Christmas season. The New Mexico tradition, over 300 years old, is a lovely site to behold, with sidewalks and entire drives lined with paper bag luminarias (or farolitas).

Breakfast at Mauger is a wonderful buffet of fresh fruit, the fantastic oatmeal (fresh daily; try it over yogurt! and you can purchase some to take with you!), a Mediterranean egg casserole, scones, and more!





www.maugerbb.com
Rates from $99

#505-242-8755
*pet friendly

 

below:  luminarias in Old Town

 

 

 

 

Adobe & Roses 

Follow the Rio Grande north out of the city, and you will find—tucked in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains—an inn with adobe guesthouses the color of the setting sun. Gardens filled with daylilies, wisteria, trumpet vine and an array of pastels and foliage surround the individual suites; roses grow in abundance and lend their heavenly scent to the cool, morning air. Fountains add a calming background melody.
 

Dorothy, a seasoned innkeeper who loves meeting guests and sharing stories of her life at Adobe & Roses, has created an inn with laid-back comfort and charm. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, A&R provides the perfect setting. Guests can enjoy the beautifully landscaped property and the freedom to come and go without disturbing other visitors.

Sit out on the patio and enjoy the crickets and evening breezes with your traveling companion over a glass of wine. A moonlight stroll through the gardens is a magical experience, but evenings can grow chilly at the base of the Sandia Mountains. Settle in for the night and set your suite aglow with a crackling blaze in the kiva fireplace.

 

Harmony, peace, and opportunity for reflection are yours to enjoy while you rest in this tranquil southwestern inn; reflect and unwind by night while exploring by day all that Albuquerque has to offer. 

Awaken to the sounds of birds chirping in the gardens which are a haven for guests as well as wildlife. A rooster crows as soft, natural lights falls down into the room through several small skylights. The soft curve of the thick adobe walls reflects the morning light. A breakfast of flaky, buttery biscuits spread with honey arrives paired with a bowl of fresh strawberries, coffee and juice. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the garden (or along the nearby canal). Friendly cats prowl the premise, hunting along the pool’s edge under the cover of irises and pussy willows. This is the place to unwind, center yourself and taste nature’s best. 

www.adobeandroses.com

Rates from $75

#505-898-0654

Healing happens in a garden.

Guests at Adobe & Roses will find themselves renewed after a night in this garden utopia. Dorothy, herself, has found that a wounded, tired heart can be restored and reinspired while working in a garden and creating with one’s hands. She personally constructed most of the buildings on the property, and has enjoyed the restorative powers of pouring herself into tending the garden and sharing it with the visitors who come from all over the world to enjoy her property and hospitality. Dorothy has created a beautiful life for herself here and she loves to open the doors wide to share with whoever might happen upon her happy haven.

Nearby in northwestern Albuquerque:

·      Sandia Peak Aerial Tram:  a great way to view the area (restaurant with a view at the top!); or, for the more adventurous, take a ride in a hot air balloon! www.sandiapeak.com

·         Casa de Benvandiz:  for a pleasant dinner near the inn; sit out on the patio with lush garden and waterfall. Excellent Mexican food at an authentic, family owned restaurant claiming the best carne adovado in New Mexico. www.casadebenvandiz.com

·         Albuquerque’s Museum of Art & History: an outdoor desert-inspired garden and sculptures surround a unique exhibit telling of the city’s origins as a Spanish colonial village. Located at the edge of Old Town. www.cabq.gov/museum

·          Los Poblanos: historic inn and organic farm; definitely worth a visit even if only to walk among the endless rows of lavender. www.lospoblanos.com

Hot Air Ballooning:

Now’s your chance! After all, this is the ballooning capital of the world. Keep your eyes on the sky and you’ll probably see a colorful globe or two cruising among the clouds.

Fly with Discover Balloons, who go out of their way to make your flight very special. You’ll also enjoy browsing their shop of balloon memorabilia and décor. Conveniently located in Old Town.

www.discoverballoons.com

At the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, visitors can take a walk through history with the permanent exhibit, Four Centuries:  a History of Albuquerque. Explore Spanish artifacts, colonial life, vaqueros, trade routes like El Camino Real and the Santa Fe Trail.

Other educational sites:

• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center:  owned and operated by the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico, this fascinating center of museums, galleries and gift shops provides extensive information and experiences in Native American culture, history and art. Eat at the on-site Pueblo Harvest Café. www.indianpueblo.com
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• National Hispanic Cultural Center:  if you’re interested in the area’s Spanish heritage, you can soak it up here! Learn about Day of the Dead traditions and practices, see flamenco performances and enjoy other live cultural events and fantastic exhibits.  www.nhccnm.org

 Chiles: 

In a town where the most important question is “Red or Green?,” you can expect food to be flavorful and significantly spicy. (Say “Christmas” if you want both). While you will have no trouble finding authentic New Mexican cuisine in stylish, southwestern settings, a few popular restaurants stand out:

• El Pinto:  Celebrating 50 years of excellence, this gem is located in the cottonwoods of the North Valley. Enjoy a fabulous meal while relaxing on one of the many beautiful patios. www.elpinto.com  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Bruno’s Restaurant & Cantina:  The smell of roasting chiles greets you, preparing your taste buds for the rich flavor of homemade salsas. Zesty recipes, live Mariachi music (Friday nights), and frozen margaritas to chase the bite of smoked chiles. www.elbrunos.com

Time it Right:·         Founder’s Day Fiesta, April. Gather in Old Town to celebrate Albuquerque’s birthday.
505-768-3561

·         Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October. Enjoy this world-renowned attraction for kids of all ages! The aroma of roasting chiles and dozens of colorful hot air balloons fill the crisp, Autumn air.
www.balloonfiesta.com

 Hacienda Antigua

If these walls could talk….This inn, “on the historic El Camino Real” was a wagon train and stagecoach stop as well as a cantina and general store as early as 1790. Imagine the weary travelers who stopped here overnight along the dusty trails heading West.

Unfortunately, it closed in 2012, and is no longer open to the public, but this magnificent piece of history is one of many properties that hail to glory days of the Spanish colonial times of Albuquerque.

In life, we enter into many struggles. Some we create by our own choices; others are handed to us in circumstances beyond our control.

There’s something about sitting in the courtyard of an inn that’s over two-hundred years old that causes contemplation. I found myself wondering about the people who had traveled here over the centuries. What “baggage” did they carry with them? Were they running away from hardships back East? Were they weary and heavy-laden? Did they find solace in this beautiful and restful place? Was the trip—though long and hard—a balm to their souls?

 

Leaving Albuquerque:

On the northern side of the interstate, red cliff walls hold up the sky. Opportunities to visit Indian village sites, walk inside an Indian home, buy Indian jewelry, pottery and Navajo rugs line the roadside—proclaimed by colorful billboards. Dark green juniper and sage brush cover the southern landscape for as far as the eye can see. 

“A strange and lonely land, a place of mystery and violent extremes, of sun-baked stillness, the Sonoran Desert exerts a pull that draws men to its hypnotic beauty.”

(The Beautiful Southwest,

Lane Magazine & Book Co., c.1972)