Crowne Plaza Albuquerque

Crowne Plaza purchased this hotel from Hilton in 2011 after a renovation was underway on the property. The lobby has a new look, thanks to a New Mexico theme, which includes an adobe fireplace, red tile floors, and decorative pottery. Exploring beyond the lobby reveals three restaurants and a massive hallway leading to a series of meeting rooms.

In the courtyard, the large pool is long enough for doing laps and has dozens of lounge chairs for soaking up the abundant New Mexico sunshine. The manicured grounds surrounding the pool area help to create a secluded atmosphere, but it's a little noisy outside due to the highways adjacent to the property.

There’s abundant meeting space and the lounges, restaurants, and guest rooms are big, but the windowless fitness center feels cramped considering the hotel’s capacity.

Located just off I-25 and I-40, the Crowne Plaza is within an easy drive of many area attractions, such as the Sandia Tram and Old Town. This busy section of town features a variety of restaurants that are within walking distance of the hotel.

Sitting along the Rio Grande at an elevation of 5,312-ft, Albuquerque occupies a high desert environment. The city was founded in 1706 by the Spanish as a colonial outpost in the New World. Today, Albuquerque is home to more than 530,000 people of over 70 different ethnicities, including Native Americans, Latinos, and Anglos, making it the largest city in New Mexico. Albuquerque retains connections to the past and its culture in the architecture, artwork, and cuisine to be found throughout the city.

Albuquerque is known as a center of high-tech industry and research. The Sandia National Laboratory, General Electric, and Kirtland Air Force Base all call the city home. It’s also the ballooning capital of the world. Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta each October, an event that might be the most photographed in the world. Local hot air balloon companies offer rides to visitors year-round.

As a four-season city with 300 sunny days a year, Albuquerque has an active community of golfers, hikers, skiers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and fishermen. The Sandia Mountains just to the east provide a high-altitude respite from the summer heat and many miles of forested trails, and a winter playground featuring Sandia Peak Ski Area. Any visit to Albuquerque is incomplete without a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, the longest tram in the world, ascending 2.7 miles from the outskirts of the city to the Sandia Mountains at 10,378 feet.

Whatever you do in the outdoors here, be sure to stay well-hydrated - mild temperatures can be deceiving and the high elevation can take its toll on the fittest adventurers.

• 10-minute drive to Albuquerque International Airport
• 10-minute drive to the University of New Mexico Championship Golf Course
• 10-minute drive to the Albuquerque Convention Center
• 10-minute drive to historic Old Town Albuquerque
• 10-minute drive to Albuquerque Uptown (shopping area)
• 15-minute drive to BioPark (including the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach)
• 15-minute drive to National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
• 20-minute drive to Balloon Fiesta Park
• 20-minute drive to Petroglyph National Monument
• 20-minute drive to Sandia Peak Tramway
• 90-minute drive to Santa Fe

The rooms are up-to-date, if generic. The dark wood furniture and earthy red tones give the rooms a warm feel, although the decor is typical of the contemporary chain hotel look. Framed photos of New Mexico landmarks are the lone nod to the local region. Bathrooms are modern with granite counters, stone tile shower walls, and stylish light fixtures.

• Flat-screen TVs with premium channels
• Big work desks with extra outlets, a rolling desk for added work space, and Herman Miller desk chairs
• Sliding glass doors open to narrow balconies
• Coffeemakers with free coffee and tea
• East-facing rooms have good views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Rooms facing west overlook the highways and the city.
• Pet-friendly rooms available by request (fees apply)

• Large pool within lush, expansive grounds
• The windowless fitness center is small
• Free Wi-Fi
• No spa
• Eight meeting rooms total 18,719 square feet and offer modern audiovisual equipment.
• View full list of amenities

The acclaimed Ranchers Club serves up tasty steaks and seafood in an eclectic dining area inspired by cowboys of the Southwest.

• Ranchers Club is open daily for dinner. Menu items include seafood, steaks, and wild game.
• Stone Street features American cuisine and casual options such as pizza and burgers. Offers a breakfast buffet, and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• The Cantina Lounge offers bar fare and features a cozy indoor lounge and casual outdoor seating. Local musical acts such as TK Duel bring live jazz to the lounge in the evenings. Open daily.
• Room service available from early morning to late night