Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town

A rustic vibe pervades this upper-middle-range hotel, which features a territorial-style, brick-trimmed exterior that houses a beautiful lobby with high adobe walls, iron chandeliers, glossy brick-tile floors, and a rusty tin ceiling framed by wood beams. Carved wood sofas and Southwestern rugs complete the authentic New Mexico look.A big gift shop in the lobby offers jewelry and clothing. Both restaurants -- Cafe Plazuela & Cantina and Cristobal's -- serve New Mexico dishes inside charming dining rooms. Two chic nightclubs go well beyond the typical hotel club atmosphere, with artsy, trendy decor and, in the case of Casa Esencia, a steep cover charge for men.The Olympic-size pool features a spacious deck surrounded by peaceful grounds with manicured hedges and flowering plants. In contrast to the large pool area, the windowless fitness center is tiny and offers a limited selection of workout equipment.With more than 60,000 square feet of event space, a popular, 19th-century-style wedding chapel, and a convenient location within walking distance of Old Town's shops and restaurants, this landmark property is one of the busier convention hotels in Albuquerque. Various celebrities have also stayed at the hotel during film shoots in Albuquerque, including Jessica Alba and Lil Wayne.

The Hotel Albuquerque sits only one block from the heart of Old Town, a historic district that is the cultural center of the city. Guests can stroll to restaurants, galleries, and touristy shops found around the plaza dating to 1706. On the north side of the plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church, one of the oldest buildings in the city, which was constructed in 1793.Sitting along the Rio Grande at an elevation of 5,312 feet, 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.- 15-minute drive from Albuquerque International Airport

• 5-minute walk to the Plaza at Old Town
• 10-minute drive to the University of New Mexico Championship Golf Course
• 10-minute drive to downtown Albuquerque
• 10-minute drive to BioPark (including the Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and Tingley Beach)
• 10-minute drive to National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
• 25-minute drive to Balloon Fiesta Park
• 25-minute drive to Petroglyph National Monument
• 25-minute drive to Sandia Peak Tramway
• 90-minute drive to Santa Fe

The Hotel Albuquerque incorporates its overall rustic theme into the guest rooms, which feature hand-carved wood furniture (including rough-hewn benches), Southwestern-style carpeting, and large armoires. Bathrooms contain stand-alone sinks that limit counter space. Rooms are clean and bright, with an earthy color scheme.- Free Wi-Fi

• Coffeemakers with free tea and Starbucks coffee
• No safes in the rooms
• Tube TVs in standard rooms and some suites
• Most rooms feature small balconies
• Upgrading to a suite gets you separate bedrooms and larger floor plans.

• Olympic-size pool is heated and features spacious deck
• 19th-century-style San Isidro de Capilla wedding chapel seats 156 guests
• No spa; in-room spa services are available from outside provider
• Free self-parking and Wi-Fi
• View Full List of Amenities

• Popular Cristobal’s Restaurant is open Tues. - Sat. for dinner and serves a mix of classic and original New Mexican cuisine in an elegant, candlelit dining room.
• Cafe Plazuela & Cantina serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, including American and New Mexican fare.
• QBar is a hip nightclub with contemporary furnishings and eclectic artwork throughout. It’s open Tues.-Sat.
• Casa Esencia is an exclusive nightclub open only on Friday evenings. Luxe furnishings, gold accents, and mod touches make for a chic ambience. Men are charged a $20 cover fee, women are free.
• Room service is available.