Hotel Andaluz Albuquerque Curio Collection By Hilton

“HOTEL ANDALUZ: SPANISH MOORISH SPLENDOR IN ALBUQUERQUE”

Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque: Spanish Moorish Splendor at its Best I would be totally remised if I did not write and send my review of the Andaluz Hotel in Albuquerque – despite the fact I stayed there in late February while on business and genuinely enjoyed their terrific accommodations! Imagine… more

Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque: Spanish Moorish Splendor at its Best I would be totally remised if I did not write and send my review of the Andaluz Hotel in Albuquerque – despite the fact I stayed there in late February while on business and genuinely enjoyed their terrific accommodations! Imagine, on my flight back to San Diego, I drafted notes of all the marvelous aspects on this spectacular hotel but never got around to writing this critique. Yes, guilt set-in! The ambience of the interior, rectangular-shaped lobby, a 2-story volume, is unmistakably New Mexico eclecticism. Picture a white one-story arched colonnade along two opposite sides with one-side featuring several exuberant inset “salas” (e.g., semi-private living rooms) with unique themes including one with a love-seat swing, and another befitting a sultan—no better place to entertain a dozen or so of your business colleagues or closest friends. At the center of the “courtyard” lobby was the ubiquitous fountain featuring a colored lighting display which created a nice splash. Not surprisingly, located on the other arched wall were a variety of support spaces, including a charming library, a sundry shop and a modest front-desk covered with colorful patterned glazed tiles. Similarly, the second level ambience certainly provided delightful views into the courtyard below from the pre-function galleria which ringed the meetings rooms, conference center and ballroom spaces. More to the point, this allowed me to exam some to the woodwork details especially the massive quasi-French curve corbelling over the bar as well as the guard railings which were designed with braided vertical pickets in alternating widths. Likewise, the dark stained wood ceiling and deep-set beams acted perfectly in contrast with the three, very large chandeliers. I should add, the following day, I spent most of the morning reviewing and editing my manuscript in solitude--my “private” seating area was divine. Although the 10-story hotel was constructed in the late 1930s by Conrad Hilton, and had undergone may renovations over the years, the present-day Spanish-Moorish aesthetic is bedazzling. My guestroom was small, but very clean and well appointed. All I needed was a comfortable bed, a desk to do some work, and a view of the mountains to the east. I arrived in the late afternoon and wanted to get to work immediately, knowing I’d be working well into the night. After perusing the menu, room service was quick – maybe they heard the “rumbling” of my stomach. I could not pass on the Cobb Jumbo Grilled Shrimp salad with multi-colored heirloom tomatoes on romaine lettuce. In a word: delicious! I took several photos of this dish which I sent to wife and kids. The next day the sun greeted me way too early, but I was ready at 7 a.m. to have breakfast at CHAR. I had scouted the restaurant and menu the previous night: Yup, the Blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and black coffee would be the order for an otherwise long travel-day.

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