Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Hotel Andaluz, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nominated By: Michael and Allison, Brooklyn, New York, USA, August '10

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Price Range: US$109-$285 (15% exclusive discount) # of Rooms: 107 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Hotel Andaluz so Darn Good? We knew from the second that we walked into the gorgeous lobby at the Andaluz that we were onto something good. Darn good. The huge two-tiered space was designed to resemble a Moorish palace, and we were seduced by the shimmering fountains, private casbahs, and striking artwork.

Location: The Andaluz is just off historic Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque, which is currently undergoing an impressive multimillion dollar revitalization. We enjoyed the location, as we had a choice of several restaurants and bars that were within easy walking distance. The hotel is a ten minute drive from historic Old Town and several renowned museums, including the fascinating Pueblo Cultural Center.

Rooms: The hotel was built in 1939 by famed hotelier Conrad Hilton in the Spanish Territorial style, and has since earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2009, a massive renovation was completed and the hotel was re-opened as the stunning and eco-friendly Andaluz. Our room, though less dramatic than the lobby, was no less impressive. Its contemporary touches such as the streamlined lime-green couch and wall-mounted flat screen tv perfectly complimented the vintage wooden furniture and Buddha statue blessing our bathroom.

Food: The hotel has a downstairs restaurant and bar, the Lucia, and a second floor tapas bar with rooftop terrace, the Ibiza. While both restaurants looked tempting, we opted for some of the more budget options in the neighborhood. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Gold Street Café one block from the hotel and dinner at the Standard Diner, a former Route 66 service station.

Vibe: The Anduluz is a stylish and inviting downtown boutique hotel. One of the many beautiful (and friendly) staff members even took a moment to hang out with our five year old boy as he checked out the fish swimming in the fountain.

Keep in Mind: To get the best price at the Andaluz, first search for special deals on the hotel website and our affiliate link. If no discount rates are available, then use the exclusive Darn Good Digs promo code of darn on the hotel website to get an automatic 15% off. For parking, we opted for a $10/day parking garage pass to self-park in the garage next door.