What’s New
Renovation
As part of Mayor Richard J. Berry overall plan to reinvest in the future of our city, in September he announced a way to give the Albuquerque Convention Center a facelift in order to attract more convention and tourism to Albuquerque.
The plan is the first phase of a larger $55 million plan and includes dramatic changes to the front face of the building as well as modern upgrades to the building built in 1972.
Funding for the upgrades became available through a series of strategic financing moves which lowered interest rates on existing bond debts. During the Aug. 15 City Council meeting, Councilors unanimously approved the moves paving the way for the City to begin the process of getting the work started. View press release.
Virtual Tour
The Albuquerque Convention Center recently launched a 360° Virtual Tour of New Mexico's largest meeting facility. The virtual tour lets visitors feel like they've stepped inside the Kiva Auditorium, exhibit halls, ballroom and other meeting space, online. “The new Virtual Tour demonstrates the flexibility and opportunities at the Albuquerque Convention Center.” said Kelly Carr, Director of Sales & Event Services at ACC.
Hotels
- Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town’s 14,000 sq. ft. Alvarado Ballroom now features New Mexico’s most state-of-the-art LED ceiling lighting system. The dynamic color LED system was installed in the fall of 2011 along the crown moulding in the ceiling coves and inside the twelve custom-build Southwestern punched-tin chandeliers. Click here to read the press release.
- Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown has recently completed a $25 million renovation. Renovation of the entire public space was completed consisting of the 17,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, lobby, registration and hotel bar. The 295 rooms and suites furniture and furnishings have been upgraded. Upgrades were made to the ventilation, heating and air condition systems and the indoor swimming pool, as well as new additions including an Internet lounge and a media center. The Link@Sheraton is a specially designed communal lounge area featuring multiple broadband Internet-enabled Microsoft workstations complete with free Wi-Fi connectivity. Guests and visitors will enjoy comfortable seating and refreshment service in the TV, Search Bar, and games, books and magazines areas.
- Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown Hotel was awarded the 2011 Best of the West Award by national publication Meetings Focus. View full press release here.
- The historic Andaluz has recently been awarded LEED® Gold Green Building Certification, which is the only historic hotel in the Southwest with this certification. View the press release.
- Andaluz opened Casablanca, which can be rented for private events, lunch or business meetings, and weddings. This 2,400 square-foot night club is located adjacent to the lobby and features the latest in high-tech acoustics and sound as well as fiber optic lighting, beautiful custom arches, unique custom furniture, and banquette seating. On the weekends, this space comes to life with live entertainment and the country’s hottest DJs spinning, leaving crowds dancing the night away. In addition to weekend entertainment, Casablanca can be rented for private events, lunch or business meetings, and weddings. Smaller groups can also reserve space in the venue on a first come first served basis.
- The Albuquerque Hilton has re-opened as Crowne Plaza Albuquerque after $14 million in renovations throughout the property. View press release.
- Albuquerque Hyatt Regency announced a $2 million renovation to their guestroom corridors, lobby and restaurant. The transformation included a completely revamped restaurant with new menus, new name and interactive kitchen. On May 10, 2011, the restaurant of McGrath's, was laid to rest and on May 18 they opened Forque in it's place. Click here for the full news article. It will also boast a brand new guest lobby, new corridor carpet and each guestroom will have 37" LCD flat screen TV's. The look will be urban with a large community center and lots of electronic outlets. All renovations are on schedule and will be complete September 2011.
- Albuquerque Marriott Hotel in the Uptown area has recently finished a complete renovation of the sleeping rooms and bathrooms in all of their 411 guestrooms. Hotel corridors have also been remodeled with new carpet and lighting fixtures. Albuquerque’s Uptown has experienced tremendous growth with the recent addition of a mixed-use facility development called ABQ Uptown. The project includes high-end shopping and dining options and will eventually incorporate residential properties as part of the lifestyle center. Lobby and restaurant renovations are scheduled for October and November 2011. The overall renovation is an estimated $13 million.
- Barcelona Suites has a brand new website. Relax and enjoy the rich history behind this Mediterranean one-of-a-kind hotel.
- The Best Western Executive Suites recently became a Best Western Plus Executive Suites. It was the second Best Western property in the State of New Mexico and the 100th property in the Best Western system to become a PLUS property. All the rooms in the hotel are two-room suites – with a living room and a bedroom. They have also a newly remodeled lobby and breakfast area, updated fitness center with treadmill, elliptical machine and free weights, and upgraded guestroom amenities include new massage showerheads, new clock radios with mp3 connection, and upgraded shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and mouthwash.
- Courtyard Albuquerque Airport has reinvented their space to work the way you do, with innovations to help you stay productive while still getting the most from your downtime. With complimentary WiFi, relaxing media pods, large, flat-screen HDTVs and our new GoBoard with all the sports, weather, news and local information you need, we've opened all the avenues to both work and relaxation. So step out of the old travel routine and let your own productivity lead the way.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque located Downtown has been newly renovated. The hotel is the only hotel that is connected to the Convention Center and creates an enticing appeal never seen before in Albuquerque. Blending together the richness and diversity of New Mexico, the DoubleTree offers an unparalleled chic and modern atmosphere. The $7 million contemporary renovation consisted of updated sleeping rooms, a new look for the La Oja Restaurant, updated public areas with pod check-ins, a new business center, Ice Lounge and the addition of two meeting spaces - the Crystal Ballroom and the Quartz.
- Heritage Hotels & Resorts is doing its part to help the environment and has developed a Going Green environmental program within its hotels and among its employees. This group of independent hotels located in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces, New Mexico and Rio Rico, Arizona is collectively participating in several levels of environmentally safe practices. View the press release.
- Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town opened a private 8,000 sq. ft. special event venue called Casa Esencia. Now one of the most historic buildings in New Mexico has been transformed into a sophisticated contemporary event venue with a design scheme that marries contemporary style with its Spanish Territorial origins - perfect for weddings, social functions and intimate gatherings.
- The Hotel Blue is in its full effort to conserve water and energy. They are working diligently to adopt eco-friendly practices, while being aware not to compromise their guest’s comfort and services. For a full list of what they are doing to be green please see here.
- Hotel Parq Central has been recognized with the American Automobile Association four diamond rating. View article here.
- MCM Eleganté is currently refurbishing their pool and public areas, as well as making landscaping improvements.
- Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel has undergone a transformation. Starwood Hotels is proud to announce one of it's newest additions. The hotel formerly known as the Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel features the signature offerings of the brand's recent $6 billion revitalization effort including the "Link@Sheraton"SM experienced with Microsoft(R)" - the brand's signature social hub where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam take place. Decorated in a color palette of warm browns and oranges evocative of the desert Southwest, the reconfigured lobby features intimate seating groups and shared work areas. View press release.