Courtyard Albuquerque Airport has several hang out spots
When looking for a hotel stay in Albuquerque, visiting space was on my list of must-haves. The Courtyard Marriott Albuquerque Airport’s lobby/lounge reception area with its couches, chairs and tables groupings has several hang out with friends options. The ambiance is modern, tasteful and trendy with earth tones that reflect the hotel’s southwestern United States location. For people traveling with friends or family–or folks looking for a place to meet up with friends who live in town (that was us), this particular hotel is a perfect fit. The mood felt more like vacation travel than business.
While I was checking in, a very fast process that included details on our breakfast (more on that), another family was hauling in luggage while discussing when to depart the next day in order to make it to Arches National Monument in Utah at a reasonable hour. Another family passed us on their way to the pool as we carried in our suitcases. Upbeat and friendly at a summer travel crossroads was the general mood at this Marriott property.
Our room, on the first floor just around the corner from the lobby with easy access to the side door and the parking lot, was as comfortable and trendy as the lobby.
The yellow, gold and red color palate of the walls, furniture and carpeting reflect the sunny, vibrant ambiance of New Mexico’s outdoors. The couch and lounge chair set up provides another visiting spot with plenty of room for working at the desk without feeling cramped. With the large flat screen TV for entertainment, a small refrigerator to keep drinks cold, and the coffee maker for brewing java in the morning, this hotel room is one that a person could stay in for awhile.
In the evening or the morning when it’s cooler–Albuquerque is HOT midday in the summer, the hotel’s courtyard is another fine hang out place. The landscape of cactus and other high desert plants is lovely, and several chair groupings offer plenty of lounging spots either outside the pool area or the main lobby.
Although the pool/hot tub is indoors, the windows of the pool area give a sense of openness and provide a lovely view of the courtyard. I first went to the pool later in the evening after we arrived when people’s abandoned towels were strewn across the pool’s furniture. By morning when I returned, all was pristine and tidy waiting for the next round of guests to descend.
When The Bistro, the Courtyard Albuquerque’s restaurant is open (in the morning for breakfast, and the evening for dinner and drinks) a light meal and libations are easily accessible. The beer and wine menu is extensive. Food ranges from soups, salads and sandwiches to pasta dishes and roast beef.
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As I booked our room at Hotels.com, I opted to pay $20 extra for our room to include breakfast. This turned out to be a worthwhile add-on. This is an order anything off the breakfast menu venture. The avocado toast drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and accompanied with sliced hard boiled egg, pickled onions and arugula was lovely and tasty. I added a side order of bacon. Starbucks coffee was included.
At night, I headed to the food truck parked outside the 377 Brewery across the street for a hand-crafted burger. Spork the World moves to various parts of Albuquerque so you may not find it here, but still look for a food truck if you stay at the Courtyard for some local eats–otherwise head elsewhere in the city for terrific Mexican fare. Los Cuates at 4901 Lomas Blvd is a close by option. With almost 40 years in business, you can’t go wrong.
Food truck outside the 377 Brewery
The Courtyard Albuquerque Airport is actually not at the airport but nearby on Yale Blvd, however there is a complimentary airport shuttle that can get you to the airport in a few minutes. Also, this particular location offers easy access to downtown, Old Town, the University of New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base and the hiking trails of the Sandia Mountains. If you don’t want to stay where the city feels congested, this is a fine choice.
The rooms include a mix of two double beds, two queen, one king and suite options. Room rates range from $146-$159 at the hotel’s website. Currently, the least expensive room is $99 at Hotels.com with a $15 add on for breakfast.
Post and photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein
