Albuquerque
The Albuquerque Convention Center will undergo a $20 million facelift. Plans for the first phase include a renovation of the building's façade, as well as modern upgrades throughout the facility, which debuted in 1972. The center also has launched a 360-degree virtual tour for meeting planners.
The Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched an incentive program for meetings and events that are booked and executed by Dec. 31, 2014. A full list of the enhancements and offerings, which are based on room nights, are outlined at itsatrip.org/meeting-planners.
The 261-room Albuquerque Hilton has reopened as the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque following $14 million in renovations throughout the property.
The 395-room Albuquerque Hyatt Regency has undergone a $2 million renovation. Included in the project were the hotel's corridors, lobby and restaurant, which reopened as Forque.
The Albuquerque Marriott Hotel in the Uptown area recently completed a renovation of all 411 guest rooms.
The 188-room Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town has opened a new special event venue, Casa Esencia, spanning approximately 8,000 square feet. The facility, housed in a landmark building, marries contemporary style with Spanish territorial origins.
The 107-room Hotel Andaluz has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The historic property, which underwent a renovation in 2009 to the tune of $30 million, has a total of 7,350 square feet of meeting space.
Meeting Hotels
Major properties here include the 411-room Albuquerque Marriott Hotel, 395-room Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 314-room Radisson Hotel Albuquerque, 295-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque, 295-room Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, 135-room Hotel Blue and 107-room Andaluz.
Historic Old Town is the site of the 188-room Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town and 173-room Best Western Rio Grande Inn.
In the Balloon Fiesta Corridor/North I-25, properties include the 311-room Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, 168-room Clarion and 150-room Nativo Lodge.
The 276-room Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel and 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque Airport are at Albuquerque International Sunport.
The 350-room Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa is a 20-minute drive from downtown.
Convention Center
Albuquerque Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 167,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 30; (505) 768-4575
Airport Transit
Albuquerque International Sunport, about five miles from downtown. Transfer cost by taxi, $15; by shuttle, $18
Taxes
Room tax, 6%; sales tax, 7%; total tax on hotel rooms, 13%
Group Venue
Casablanca, a 2,400-square-foot nightclub, has opened at the Hotel Andaluz. The venue, which offers high-tech acoustics and fiber-optic lighting, is available for private events of up to 200. (505) 923-9019
Contact
Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 733-9918
Spooky Sites
The state has 16 historic ghost towns, including Alma, once the headquarters for Butch Cassidy's gang.
Santa Fe
Last October, the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau launched a meetings initiative, "Experience Santa Fe...On Us." Among the perks available to groups who book 500 or more rooms per night for a minimum of three nights are a complimentary welcome reception with Native American dancers; free transportation between hotels and the LEED Gold-certified Santa Fe Convention Center; free use of the convention center's meeting space, and a refund of the cost of a site visit after a qualified meeting is booked and confirmed.
The 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe has hired artist Sara Eyestone as its inhouse art curator. She can organize private group tours of the resort's vast and exquisite collection of works.
Meeting Hotels
Properties include the 219-room Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 172-room La Fonda, 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe, 157-room Sage Inn, 110-room Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, 71-room Inn on the Alameda, 57-room Inn of the Anasazi and 43-room Old Santa Fe Inn.
Just outside the city is the 395-room Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino.
Convention Center
Santa Fe Convention Center, exhibit space, 18,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 11; (505) 955-6200
Airport Transit
Albuquerque International Sunport, about 60 miles from downtown Santa Fe. Transfer cost by shuttle, $27 one way, $47 roundtrip
Santa Fe Municipal Airport, 10 miles from downtown Santa Fe. Transfer cost by shuttle, $15 one way, $27 roundtrip
Taxes
Room tax, 7%; sales tax, 8.1875%; total tax on hotel rooms, 15.1875%
Group Venue
From June through August, treat attendees to a night outdoors at the Santa Fe Opera. Group tickets are available for up to 150 people, as are private behind-the-scene tours of the costume, prop and rehearsal areas. Pre- or postevent receptions or dinners are accommodated. (80) 280-4654
Contact
Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 777-2489