New Arrivals
The ABQ Biopark Zoo in Albuquerque welcomed four new residents -- Tasmanian devils -- this past December as part of a conservation program to save the species from extinction.
cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark/zooALBUQUERQUE
Local Update
• Phase II of the $22 million renovation of the Albuquerque Convention Center began this past October. The project includes a 5,600-square-foot addition with a new large entrance vestibule, a small retail space and an outdoor deck. The work is slated for completion this summer. The first phase, which revamped the facility's meeting spaces, was finished last summer.
• The 300-room Radisson Hotel and Waterpark has completed a renovation and been rebranded as the Hotel Cascada-An Urban Resort. The property has an indoor pool and interior atrium, an adjacent water park and more than 26,000 square feet of flexible conference space.
• Casas de Sueños Old Town Historic Inn, a 1930s adobe-style hotel with 21 casitas, opened an event space, the Casa de Banquets, on Central Avenue in the former Gus's Trading Post. The venue can accommodate up to 200 people for events.
Meeting Hotels: Major properties include the 411-room Albuquerque Marriott Hotel, 395-room Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 300-room Hotel Cascada-An Urban Resort, 295-room Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown, 295-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque and 261-room Albuquerque Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa.
The 276-room Sheraton Albuquerque Airport and 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque Airport are at Albuquerque International Sunport. Ten minutes away is the 228-room Sandia Resort and Casino.
For more area hotels, and to send RFPs, go to mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Albuquerque Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 167,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 30; (505) 768-4575; albuquerquecc.com
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: One of the city's most celebrated activities -- hot-air ballooning -- is showcased at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Groups of up to 500 people are accommodated. (505) 768-6020; cabq.gov/balloon
Contact: Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 733-9918; itsatrip.org/meetings
Stop, Shop & Learn
Check out the gorgeous Southwestern jewelry and other gifts for sale at the daily market held outside Santa Fe's Palace of the Governors, originally built in the early 17th century as Spain's seat of government. An on-site history museum tells all.
palaceofthegovernors.orgSANTA FE
Local Update
• The Drury Plaza hotel complex is under construction in the historic St. Vincent Hospital building and adjoining Marion Hall. Plans call for a 182-room hotel to open this summer, followed by a 30-room boutique property for which details are still being determined.
Meeting Hotels: Santa Fe properties include the 219-room Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 179-room La Fonda on the Plaza, 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe, 157-room Sage Inn, 110-room Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, 65-room Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, 57-room Inn of the Anasazi and 43-room Old Santa Fe Inn.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Santa Fe Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 18,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 11; (505) 955-6200; communityconventioncenter.com
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: The signature paintings of flowers and the New Mexico landscape are the main attraction of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum collection. A current exhibit (through Sept. 14) features works created in Hawaii by O'Keeffe and photographer Ansel Adams. The airy facility is available for private functions of up to 150. (505) 496-1000; okeeffemuseum.org
Contact: Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 777-2489; santafe.org