Accommodation and Hostels in Albuquerque
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
|
| Budget |
under $75
|
| Mid-range |
$75-175
|
| Splurge |
$176 and over
|
If you want a nicer -- and pricier -- hotel, then head east on I-40 to "uptown" (in the northeast side of the city, which is at higher elevation than "downtown" close to the river) or north on I-25. If you don't mind less free stuff, Central Ave. (old Route 66) is cheaper. However, there are some real dives along Central Avenue, many with unsavory reputations and occasional police raids. Hotels around the airport are generally vanilla-flavored, business-traveler places, but at least are somewhat less expensive than airport hotels in many cities. There are a few nice highrise hotels in the Downtown/Old Town area. Lodging Per Diem is $75.
Albuquerque is experiencing a massive wave of hotel building, mainly in the "Mid-range" class. This apparently is driven in part by the infamous lodging shortages during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October. The result is that during other parts of the year, affordable hotels shouldn't be too hard to find. Even with the growth in the hotel market, lodging can be tight for the Fiesta, so if you're coming then, reserve well in advance -- months rather than days.
For some free lodgings try looking for cafes where bands are playing (normally on the weekends) and ask amongst the punk kids and see if they'll help. Even they, however, may not have much space during the Balloon Fiesta.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Albuquerque
