Hotel Chaco

"Why book? Drawing design inspiration from ancestral Puebloan great houses and punctuated with contemporary Indigenous art, Hotel Chaco creates a tranquil ambiance grounded in local culture. Explore the deeply rooted cultures of the Southwest through this luxury hotel. Set the scene Hotel Chaco stands as a centerpiece of the Sawmill District’s transformation from a fading industrial center to a now bustling lodging, dining, and entertainment quarter. Buttoned up executives, sunglass-clad movie producers, and leather fringed jacket–wearing artists all pass through the hotel’s lobby. In the entrance, a grand sculpture, Oneness by Joe Cajero, of Jemez Pueblo; a blown-glass antler chandelier by Ira Lujan, of Taos/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblos, and other modern-day Native American art works immerse guests in the culturally rich atmosphere.  The backstory When Hotel Chaco swung open its Avanyu-carved black-on-black doors (a serpent design that reflects water’s sanctity in the high desert and is often used in Pueblo pottery designs), it was the first new hotel built in the area in more than forty years. The hotel is part of Heritage Hotels and Resorts’ 10-piece collection. Whether newly built or renovated, the brand’s boutique hotels radiate New Mexico’s heritage and lifestyle. Hotel Chaco’s design pays homage to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a center of the ancient Southwest known for its stacked-stone architecture and located in today’s northwest New Mexico. The rooms The hotel’s 118 guest rooms exude modern Southwest design, with sleek lines and earthen hues and materials, such as petrified wood–carved sinks. Each room boasts a one-of-a-kind Navajo (Diné) rug from Toadlena Trading Post in northwest New Mexico, where artists carry on centuries old weaving traditions.  Food and drink A downstairs bar, Crafted Café, pours sips of locally produced wine and spirits. The rooftop restaurant offers hard-to-beat views of the towering Sandia Mountains and sinuous Río Grande. Level 5’s seasonal menu bends to its current chef’s tastes and what’s ripe in the hotel’s garden, but appetizers such as avocado hummus and cocktails like the watermelon-vodka Sandia Sunset are staples. Dinner reservations are a must. The spa Hotel Chaco is planning to unveil a spa in 2023. It will call upon the same cultural touchpoints that flow through the hotel.  The neighborhood/area A block away from Albuquerque’s founding neighborhood and a slate of fine museums, the evolving Sawmill District draws locals and delights visitors with the Sawmill Market. The food hall is chock-a-block with local purveyors and restaurants to satisfy every craving.  The service Befitting its AAA four-diamond status, the hotel’s service is attentive and accommodating. A fleet of e-bikes and cruisers await for rentals or tours offered through the hotel’s guiding partner, Heritage Inspirations, which also offers day-long and overnight excursions to Chaco Culture National Historical Park.   For families Several family-friendly attractions lie within walking distance, including Old Town, the ABQ BioPark’s Botanic Garden, Aquarium, and Tingley Beach; and Explora science center.   Accessibility Guests with disabilities will find the hotel’s common areas and public spaces easy to navigate. It offers (select) wheelchair accessible rooms, Braille/raised signage, and elevator access.  Anything left to mention? If visiting Chaco Culture National Historical Park with a hotel guide is on your itinerary, book in advance. Stop in the hotel’s own Gallery Hózhó for a well-curated selection of fine art from contemporary Indigenous artists.     \" - Ashley M. Biggers