Albuquerque Airport's BEST Kept Secret: TownePlace Suites!
Albuquerque Airport's BEST Kept Secret? Don't Tell Anyone… (Except You!) - TownePlace Suites Review!
Okay, listen. I've flown in and out of Albuquerque International Sunport more times than I can count. And let me tell you, finding a decent, stress-free hotel near the airport can feel like searching for a unicorn that does laundry. But finally, I stumbled upon something magical… TownePlace Suites by Marriott. And frankly, I almost want to keep it a secret. But, you know, a good thing is meant to be shared. So, buckle up, folks. This is my brutally honest, totally unedited, Albuquerque TownePlace Suites review.
First, the Essentials (And Why They Actually Matter):
- Accessibility - The Real Deal: Okay, I'm not disabled myself, but I've traveled with people who are. And let me tell you, "accessible" hotels often feel like a sad afterthought. NOT here. The ramp access at the airport, the easy access to all the hotel amenities. Its awesome. They actually put some thought into it. Which is a HUGE win. And that includes the restaurants and even the pool. I'll take that!
- Internet, Internet, Internet! (And Wi-Fi that Actually Works!): This is huge, especially if you're like me and work on the road. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Check. It's fast, it's reliable, and it doesn't make you want to throw your laptop out the window. So, internet [LAN]? Not needed. The free Wifi? Check. You'll be able to do work. The world will be a better place. And they even have good Wi-Fi in public areas too! Because no-one likes working in a dead zone.
- Cleanliness and Safety - Not Just Lip Service: Okay, let's be real – the pandemic changed everything. TownePlace Suites gets it. They've got the anti-viral cleaning products, the daily disinfection, and the staff trained in safety protocols. And while they offer room sanitization opt-out, it's worth it to know you're safe. Hand sanitizer is everywhere, and they even have "safe dining setups". I saw it all.
My Personal TownePlace Suite Experiences - The Good, The Weird, and The Almost Perfect:
- The Room(s) - Space to Breathe (and Pretend You're Not Living Out of a Suitcase): Okay, the rooms are suites. Meaning, you get more space than you typically do in airport hotels. Think a proper seating area (a sofa!), a small kitchen, and sometimes, a separate bedroom. This is huge for longer stays and makes the whole experience feel less… oppressive. I once stayed for a week while waiting for a delayed flight. The extra space was essential. The air conditioning was a godsend. And the "extra-long bed"? Heaven. It actually felt like I was at home. Almost. The "window that opens" doesn't hurt, either.
- Okay, So About That Breakfast… (And The Lack of a Sauna): Breakfast. This is where things get a little… uneven. They do a decent buffet. But sometimes, I wished I had a simple Asian breakfast. And yes, I am bummed that there isn't a spa. I looked long and hard for the Spa/Sauna, but it wan't there. But hey, you win some, you lose some.
Dining, Drinks, and Snacking - Keeping Your Hunger Pains at Bay:
- Breakfast? The free breakfast [buffet] is decent. You have your standard breakfast staples. They have coffee and tea too.
- Restaurants, Bars, and Beyond: There's no on-site restaurant. But there's a convenience store onsite and, surprisingly, there is a Coffee shop located near the hotel.
Services and Conveniences - They Actually Thought of Stuff:
- Airport Transfer: A Lifesaver: The airport transfer is a HUGE bonus, especially after a long flight. It's free, reliable, and saves you a ton of hassle. A little bit of heaven.
- Everything Else: Laundry? Check. Dry cleaning? Check. Luggage Storage? Check. They have a concierge. I mean it's not the Ritz, but they've thought of everything. They even have a car park [free of charge]!
- Pet friendly? I don't know!
For the Kids (And Those Who Are Kid-Adjacent):
- Family/child friendly: Yes!
- Babysitting service: I don't know, I didn't use it, but it is an amenity.
Getting Around - So Easy a Caveman Could Do It:
- Car Park [free of charge]: Free parking is always a win, especially when you are dealing with airport prices.
- Airport Transfer: A Lifesaver.
The Verdict? The BEST Kept Secret in Albuquerque:
Look, TownePlace Suites isn't perfect. But for the price, the location, and the overall experience? It's a winner. It's clean, it's convenient, and it cares about your comfort. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you can actually relax while you're traveling, which is a rare and beautiful thing.
Now, for the Money-Saving Offer! Get Your Rear in the Right Place:
Ready to Ditch the Airport Hotel Stress? Book Your Stay at TownePlace Suites by Marriott with this EXCLUSIVE Offer!
- "Early Bird" Discount: Book your stay at TownePlace Suites at least 7 days in advance and receive a 15% discount off our best available rate.
- "Suite Dreams" Upgrade: Upgrade to a premium suite with a separate bedroom and a kitchen, (if available) based on availability.
- Free Airport Shuttle: Enjoy a complimentary airport shuttle service to and from the hotel.
- Free WiFi: Stay connected with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access
- Book Now and receive Free Breakfast included.
Why Book Now?
- Peace of Mind: With our commitment to cleanliness and safety, you can rest assured that you and your family are protected.
- Comfort and Convenience: Enjoy spacious suites, a variety of amenities, and a convenient location near the airport.
- Value for Your Money: Get the best value for your money with our exclusive offers and discounts.
Don't Delay - This Offer Won't Last Forever!
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(Link to TownePlace Suites booking site here)
P.S. Tell them I sent you. And if you see a guy wandering around in slippers, it's probably me. Enjoy!
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a weekend at the TownePlace Suites Albuquerque Airport. Prepare for less polished prose and more, well, me.
TownePlace Suites Albuquerque Airport: My Albuquerque Adventure (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Green Chile)
Friday: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Allure of the Free Breakfast
- 1:00 PM: Arrival - Delayed, Deliciously So. Okay, so my flight was supposed to land at noon. Of course. Because plans always work perfectly. Instead, I spent an extra hour circling Albuquerque, the desert landscape looking less like a romantic vista and more like a giant, sun-baked pizza. Finally touched down, and I swear, the second my feet hit the Albuquerque ground, I was already regretting not packing more sunscreen. (Spoiler alert: I’m going to regret that later.)
- 1:45 PM: Shuttle Shenanigans. Ah, the hotel shuttle. Always a gamble. Luckily, it was prompt, and the driver, a guy named Earl with a handlebar mustache that would make a Victorian gentleman weep, was a font of Albuquerque trivia. Apparently, Breaking Bad was filmed everywhere. I think I saw Walter White's house from the shuttle at least three times. (It was probably just a random beige stucco, honestly.)
- 2:30 PM: Check-In Chaos (or "Where's My Room Key?!"). The lobby was… well, a lobby. Functional, but not exactly inspiring architectural genius. The front desk attendant was friendly enough, bless her heart, but seemed overwhelmed. Turns out, my room key wasn’t working. Cue the slight panic that always accompanies the phrase, "Let me see if I can reset that for you…" Finally got it sorted. Room 412. Let the adventure begin.
- 3:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance and the Glorious Air Conditioning. Standard TownePlace Suites room. Not palatial, but clean and, oh sweet baby Jesus, the AIR CONDITIONING! Albuquerque in July is not to be trifled with. I immediately tested the AC, dropped my bags, and considered spending the entire weekend swaddled in the crisp, cool embrace of civilization.
- 4:00 PM: Food Search and a Minor Crisis of Faith. Okay, so I'd planned to immediately hit up a New Mexican restaurant. But a travel day does things to a body, and the thought of even thinking about real food felt overwhelming. I found a vending machine with stale crackers and a suspiciously orange cheese product (which, let’s be honest, I’m probably going to eat later when my stomach loudly demands sustenance anyway). This whole "travel" thing, sometimes, it really tests your limits.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Rescue: Green Chile Cheeseburger Pilgrimage. I rallied. Thank goodness for the internet. I found a highly-rated green chile cheeseburger place not too far away, called "The Golden Crown Panaderia." I practically ran there, because, you know, it’s not just a burger, it’s a mission. And the burger? Oh. My. God. The flavor. The spice. The sheer unapologetic deliciousness. The green chile (which, by the way, is pretty much the only reason to go to New Mexico). I’m not exaggerating when I say it was a religious experience. I think I might have even teared up a little. (Don't tell anyone.)
- 8:00 PM: The Evening Promenade (Or, Mildly Terrified, but Mostly Intrigued). I felt brave and took a walk (okay, a short walk) around the hotel. The Albuquerque air felt different – dryer, more… desert-y. There were a few people milling about, nothing seemed too sketchy, just… different. I think I saw a coyote shadow at the end of the parking lot. Or maybe it was my imagination fueled by a caffeine high and the afterglow of that burger. Either way, it added a delightful, slightly unsettling edge.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime and the Anticipation of Glorious Breakfast. I'm already looking forward to the complimentary breakfast, I've heard good things. I set my alarm, and drift off into the sound of the AC humming and the faint echo of… what was that howling?
Saturday: Culture, Cactus, and the Curse of the Sunburn
- 7:00 AM: BREAKFAST! (Blessings of the complimentary selection). I'm not a morning person, but the promise of free, hot food pulls me out of the bed. Okay, yeah, it's a standard mix of scrambled eggs, pre-cooked sausage, and cereal. But after that airport flight and a day of exploring, it was MANNA. I overate, probably, but no ragrets.
- 8:00 AM: Planning: I have a solid plan today: Old Town Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains. The "Plan" consists of "Get Up," "Go to," and "See." I also need more sunblock!
- 9:00 AM: Old Town Charm (and a Battle Against the Heat). Old Town is… charming. Cobblestone streets, adobe buildings, turquoise jewelry galore. It was beautiful, but the sun was brutal. I reapplied the sunscreen. Then I reapplied it again. Then, I thought, “Maybe I’ll just become a vampire?” The sheer amount of sun beating down felt like a personal attack. I took refuge in a shady cafe, ordered a gigantic iced coffee, and eavesdropped shamelessly on a conversation about the best chile rellenos in town.
- 11:00 AM: The Sandia Peak Tramway: A Vertical Adventure (And a Near-Death Experience with Altitude). I'm afraid of heights. But, for some reason, I signed up for the Sandia Peak Tramway. The views were, admittedly, breathtaking (when I could bear to open my eyes). But the ride itself felt like slowly lifting straight up into the sky in a metal box. The altitude made me a little woozy, and I think I might have whispered a prayer to the mountain gods at one point. The top was beautiful, and icy. I took one breath of the cold air and then went back to the tram.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch Fiasco (or, Why I Should Stick to Green Chile Cheeseburgers). I found a restaurant near the base of the mountains. Bad idea. The service was slow, the food was meh, and I was pretty sure the waiter was judging my lack of sunblock application. I barely touched the food, and the regret kicked in fast.
- 2:30 PM: Post-Lunch Regret - A stroll in the botanical garden. I'm trying to redeem this day! I strolled through a botanical garden. More shade! The plant life and the water features were a welcome respite from the sun. The trees were so lush, and the colors were so vibrant. The only thing I didn't like was the sign that told me all the animals were real. I am not real.
- 4:30 PM: Back to the hotel. I take the shuttle. I'm so tired of walking. Plus, I have a date with my bed.
- 6:00 PM: The Great Sunburn Discovery (and the Desperate Search for Aloe). Finally, I take a good look in the mirror back at the hotel, and… OH. MY. GOD. SUNBURN ALERT! My face is the color of a cooked lobster. My shoulders? Forget about it. I look like I’ve been marinated in a tanning bed. Panic set in. I ransacked my bag in a frantic search for aloe vera, only to find… nada. The front desk came to the rescue, thankfully!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner: Re-evaluation time! Dinner was more restrained. I ordered a pizza. Ate it, mostly. I was exhausted, burned, and in serious need of a long, cold shower.
- 8:00 PM: Pre-Bedtime Review.**. I really should have taken the advice to drink water, and I should have applied sunscreen to places I didn't think the sun would reach. And now, I have a whole other round of regrets.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime and the Promise of Departure. I set my alarm for an early start this time.
Sunday: Departure, Reflections, and the Undeniable Allure of the Desert
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast Again. The final round of free food. My body is beginning to heal. I am prepared for my departure today. Time to find out what the breakfast consists of this time.
- 8:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (and the Quest for the Perfect Turquoise). One last dash to Old Town (this time, slathered in sunscreen), in search of the perfect turquoise necklace. I haggled, I browsed, I probably overpaid by a little, but I found something that, in theory, would remind me of this slightly insane weekend for years to come.
- 9:00 AM: Pre-flight check-out. I'm ready to relax. The next hour will consist of packing, checking out, and taking the bus to the airport.
- **
Albuquerque Airport's Big Secret (That's NOT a Secret Anymore): TownePlace Suites FAQs (The REAL Deal)
Okay, seriously, what *is* so special about this TownePlace Suites near the airport? Everyone keeps whispering about it!
Alright, spill the beans, eh? You've heard the whispers. Yes, the buzz is real. It’s… well, think of it as your little oasis after a flight from Hades, or before one. It's not some swanky, designer hotel that screams, "I'm so expensive!". Instead, it's *surprisingly* comfortable and convenient. Seriously, it's like they *get* travelers. They understand the whole "I'm exhausted, I need space, and maybe a free breakfast that doesn't taste like cardboard" thing. Plus, it’s *close*. Like, a hop, skip, and a slightly wonky taxi ride close. I swear, I once saw a guy *walking* from the airport, but I wouldn’t recommend that – unless you’re REALLY trying to beat the traffic. Which, in Albuquerque, is always a gamble.
Speaking of breakfast, is it any good? I'm a breakfast snob. Judge me.
Alright, breakfast snob, come at me! Look, it's *free*, and they offer a decent variety. It's not the Four Seasons buffet, mind you. But they have the usual suspects: eggs (sometimes cooked perfectly, sometimes a little... rubbery), waffles you can make yourself (fun!), cereal, yogurt, fruit (surprisingly fresh sometimes!), and all the coffee you can guzzle. The coffee, by the way, is crucial. Because, let's be honest, you need caffeine after that red-eye. One time, the waffle maker was on the fritz, and the look of utter devastation on the faces of the waffle-dependent guests was truly glorious. (I confess, I'm a waffle person.) So, it’s good, for being free and available. I still sneak in my Starbucks cold brew most times, don't tell them, please!
What's the room situation? Are the rooms actually *suites*? And are they clean? This is vital.
Yes, the rooms *are* suites! Usually. (Okay, maybe some are just *slightly* bigger than a standard hotel room.) You've usually got a separate living area (with a sofa, TV, even a little desk), and a bedroom. That's gold after being crammed in an airplane seat for hours. And they're generally clean. I've never found anything truly horrifying hiding under the bed… yet. And that's saying something after I once found a rogue sock in a Hilton in Vegas (true story). They're usually pretty good about the cleaning thing, but let's be real, sometimes the towels are a little… thin. And once, the remote control looked like it had seen some action. You can ask for a new remote, though. No judgment.
Okay, about the location... Is it truly walkable to anything interesting? Or am I doomed to a life of Uber rides?
Walkable... well, that’s a relative term, isn't it? Let's just say you're not strolling to the Plaza in Santa Fe. There IS a pretty decent restaurant very close by – like, you could probably throw a (small, and maybe illegal) rock from some of the rooms. And a few fast-food options are within what I would call "a determined walk" or a very short Uber ride. The airport, of course, is close. And that's the main draw, right? It's not the most scenic location, it's true. You're looking at, you know, Albuquerque… but it’s convenient for airport access. And hey, if you're lucky, your room might have a view of a parking lot, which is like the perfect backdrop for a little existential contemplation.
The pool! Tell me about the pool. Should I pack a swimsuit?
Oh, the pool! Okay, *sometimes*. It's not the Ritz-Carlton pool, by any stretch. Sometimes it's open. Sometimes it’s closed for cleaning. Sometimes it looks inviting, other times it looks like a lonely, neglected oasis. I've seen it sparkling, absolutely perfect, begging me to dive in. I’ve also seen it looking… a little bit green. It’s not always heated. The pool is the wild card of the TownePlace Suites experience. I'd pack a swimsuit anyway, just in case. But be prepared for disappointment. But hey, at least there's usually a hot tub. And even if the pool is closed, sometimes the idea of a pool is better than the reality.
What about parking? Is it free? Is it a nightmare?
Parking is free! That's a win right there. And, thank goodness, usually not a nightmare. Unlike some city hotels where you spend half your life circling the block hoping for a space. The parking lot is decent-sized, though it can get a little crowded during peak travel times (duh!). I've never had to park a million miles away, though. And hey, a short walk is good for you, right? Plus, it gives you a chance to admire the Albuquerque sky. Which, let me tell you, can be pretty spectacular.
Seriously, give me one honest deal-breaker reason *not* to stay here.
Okay, honesty time. Some of the rooms can be a bit… dated. Like, the furniture might have seen better days. And the decor? Let's just say it's not exactly cutting-edge. You're not going to find a minimalist, Instagram-worthy interior, that's for sure. Also, the noise levels can sometimes be an issue, depending on what your neighbors are up to. But, look – it's the airport. What do you expect? It’s mostly quiet. But if you are a super-sensitive light sleeper and have thin walls, you might want to bring some earplugs. Or, y'know, just embrace the chaos. Embrace the airplane engines. It's all part of the adventure, man. Or, woman. Or, whatever you identify as.
So, would you personally recommend it?
Yes. Absolutely. For the right person. Look, I'm not saying it's perfect. But for convenience, a decent free breakfast, and a spacious room near the airport? Yeah, I'd say it’s a solid choice. Especially if you’re looking for a place to crash before or after a flight without breaking the bank. I’ve stayed there countless times. And, you knowBook Hotels Now
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