In 1887, Conrad Hilton was born right in New Mexico. Eventually he would become the owner of the grand Hilton hotel chain, but in between then, he did a great many things. From being a Representative in the New Mexico Legislature when the state was newly formed to serving two years in the U.S. Army, Conrad Hilton was a man of many experiences.
It wasn’t until 1939 that he returned to his home state of New Mexico and built the Hilton Hotel
(what is now Hotel Andaluz). The hotel was put together using the talents and skills of architect Antom F. Korn and the Greer Family construction firm. The hotel only had 176 rooms, yet it was the tallest building in New Mexico at the time. It also has the distinction of being the first building in New Mexico to include air conditioning, making it a welcome spot for vacationers throughout the year. This upscale downtown hotel with Andalusian-inspired decor is 2 blocks from the Albuquerque Convention Center and 1.9 miles from Old Town.
Over the years, ownership passed from one to the next. Though it was the Hilton Hotel for 30 years, it changed names along with owners, eventually earning a renovation in 1983. The next year it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. After being sold a final time, it became Hotel Andaluz and had its grand re-opening in 2009.
The hotels stylish rooms, including studios and 1-bedroom suites, feature bamboo furnishings, flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. A penthouse unit with a kiva fireplace is also available.
There’s a rooftop bar and weekday happy hours are offered. The sophisticated on-site restaurant serves Spanish small plates, and guests can enjoy meals and drinks in the atmospheric lounge area. Guests also get free access to a local fitness center, and various meeting rooms are available.
Hotel Andaluz
125 Second Street NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87102.
(505) 242-9090
