The city loves the attention as much as we love a good pint after a warm sunny day. We are lucky to have our pick of several micro-breweries in the area, some just a few blocks (what’s up Marble?) from our downtown Albuquerque hotel.  The great part about this is we at the Hotel Andaluz get to keep our emphasis on local, by featuring local brews in our rooftop terrace, Ibiza and our lobby bar.

We are even more stoked when we get to celebrate ABQ Beer Week with our fellow bars and restaurants. ABQ Beer Week is a week full of events from beer tastings, brewery tours, tap takeovers and our event Taps & Apps on Tuesday, April 30th. We’ve invited four local breweries (Marble, Il Vicino, La Cumbre & Bosque Brewing) and paired their best brew with our tantalizing appetizers. This happy hour-style event is going to rock, and you don’t want to be left out. Make your reservations with Lauren right now 505.923.9013.

Cheers boys and girls to Albuquerque and ABQ Beer Week! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates on all event at the Hotel Andaluz. We hope to see you real soon…

New Mexico’s population is largely Hispanic, and this is a contributing reason as to why New Mexico holiday season is a celebration. Perhaps the most notable sign that the holidays are approaching is the luminaria or farjalito, a small candle set inside a paper bag with sand. As Christmas approaches thousands line the streets, staircases, walkways, fences and even roofs. Visitors can best view these luminarias at Albuquerque’s historic old town or Santa Fe and Taos’ historic plaza’s. Our facebook friend Bill, mentions the small Acoma pueblo, known as Sky City as another beautiful area lit up by luminarias for Christmas Eve. On Taos’ and Santa Fe’s plazas there is often carolers and cider to celebrate the lightings.

If the soft glowing lights of our farolito doesn’t quite lure in you in. Try checking out our local ski areas that transform into a family gathering spots to enjoy sun and snow for the holiday season. Facebook friend Marie mentions the Taos Ski Valley’s torch light parade. Every year on Christmas Eve, Taos Ski Valley comes alive with a parade of skiers carrying torches ski down from the top of the mountain to the base at dusk. When all the torches make it down the run the valley is lit up by a fireworks display rivaling major city celebrations. It brings the whole mountain of skiers and lodgers together in cheers.

Another Christmas Eve tradition in Taos or the surrounding pueblos is the traditional Native American dances that occur on Christmas Eve through Christmas morning. Large bon-fires warm spectators as dances of prayer and celebration are performed. After the different events take place the feasts begin around the state. Traditional New Mexican Christmas meals consist of tamales, red chili, posole (hominy), beans and our state cookie, the biscochito (sugar cookies baked with anice, licorice spice).

Christmas in New Mexico is focused on traditions. We like to think that our style of holiday is a small getaway from the Christmas seasons that held at hostage by the department stores. How do you spend the holiday? Will you be traveling to New Mexico? Tell us your plans this season…

Our mezzanine has been transformed into a local artist’s gallery that has art from corner to corner. Be sure to save a little time next time you’re in to walk through and enjoy these pieces by an array of local artists.

In addition to our mezzanine being transformed, “Art in Action” allows the community to have a behind-the-scenes look at local artists creating their art in the lobby of Hotel Andaluz each month. Eliza Schmid will be featured on Nov. 13^th and J. Waid Griffin, also a painter, will be featured the following evening. Both shows will run from 5 – 8 p.m. Hotel Andaluz will donate a percentage of sales that occur during “Art in Action” to Harwood Art Center, a community outreach program of Escuela del Sol, an independent, non-profit Montessori school founded in 1968. harwoodartcenter.org

“Hotel Andaluz has always had a focus on local artists, which is evident in our mezzanine gallery,” said Howard Jacobs, General Manager of Hotel Andaluz. “This program takes it a step further and our ongoing partnerships with local organizations will give our guests a taste of Albuquerque’s thriving arts scene.” We are really excited about this new partnership and want to invite the community and guests to come experience this with us. Hope to see you on November 13 & 14!

The newest wedding tradition that couples seem to be embracing is to forgo tradition! More and more couples are finding ways to personalize their wedding ceremony and reception so that the events are truly reflective of who they are.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for how some couples have personalized their wedding days:

Fashion Forward

Bypass the customary white or ivory and choose a wedding dress color and style that matches your personality! Your groom can follow suit by shying away from the classic black and white tuxedo and experimenting with color and style as well.

Don’t be afraid to show off those tattoos — or for your bridal party to show theirs! Tattoos are an accessory. If you can commit to a tattoo for life than it is part of who you are and you should feel confident showing it off!

Express Yourself

The music you choose sets the tone for the wedding ceremony. Choose meaningful songs to play while guests await the start of the ceremony and while the bridal party walks down the aisle. On New Year’s Eve, one of our brides chose to walk down the aisle to the Thompson Twins “If You Were Here” from Sixteen Candles. It told all of us familiar with the movie that the bride had found her own “Jake Ryan.”

The Time Capsule

A thoughtful and creative couple who tied the knot with us this year chose to have a time capsule as part of their ceremony. Each privately wrote a heartfelt letter to the other and sealed it within the time capsule along with a token from their relationship. In the future, the couple will share its contents with each other, serving as a beautiful reminder of their love and commitment to each other.

However you choose to celebrate your wedding day, I recommend doing it your way.  After all, it’s your big day!

We all know that Albuquerque has some of the best weather anywhere, which is why we personally can’t wait to starting enjoying starry nights in the great outdoors once again. Luckily, we’re re-opening the Ibiza rooftop just in time for days filled with glorious sunshine and nights perfect for lingering outside with a cocktail and good conversation.

Of course, no re-opening would be complete without a party, so we’re throwing one to celebrate our reemergence. Join us on May 4 and let us spoil you with samples from our brand new tapas menu and demos from our brand new resident mixologist. We’ll also be introducing a bevy of new craft beers to the bar and will provide samples so you can become better acquainted. Since nothing is complete without a good soundtrack for the evening, we’ll have live entertainment as well.

Dress to impress

To RSVP, hit us up on the Hotel Andaluz Facebook page. If you RSVP, you’ll be automatically entered to win a rooftop party for 10!

$39 adults
$30 seniors
$15 kids 6-10
FREE kids 5 & under

Reservations:

Phone: 505.923.9080
Not crazy about talking on the phone? We’ve got you covered: OpenTable.com

Easter Brunch at Hotel Andaluz is as much a tradition as chocolate bunnies and hiding baskets. Bring the family and settle in for a relaxing brunch while enjoying our special Easter menu. Selections are as varied as colored Easter eggs…chilled seafood display, salad station, carved entrees and pasta dishes will all be available to delight your palate. Oh, and dessert. Did we mention dessert? Triple chocolate layered mousse, dried Bing cherry brioche bread pudding and white chocolate quesadillas, to name a few. And for those that like a little fire on a Sunday morning? Live Bananas Foster station.

Call to make reservations while there is still room at this often sold-out holiday.