©2009 Ramona Willis d’Viola/ilumus photography
The 107-room Hotel Andaluz, formerly La Posada de Albuquerque, has reopened following a $30 million restoration that incorporates LEED Gold standards while preserving the building’s historic integrity. Located in downtown Albuquerque, the hotel features Moroccan and Spanish colonial influences in its architecture and interior design. Guestrooms are outfitted with eco-conscious products and materials, dedicated work space, ergonomic desks and chairs, experience showers, and the latest in soundproofing technology. Guests also have access to 7,000 square feet of meeting space, coffee nooks, the Martin J. Chavez Library (named in honor of the city’s current mayor), signature restaurant Lucia, and a rooftop bar that will integrate a large fire and water feature, indoor/outdoor bar, and private party areas.
The arts will also play a significant role in the hotel. A mezzanine-level cultural center honors New Mexico’s museums, cultural institutions, performing arts groups, and other culturally significant organizations, and will feature exhibits from area museums and galleries, as well as live music performances and an interactive kiosk that will allow guests to plan cultural activities in the area. Regular live activities at the property will include New Mexico Symphony Orchestra events, a fine arts music series from the University of New Mexico, a jazz series and workshop, Native American music, an artist-in-residence program with lobby plaza artist-at-work and workshops, and additional cultural displays and workshops.
Hotel Andaluz has also incorporated a number of eco-sensitive features, including:
• Solar-heated hot water system: 60 percent of domestic hot water will be generated using solar energy derived from the 73 solar panels installed on the roof
• Waste reduction: more than 500 tons of construction and demolition materials have been removed from the waste stream through recycling and reuse
• Integrated building energy management system: the system will utilize sensors in each of the 107 guestrooms to conserve energy by automatically adjusting heating/cooling and lighting levels when the rooms are unoccupied
• High-efficiency mechanical equipment: boiler and chiller plants have been replaced with high-efficiency, quick-recovery units
• Lighting: compact fluorescent and LED lighting will be used throughout the hotel
• High-performance windows: these were designed to be historically accurate and to significantly reduce energy loss
• Interior finishes: these have been carefully selected to incorporate recycled materials, natural products, and low VOC materials
• Guestroom amenity dispensers
• Green cleaning products and practices
The hotel is owned by Goodman Realty Group and operated by Gemstone Hotels & Resorts.
