La Posada de Albuquerque was built in 1939 by New Mexico native Conrad Hilton as the Albuquerque Hilton Hotel. It was the fourth Hilton built and the first built outside of Texas. On the corner of Second and Copper in downtown Albuquerque, it was convenient to Route 66 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad depot. With a two-story lobby, arches, hand carved beams and balconies overlooking the lobby it was one of Albuquerque’s finer places to stay. When it opened on June 9, 1939, it was the first building In Albuquerque and New Mexico with air conditioning and the tallest in both at the time at the time.

After almost 30 years, Hilton needed a larger facility in Albuquerque and sold his downtown property. It was renamed the Hotel Plaza. By the early Eighties several floors were leased to the railroad and bus companies for their crews and drivers. The hotel was developing a less than desirable reputation as a “flophouse” finally closing it doors. With the help of a grant from the City of Albuquerque and assistance from the National Register of Historic Places a full scale restoration began, with the goal to return the hotel to the glory of its days in 1939.

Today the La Posada de Albuquerque blends the rich history of Albuquerque and New Mexico with modern conveniences and amenities. The 112 Guest Rooms and Mini-Suites, smaller than some newer hotels, are richly appointed in the style of 1930s New Mexico. Conrad’s Downtown restaurant serves New Mexican and American fare and the Lobby Bar is a favorite Albuquerque watering hole with live music Friday and Saturday evenings. Five meeting rooms, the Ballroom, the Boardroom, the Plaza Suite, Eulalias and the Fireplace, total over 6,000 square feet for weddings, conventions, meetings and dinners.

The La Posada de Albuquerque isn’t just a place to stay, its an historic experience.

For more information connect to www.laposada-abq.com.