Last Updated on October 29, 2025
Just by walking into The Clyde Hotel, visitors get an immediate taste of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s quirky, welcoming appeal.
The sunken, square lobby shows off the boutique hotel’s ‘pueblo deco’ design, nodding to the region’s Native American Pueblos. Crushed velvet couches and chairs in rust, apple green, and sapphire rest in clusters on a carpet of fan-shaped leaves. Four potted palm trees soar in the center, drawing my eyes to the lobby’s peaked glass ceiling.
A piano in the corner calls out with 1920s jazz music.
The Clyde Hotel is part of Heritage Hotels and Resorts, which includes ten destinations throughout New Mexico. Heritage began 20 years ago to showcase the Native American, Mexican, Spanish, and American Western culture that makes the state so unique.
Clyde Tingley, the namesake of the hotel, was an influential local politician. He served as an alderman and chairman of the Albuquerque City Commission, then was elected governor of New Mexico in 1935. His friendship with Franklin D. Roosevelt helped secure funds for public works in the wake of the Great Depression.
The city honored Tingley by naming multiple places after him, including a coliseum, a street, and a riverfront beach.
Pueblo Deco
Beyond the lobby, 1922 Bar & Lounge features the dark, comfortable feel of a speakeasy. The 1920s come alive in its creative cocktails, such as the Stout Flip, Mulled Fashion, and Penicillin. The bar also offers local beers on tap. Grab a small snack from the happy hour menu or enjoy a meal off the small but interesting dinner offerings.
The lemon yellow and spring green colors of Carrie’s Restaurant suffuse the cheerful feel of the gay 1920s. The breakfast menu reflects local tastes with items such as the Pueblo Omelet with charred corn, calabacitas, and your choice of red, green, or Christmas chile sauce (red and green) and the New Mexican Shakshuka, with Chimayo chile and tomato stew. Lunch options include a salad bar, specialty salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, and hearty entrees.
I enjoyed a kale and farro salad topped with cotija crumbles, jicama, and fennel.
A rooftop pool with a hot tub, a well-equipped fitness center, and a small market with snacks add to the hotel amenities. There is also the Little Bear Coffee shop just past the lobby, which opens at 7:00 a.m.
A renovation of its 386 guest rooms and suites is currently ongoing to reflect the Art Deco style with patterned wallpaper and iconic fixtures. I stayed in one of the unrenovated rooms, but it was large and comfortable with a fabulous view of Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza. From the valet members who greet guests to the wait staff and front desk clerks, every staff member I interacted with provided friendly, efficient service.
If you’re planning a visit to Albuquerque, The Clyde Hotel offers a classic New Mexican atmosphere with a snazzy 1920s flair. Its location ensures visitors have the perfect base for exploring all the fun activities and tasty New Mexican cuisine in this historic, festive city.
Exploring Albuquerque
The Clyde Hotel offers an excellent location for exploring Albuquerque. The convention center sits across the street, and many activities are within a short drive.
Historic Old Town
Old Town Albuquerque, founded in 1706, retains its historic New Mexican look with over 150 shops, galleries, and restaurants to enjoy. A central park contains a gazebo that hosted a lively mariachi band and vibrantly costumed dancers the day I visited.
San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793, anchors the town center.
ABQ BioPark
Located on the north bank of the Rio Grande, The ABQ BioPark features a botanic garden, zoo, and aquarium. I visited the Botanic Garden on a drizzly morning. Handsome wood ducks grazed in the pond as I wandered through bamboo to find the waterfall in the Japanese Garden and the tiles in the Spanish-Moorish Garden.
The aquarium and botanic garden share a central plaza, but the zoo is less than a 10- minute drive or a 50-minute walk from the entrance. I called a Lyft and arrived in a few minutes for less than $10.
Nearby Museums
The Albuquerque Museum offers permanent and traveling exhibits showcasing art and history. The American International Rattlesnake Museum features an extensive collection of rattlesnake species from North, South, and Central America, as well as artifacts and memorabilia.
Also nearby are the Turquoise Museum and National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
For a week in October, Albuquerque hosts one of the most breathtaking events I have ever seen: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Setting out from the hotel at 4:30 a.m. ensured that my group arrived well before dawn and the balloons’ takeoff.
As the sun rose over the Sandia Mountains, we watched the hot air balloons go from being spread out on the ground to rising vertically as they filled with air. Fiesta patrons then loaded into the baskets, and the balloons rose one after another over the next couple of hours. The sky filled with over 500 balloons in every color, many in the shape of animals.
Later in the morning, a competition had participants maneuvering their craft over a field, attempting to toss a marker onto a target. Booths surrounding the field offered food, souvenirs, and entertainment.
In the evenings, the balloons don’t ascend but do fire up for the twilight glow. Fireworks and drone light shows add more fun to the festivities.
Insider tip here: plan your trip and purchase your festival tickets well in advance, as close to a million people attend the yearly event that covers nine days.
Where to Dine in Albuquerque
505 Central Food Hall
Two blocks from The Clyde Hotel, 505 Central Food Hall features six restaurant stands serving burgers, pizza, Chinese food, tacos, ramen, and fried chicken. The space also includes a microbrewery, a sports bar, a coffee and tea counter, and plenty of seats in the central area. I enjoyed a light lunch of vegetarian sushi and jasmine tea, which I carried back with me to relax in the hotel lobby.
D. H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro
D.H. Lescombes sports five locations in New Mexico, including one in Old Town Albuquerque. The sixth generation of the Lescombes family manages the winery in the southwest part of the state. The spacious dining room and outdoor patio provide a comfortable setting to enjoy a steak, pasta, or the bistro’s specialty, Southwest Meatloaf. The knowledgeable servers help patrons choose from their extensive list of interesting wines.
M’tucci’s Restaurants
M’tucci’s four restaurants in the Albuquerque area offer delectable Italian food. Our table shared a lush charcuterie board with prosciutto, salami, fresh mozzarella with tomatoes, and a variety of olives and cheeses. I started my meal with an excellent blackberry and goat cheese salad, then enjoyed the scrumptious smoked beef tip ravioli. The dinner was enhanced with glasses of Montepulciano and Nebbiolo and a creamy cheesecake to finish.
Weck’s
This eatery has been serving hearty breakfast and lunch made from scratch since 1991. The restaurants offer New Mexican specialties as well as typical American fare. My fluffy waffles were topped with fresh strawberries and bananas and plenty of whipped cream.
