Old Town’s Hotel Chaco Announces Opening Date

By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor

Hotel Chaco, Albuquerque, N.M.

Albuquerque, N.M.—Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town’s sister property Hotel Chaco will open in April 2017 in Old Town Albuquerque. The luxury hotel, inspired by the architecture and ancient civilization of Chaco Canyon, marks the first from-the-ground-up design/build project from Heritage Hotels & Resorts.

Hotel Chaco topped off in August and the exterior façade is scheduled for completion in January 2017. It will share a pool, the ballrooms and a wedding chapel with the adjacent Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. Renowned chef Mark Miller will consult on the concept for Hotel Chaco’s rooftop restaurant, Level 5, named in the honor of Chaco Canyon’s legendary five-story Pueblo Bonito. Level 5 can accommodate up to 250 guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while also providing room service.

“We’re creating a hotel where guests will experience the true culture of New Mexico in a way that has never been done before,” Jim Long, CEO, Heritage Hotels & Resorts said in a prepared statement. “We are blending ancient building techniques from New Mexico Native Americans with modern amenities and designs from the best designers in the world to create a new hotel that will redefine and advance the architectural building style in our state. The services, sacred architecture and accommodations this hotel will provide will embrace the native people’s artistic sensibility and oneness with nature.”

Joe Cajero, Jemez Pueblo

A collaboration with interior designer Kris Lajeskie commissioned an elite cadre of contemporary Native American artists to create original art works for the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms. Among the Native American artists contracted for Hotel Chaco are Joe Cajero of Jemez Pueblo who will create a bronze sculpture for the lobby. Navajo Weavers from Trading Post will contribute original weavings to hang above the guest room beds and Roxanne Swentzell of Santa Clara Pueblo is creating a clay sculpture for the ledge above the lobby reception desk. An original painting by Tony Abeyta (Navajo) will create a focal point in the lobby, and the lobby’s main doors and ceiling will be designed by Tammy Garcia of Santa Clara Pueblo. A glass sculpture chandelier by Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owinjeh Pueblos) will hang from the lobby ceiling, while signature staff uniforms will be designed by Patricia Michaels of Taos Pueblo.

Images courtesy of Gensler & Hotel Chaco