When my husband’s employer sent him to Albuquerque, New Mexico on a business trip, I went with him because I’d never been to the capital city of “The Land of Enchantment.” We decided to stay at the MCM Elegante, because, at $75 a night for a three star hotel, it seemed like a good deal. It turned out to be a great deal. Here’s why.
About MCM Elegante Hotels
MCM Elegante is a southwestern chain, with hotels in Texas, New Mexico, and southern Colorado. Though listed online as a three star hotel, in my opinion, it offers four star service. When we pulled in after a long, hard day of driving, we were greeted by a friendly front desk staff in an elegant lobby, then taken to a clean and comfortable room with a soft bed and toiletries by Bath and Body Works. After a good night’s sleep, we were ready to explore the hotel amenities.
The Food
The first thing we did was head down to the on-site restaurant for a free hot breakfast. I had an omlette cooked to order, while Hubby decided to take advantage of the waffle maker and get a fresh, hot waffle topped with maple syrup. Coffee, tea, doughnuts, bagels and breakfast pastries were available, as were a wide variety of hot and cold cereals. That evening, we had dinner in the same restaurant. While not as impressive as the breakfast spread, the food served in the evening was satisfactory.
Service and Amenities
Hubby and I were highly impressed with the service at the MCM Elegante. The first night I went to the front desk to ask for some salt to use in our humidifier (our sinuses don’t like dry air). I expected to be handed a small packet or be directed to the breakfast area. Instead, the front desk staffer said “what room are you in? I will bring it to your room.” This was repeated throughout our stay; every time we needed something, it was taken care of quickly and courteously.
We also enjoyed the amenities at the hotel. Hubby enjoyed a soak in the indoor hot tub after a hard day at work while I took a swim in the indoor pool or had a workout at the fitness center. All the areas were clean, well-maintained, attractive, and quiet. Over the weekend, we took the hotel’s free shuttle to a local museum and enjoyed two free cocktails (each) at the hotel’s bar. Though we didn’t use them, the hotel also has a business center and conference facilities.
For Pet’s Sake
Since we were traveling with our dog (a miniature dachshund), we appreciated the hotel’s pet-friendly policies. Usually when our mutt is with us, we have to search for a patch of grass for him to do his business. At the MCM Elegante, there was a large, grassy park, complete with a picnic table and doggy waste station. It gave our dog plenty of room to run around and burn off his dachshund energy, which kept him (and us) happy and calm. I enjoyed having dog waste bags provided, since we sometimes run out and have to use grocery bags.
Problems
There really wasn’t much to complain about at this hotel. When I took the elevator to the fourth floor to do laundry, I did notice that there were some signs of water damage, but there was no musty smell, unpleasant odors, or any visible dirt. The laundry room was small (only two washers and two dryers), but that’s fairly standard for hotel laundry facilities. The phone in our hotel room didn’t work very well, but that was fixed as soon as we mentioned it. Others who have stayed in this hotel have reported that sports teams stay there quite often, and if one is there when you are, it’s wise to ask for a room on the other side of the hotel.
If You Go
The MCM Elegante is located at 2020 Menaul NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107. You can call toll-free at 866-650-4900 , or locally at 505-881-4806. You can also make reservation’s at the hotel’s website, http://mcmelegantealbuquerque.com/. Be aware that in order to take advantage of free drinks at the hotel’s bar, you need to book directly through the hotel’s website. They will match prices at most of the major travel sites (with the exception of Hotwire’s “secret rates”).