El Vado Motel in Albuquerque to begin taking overnight guests Monday

After almost a 13-year hiatus, the historic and redeveloped El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will begin accepting overnight guests Monday. KOB-TV reported the latest development with the Route 66 landmark. For now, prospective overnight guests can use this link at Booking.com get a room. A perusal of the site shows El Vado has rooms priced … Continue reading El Vado Motel in Albuquerque to begin taking overnight guests Monday

University Lodge in Albuquerque plans big transformation

The historic University Lodge in Albuquerque eventually will be transformed into a boutique hotel, including retail spaces and a rooftop brewery and restaurant. According to a story in Albuquerque Business First, the University Lodge at 3711 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will be rebranded as a “chic” and “retro” Avenue Motel, Sharamin Dharas told the newspaper. … Continue reading University Lodge in Albuquerque plans big transformation

Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Back in 1991, about the time the renaissance of Route 66 was starting, “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent Bill Geist traveled a section of the Mother Road from Albuquerque westward for a nine-minute segment on the weekly program. Those nine minutes had never made it online — until now. The occasion was prompted by Geist’s retirement … Continue reading Bill Geist 1991 segment on Route 66 finally goes online

Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies

Norman Bugg, who operated the Monterey Motel along Route 66 in Albuquerque for 25 years, died Sunday of heart failure. He was 89. The Albuquerque Journal, which reported Bugg’s death Monday, said he refurbished and remodeled an aging motel into Triple Diamond-rated lodging. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers … Continue reading Longtime operator of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque dies

Enchanted Trails RV Park no longer is renting out its vintage trailers

Recently, I saw on the Route66 group on Yahoo the Enchanted Trails RV Park in west Albuquerque no longer was renting out its six vintage trails to overnight guests. I messaged owner Vickie Ashcraft whether it was true. She wrote: I’m going to honor the reservations I have but I’m not taking new reservations. We … Continue reading Enchanted Trails RV Park no longer is renting out its vintage trailers

El Vado Motel inches closer to reopening

The historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is moving closer to reopening — probably sometime in May — after a lengthy redevelopment on the long-closed Route 66 property. While in Albuquerque earlier this week, we dropped by to check on progress on the property, which is being converted into a boutique motel with food pods, … Continue reading El Vado Motel inches closer to reopening

Monterey Motel may become Albuquerque historic landmark

The Monterey Motel, once known as the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel, has been nominated as an Albuquerque historic landmark. According to a story from KRQE-TV, the city’s Landmarks Commission will discuss the Monterey Motel nomination on Feb. 13. If the commission approves it, it moves on to final approval to the city council. Here’s the story … Continue reading Monterey Motel may become Albuquerque historic landmark

El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion

The long process of restoring the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is just a few weeks from reaching the finish line, according to the president of the project’s developer. Last year, officials hoped for a late summer opening. That date got pushed to December. KOB-TV in Albuquerque found out why the project took longer … Continue reading El Vado Motel restoration ‘a few weeks’ from completion

Albuquerque cracks down on Bow and Arrow Lodge

The city of Albuquerque has cracked down on the crime-infested Bow and Arrow Lodge along Route 66, giving the motel 120 days to improve conditions or it faces the possibility of a shutdown. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque recently reported the city found a variety of code violations when it inspected the motel a few weeks ago. … Continue reading Albuquerque cracks down on Bow and Arrow Lodge

A few thoughts on the AP’s story on the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

A few days ago, Russell Contreras, a reporter with the Associated Press’ Albuquerque bureau, filed a story last week about the imminent demise of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Because AP stories fly all over the globe and are picked up by dozens of news outlets, I thought I’d better address some of the … Continue reading A few thoughts on the AP’s story on the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program