Castaneda Hotel wins state preservation award

The Castaneda Hotel of Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently won a 2022 CPRC Heritage Preservation Award for architectural heritage from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Commission. The state historic preservation office posted this on social media about the award: Affeldt and Mion also own the historic Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, New Mexico, and … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel wins state preservation award

Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires

Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires

New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise

A recent article in an Arizona newspaper answers a question -- who became the new chef at The Turquoise Room restaurant in La Posada of Winslow, Arizona, after John Sharpe retired in October? The short answer: Jesus Nunez, a native of Mexico who was Sharpe's right-hand man for more than three decades. According to the … Continue reading New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise

La Posada, Castaneda Hotel, Plaza Hotel schedule dates for their reopenings

La Posada in Winslow, Arizona The Castaneda Hotel and Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, will reopen May 18 and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, will reopen June 8 after closing in March because of the coronavirus. Allan Affeldt, who owns the properties, said those are the recommended dates for easing restrictions in each … Continue reading La Posada, Castaneda Hotel, Plaza Hotel schedule dates for their reopenings

Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests

The Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, reopened Monday to seven overnight guests. Another seven rooms will be open in a few days, and its saloon will open later this month. It had been more than 50 years since the Castaneda operated as a hotel. It also appears the century-old former Harvey House is … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel reopens to overnight guests

Castaneda Hotel’s south wing likely will open April 1

The south wing of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, likely will open to overnight travelers for the first time in decades on April 1. The hotel's Facebook page posted this brief announcement on Monday: Friday we passed our elevator and fire inspections 😇. We should be able to open the south wing … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel’s south wing likely will open April 1

Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21

Workers plan to finish a multiyear restoration of the historic Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by spring and fully reopen it by June 21, according to a video posted Tuesday on the hotel's blog. The hotel hopes to have the south wing ready for overnight occupancy by March and will take reservations for … Continue reading Castaneda Hotel plans to fully reopen by June 21

Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe

Allan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, who is restoring the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, recently acquired another historic property south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Affeldt now owns the Legal Tender restaurant and saloon in the village of Lamy, New … Continue reading Affeldt acquires historic saloon near Santa Fe

Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019

A group of volunteers in Albuquerque has labored for years to restore a Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive that hasn't rolled down a set of tracks in 65 years. With more work and a bit of luck, the locomotive will chug into Las Vegas, New Mexico, about the time the long-closed Castaneda Hotel there reopens … Continue reading Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019