El Vado to host annual Route 66 Road Ahead reception, board meeting

The revitalized El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will host next month's Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership's annual board of directors meeting, plus a stakeholders reception that's open to all. The board of directors meeting will be from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and from 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 at the  motel at … Continue reading El Vado to host annual Route 66 Road Ahead reception, board meeting

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

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

Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening

Hundreds of people flocked to the grand reopening Friday night of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque after a 13-year hiatus. KOB-TV filed this 2 1/2-minute report from the scene: A few facts about El Vado Motel and its $18 million redevelopment: The complex exists as a combination boutique motel, events center and a … Continue reading Scenes from El Vado Motel’s grand reopening

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

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

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

Officials break ground on De Anza project in Albuquerque

The long-awaited redevelopment of De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque officially began Wednesday with a ground-breaking ceremony at the historic but closed Route 66 motel. Mayor-elect Tim Keller and current mayor Richard Berry, who officially leaves office this week, were there to help use the shovels at the event, according to Albuquerque Business First. The … Continue reading Officials break ground on De Anza project in Albuquerque

El Vado Motel to reopen in December; De Anza in 2019

The long-simmering restoration of Albuquerque's historic El Vado Motel is slated to reach completion by December, when it reopens as a boutique motel with local-beer taproom, retail store, mixed-income housing and food pods. The city had hoped to have it open by the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta earlier this month. Meanwhile, restoration work on the … Continue reading El Vado Motel to reopen in December; De Anza in 2019