Home2 Suites By Hilton Albuquerque Airport

The other Hilton properties near the airport have gone downhill, and I refuse to stay at them now. At the HGI around the corner, the same damaged walls and flooring kept greeting me each time. The owners of the Home2 have kept standards up and make repairs when needed. Last time, for example, they were replacing or repairing lobby tiles. Thanks to Total Management Systems for maintaining such a nice airport option. Home2 at ABQ airport is great for an early flight, a late arrival, or any time you need to be on Albuquerque’s south side. The staff are always friendly and helpful. Rooms have been clean and nicely equipped, the beds are comfortable, and it’s quiet. Breakfast is just right for a quick bite before heading out. I almost hate to write this because I don’t want everyone to start staying here.

The pool was listed as “under maintenance,” but nobody told us before we took a 2-year-old and an 11-year-old in their swimsuits down to the lobby, where we were simply told, “sorry.” I called to complain. The clerk said she’d tell the manager, but didn’t say whether anyone would call back. Who knows. Never again. They also sometimes charge $8 for parking, even though there’s nothing special about the lot and nobody collecting money from arriving cars. We’ve stayed twice and were charged only once, so apparently you only pay sometimes if you’re a guest.

The hotel was clean, had good breakfast, and most of the staff were great. The woman on the evening shift was especially helpful when I returned to check in, and she offered a discount because I hadn’t received the room I originally booked. But at checkout the same morning clerk was working, and my wife noticed the discount hadn’t been applied. The clerk said she knew we hadn’t received the room, but didn’t know about the discount and didn’t call her manager to ask. Earlier, I’d arrived at 3 p.m. and was told to wait longer instead of being told my room wasn’t available. The morning clerk with glasses was unhelpful and seemed uninterested. I stood there for 15 minutes, then had to call the front desk phone to get her to come over. She also left the desk unattended with customer information visible, including names and who needed a card on file.

The place looks new and was clean apart from hair and soap left in the shower by the previous guest. The bed was comfortable, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here. Breakfast costs extra, and what we got tasted awful. The omelet was spongy and watery, the sausage patties were undercooked, the pastry had spinach and feta in it, and everything was cold. The coffee tasted like dirty cardboard and seemed extremely stale. I’m guessing they buy it in bulk and keep it for about a year. Parking costs $8 for a tiny space. Someone has to squeeze sideways through a quarter-open door to back the car into the driving lane, so you can load your belongings and passengers.