TownePlace Suites Albuquerque North

The beds were comfortable, the bedding was clean, and the kitchenette in our room worked as advertised. The front desk staff were pleasant and helpful, too. Several of my relatives and I stayed here while in town for a funeral, and I was also working remotely. We all found the hotel pretty mediocre, and despite being from ABQ and expecting to return, we don’t plan to stay here again. The location didn’t work well for us. There’s a new entertainment development nearby, but the hotel still feels far from downtown, Old Town, the zoo, and the botanical gardens. In a great food city like ABQ, I’d rather not be limited to the same big chain restaurants you find everywhere. There aren’t good, well-lit trails nearby either, and most of the area is concrete. If you’re up for a longer run, Academy or Arroyo del Oso are options, but you’re looking at at least 6-7 miles. The gym wasn’t much help: two treadmills, only one with a working TV, two ellipticals, some weights, no view, and even a cockroach. The WiFi never got past a spinning “trying to connect” screen, so I used my phone hotspot all weekend. That seems like an easy fix, but it was a big frustration. I did appreciate Marriott’s effort to cut down on waste in the gym by offering unwrapped single cups. Water fountains or letting guests use their own bottles would be even better. You’ll probably be fine if you just need a room for the night, but I’d look for a better location if you have time to plan. Hotel ABQ or somewhere similar might suit you better.

I’m here often, and the beds are comfortable, the staff are consistently nice, and there’s lots of food nearby. The TVs are my only real gripe. They’re small, the picture isn’t good, and some have odd bright spots. Then again, who watches TV?

My mom and I spent six days here for International Ballon Fiesta. The person at the front desk was very warm when we arrived, but the rest of our stay was nothing like that first impression. There was a strong, musty smell in the room that didn’t go away when we turned on the AC. By the third night, we thought it might be mold under the carpet, especially after we both had constant sneezing, runny and bloody noses, and headaches. The room also wouldn’t hold the temperature set on the thermostat. The safety problems were alarming. The dresser between the queen beds wasn’t attached to the wall, and its drawers were uneven. When my mom opened the top two, it tipped onto her and left two bruises on her arm. Carpet tacks were also exposed along the carpet edge and pierced her toe. That’s dangerous for guests and staff, and it could have seriously hurt a child. The room didn’t seem properly cleaned, either. There was hair under the pillow by the headboard and clumps of hair in several corners. We found no apology or help from the General Manager or Hotel Engineer. They said they didn’t stay in the rooms, nobody had complained before, and nothing could be done unless someone complained. When I asked if they only fixed things after a guest got hurt, they still offered no resolution. I was told escalating it would be pointless, and the manager said they weren’t required to follow Marriott standards. Our family has been Marriott Chairman Club and Titanium Elite members for years, and we’ve never been brushed off about health and safety like this. We won’t return and can’t recommend the hotel. We felt we were paying Marriott Marquis prices for Motel 8 service. It appears to us that there may be OSHA and BBB violations, and we plan to file complaints with both so future guests and employees aren’t put at risk.

There are lots of nearby restaurants, and the hotel has the amenities you might need. It’s a nice place inside and out, but you’ll pay for it. I like staying at some of the best hotels when I treat myself, and this is probably among Albuquerque’s top 10. Seems well suited to relaxing or a romantic getaway. Some of the staff were friendly.