ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Hotel Chaco, a 118-room boutique luxury hotel inspired by the ancient civilization of Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is expected to open in Old Town Albuquerque in April, 2017, it was announced last month.
“We’re creating a hotel where guests will experience the true culture of New Mexico in a way that has never been done before,” said Jim Long, CEO, Heritage Hotels & Resorts. “We are blending ancient building techniques from New Mexico Native Americans with modern amenities and designs from the best designers in the world to create a new hotel that will redefine and advance the architectural building style in our state.”
The property is adjacent to sister property Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, with which it shares a pool, ballrooms and wedding chapel.
Chef Mark Miller will consult on the concept for Hotel Chaco’s rooftop restaurant, Level 5. Together with interior designer Kris Lajeskie, the hotel has commissioned contemporary Native American artists to create original art works for its public spaces and guestrooms.
Working with chef Gilbert Aragon of Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Miller will help develop a menu drawing on archaeology, farming and the evolution of food preparation.
The restaurant, located on the hotel’s fifth floor rooftop, will be called Level 5 in honor of Chaco Canyon’s Pueblo Bonito, which also had five stories. It will feature views of the Sandia Mountains and accommodate up to 250 guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while also providing room service.
Among the Native American artists working on original pieces for Hotel Chaco are Joe Cajero (Jemez Pueblo), who will create a bronze sculpture for the lobby, Navajo Weavers from Toadlena Trading Post, who will contribute original weavings to hang above guestroom beds, and Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), who is creating a clay sculpture for the ledge above the lobby reception desk. Tammy Garcia (Santa Clara Pueblo) will design the main doors and ceiling in the lobby, which will also feature an original painting by Tony Abeyta (Navajo).
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