THE HUM OF FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR greeted us in the lobby of the recently opened Arrive Albuquerque hotel. “Checking in,” I said at the front desk, but the gravitational pull of the adjacent DWTNR Cocktail Bar & Lounge had already attracted my curiosity. I looked at my watch. We probably had just enough time to drop our bags, freshen up, and grab a drink downstairs before heading to dinner and an evening out with friends along that stretch of Central Avenue.
Our room looked out over the Zia-shaped pool, where two brave teens had the place all to themselves (it was early April and cold). Still, the dance beats pumping out of the outdoor speakers and patio connecting the bar to the pool let you know this was the kind of lazy hang that spring breaks and summer vacations are made for.
With our overnight bags deposited in our room, we headed to the DWTNR, which takes its name from the original 1965 Downtowner Motor Inn. The mix of midcentury modern and contemporary Southwestern styles—including a massive exterior mural by Diné/Chicana artist Nani Chacon—threads throughout the property, which reopened in early 2025 after a multiyear renovation.
Lounge poolside at Arrive Albuquerque.
Photograph by Tira Howard.
We found two red-leather seats at the bar in the otherwise-packed lounge, ordered drinks from the cocktail-heavy menu, and soaked in the hip atmosphere. As green chile smashburgers, tacos, and Korean chicken and waffles showed up to the diner-style booths around us, I was tempted to order a little something. “We have dinner plans,” my wife, Kathleen, reminded me.
So we stepped out onto Central and met our friends for ramen, dumplings, and plenty of good conversation at Oni, then wandered back toward our hotel for a nightcap at Ex Novo Brewing Company. We hugged on the street, said our goodbyes, and tucked in for the night.
In the morning, we strolled through the first Downtown Growers’ Market of the season in Robinson Park across the street and grabbed brunch next door at Damacios Bar & Tapas before packing up for home.
It was just the kind of quick overnight getaway that can recharge your batteries and have you planning for the next escape. It’s also a good travel reminder—like the other renovated hotels, stylish inns, unique lodgings, and hip Route 66 motels featured in this month’s “Book It!” cover story—that where you choose to end the day can be just as important as what you pack into it.
For a quieter northern escape, consider Hotel Willa in Taos, where mountain views and local art create a similarly thoughtful stay.
