Monterey Motel. Originally built in 1946, this restored sister property to El Vado reopened in 2021. “Rooms at the Monterey have a bit more of a contemporary, chic aesthetic,” says Nate Valdez, Palindrome Communities area general manager. Motel guests check in at the Momo Lounge, a craft-cocktail bar with an urban feel. Having a bar as the welcome desk means you can kick off your stay with a festive drink made from local spirits, he says. In addition to private rooms, the Monterey offers “StayAts”—communal, “hostelesque” accommodations perfect for groups or solo travelers who want to mingle in Albuquerque.
Imperial Inn. This spring, Palindrome Communities expects to unveil its latest Central Avenue revitalization project in Albuquerque, the Imperial Inn. The reimagined motel just east of downtown boasts 56 rooms, eight apartments, a cocktail lounge, taproom, coffee shop, and space for more restaurants and retailers. “It will be a re-creation of what the Imperial was at its height in the 1960s,” says Valdez.
Sunset Motel. Located in the heart of Moriarty, the Sunset (est. 1959) earns distinction as New Mexico’s only Route 66 motel still owned by its original family. Owners Mike and Debbie Pogue began renovating the family business in 2011 but were careful to retain the motel’s original look. Midcentury furniture, wood-paneled walls, and exposed cinder block add to its retro charm. In fact, the comfortable and affordable motel feels so authentically vintage period specific that it has been used as a set piece in several movies and television shows, including Hell or High Water (2016) and Poker Face (2023).