SUNLIGHT CATCHES THE TIP of the Sandia Mountains to the east. Hues of gold flood the landscape around the 300-acre Sandia Resort & Casino. The adobe-style building rises nine stories, mirroring the distant mountains, both of which are named for Pueblo of Sandia, the Tiwa-speaking community that has occupied this region since 1300.  

Inside, wide halls branch away from the huge sunlit grand foyer. The attention to detail stands out immediately: spotless floors with intricate Native designs, wooden furniture over woven rugs, and massive, beautifully carved vigas stretching across the ceilings. Whether you’re here for a meal, a round of golf, a visit to the spa, or a relaxing weekend getaway, the pueblo-owned resort welcomes visitors for a meaningful stay in New Mexico. 

One end of the foyer leads out to a large patio that encircles the resort’s massive swimming pool, where private cabanas, daybeds, and lounge areas are available. A full bar offers frozen drinks, green chile burgers, and fish tacos. A DJ sets up near the pool during summer weekends, and beach balls are on the house. 

Spend an afternoon poolside before heading over to one of the resort’s restaurants. Kiva Koffee, right off the foyer, features freshly made pastries, including a classic Chantilly fruit tart and red velvet truffles. Next door, circular booths and wood-paneled walls make the Council Room Restaurant and Bar the spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sports fans can head to the third-floor Sandia Sports Bar for mountain views; 66 giant TVs to watch their favorite teams; a circular bar serving craft beers and cocktails; an all-star menu of burgers, sandwiches, and specialty entrées; and the Sandia Sportsbook. 

Relax at Sandia Resort & Casino’s Green Reed Spa.

Top off your visit with a special dinner at Bien Shur restaurant. Located on the ninth floor, the fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views across Albuquerque all the way to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe. On the weekends, jazz and soul bands play in Bien Shur’s main lounge, which mixes Art Deco sensibilities with a Southwestern vibe, as well as a massive kiva fireplace as the dining room centerpiece.

Music lovers can catch a concert from big-name acts at the 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater from May through October. The Tlur Pa Lounge hosts DJs and live bands Thursday through Saturday nights year round.

The resort’s 18-hole, Scott Miller–designed course at Sandia Golf Club delivers 7,772 yards of grassy knolls, sparkling waterfalls, and lush native landscapes designed to challenge beginners and scratch golfers alike.

The Green Reed Spa pampers guests with treatments for the mind, body, and soul that are grounded in the healing practices of the high desert. Designed with sandstone walls and large windows for a deeper connection to the earth and sky, the world-class spa delivers a peaceful experience, whether you’re enjoying a massage, a facial, or a visit to the attached salon. Then end your perfect retreat with a private sunset hot tub soak, looking at the Sandias aglow in deep pinks and purples.