Info on NM casinos? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: hotels, home, luxury)
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Hi all,
First off, let me say that I really like this forum. The comments are so much less sarcastic and sniping than in my home forum (Baltimore).
Here's the deal: My mother wants me to take her to Vegas sometime soon, but I would much rather go to New Mexico. I know that Isleta and Sandia are the two big resorts around ABQ, are there others nearby? We're really looking for a pretty nice hotel-casino with a little variety as far as restaurants are concerned. Sandia's website bills itself as just that - true?
No place is like Vegas. Even upper-tier casino cities like Atlantic City, Reno, Laughlin offer a good variety. You don't like one place, the next place is a five minute walk away (and most of that is walking out of one place and in to the next).
Sandia and Isleta are more isolated, and offer fewer amenities than Vegas.
Other close by casinos include:
Route 66 Casino (Laguna?)
Santa Ana Casino
San Felipe Casino
Tesuque (Camel Rock) Casino
Pojoaque Casino
And on and on up north to the Colorado state line, as well as west to the Arizona state line now.
Smoking is permitted in all of these casinos (not in Taos), and they vary in terms of air handling. Not sure if you want non-smoking or pro-smoking with your request.
Sandia is great, three restaurants and a cafe. Beautiful rooms and excellent casino. If you want to stay at a truly gorgeous resort though I would recommend the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort at Santa Ana, or the new Buffalo Thunder Hilton Resort at the Pojoaque Casinso in between Santa Fe and Espanola.
We went to Route 66 Casino on Sat. to try their buffet. Would never know that smoking is allowed inside, and I am very sensitive to smoking (asthma).
We have been to Santa Ana, and its too smoky there for me. However, they are making a non-smoking area, and we plan to go there again and see how that is.
Hi all,
First off, let me say that I really like this forum. The comments are so much less sarcastic and sniping than in my home forum (Baltimore).
Here's the deal: My mother wants me to take her to Vegas sometime soon, but I would much rather go to New Mexico. I know that Isleta and Sandia are the two big resorts around ABQ, are there others nearby? We're really looking for a pretty nice hotel-casino with a little variety as far as restaurants are concerned. Sandia's website bills itself as just that - true?
Also what are the rules on smoking in NM casinos?
Thanks friends.
There are a few others that have nice hotels, Route 66 is one, and Santa Ana another, but Sandia is probably the class of NM casinos. Yes, you can smoke on the floor and most have non smoking areas as well. The big difference between NM casinos and say, Vegas, you can not take alcohol into the gambling area... for some this takes away from the whole gambling fun and excitement, for others this isn't an issue. Have you given any thought to other areas with gambling like LA,Mississippi or maybe some other fun places in NV? Just a thought.
Have you given any thought to other areas with gambling like LA,Mississippi or maybe some other fun places in NV? Just a thought.
Nita
Well, I shudder at the thought of raising children on the East Coast (God forbid they turn out like me), so I'm thinking of relocating to NM a few years down the road. My mother is disabled and will need greater care as she gets older, so it's possible that she will also move to my next destination.
I've offered to take her to Louisiana and Miss. casinos before but honestly she'd rather just go to Atlantic City (ugh). She's never been anywhere in the southwest before other than Vegas so she'd really like to see NM, get a feel for if she likes it, and see if the (albeit limited) gambling is a good fit.
Honestly the woman can't pass a craps table without dropping her penison and Social Security all over it so not having a casino on every corner is a good thing when it comes to relocation. But I'd still like it to be there for her.
Nobody's commented on Isleta. Does it have any sort of repuation? The room rates are reasonable and it looks nice.
And again thanks for all of your responses!
Last edited by HandsUpThumbsDown; 01-27-2009 at 02:52 PM..
Reason: repeated word
Well, I shudder at the thought of raising children on the East Coast (God forbid they turn out like me), so I'm thinking of relocating to NM a few years down the road. My mother is disabled and will need greater care as she gets older, so it's possible that she will also move to my next destination.
I've offered to take her to Louisiana and Miss. casinos before but honestly she'd rather just go to Atlantic City (ugh). She's never been anywhere in the southwest before other than Vegas so she'd really like to see NM, get a feel for if she likes it, and see if the (albeit limited) gambling is a good fit.
Honestly the woman can't pass a craps table without dropping her penison and Social Security all over it so not having a casino on every corner is a good thing when it comes to relocation. But I'd still like it to be there for her.
Nobody's commented on Isleta. Does it have any sort of repuation? The room rates are reasonable and it looks nice.
And again thanks for all of your responses!
Actually when we lived in NM (until 7 months ago) we were only about 20 minutes or so from Isleta and I have spent many hours with my SS check there. Not really, I love to gamble but am a penny slot player, DH will play some craps etc. Isleta has a brand new hotel and a wonderful restaurant as well as the usual buffet and snack bar..Thought not a pretty or as inviting as Sandia, you certainly can't go wrong and they do have a non smoking area. It isn't huge, but it is there. Craps I am afraid is on the main floor so you will spell smoke. Usually only the first few minutes. I think it would be great for you and mom to take a few days to visit NM. It has a lot to offer.
If your trip is for gambling only, skip Albuquerque; it can't compete with Vegas as far as that scene is concerned. If you want to do other stuff, Albuquerque is more interesting than 'Vegas.
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But I'd still like it to be there for her.
