Review: El Vado Motel

Why book? El Vado Motel is dizzy with retro charm. With half former rooms turned into food pods and local boutiques, both visitors and locals blow their wigs for this Route 66 classic. 

Set the scene Duke City denizens flock to El Vado to shop its boutiques and grab tacos by the trio. The motel attracts travelers trying to recapture their halcyon days along the Mother Road, while Gen Zers and Millennials snap pics at the property’s social media–worthy vignettes, like the Route 66 license-plate art piece in the taproom. 

The backstory A 1937 classic auto motor court hotel, El Vado evokes the great American road trip. After an attentive renovation, local development group Somos Destinations reopened the National Register of Historic Places building in 2018. It still features classic Pueblo Revival architecture with stepped massing typical of the state’s Pueblo dwellings and a lovingly restored neon sign welcomes guests in Route 66 style. The former parking lot got an upgrade as the hotel pool, which incorporates the former parking medians into its current design. 

The rooms Twenty-two hotel rooms blend mid-century modern furniture and Southwest vibes. Each features an original art piece constructed from doors repurposed from the original property.  Rooms are typically sized for historic motor court hotels, though they seem intimate by today’s standards. For more space, opt for a suite (they’re named after classic cars, like the DeSoto), which have a separate sitting area and bedroom. 

Food and drink Former guest rooms now house seven food “pods” — tiny eateries with outdoor-only seating. The lineup is a taste journey, from the piled high nachos at Buen Provecho to spicy wings at Happy Chickenzz. Locals can’t get enough of Burnt Fideo’s tacos. 

The neighborhood/area El Vado Motel has anchored West Downtown’s rebirth as a dining and shopping destination. The renaissance rippled along the south side of Central Avenue as the developers who oversaw El Vado’s rebirth adopted neighboring Monterey Motel, now also home to a swanky lounge. However, the northside of the street still has a scruffy side until it lands at the ABQ BioPark’s Botanic Garden and Aquarium.  

The service Perhaps it’s the craft-beer taproom onsite, but a convivial vibe prevails here. 

For families Small rooms mean families will put a premium on space, but with a food court-like atmosphere steps away, the dining options are crowd pleasing. Riverside trails along the Rio Grande are close at hand for adventuring — or pre-bedtime wear-the-kids-out walks.    

Accessibility All-ground-floor accommodations make access easier, and an ADA room offers a roll-in shower.