Saturday, June 28, 2008

New hotel reflects culture, look of Isleta

Julia M. Dendinger News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdendinger@news-bulletin.com

Isleta By blending the old with the new, Isleta's new hotel and convention center is a reflection of the pueblo's roots and connection to the mountains and the river and its desire to be part of the future.

One of the hotel's most striking features is an eight-story glass wall that makes up two sides of the lobby. A glass elevator whisks guests up to their choice of six floors with more than 200 rooms. All that glass and steel is balanced by the intricate woodwork of the lobby that is the pueblo's representation of eagle feathers.

The hotel, which is built adjacent to the pueblo's 7-year-old casino, will boast amenities such as luxury linens, flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations in its rooms and suites.

Venturing into the convention center, which features more than 30,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, visitors are greeted by a unique carpet running down the east-west hall. The design reflects the browns and blues of the Rio Grande that runs through the heart of the pueblo.

Even the names of the smaller conference rooms take a cue from the pueblo's traditions and culture — the far eastern room is the Manzano Room, where "Mother Sun" begins her journey and the most westerly space is the Rio Grande Room where she comes to rest.

The large ballroom space can be divided into three separate rooms or opened up to accommodate 3,000 people. At the far end of the convention center is a specially built conference room. The acoustics of the room allow speakers to lecture without a microphone.

The onsite spa features services ranging from facials to chocolate wraps and caters to men and women, each with their own separate lounge area and steam rooms.

The spa connects to the hotel's indoor/outdoor pool. A rain curtain will separate the two pools. The outdoor pool features private cabanas where guests can indulge in outdoor massages.

Another unique space is the new outdoor spa or "jar spa" as the staff calls it. The jar spa is a nearly five-story outdoor area shaped like a piece of Isleta pueblo pottery. The slits in the sides leave it open to the sky while guests lounge in an eight-seat spa below an enormous rain showerhead.

Once rested and massaged, guests have their choice of several restaurants including an Asian bistro, the pueblo's upscale steakhouse, The Tiwa, a 24-hour café and Isleta's own brand, the 505 Fusion, which features not only chipotle smoked ribs but a high-energy dance floor.

The pueblo has also taken its branding into its gift shop, the 505 Express, which will feature a clothing line, glassware, souvenir items and fresh floral arrangements. A nearby art gallery will feature the works of Isleta pueblo artists and artisans.

Construction on the $100 million hotel that began two years ago was a true collaboration between the people of the pueblo and the architect, said Isleta Governor Robert Benavides. "We were very lucky to have the input of our tribal elders," he said. "This combines our traditions and culture with modern design elements."

Soul and R&B singer Patti LaBelle will be performing July 1 to 8 for the hotel's grand opening celebrations. Isleta Casino and Resort is located just off of Interstate 25 at exit 215.

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