hospitalitystyle.com

(August 2009) posted on Thu Aug 13, 2009 EDT

Urban, But Not So Cowboy: A renovated hotel tones down its Southwest roots and ramps up a contemporary vibe.

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By Matthew Hall

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Prior to its recent makeover, the 29-year-old Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown wore its New Mexico locale on its figurative sleeve, complete with pink stucco walls and artwork depicting soothing desert scenes. Given the "been there/seen that" feel of such spaces, owner Stanford Hotels Corp. sought to update the hotel by creating an environment imbued with "an urban sophistication not previously seen in the area," says Diane Jaquier, leader of the company's in-house design team.

The result of that effort is a space interspersed with bright red furniture, bold blues walls, polished chrome accents, rich dark woods, granite and marble, along with the latest high-tech amenities in its public spaces and guest rooms. Though some Southwestern elements remain, they bear an edgier, more contemporary feel, such as the black-and-white cowhide panels installed behind the front desk.

Built in 1980 by the locally based Maloof Cos. and purchased in 1996 by San Francisco-based Stanford Hotels, the 295-room property's first-ever top-to-bottom redo was an ambitious, two-year undertaking, costing $20 million and involving more than 200,000 square feet of space. Stanford's design team updated the guest rooms, suites and Executive Club Lounge, while Kevin Joyce Design was brought in to refresh the hotel's public spaces, including the lobby.

Kevin Joyce, owner of the San Francisco firm bearing his name, notes that in its previous incarnation, the lobby felt a bit cramped, thanks to half columns and archways that made the ceiling appear very low. To help remedy that, the soffit above the front desk was removed, making room for the installation of a new, pod-style reception desk.

In addition, a deep blue wallcovering was introduced in the space, and the previously mentioned cowhide panels were added to create a dramatic art feature behind the front desk. The columns, which bore a heavy stucco texture, were finished smooth and painted a bright white. "We also upgraded the lighting by installing chrome fixtures with large glass shades that provide a warmer and more contemporary feeling," Joyce says.

To boost the property's appeal to today's tech-savvy travelers, the adjoining lobby great room was outfitted as Sheraton's "LINK" seating area, which features communal tables as well as seating areas for guest conversations. The space is also home to flat panel TVs playing sports or news feeds, as well as the SOL Café, a beverage and snack shop.