JohnnyP

As a Diamond staying at this property over Thanksgiving weekend, what should one expect? I doubt the RC will be open, right? But I wonder more along the lines of gift amenities and upgrades... sounds like they are kind of stingy with those suite upgrades!

JohnnyP

Thanks for all the replies...

I just returned from what was a magnificently, fabulous weekend at this resort. All I can say is: WOW!. I didn't want to leave!

Before our trip, I had called the front desk at the hotel and asked if it would be possible to have a suite pre-blocked. She informed me that they would gladly pre-block a junior suite. Early during the day on Friday I called 1-800-CHECKIN and requested a suite upgrade. The lady was extremely warm and mentioned they had pre-blocked a suite for me.

Driving to the hotel is fun! About 40 miles south of Santa Fe, you take this exit past gas stations, casinos, and generally uninteresting areas. The hotel's front drive curves and winds through coyote country before swooping visitors into the welcoming courtyard. The first thing that hits you when you enter the hotel is the soft, warm atmosphere and a light scent of honey. Two large fireplaces blaze in the front lobby with several leather chess and backgammon tables waiting for use!

Every was prepared for me as I walked up to the front desk. The lady at the registration desk handed me a great amenity card: several different wines to choose from, as well as choices between a fruit & cheese plate, chocolates, water, different beers and various other things that have since escaped my memory! We descended to the Ponderosa Suite which was essentially two adjoining hotel rooms with one converted into a living area. Very comfortable! Within 15 minutes there was sharp knock at the door at a HUGE cheese and fruit plate was delivered accompanied by a Vermonte Cabernet Sauvignon. Not the best wine in the world, but quite decent. (Incidentally, the restaurant hotel typically charges $28 for a bottle of this stuff.)

The weekend was spent soaking up the Southwestern culture and food; enjoying the spa and fitness amenities at the hotel (like the 14-jet standing-well hot tub that massages your entire body) as well as the complimentary mountain bikes and tennis rackets. The golf courses looked tempting, but I had neglected to bring clubs. The Regency Club was, surprisingly, open over the weekend and the spread was fully acceptable, but nothing out of the ordinary. The orange juice was very good.

All in all, an excellent visit! I am already looking forward to my next trip to this hotel! And who can beat the great Priceline rate I got?

BoulderHyattHopper

We loved the showers at the spa...the ones with 6 different shower heads that hit you all at once!!!

What was the food in the Regency Club? What is the drink? Free bubbly???

JohnnyP

Yes! I loved those showers as well! Maybe the women's showers were different, but the men's actually had 12 showerheads. Talk about a lot of water! The outdoor hot tub was great, as well.

The Regency Club was very comfortable and the staff was extremely friendly!

Unfortunately, I was pretty much only there for breakfast. Typical melons, berries, pineapple spread with bagels, three different cereals, yogurts, and danishes. Starbucks coffee was also available, as was orange juice, cranberry juice and what appeared to be grapefruit juice. I enjoyed sitting on the balcony overlooking the New Mexican hills and plains plastered against the blue sky and mountains. Just gorgeous!

After breakfast was cleared (10AM), some chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies were put out. I never was around to venture up there for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres... sorry.

BoulderHyattHopper

You are correct...it is 12 at Tamaya and 6 at Hill Country! It is a lot of water and SO amazing!!!

777Lover2

I just returned from a 5 day stay here. Great southwestern resort north of Albuquerque in the desert. Beautiful grounds with interesting walking trails. Don't golf so didn't use the course. 3 pools, each one different, chilly weather prevented me from using them, however. High-end Corn Maiden restaurant was top notch, in food and service. Known for their spa but didn't use it's services. Good sized gym, at least they had free weights, though crowded in the mornings. Spacious rooms, all with balconies or patios. Large entrance to rooms with hidden refrigerator cabinet. I am a hotel toiletries junkie but housekeeping didn't refresh them every day. I had to ask for them. Prompt room service, and the most friendly, helpful hotel staff I have encountered anywhere. Prompt car valet, although you may self park if you prefer. Lots get full, so it is a bit of a walk. Spacious lobby living room, big bar. Wonderful native american, southwestern feel--about a 45 minute drive to Santa Fe and only 20 minutes to ABQ airport. Watch for package deals--they often include free breakfast, gift shop discounts, vouchers for nearby casino.

peteropny

777Lover2 - Welcome to Flyertalk as well as our Hyatt forum. I concur that the Tamaya Resort is a very nice property although kind of in the middle of nowhere. Beware of package deals, however, since many of them will not generate the proper stay credit (for status qualification or FFN qualification purposes). This property is also on Priceline (very safe bid) but the current rates of $150 isn't that good anymore, it used to appear for $60 about 2 years ago.

JohnnyP

Yes, I agree -- the Tamaya resort is one of the best Hyatt properties! The staff is top notch, the lounge is comfortable, and you just feel relaxed there. It's incredible.

Back in the day, you could get this property on PL for less than $80. Those days are long gone...

Ginger K

Just stayed at this property this week and must concur with all the rave reviews above. Beautiful property in a lovely setting (don't agree that it's in the "middle of nowhere", it seems like it but it's only 20 minutes from the airport). The service was really friendly and professional. Overall I was sad to leave (how often does that happen)? Only complaint was that the Corn Maiden restaurant was not open the two nights I was there. The cafe was open for dinner and although the food was very good, the atmosphere was very "hotel cafe". I will look forward to another opportunity to stay at the Tamaya.

mecabq

I agree. The setting is beautiful and tranquil -- my best memories are taking my drink late at night outside by the fire pits with no one else around -- and rooms are comfortable. The bar is nice, but the restaurants are not great -- you didn't miss much with the C.M.

It's also a good base to explore Santa Fe (about 45-minute drive) and Albuquerque (about 20-minute drive).

BingoLoco

This is the nicest hotel I have ever been to, anywhere. Just thought I'd bump it, since I'm planning on making this my next destination. I stayed here once while on business at the casino, and was in late and out early. When I walked to the business center to print some things and went past that panoramic window view of the mountain, my jaw dropped and stayed dropped. Next time I'll be able to enjoy it.

Karen2

We stayed in October during our granddaughter trip. We take a grandchild alone each year somewhere. This one wanted to experience the Santa Fe hacienda life after reading Josefina, an American Girl. What a trip! We went to the Balloon Fiesta and stayed afterward for an excellent rate of $129 at Tamaya, undoubtedly her favorite resort (before La Posada in Santa Fe). During the peak weekend, we ditched town for Carlsbad to save $$$. Hotels were astronomical.

Tamaya was still terrific. We stayed there some years ago at the Priceline rate of $40! Gone forever. The town seems to be built up more now than when we were there before so we were able to buy cheap breakfast outside the hotel. No status with Hyatt for free brekkie.

With a granddaughter, Tamaya was awesome: nature walk with kids, ending in their making an adobe brick (to take home in a plane!); s'mores by the fire after hearing old Indian legends by a native man; playing checkers in front of the huge fireplace. She was enchanted (well, duh, it is NM!).

Corn Maiden was not open either night we were there either. However, we really liked the food at the cafe and the granddaughter was happy as long as she got her sopapilla. Used a cert for $100 off food there.

My only problem with Tamaya was that the thermostat would only bring the temperature to 72 degrees which was very warm for sleeping. If we opened the window, it was so cold outside it was too much for our granddaughter who was sleeping right next to it on her rollaway. They sent three different maintenance men. First two did nothing. Last one triumphantly declared that the problem would be solved by changing the filter (which looked like it was installed at construction). Alas, he was wrong. But what does a dumb broad know? It clearly was a defective thermostat and no one wanted to take it on. So, big deal, they took off the resort fee from our bill.

The pool one person referred to as having high walls was designed to look like a kiva, actually known as the kiva pool, which was an old ceremonial building. The architecture of the hotel takes your breath away. We just loved it. Great landscaping. I would go back in a flash.

thc

anyone been here during the winter? Is there stuff to do?

Sure wish there was a hyatt further north in Santa Fe or Taos.

jayer

Yes, some years ago, and winter activity was limited. There is a short walking trail. There was a wagon ride. There was a interesting latter-day hippie art colony in a old town called Madrid not that far away. If you are in to such things, there is a tin-roof Indian casino a very few miles away. I enjoyed the stark winter beauty of the desert and the Navajo music, but that is good for about a night.

I hope to get back very soon. I really need to put it into context of whether I think its a regular destination or I've been there.

mecabq

Not sure how long ago you were there, but the casino is no tin-roof now. It's not as nice as Sandia down the road, but it's a large, full-service facility.

I think that there is also skiing from the top Sandia mountain, which is a 20-minute drive and then a gondola ride away.