Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder {US-NM}
Jan 10, 2009, 9:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Downtown Denver
Programs: WN A-list/CP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plt,*wood Plt,F9 Summitt, Hyatt Diamond,
Posts: 391
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder {US-NM}
What a neat resort, 15 minutes north of Santa fe Plaza on the reservation. The Resort is a Hilton with a very nice casino and resturants are great. It's snowed last night and its covered the mountians surronding resort.
On an award stay @ 35K/night, no upgrade but rooms are large. Staff is great and helpful. There is Homewoood Suites also on the property for 25K/night that looks like the Hilton. They have casitias as well as a wedding chapel. Golf course is always booked during the season. If you like the Southwestern style you will Love this place. 30 minutes to Ski santa Fe area, lots of snow.
It's brand new and opened Sept '08.
On an award stay @ 35K/night, no upgrade but rooms are large. Staff is great and helpful. There is Homewoood Suites also on the property for 25K/night that looks like the Hilton. They have casitias as well as a wedding chapel. Golf course is always booked during the season. If you like the Southwestern style you will Love this place. 30 minutes to Ski santa Fe area, lots of snow.
It's brand new and opened Sept '08.
Jan 10, 2009, 1:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DL MM & FC, Hertz Plat, Avis Pres Club, Nat'l Exec Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 222
Stayed on a paid stay on 11/28 for one night to get me my 28th stay to retain Diamond. Upgraded at checkin to executive floor (5) and given a King Living Room suite (5135) with private balcony. They have finally updated their web site from artist renderings to actual photos. The photo that they now have on their site is accurate to the furnishings, decor, and fireplaces (LR and BR) for the executive suites. LG Hi-Def flat screens in both rooms and true HD content. Property is new as well as the staff so they still have some kinks to work out. The executive lounge is large and nicely furnished but the evening snacks are limited as well as their honor bar selection, breakfast wasn't much better. I'm sure this is by design to get you out of the lounge and into the casino. Nice property with that unique SW look and feel. Casino has excellent air handling/filtering so the smoke dosen't get to you. Casino staff are extreemly friendly and well trained, very professionally run.
May 19, 2009, 12:37 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
Will be at this property for four nights over the forthcoming Memorial Day weekend for our wedding anniversary.
Does anyone know an email adress for the GM or concierge to request an upgrade? Ms. Travelexpert and I both have Diamond status, so hopefully we can get a nice upgrade.
Any other tips to help us navigate the resort will be most appreciated...
Does anyone know an email adress for the GM or concierge to request an upgrade? Ms. Travelexpert and I both have Diamond status, so hopefully we can get a nice upgrade.
Any other tips to help us navigate the resort will be most appreciated...
Sep 6, 2009, 12:48 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
Beautiful facility, but AWFUL service. During our four day stay this past Memorial Day long weekend, I documented 24 service deficiencies. Here are some examples...
I faxed the hotel 1-2 days ahead of arrival, explaining it was our 19th wedding anniversary. Since my wife and I are both Diamonds, I asked for a space-available upgrade. At check in around 7 pm, we were given keys for a junior suite. As we opened the door to the room, it was clear the room was either occupied or not fully cleaned (beds unmade, trash cans full). On a table in the middle was some champagne and chocolate strawberries welcoming us!! So we went back to the front desk (not a short journey), and were given another room--quite inferior. Each time we called from the "unsuitable" room, no operator would pick up! So I went back to the front desk, and asked for the manager on call. Jason finally gave us keys to a gorgeous one room suite--way at the end the second wing that required another long walk.
At check in, we were told that the exectutive lounge has been closed for repairs (the hotel is brand new)! The manager on call later told me that the lounge is now open only to those who pay for it per Hilton Corporate's REQUEST (hmmm?), so it would be off limits to us as Diamonds. However--he promised to make it up to us (we are still waiting!).
I could go on and on and on. To cap it off, I noticed on my credit card statement that we were charged for 3/4 nights--even though we presented a 4 free night AXON at check in. Apparently the diamond desk said the certificate was good for only one night--even though it subsequently turned out the diamond desk was lying--but that is a whole different story....
Breakfast was "included" in lieu of no Ececutive Lounge access. The buffet offering was below average at best--so I think we had to pay for a la carte orders above the standard buffet charge.
On the plus side, the indoor pool is magnificent. And as I mentioned before, the one bedroom suite we were finally assigned was fabulous.
All in all--probably a place for Diamonds to stay away from--unless you can get a guaranteed suite in advance.
I faxed the hotel 1-2 days ahead of arrival, explaining it was our 19th wedding anniversary. Since my wife and I are both Diamonds, I asked for a space-available upgrade. At check in around 7 pm, we were given keys for a junior suite. As we opened the door to the room, it was clear the room was either occupied or not fully cleaned (beds unmade, trash cans full). On a table in the middle was some champagne and chocolate strawberries welcoming us!! So we went back to the front desk (not a short journey), and were given another room--quite inferior. Each time we called from the "unsuitable" room, no operator would pick up! So I went back to the front desk, and asked for the manager on call. Jason finally gave us keys to a gorgeous one room suite--way at the end the second wing that required another long walk.
At check in, we were told that the exectutive lounge has been closed for repairs (the hotel is brand new)! The manager on call later told me that the lounge is now open only to those who pay for it per Hilton Corporate's REQUEST (hmmm?), so it would be off limits to us as Diamonds. However--he promised to make it up to us (we are still waiting!).
I could go on and on and on. To cap it off, I noticed on my credit card statement that we were charged for 3/4 nights--even though we presented a 4 free night AXON at check in. Apparently the diamond desk said the certificate was good for only one night--even though it subsequently turned out the diamond desk was lying--but that is a whole different story....
Breakfast was "included" in lieu of no Ececutive Lounge access. The buffet offering was below average at best--so I think we had to pay for a la carte orders above the standard buffet charge.
On the plus side, the indoor pool is magnificent. And as I mentioned before, the one bedroom suite we were finally assigned was fabulous.
All in all--probably a place for Diamonds to stay away from--unless you can get a guaranteed suite in advance.
Nov 18, 2010, 8:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Arlington, Tx, USA
Posts: 268
Has any one been here recently? I am gold and will be there later this month on a AXON award stay. I read the older posts, but would like some updated info. Is it worth $19 per night to upgrade to a room with a 1 br w/fireplace? Thanks
May 5, 2011, 8:47 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Borken, Germany
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., AA Exec PLT, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH Plat., IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 36
Santa Fe, NM: Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort or Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort: which?
In light of the price difference (Hyatt costs almost twice as much as Hilton) what is the better place to go for 3 days stay in May? Has anybody been to both and can let me know the cons and pros for either place? Thanks a lot.
Last edited by ThomRein; May 5, 2011 at 8:49 am Reason: Spelling
May 5, 2011, 9:04 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP/4MM, DL GM/1MM, HH ♦, Bonvoy LT PLT, Hyatt Globalist, AMEX Bus Plt
Posts: 620
If your wanting to relax at a resort the Tamaya is a good place for that, Buffalo Thunder looks to be as well. If you are wanting a place in Santa Fe, neither is convenient without transportation.
Nov 27, 2011, 7:44 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: AVL
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Bonvoy LT Plat, TSA vilifier extraordinaire, Once upon a time... US Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 1,310
We stayed here twice last week during a driving trip to the desert, first for one night on our way out and then two nights later in the week, over Thanksgiving, on our return. While this is a lovely property, our experiences were mixed. I would, however, stay there again.
On our first visit my Diamond status was not verbally recognized, although we were given two coupons for the breakfast buffet the next morning. The buffet was great as far as we were concerned; eggs and sausage and potatoes in chafing dishes, fruit, excellent pastries, cereals for kids (Lucky Charms, Trix), and we were able to order eggs any way from the kitchen as a part of the breakfast. On our return visit I opted to order off the menu both mornings and the Eggs Benedict was delightful with just a hint of lemon in the Hollandaise sauce, and the Breakfast burrito was also delicious.
Our first room was a standard room on the third floor above the front desk and required use of the key to access from the elevator, I am guessing as this elevator also serviced the casino. The room was good size and decorated in SW decor, including a great dresser with a flat screen tv (although analog reception). The Hilton bed was comfortable as always.
There is an honor bar fridge in the dresser with no space for personal items. The LaVazza coffee machine had paper cups, and there were no glasses in the bathroom. One of the lights over the sink was out, and the shower, very nice in tile and glass, filled with water with the drain open.
We were there barely 12 hours on our first visit as this was really a stop for us to points deeper in the desert. At checkout I mentioned the light that was out and the stopped up shower, mentioned my Diamond status and asked if we might be upgraded to a room with a fireplace on our return. The FDC took notes, apologized for the bulb and shower (no big deal, really, but useful as leverage), wrote down my name and return date and asked if my My Way preference was set to upgrade (it was), and said she would try to take care of us.
When returning later in the week I was still not verbally recognized as a Diamond member, although we were again given the buffet coupons and told we had been upgraded to a queen suite. This was accessed via the spa wing and key access on the elevator was not needed as it did not descend to the casino. Our room was on the fifth floor, had two queen beds, a fireplace, two French doors leading to an over sized balcony, and a huge, four "station" bathroom with a sink area, makeup desk with lighted mirrors, shower and finally the toilet. This time we had ceramic mugs in the LaVazza machine, but still no glasses in the bath.
We enjoyed walking around the building, taking in the native art on display from pottery to paintings to sculpture. Hilton has done a nice job of trying to make the resort fit into the environment, with the shape and style of the building resembling a pueblo. The golf course is a bit incongruous, but overall I certainly felt I was in the SW the entire time we were there, not simply in a resort plopped down.
Two other points on our visit. They advertised a Thanksgiving buffet in one of the restaurants, but in order to get in you had to have a Player's Club card from the casino. So we stopped in the casino on our first visit to get the card and got to "flip a chip" for free credits on our card. We each won $5, and waited until our return later in the week to play. Our $5 had vanished from the card and when we returned to the desk they told us we had to use that credit within 24 hours. No one had ever told us that, they would not put the $5 back and were unapologetic about the whole thing. As it was free money we couldn't complain, however we did immediately leave the casino and the episode left a bad taste in our mouths. The casino reeked of smoke anyway, so no great loss.
The Thanksgiving buffet was bottom feeding at its lowest form. The line to get in was 60 people long, and while there was a sign that said Hhonors members and hotel guests, everyone used that line. When we got to the front we saw a dozen empty tables inside. The line was so long because they were signing people up for the Player's Club card to get in, and had only one person working the line. The entrance was inefficiency at its finest. The buffet wasn't much better - just a lot of food at a cheap price.
The location is a convenient jumping point to other destinations, 15 miles north of Santa Fe, just before the turns to Los Alamos and to the high road to Taos. If you exit the hotel and turn left onto the frontage road it will lead in about a mile to Gabrielle's, a local restaurant. Although our two stays were a bit uneven, overall we had a nice experience at Buffalo Thunder and would return again.
On our first visit my Diamond status was not verbally recognized, although we were given two coupons for the breakfast buffet the next morning. The buffet was great as far as we were concerned; eggs and sausage and potatoes in chafing dishes, fruit, excellent pastries, cereals for kids (Lucky Charms, Trix), and we were able to order eggs any way from the kitchen as a part of the breakfast. On our return visit I opted to order off the menu both mornings and the Eggs Benedict was delightful with just a hint of lemon in the Hollandaise sauce, and the Breakfast burrito was also delicious.
Our first room was a standard room on the third floor above the front desk and required use of the key to access from the elevator, I am guessing as this elevator also serviced the casino. The room was good size and decorated in SW decor, including a great dresser with a flat screen tv (although analog reception). The Hilton bed was comfortable as always.
There is an honor bar fridge in the dresser with no space for personal items. The LaVazza coffee machine had paper cups, and there were no glasses in the bathroom. One of the lights over the sink was out, and the shower, very nice in tile and glass, filled with water with the drain open.
We were there barely 12 hours on our first visit as this was really a stop for us to points deeper in the desert. At checkout I mentioned the light that was out and the stopped up shower, mentioned my Diamond status and asked if we might be upgraded to a room with a fireplace on our return. The FDC took notes, apologized for the bulb and shower (no big deal, really, but useful as leverage), wrote down my name and return date and asked if my My Way preference was set to upgrade (it was), and said she would try to take care of us.
When returning later in the week I was still not verbally recognized as a Diamond member, although we were again given the buffet coupons and told we had been upgraded to a queen suite. This was accessed via the spa wing and key access on the elevator was not needed as it did not descend to the casino. Our room was on the fifth floor, had two queen beds, a fireplace, two French doors leading to an over sized balcony, and a huge, four "station" bathroom with a sink area, makeup desk with lighted mirrors, shower and finally the toilet. This time we had ceramic mugs in the LaVazza machine, but still no glasses in the bath.
We enjoyed walking around the building, taking in the native art on display from pottery to paintings to sculpture. Hilton has done a nice job of trying to make the resort fit into the environment, with the shape and style of the building resembling a pueblo. The golf course is a bit incongruous, but overall I certainly felt I was in the SW the entire time we were there, not simply in a resort plopped down.
Two other points on our visit. They advertised a Thanksgiving buffet in one of the restaurants, but in order to get in you had to have a Player's Club card from the casino. So we stopped in the casino on our first visit to get the card and got to "flip a chip" for free credits on our card. We each won $5, and waited until our return later in the week to play. Our $5 had vanished from the card and when we returned to the desk they told us we had to use that credit within 24 hours. No one had ever told us that, they would not put the $5 back and were unapologetic about the whole thing. As it was free money we couldn't complain, however we did immediately leave the casino and the episode left a bad taste in our mouths. The casino reeked of smoke anyway, so no great loss.
The Thanksgiving buffet was bottom feeding at its lowest form. The line to get in was 60 people long, and while there was a sign that said Hhonors members and hotel guests, everyone used that line. When we got to the front we saw a dozen empty tables inside. The line was so long because they were signing people up for the Player's Club card to get in, and had only one person working the line. The entrance was inefficiency at its finest. The buffet wasn't much better - just a lot of food at a cheap price.
The location is a convenient jumping point to other destinations, 15 miles north of Santa Fe, just before the turns to Los Alamos and to the high road to Taos. If you exit the hotel and turn left onto the frontage road it will lead in about a mile to Gabrielle's, a local restaurant. Although our two stays were a bit uneven, overall we had a nice experience at Buffalo Thunder and would return again.
Dec 9, 2012, 12:13 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: D/FW
Programs: DL MM/Silver; UA 1K ; Hilton Gold; Marriott Titanium; Avis Pref+,Hertz PC
Posts: 585
stayed last night and it was basically a waste. As diamond, given a Jr suite on the 4th floor when I checked in on-line. When arrived (around 3:30p), was told that the room is not avail and was given a jr suite on the 2nd floor, overlooking the parking lot. Not a big deal, we thought. Then it came the noise. I think there might have been a group of people booked a few rooms around us and kept waking us up, once from 11p, then around 2 and 4am. Called down to front desk and was told security will be sent but still loudness resumed a couple hours later. There was no other room to be switched. We were told they were sold out. We checked out at 6a. I asked the front desk to cancel our 2nd night there. Never again.
Mar 22, 2013, 12:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
We stayed there a few years ago and found it more of a casino hotel than a resort and because of the casino traffic, parking spaces were hard to come by
We were able to get an upgraded room on a deep discount rate in late Sept.
Bob H
We were able to get an upgraded room on a deep discount rate in late Sept.
Bob H
Jun 24, 2019, 11:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,389
Surprised this thread has been dormant for more than 6 years.
Anyone stayed here in the last year or so, and can comment how on what kind of upgrades they give diamonds and if they have a club lounge ?
Anyone stayed here in the last year or so, and can comment how on what kind of upgrades they give diamonds and if they have a club lounge ?