Sandia Mountain Hostel

Sandia Mountain Hostel is nestled east of the Sandia Mountains and is a nice place to relax and hang out after skiing or hiking the nearby trails. It's a great place to meet people, as it's quite small with a very friendly atmosphere. The place looks like a chalet with wooden walls and cathedral ceiling and a wood burning stove in the middle for cool evenings. The staff are friendly and the hostel has five donkeys and a burro so you are more than welcome to save vegetable peelings and rest for them (it's the local recycling way).

The Location

Closeby are several local and rustic restaurants as well as a trendy one that does dinner with wine tasting, gas station, galleries, and a well stocked supermarket. There is a parking lot and the hostel is wheelchair accessible.

Rooms and Bathrooms

There is a door code at night on the main door and individual lockers. Two dorms (one for each gender) are in the main building with eight beds each (four bunks). Some private rooms are in another building further right and common area down there has a TV. Bathroom is equipped with a double sink -- toilets and shower. There is only one wide shower without curtain for privacy but still protected from other eyes.

Common Spaces

Common area has a well equipped kitchen, with fridge, stove, microwave, and sink (pots, pans, and cutlery are available). There is a huge wood table with benches so that everybody can sit together. A wood burning stove is just behind to warm up chilly evenings. There are reading lights. There are a lot of brochures and trail maps available. Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., as this is more a mountaineer's heaven than a party place.

Summary

The atmosphere there is friendly and relaxing and you can meet a lot of people with whom to exchange trail or road experience. In addition, this is only a twenty-minute drive from Albuquerque, so for those who want to avoid the city, this is the place. We are planning to stop by again on our way down from Taos to Lincoln.

— Informe exclusivo de Hostelz.com
March 2009