Two resorts service most Albuquerque, New Mexico golf vacations. Here's how to decide which one is right for you. (Photo courtesy of Twin Warriors Golf Club)
I’ve been preaching for years that New Mexico offers a fantastic, desert-golf alternative to Arizona and Nevada.
With, according to the experts at Golf Odyssey, ”an unbeatable combination of world-class golf, bargain green fees, jaw-dropping scenery, beguiling attractions, seductive accommodations, and some of the finest inland weather in the US,” New Mexico has a lot going for it.
If you’ve been thinking about going, Albuquerque (airport code: ABQ) is where you’ll most likely land in the Land of Enchantment.
So, today I thought I’d share one of the most important things you need to know about it:
There are two major Albuquerque, New Mexico golf resorts: Sandia Resort & Casino (sandiacasino.com) and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa (tamaya.hyatt.com).
But, aside from both being within 30 minutes of the airport and both having courses that rank among the best in the state, these resorts couldn’t be more different from one another.
Simply put, choosing one resort over the other could make or break your golf vacation.
Now, I must give credit to the editors of Golf Odyssey, who recently published an extremely helpful, head-to-head comparison of these two New Mexico golf resorts in their September 2010 issue.
There is a ton more information and advice in their full review, but here’s the most important thing I learned:
If you’re taking an Albuquerque, New Mexico golf vacation with your buddies, or looking for a lively, party-like atmosphere, go to Sandia Resort & Casino.
If you’re interested in a more relaxing golf vacation, say, with your spouse and/or kids, opt for the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa.
Golf Odyssey’s article explains why this is; which resort has the better golf courses; what you can expect from each property’s rooms and spa/fitness facilities; and includes dining recommendations and the best off-property, but nearby, golf courses to play.
Golf Odyssey subscribers can read the article here.
Non-subscribers can access it by taking a limited-time, free trial here.
Have you stayed or played at either of these New Mexico golf resorts? Have you taken New Mexico golf vacations to other parts of the state? Please share any helpful tips or comments below.
Did you know? Golf Vacation Insider’s expert, unbiased, and trusted advice is based on “secret shopper” site inspections and we do not accept advertising from the types of properties we review.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I made the trek over there from Sweden in June ’09 and I´m glad I did. We (Four Swedes) flew in to Denver and drove down to Santa Fe/Abq and then back up to Colorado via Farmington. We played seven courses during our stay (Four Mile Ranch, Coyote Canyon, Black Mesa, Paa-Ko-Ridge, Piñon Hills, Redlands Mesa and Lakota Canyon) and clearly the best was Black Mesa, but even better was the scenery.
If you are in New Mexico, don’t forget to check out the Baxter Spann designed, Black Mesa Golf Course. Eddie Peck the owner and developer and their head Pro Tom Velarde work together to make playing Black Mesa a special treat. Stay away from the high cost courses in Arizona and Las Vegas and head over to New Mexico where Black Mesa is a World Class course at moderate cost. The views are amazing and the course is in fantastic shape. If I did not live in NY, I would head out there more often.
Fortunately I live in New Mexico and have played the golf courses at the resorts you suggest. They are very fine courses, but not the best by any stretch of the imagination. The best courses in my opinion are Black Mesa near Espanola, Paako Ridge near Sandia Park, and Pinon Hills in Farmington. Why be stuck at a resort, drive a little and play these courses. Actually Paako Ridge is relatively close to Albuquerque airport, Black Mesa is also near Santa Fe, and Pinon Hills near Durango, CO. If great golf is your major goal, play these three courses. Another resort of worthy consideration is the Isleta Eagle golf course, hotel, and casino just south of the Albuquerque airport. Be prepared to pay inexpensive greens fees!
Yes, Black Mesa is the clear standout course in Sante Fe, if not the entire state. There are other courses, too, in SF and Albuquerque that top the ones mentioned above. This tip was written specifically to help those curious about the Albuquerque golf resorts. The golf may be good (not great) but you can’t beat the convenience of having everything “under one roof.”
My Dad and I did the NM golf trip this summer. We played Black Mesa, Cochiti and Paa-Ko ridge. It was a great time. Cochiti is more like a muni course, but the other two are fantastic jewels. Other courses we considered were Sandia, Twin Warriors/Santa Ana and UNM. The value was great; scenery and experience were outstanding.
We played 4 New Mexico courses a couple of years ago. Black Mesa and Paa-ko Ridge (27 holes) are outstanding!! Definitely woth playing twice. Twin Warriors was good but overpriced compared to the the two above. The U of New Mexico course is very close to the airport and a good value in good condition.