Problem

The building on Country Club Lane, adjacent to the Paradise Hills Golf Course, was acquired by my clients, who considered all types of uses for the property. They settled on creating a boutique hotel as the need for hospitality options on the westside of Albuquerque is enormous. The former inn still had all the built-in southwest-style shelving that fit a motor lodge on Route 66, but the clients had a bigger vision for the space. They wanted to create a modern getaway on the golf course that felt like an upscale version of how we all perceive the Southwest. The Vibe was hired to come into the project to create a unique hotel experience that encompassed the owner’s vision and revitalized the property. El Verde Inn was born.

 

Process

Through a tremendous amount of demos and peeling back the layers of the 18-room hotel, we found many challenges and opportunities to improve the space. Scale is always an issue in a project of this size, and budgets are always tight. We focused on the principle that we didn’t want the space to ‘feel’ like a hotel but needed it to function like one. We wanted the inn to be a comfortable but inspiring space that could not only host overnight guests but also be a place of inspiration for weddings, photographers, meetings, and the client's favorite, hosting their Albuquerque Whiskey Society events.

 

For inspiration, The Vibe looked for ways to incorporate a desert oasis color palette, texture, and layered materiality throughout the various spaces. We selected a range of tiles for the entire property, reinforcing the modern but earthy and hand-painted feeling we wanted to carry throughout the inn. The clients requested a darker, cozy paint scheme from a local fabricator that made for a luxe canvas to build out custom floating desks and vanities. Custom wallpaper was used throughout the hotel to bring in the bold, inspiring southwest plant visuals in each guest room. Vintage mirrors and all wood furniture selections were sourced to create the energy that only real, lasting materials can bring. A local sign painter was used to create our stunning guest room door graphics, and local businesses were used for almost all the materials that went into developing this local gem.

 

Results

The result is a one-of-a-kind space that feels true to its southwest roots while also evoking a modern energy that will surely be the backdrop of many fun weekend experiences and special events in the years to come.

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