Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, New Mexico

New Mexico is pure magic. It’s one of my favorite places on earth.

Every time I’m there, I feel deep soul-healing. Those high desert landscapes are what my soul looks like, I think. I’m so completely at peace with the mountains and wind and all of it.

So I was definitely looking forward to staying at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, nestled 25 minutes north of Albuquerque and 45 minutes south of Santa Fe in northern New Mexico.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Review

This little sign is where the magic began

Two friends and I drove here non-stop from Dallas – a solid 10-hour drive. We left at 4am, stopping only in Amarillo for an early lunch. A few hours later, we drove through the cute town of Bernalillo and into the 550 acres of the resort, technically located in Santa Ana Pueblo.

This is a wonderful, special resort. I highly recommend staying here if you ever get the opportunity. Here’s my experience and how I stayed for completely free! 

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Review – Arrival and check-in

The hotel was under renovation when I was there, to improve the lobby. But honestly, it was already so gorgeous I don’t know how they planned to make it better.

Signs directed us to the check-in desk. The desk agents were so welcoming and friendly. They offered us margaritas while they checked us in.

I booked 2 nights with 2 separate reservations: one with Hyatt points and another with my annual free night certificate, thanks to my Chase Hyatt card (I used my last one in Austin).

 

a hallway with doors and a light on the ceiling

Hallways of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya

One of the nights was for an ADA room with wheelchair access and bars in the bathroom, which I didn’t mind. But I explained we’d be happy in that room, or another if they wanted to keep it open.

The desk agent happily moved us into a bigger room with a fantastic full view of the Sandia mountains! My heart fluttered as I thought about those graceful, somber mountains waiting right outside.

The room

We headed to room 2109.

a room with two beds and a mirror

View upon walking in

Not a huge room, but enough space for us. It was well-decorated and had lots of New Mexican touches, from the carpet to the wall art to the little abode divider in the bathroom. I loved the wood floors and earth tone colors.

a room with two beds and a desk

The room and beds

a closet with a small black box and swingers

Hallway closet, luggage rack, hangers, safe, ironing setup, extra bedding

a small refrigerator with a small door open

Little fridge and Tazo tea/Starbucks coffee selections

a tv on a dresser in a room

TV and desk area

The beds were super comfy! Mine had a chair next to it, and was closest to the balcony. It did get chilly at night, but the heat in the room was plenty sufficient. And it got warm during the day, so we cracked the balcony door to let in some fresh desert air.

a hotel room with a bed and a table and chairs

My bed

a chair next to a glass door

Chair and balcony

a table and chairs on a balcony overlooking a mountain

View from the balcony (!!!)

Check out that view! I spent several long moments taking in the sunshine. 🙂

a room with two beds

View of the room from the window – loved the wall art

a bathroom with a sink and mirror

Bathroom

a shower head and a tile wall

Tiled shower and toiletries

a shelf with a black and white towel and a black hat on top

Bathroom extras

Again, not a huge room, but more than enough for us.

The wifi was fast, although I didn’t use it much. Everything was very clean and quiet. That’s all I ever look for in a room, really: clean, quiet, and fast wifi. On all counts, the hotel delivered with our room.

The property

This resort spans a massive 550 acres and has:

  • Walking trails
  • Stable for rescued horses
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Pool
  • Gift shop
  • Market
  • Fitness center

The grounds

I couldn’t wait to explore the paths along the Rio Grande! There are several walking trails that form a big loop around the perimeter.

a sign in a field

One of the walking trails

a forest with fallen trees and blue sky

Views along the path

a couple standing on a path by a lake

Overlooking the Rio Grande and backlit AF

The trails weave through forests and along the river. There’s also a “fitness trail” with spots to do situps, pullups, stretches, etc.

Though it was mid-January, I loved seeing the stark trees, grass, and leaves on the ground. It was sunny with nary a cloud in the sky, and so perfect and fresh out there.

a man blowing a kiss in a bush

Look what I found!

We even encountered some tumbleweeds, a perfect Southwestern symbol.

The trails are arranged in a way that you can easily get back to the hotel. Or you can keep wandering into other parts of the forest. We took a few of the trails and looped back to the hotel after a couple of hours.

a body of water with trees and mountains in the background

River and mountains

We only saw one other person the entire time, so we had all the trails pretty much to ourselves. Talk about a retreat! You also get mountain views when the trail gets near the river. Just sublime.

a building with a wagon in front of it

View of the resort from the trail. Isn’t it so cute?

The grounds were well-maintained and felt very safe. I could’ve easily spent more time just following each trail.

The hotel

Here are few more snaps from around the hotel.

a room with a table and chairs

Huge lobby seating area

a couch and lamp in a room

More seating

a room with a bar and a television

The bar, where we enjoyed local craft brews

From top to bottom, the hotel is exceptionally decorated with native art and has tons of Southwestern (and New Mexican) accents, like clay pots, weavings, and patterned art.

We ate in the hotel restaurant for breakfast both days. It was a touch pricey, but wow: the food was delicious. Here’s the breakfast menu. We also had dinner at the Corn Maiden restaurant, but my tummy was queasy so all I could hold was a soup. Even that was great, though.

Overall, I loved the property. Being so close to nature was exactly what I wanted. Plus, we took a day trip to Santa Fe and got there in 45 minutes, from the hotel parking lot to the square in the center of town.

It’s also only 25 minutes to Albuquerque if you’d rather see the museums, breweries, and sights there instead.

How I stayed for free

Link: Chase Hyatt card

Link: 5 Hyatt Category 4 Hotels Where the Hyatt Card Annual Free Night Rocks

With the Chase Hyatt card, you get a free night each year at a Category 1 through 4 hotel on your anniversary when you pay the card’s $75 annual fee.

I’ve always gotten outsized value from this perk. And have used it to stay in New Orleans, Austin, and now in New Mexico. One year when I couldn’t use it, I treated family to a stay at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. And I wrote about 4 hotels where the value really shines.

One of my nights at the Tamaya would’ve cost ~$226 after taxes.

a close up of a logo

Would much rather pay $75!

In this case, I got 3 times the value from the annual fee!

a group of hot air balloons in the sky

Save money seeing the hot air balloons in the sky over ABQ

I also found a room during the 2018 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, when rooms are going for nearly $350 a night.

a white background with black text

Use your cert to save year-round

This would be an incredible use of the free night! It’s valid here because the Tamaya is a Category 4 hotel, which usually requires 15,000 Hyatt points per night.

I sent Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt to book the other night. I already had some points in there from other stays, so I just topped it up and redeemed the free night.

a screenshot of a hotel

How I booked the 2 nights at the Tamaya

My total out-of-pocket cost for 2 nights was $0. Free. And so worth it.

Here’s my referral for the Chase Hyatt card if you want to apply and pick up some points! This card is NOT subject to the 5/24 rule. And because of the free night certificate, it’s a forever keeper. I’ve always gotten outsized value from this benefit alone. Not to mention the bonus offers that pop up sometimes.

As long as the free night remains, it’s a no-brainer to keep.

Bottom line

Man, this stay was so satisfying. I loved the rural location, the huge grounds, the decor, the staff, the food. Really everything about it, beginning to end.

I was sad to leave New Mexico. But I’m grateful the Hyatt Regency Tamaya is a part of my memories now. I’m also happy about not paying one red cent for the 2 nights I enjoyed there.

The Chase Hyatt card continually proves to be a keeper. As long as I can get an occasional room upgrade and a free night every year, I’ll keep it.

I would definitely, 100% stay at this hotel again. I bet it’s stunning in the fall. Perhaps next time I can stay longer and use it as a base for Albuquerque instead of Santa Fe. Now that it’s on my radar, I won’t soon forget it. Stay here if you get the chance. It’s entirely beautiful, and so worth it.

If you’ve stayed here, how does your experience compare? Would you consider staying in the mountains of New Mexico for a few days? 

* If you liked this post, consider signing up to receive free blog posts in an RSS reader and you’ll never miss an update!

Announcing Points Hub—points, miles, and travel rewards community. Join for just $9/month or $99/year.

BEST Current Credit Card Deals

  • Capital One Venture X Rewards—Earn 75,000 Venture miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, plus a $300 annual statement credit for travel booked through Capital One
  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card—Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and 3X bonus points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
  • Amex Blue Business Plus—Earn 15,00 Membership Rewards points once you spend after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of Card Membership and 2X bonus points on up to $50,000 in spending per year with NO annual fee

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

About Harlan

Just a dude living in Memphis, traveling, and working toward financial independence.

More articles by Harlan »

Pingbacks

Comments

  1. I used my free night certificate in Nashville and it was a great location, right in downtown! Lots within walking distance especially if you are a country fan.

    • Nashville is almost always a great place to use points and free night certs! I’m from north Mississippi originally, so I have a soft spot for Nashville. And I LOVE country music. Especially classic country! 🙂

      Excellent use for your cert. Thanks for the idea – I might have to copy you! 😉

Leave a Reply