That lengthy renovation of the historic La Posada de Albuquerque paid off, resulting in a “full service boutique hotel” that has locked down a Four Diamond AAA rating and lured countless visitors with its gourmet restaurant, glamorous lobby bar and slinky rooftop hangout.
This lush Los Ranchos retreat is among the most magical places in all of New Mexico. The lucky folks who stay here enjoy cozy, refined rooms and menus that mix high drama with Middle Rio Grande Valley vernacular cuisine.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Mauger Estate Bed & Breakfast Inn3) Tie: Adobe Nido Bed and Breakfast, Bottger Mansion of Old Town, Casa de Sueños, Cinnamon Morning
When you go to Aztec, you get hordes of cookies (the canine variety), a staff that’s sweet as pie and attentive vets with the patience to answer all of your paranoid questions.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital3) Petroglyph Animal Hospital
Defined is going to pump (clap) you up … with convenient locations and reasonably priced month-to-month memberships. Included are classes, swimming and sauna facilities, aerobics equipment, and workouts that are very high in iron.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Planet Fitness3) New Mexico Sports and Wellness
Greg Jackson’s training is renowned far and wide for its success in morphing the martial-arts-curious into highly skilled, super fit, ass-kicking athletes.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu3) Tie: Kung Fu San Soo Albuquerque, Chavez Karate
eVOLV does yoga in a 105° F room with 60 percent humidity and hardwood floors. But yoga isn’t all it does. Find whatever your workout regimen requires, including cardio and strength training with onsite childcare.
A peaceful North Valley oasis, Betty’s offers beautiful environs in which to simply soak, sun and sauna; or be massaged, scrubbed and waxed. Frazzled patrons leave feeling as if they’ve spent the day lounging seaside.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Casa Verde3) Green Reed Spa (inside Sandia Resort and Casino)
Burqueños say Mr. White is just the man to rub you right. He’s also a mobile masseuse, so he’ll come to you with Swedish, deep tissue, sports and seated chair skills.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Tie: Valerie Roybal, Vic Browder3) Tie: Kai Theophilus, Stephanie Ross
When rebooting can no longer solve the tech woes infecting your system, it’s time to call a pro. Not only can Sandia fix what ails your circuits, it also builds and sells its own computers.
Volvo owners are a special breed of people, and they won’t take their Swedish chariots to just any repair shop. Mom-and-pop hand-holding, like lending you another car for the day, have earned Independent Volvo a loyal clientele.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) All In The Wrist3) Don Brown’s Parts & Automotive
Best Of Burque 2012: Best Laundromat
1500 Girard NE268-9834
Best Of Burque 2012:
Doing your laundry isn’t the most pleasant of tasks, but if you’ve just gotta have some clean undies, you might as well wash them in a place that’s got free Wi-Fi, TVs, arcade games, magazines and a decent range of convenience food (Hot Pockets!). It’s open late and has been since 1950.
No one wants their down comforter in a bunch or their silk in shreds. The Cleanery, which is the only Green Business Bureau-certified dry cleaner in the state, deals in couture, delivery and anything else your dresses desire.
Thanks to our country’s economic downturn, more people are choosing to repair rather than replace. If our readers need a new heel on their Tony Lamas or Christian Louboutins, they point their feet toward the venerable Nob Hill Shoe Repair.
Chances are pretty good that you or someone you know already has a CPT tattoo. The hallmarks of Partain’s work: fast, clean and classic. And when you flex your ink in a certain light, the word "awesome" appears in sparkly holographic Olde English.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Jespah Torres (Archetype Tattoo)3) Marie Sena (Stay Gold Tatto)
If you’ve got a body part, the guru-level piercers at Evolution can probably put a hole in it. And if you’ve already got the hole, they can guide you to exquisite body jewelry, troubleshoot your aftercare or even gauge you up to the next size. The spa-like shop is super clean and comfortable, too.
Most of the barbers here are artists outside of their chopping vocation, which is clear in the styling work they do—with flair and attention to detail. Readers think it’s a cut above the rest.
Your crowing glory can be kept gorgeously coifed at any number of Burque salons—this year you picked two for first place: Best of Burque fav Mark Pardo and Downtown up-and-comer Inspire.
With locations in the Northeast Heights, the Westside and Santa Fe, you’re never too far away from smooth, tidy bits. The skin care spa also offers personal polishing in the form of facials, tanning, and lash and brow tinting.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Casa Verde3) European Wax Center
Best Of Burque 2012: Best Nail Salon
10701 Corrales Road NW899-2900
Best Of Burque 2012:
Keep your fingertips buffed, or make your talons long, bejeweled, bright and fierce at this Corrales salon, which also offers waxing.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Casa Verde3) Envy Spa & Nails
Best Of Burque 2012: Best Gift Shop
3500 Central SE262-1900
Best Of Burque 2012:
This little boutique—tucked into the vintage, 1946-built Nob Hill Shopping Center—brims with fun: Cards, jewelry, office supplies, toys, candy and knickknacks make up a melange of gift-giving possibility.
In operation in Albuquerque since 1944, Peoples Flowers (and its playful midcentury signage) is a local icon. Its five locations offer myriad services for your perennial floral needs.
Best Of Burque 2012:
2) Tie: Melba’s Floral Studio, The Flower Shop at Nob Hill3) Manning Florist