Travelers searching for an unmistakable display of New Mexico’s distinct vibe often find their way to Hotel Chaco. This upscale boutique hotel is right at home in the desert of Albuquerque, with a blend of style and local culture that attracts guests from all over the country. This award-winning destination was chiseled into life as a first-of-its-kind oasis in the midst of the largest desert in North America, the Chihuahuan Desert.
Challenges
Yellowstone Landscape completed the landscape installation in 2017 and has continued to serve this unique property for nearly eight years. The landscaping challenges here are as uncommon as Albuquerque’s mountainous backdrops.
The developers’ goal was to reflect New Mexico’s brand in an area without a distinct vibe at the outset of the project. Hotel Chaco would spearhead that aim as the beginning point of fresh geographical branding. Aligning the property’s landscape elements with New Mexico’s cultural shapes and materials was no easy chore, considering the harsh desert climate. Locals say the climate automatically puts every landscape on “life support.”
So, our plant choices had to be perfect selections that would meet sustainability requirements and need few resources to thrive. A related issue was accessing water within governmental guidelines while implementing smart water practices for plants and water features. Monitoring the health of trees was another chief concern, as they are particularly valuable investments in desert environments. The broader challenge was creating and maintaining outdoor areas as impressive as the boutique hotel’s carefully styled interior.
Results
Our long-term relationship with this client speaks volumes about the results achieved at Hotel Chaco. Here are a few ways we’ve met the property’s challenges:
- Stunning stonework for the minimalist signage provides the ideal welcome for guests.
- Intriguing boulders and decomposed granite are solid reminders of the New Mexico landscape.
- Specially chosen wood and fabric whisper the area’s history and culture.
- Outdoor architecture appeals to guests and lures them outside to enjoy the unparalleled views.
- Unique water features follow local regulations and are as attractive as they are sustainable.
- Guests report a consistent New Mexico feel from the lobby to their rooms to the landscaped patio areas.
- Native grasses, right at home in the desert, have saved “life support” resources for other community needs.
- Our certified smart-water team members are protecting every drop of irrigation.
- Adaptive tree healthcare and constant monitoring keeps Hotel Chaco’s most valuable plant materials alive and well.
Guests’ Thoughts on Hotel Chaco
“The stunning patio encircles the entire establishment, providing unequaled views of Albuquerque and the beautiful Sandia Mountains.”
“Beautiful grounds, pool, hot tub, peaceful area.”
“Beautiful architecture throughout and an amazing patio view of the Sandias.”
Geographical Branding
Besides the tremendous ongoing client relationship, perhaps the best aspect of this landscaping case study is the momentum created by Hotel Chaco. The entire surrounding area of the city, once home to industrial and manufacturing warehouses, has been beautifully sculpted by following the lead set by Hotel Chaco and other early redevelopment efforts.
Albuquerque locals have also embraced the boutique hotel as their own, with Pueblo culture woven into the design, inside and out. Visitors from all over the world can get a real and upscalve feel for what New Mexico means to the American landscape.
Are you looking to upgrade your commercial property’s landscape or brand the property with a specific geographical or cultural theme? Contact Yellowstone Landscape for a consultation. We’ll walk the property with you and work together to find that specialized look you’re seekingfor your next development project.
