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Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants!

Photo gallery for Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants!

A perfect family gathering spot!
Welcome to El Rio Hondo!
Come right in - a view from the front door.
Just a few steps to the kitchen eating area under the skylight. Look how open!
Looking back to the front door and den.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Albuquerque, NM
  • Balloon Fiesta Park
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • ABQ Uptown
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Sandia Casino
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Albuquerque, NM (ABQ-Albuquerque Intl. Sunport)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Den

1 Double Futon

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master ensuite

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area

About this property

Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants!

Licensed in the City of Albuquerque, operating under permit #258764.

First the reference to the above city permit which allows us to operate this home as a short term rental. We strive to provide a comfortable, restful, and safe experience for our guests, and operate within the city's basic requirements. They are summarized as follows:

• Strict occupancy limits. For this home, the maximum occupancy is 6 persons, 12 years of age and older. Please contact us if you have additional children under12 years old to see if we can accommodate your entire party.

• Large-scale events prohibited. For example, the city will not allow weddings, large parties, etc.. Please contact us if you wish to host small gatherings that include additional people who are not in your party. In the past, we have accommodated small memorial services, graduation celebrations, wedding party dinners, and birthday parties that were not obtrusive to our neighbors and which were within the city's guidelines.

• Quiet time. Please no loud music or excessive noise from 10pm to 7am, local time.

• No commercial events. This rarely applies to our guests, but it is worth mentioning here. Events such as commercial photoshoots, movie filming, etc. are prohibited.

Guests that do not adhere to the city ordinance as noted above will be given an opportunity to cure the infraction; otherwise their reservation will be cancelled and no refund will be given.

And now back to our property description.

First of all, we are COMMITTED to CLEAN! Before we even describe the home, we know that our guests want to know how CLEAN the premises are. Even before COVID-19 hit our country, our guests praised our home for its cleanliness at check-in (feel free to check out our guest reviews). Here is the protocol we follow, including some enhancements we have made since the pandemic:

• We use cleaners and disinfectants approved by health agencies
• All surfaces are cleaned, mopped, or dusted before sanitizing
• All high-touch surfaces have been cleaned with germicidal wipes
• The remotes are enclosed in sleeves for easy disinfecting
• Each room is cleaned following our detailed checklist
• Cleaning supplies are left out for your use during your stay
• All bedding is washed using bleach. Duvet covers are washed between guests.
• All counter tops and tables are cleaned with germicidal products, and table runners washed
• All furniture is wiped down with germicidal products
• Floors are washed with a bleach solution
• All bathroom surfaces are cleaned with a germicidal solution
• All throws on the couches are washed between guests
• Southwest pillows that are not washable are sprayed with germicidal spray, and sterilized in the sun for several hours (if no sun, then they are put into storage not to be used for several days)

In concert with our cleanliness policy, smoking is strictly prohibited in the house or in close proximity to the house such that smoke could enter the house. If you do wish to smoke, please do so outdoors away from the premises. Please dispose of smoking materials safely in the outdoor garbage bin.

We allow pets with an additional pet fee. Cats are not permitted (guest allergic reactions), and certain dog breeds are not permitted for safety and insurance reasons (e.g. Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, etc.). If you have questions about our pet policy, please contact us.

This is a beautiful newly renovated southwest styled home tucked into a quiet community. Southwest living at its finest in 1900 square feet. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, a queen pullout in the living room (the living room can be closed off and made private), and a pullout in the den (note: the den is not a private room). Easily accommodates 6.

Fully furnished kitchen, all stainless-steel appliances and granite counter tops. We provide a gift pack of snacks and beverages for the hungry arrivers, a Keurig and a regular coffee maker with starter coffees and teas, coffee grinder for those who prefer to grind their own beans, paper goods, spices, place settings for 12, pots, pans, cookie sheets, baking pans, blender, crock pot, hand mixer, and (quite possibly) every utensil you might need to make a great meal or two.

Full-sized washer/dryer. Fireplace in the living room (some firewood supplied), wood stove in the sun room, and a propane firepit on the patio. Eat breakfast in the warmth and brightness of a giant skylight, or grill outside on the private patio, or relax in the sunroom.

Or, as many of our guests rave about, enjoy a glass of wine as you watch the sunset reflect off the Sandia Mountains from the privacy of your own ROOFTOP PATIO.

We're just a short walk to Starbucks, Whole Foods, and a great hamburger spot with a delicious happy hour. There are several great restaurants close by representing many wonderful ethnic cuisines. There are biking and jogging paths nearby that you don't need to drive to. We're about 5 minutes from a great municipal golf course (Arroyo del Oso) and 10 minutes from a Scott Miller-designed golf course at the Sandia Resort and Casino. It's 10 minutes to one of the world's longest trams, the Sandia Peak Tram. 10 minutes to the La Luz hiking trail and Elena Gallegos Open Space in the foothills. Bring your cameras!

It's a short drive to shopping, theater complexes, SO MANY restaurants, Albuquerque Old Town, the zoo, the botanical gardens, museums, our fantastic Triple-A ballpark, the Bosque, and other fun places in the city. If you're here for Balloon Fiesta, you're 5 minutes from a park-and-ride and about 10 minutes from Balloon Fiesta Park. If you want to take the scenic train ride into Santa Fe, you're 10 minutes from the Rail Runner. And if you're here for little skiing, use our home as your launching pad to the Sandia Peak Ski Area, Santa Fe Ski Basin, Pajarito Mountain, or the famous Taos Ski Valley.

We're close to major streets and freeways that open up a whole new world of New Mexico adventures, whether you want to drive the Turquoise Trail, visit Santa Fe, explore the nation's oldest continuously inhabited settlement at Acoma Pueblo, walk among the Tent Rocks, try your luck at several casinos or take in their shows, do a little stream fishing, or explore our beautiful Land of Enchantment on your own.

Vacationing? Extended business? Family visits? Moving to Albuquerque and want to "test drive" our community? There's no quieter, more convenient location than El Rio Hondo.

Property manager

Merv & Brenda
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Toys & books; Pack 'n Play, crib, highchair
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
With prior permission. Quiet time 10:00pm - 8am
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Many dog breeds ok. No cats. Questions? Email us.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outdoors only; $250 fee if in home or sunroom.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 16
Note from host: With prior permission. Quiet time 10:00pm - 8am
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number City of Albuquerque Permit: 258764

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Albuquerque

Located in Northeast Heights, a neighbourhood in Albuquerque, this holiday home is in the mountains. Isleta Amphitheater and Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course and Putt-Putt Golf and Games. Travelling with kids? Consider ABQ BioPark Zoo and Cliff's Amusement Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating.
Map
Albuquerque, NM

What's nearby

  • Cliff's Amusement Park - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Balloon Fiesta Park - 8 min drive - 8.3 km
  • ABQ Uptown - 8 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Sandia Casino - 9 min drive - 9.5 km
  • University of New Mexico - 13 min drive - 14.9 km

Getting around

  • Alvarado Transportation Center - 18 min drive
  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sadie's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Monroe's Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-out at Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Enchanting Southwest Serenity - SO Convenient to Golf, Grocery, and Restaurants! located?

This family-friendly Albuquerque holiday home is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Arroyo del Oso Golf Course, Cliff's Amusement Park and Putt-Putt Golf and Games. ABQ Uptown and Balloon Fiesta Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 136 out of 139 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 139 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 139 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 139 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Madonna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, inviting, excellent location - just like home

This property was so charming, quaint and quiet. Merv and Brenda are exceptional hosts. Met us to explain how amenities worked and were easy to communicate with, very responsive. Home was clean, cozy and comfortable- had everything we needed and then some (including extra toothbrushes and coffee and tea). Neighborhood is quiet and centrally located and could get anywhere in a very short time. We will definitely stay again when returning to Albuquerque.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrific T-day!

We had such a wonderful time, this was one of the best homes we've stayed at through VRBO! Thank you for everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacob A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Very comfy, quiet home and neighborhood
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property with Great Hosts

The property is gorgeous and convenient to local businesses. I had no problem getting to and from the property while exploring ABQ. Our Hosts were welcoming and informative. They provide a comfortable and well stocked home. We've added this listing as a favorite.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away!

Merv and Brenda were great! They made sure we had what we needed. They were prompt returning messages when we had a question (before and during the trip). The house was spotless when we arrived and had everything we needed. The roof top deck was fabulous! We will stay here again if we are in the area.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay!

House was wonderful! Merv was a very attentive host, and the house itself was superb. Utmost cleanliness and super nice extras made our stay the best! Would definitely stay again if in the area!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick family vaca

We stayed a few days in NM to experience art & scenery and we weren’t disappointed. Our stay here was wonderful, well appointed & very clean home. Everything was as described and pictured. Very quiet neighborhood & felt safe. Would visit again without hesitation.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Great property
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terri B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable Home with everything you need

Perfect spot to stay. The home is comfortable and has everything you could need. I stayed for 10 days to visit friends. This house was the perfect place to come home to and relax. I will definitely be back.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Penny F.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home

We had such a wonderful time here. The home is completely stocked with everything you could need, right down to spices in the cupboard — there’s even a grill in the backyard! It was perfect.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

ABQ weekend!

Beautiful home in abq! We were in town for a volleyball tournament weekend and this home was perfect for our team and 2 dogs! Beautiful house in a great location! Can’t wait to return !
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valerie V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Highly recommend

I needed a comfortable and well-laid-out home in which to recuperate from hip surgery, and this was the perfect spot! Spotlessly clean, comfortable, quiet, and so well stocked. They even provided a toilet riser and shower chair for me, and checked in to see how my surgery went. The neighborhood is lovely and quiet, there are nice outdoor spaces to enjoy, and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. Thank you, Merv and Brenda!
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsy C., Carrollton, TX

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home! They thought of everything!

My family really enjoyed our stay - plenty of room for 4 of us. The owners are amazing and thought of everything! The neighborhood is lovely and quiet, nears trails and shopping. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

All we can say is that it was wonderful to return to this property to relax and rejuvenate after long days away. The home is also so convenient to grocery shopping, jogging, and central to getting around Albuquerque. Brenda and Merv were wonderful hosts and have a well cared for and exceptionally well stocked home. There was not much we needed more than what was provided. It was also exceptionally clean, a huge relief. The mattress in the master bedroom was exceptionally comfortable, as were the pillows and linens. Also good quality towels were provided. All in all we would absolutely return here at any point in the future, no question. A plus, they had some Christmas decorations and a tree that just made the home more like home for the holidays...thank you!
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kalisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Holiday Rental

We had a very comfortable stay. The home was well equipped with kitchen utensils and toys for children. Will definitely rent again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

Our family enjoyed this property. It is a great layout with all the items you would ever need. The location is also great.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Belinda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location for Balloon Fiesta

The home was as beautiful as advertised. It was clean, comfortable and the kitchen was well stocked - probably more than any other location we've rented. We thoroughly enjoyed the basket of goodies throughout our stay. WOW - what a treat to have those items. We were in Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta and this home was in the perfect location! It was truly centrally located to access the park & ride buses, or to go sightseeing around the area. A highlight for us was the rooftop deck that allowed us to view the fireworks from the Fiesta Field, to watch balloon launches on mornings we weren't in the park and the icing on the cake was being able to watch the Annular Eclipse that happened to coincide with the Fiesta!! Absolutely stunning to watch from the rooftop. We were also able to use the bag chairs at the home to sit while enjoying the Music Fiesta on the field. A plus for sure as we were going to have to buy chairs. It was an absolute pleasure working with Merv and Brenda and we would highly recommend their beautiful home. If we are ever back in the area, we would most certainly rent this home again.
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna & Joe J., North Richland Hills, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A+

Great location, very clean and well supplied home, and hosts who are very welcoming and attentive to detail.
Stayed 28 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to Albuquerque

Everything was fabulous! House, weather, birthday party at my daughter’s for five year old grandson were perfect! Thank you for showing us around and we will be back and stay there again soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rooftop lookout

What a perfect home away from home for us to stay in while moving our daughter to Albuquerque! The home is conveniently located and so well stocked with everything you’d need to cook up a good meal and relax a while. We’ll definitely come back to stay here when visiting!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janice N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic!

We have stayed in many rental homes, and this was the best! Merv and Brenda were awesome hosts, meeting us at the property and showing us how everything worked. The house was beautiful, well appointed, and was more than we could have asked for…it felt like being at home. The location was perfect, close to stores and centrally located.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Best

We have stayed at this property multiple times now and the property owners are by far the best I have ever dealt with. They’re very accommodating and friendly. Simply put, they are the best! The house is always immaculate and they have seemingly thought of everything for their guests. I cannot recommend this property and owners more. Thank you so much for being a beacon of hope and light.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charles B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

Our stay was much more than expected. We were there for work on base. House was clean and comfortable. Close to everything. Neighborhood is nice and quiet. I would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

We have been staying at this property for the last 6 years when we come to Albuquerque and it is always super nice and extremely clean. It is a great neighborhood that is very quiet and conveniently located. The home is spacious and has a fenced yard for our fur baby. Merv and Brenda are wonderful hosts and always available. We love this house and our family loves visiting us there. Plenty of amenities and everything you need here. We plan to continue staying at Rio Hondo once a year when we come to town. Wonderful place to stay with terrific hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer stay

I fell in love with the pictures of the house when I saw them online. The pictures didn’t lie. The house was perfect for us. There were 5 of us all together ranging in age from 15-82. There was plenty of room. Everything we needed was there. Kitchen supplies and bathroom supplies, you name it and it was there. Merv and Brenda met us when we arrived and they gave us a walk through to show us where things were. Merv even texted the following morning to see if things were ok and if we had any questions. One morning the fridge didn’t seem right. I texted Merv and he responded right away. He gave us a suggestion and sure enough, the problem was solved. The neighborhood is so quiet and peaceful with stores and restaurants close by. Our vacation and accommodations were FANTASTIC!!!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Merv & Brenda

Host profile image
We're Merv and Brenda, and are long-time residents of Albuquerque, albeit transplants from Vancouver BC. We moved from green, wet, and sea level to turquoise, dry, and 6,000 feet. And we've never regretted it. We enjoy the Southwest, and especially the uniqueness and richness of our local culture and our Land of Enchantment. Our air is clean. Our skies are big. Our sunsets are like none others.

We raised our daughters in Albuquerque and have no intention of leaving. This is truly a glorious place to live.

And because inquiring minds want to know, we'll tell you now: Merv prefers green, and Brenda likes Christmas. (You'll know what we mean when you put in your first order at one of our many authentic New Mexican - NOT Mexican - NEW Mexican restaurants.)

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this home the first time we saw it. It had a southwest charm that we've enhanced in our renovation for easy maintenance and trouble-free living. Not too big, not too small - whether you're 2 people or 6, you'll easily spread out on this property and enjoy a nice quiet, restful vacation.

One word for this location: convenience! The home is in a quiet neighborhood where the neighbors are friendly and look out for each other. Walk 4/10 of a mile to Starbucks for your morning coffee. Across from Starbucks is a superbly stocked Whole Foods grocery store. Enjoy a great happy hour and organic burgers at Five-Star. In the shopping mall in the next block are a Wal-Mart, Smiths grocery (Kroger brand), great pizza, and other shopping. And just across Wyoming Blvd. to the east is a 3.5 mile walking/jogging trail that is a local favorite.

If you want to drive, the Arroyo del Oso golf course is about 2 miles away, and the world-class Sandia golf course 4 1/2 miles away. Local cinemas and restaurants are 10 minutes away along I-25. Churches, medical facilities, pools, exercise facilities, hair and nail salons - all close.

What makes this property unique

It's all about location. It's all about quiet. It's all about convenience. That's what we love about our home. And that translates into one thing -- it's all about you! You'll definitely enjoy your stay with us.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests