El Rancho Hotel & Motel, Gallup

The Hotel is truly famous, and -- if high-moderately priced -- an experience to have at least once. One can spend hours, literally, exploring the lobby's two levels, and our room was quite comfortable (though the heater is a bit dated, so took awhile to power up). We were disappointed when the restaurant closed an hour early, and we weren't able to get coffee in the bar, either. The staff was accomodating and civil, though not overly-friendly.

For about ten years we planned to go stay there but kept putting it off. In 1993 we did. We loved it at first sight. We ate in the restaurant that night and met Maxine, a waitress there since 1964!!. We became best friends and we come stay at the El Rancho for two nights every August mostly to visit her in Gallup. We feel at home here. It is truly nostalgic. We stay in the Reagan suite. We just like the atmosphere. No hustle no bustle. Is it perfect there? No. But neither is any place else.

This motel may not be quite what it was, but what it is is quite elegant, in its own decadent way. It has noir written on the banisters and in the photos of stars draping the walls. A good, good night sleep. You will not hear a sound from adjoining rooms and the mattress is firm. the rest is up to you. i like the place and am returning

Maybe because we are from the UK and Ireland, and are used to old buildings with history, we just loved this hotel! Reminded us of our youth and the black and white films we watched in Dublin and London! Next time we travel on Route 66 we will certaintly stay at the El Rancho.

It took over a week to respond to my email request for a room. The carpet was badly stained throughout the room. The bathrooms are very small, so they built a shelf over the sink which nearly made it impossible to splash water on my face. The employees were barely polite and certainly not friendly. I'm looking for other accomadations on my return trip.

We ate at the hotel restaurant. The service was prompt and attentive, the food was excellent. The old hotel is a real walk through the past. It is well maintained and looks like it did 50+ years ago, when we last visited as kids on a tour with our parents. We did not stay at the hotel, since we were in a motorhome, but the facilities looked to be very nice. The hotel staff were all very friendly and sincerely offered their services if we should need any. It is located in the oldest part of town, and has easy access to the main highways.

This is a unique hotel that offers a taste of what western movie stars had when they came to film in those parts of NM. The outside looks like a ranch, and when you walk in the lobby is fill of rich brown wood, with a grand staircase, an old piana playing 20's melodies, and a very old feel to it like you've just stepped back in time. There are dozens of movie star photos on the walls of the lobby (upstairs and downstairs). The restaurant has decent food, but nothing special. Just off the restaurant is an old entertainment hall that reminded me of the theater in "Tombstone" where old westerners got their live entertainment. The room was clean, though the bathroom was small. It definately needed some remodeling. Overall, the hotel was good for a one night trip.

We live in New Mexico and take out of town guests to Gallop over-night to see authentic New Mexico. El Rancho is always part of that experience. The hotel is very, very charming - but older. Rooms reflect that age (small by modern standards, but clean with comfortable beds). Gallop is not a wealthy town, and there is nothing top-drawer; except the charm. Food is wholesome, but nothing to brag on. I found the front desk tries very hard - but again, nothing to brag on.

Our stay at the El Rancho was wonderful. it is a beautiful hotel with an excellent staff. The lobby is great, player piano, largest geode in New Mexico, Huge fireplace, double stair case, autographed pictures of stars who have stayed there. We stayed in the Mae West Room. I had the Errol Flynn for dinner (French Dip) I had never heard of this hotel and happened on it after a trying day of travelling through New Mexico through a snow storm. The stay made my day worth it. We roamed the lobby for an hour, it was fascinating. Our room was quaint and elegant. Only two complaints, but not enough to bring down my rating. The beds were on the hard side and the bathroom was tiny. We loved it, a high light of our trip west. If you are on a economy trip, although our stay was very reasonable, next door is the El Rancho Motel, and you still get the great lobby and resturant.

Staying at the El Rancho is like staying in a museum. The lobby is awesome, the restaurant is very good, and the staff were very nice and helpful. We would definitely go back.