El Paso, TX for work and play
El Paso may not be the most predictable destination for a vacation, but it’s a charming and friendly city with great food and notably kind people. Work brought me here several times, allowing me to try one new thing each time, which you could combine for your own two days away in this border town.
Lobby art, entrance to Mamacita’s restaurant, view from the room, and the pool deck at Hotel Indigo in downtown El Paso
Places to stay
Entrance to the artsy Hotel Indigo
We had an amazing stay at the Hotel Indigo, an IHG property with a ton of charm and spectacular service. Artsy, but with touches of luxury, this property can meet a lot of travelers where they are and the price is right! Photos above don’t do justice to the lovely spaces in this small downtown hotel.
La Plaza is a Marriott property if you’re looking for a more traditional stay with spacious suites, an elegant restaurant on the ground floor (and another across the street), as well as cozy and well-appointed common areas adjacent to the lobby.
Stanton House is your hip option (also reasonably priced like Hotel Indigo). The bar and first floor restaurant have an energetic feel, with fun design choices like lamps that come up and down from the ceiling mimicking the look of jellyfish floating in the air with coordinated dimming and brightening lights.
Where to eat
All three hotels above have good eating options! Mamacitas is in the Hotel Indigo with a variety of breakfast options and lunch salads The bar by their rooftop pool is not bad either! Taft and Diaz in Stanton House also had a delicious salad with salmon and the decadent scallops you see pictured here in a green curry sauce. In La Plaza, Ambar has a great crudo and short rib you can take in from cozy booth seating.
Hokkaido Scallops in green curry at Taft Diaz
Things to do
The El Paso Museum of Art is a great place to spend an afternoon, with a variety of rotating exhibitions. Check out the calendar to see if you’re there during one of their special events, including lectures in collaboration with UT El Paso and Texas Tech University. If you brought the kids, right next door is the La Nube Steam Discovery Center is an amazing experiential children’s museum.
If you’re seeking time in nature, head to the Franklin Mountain State Park offers great hiking, biking and rock climbing.
El Paso city skyline from the airport