Abiquiu Inn — Hotel in Four Corners States

I had dinner recently at the Abiquiu Inn as part of a party of five. We enjoyed our evening, tipped generously, and only noticed the next day that we had, in fact, unwittingly tipped twice. Unbeknownst to us, a “Tip Amount” of 20% had already been added prior to the Subtotal. Not given to examining the bill for errors and certainly not suspecting the Abiquiu Inn of overcharging us, we calculated the tip based on the larger sum and paid. In retrospect, it is difficult not to feel duped.

Cursory research into New Mexican law reveals that the Federal Consumer Attorney’s Office (Profeco), an agency in charge of defending consumer rights, stipulates that restaurants are not authorized to include a tip, because the very definition of a tip is that it is voluntary. It is, in fact, illegal to include it without the consumer’s consent. The consumer is protected in this by Article 10 of the Federal Consumer Law.

A restaurant may include a “Recommended Tip” on the bill, but it may not be calculated, along with the sales tax, as part of the final bill, as the Abiquiu Inn has done.

While restaurants occasionally charge an automatic gratuity for large parties of eight or more, the law stipulates that they must let customers know in advance of the surcharge for automatic gratuity for large parties. According to law, such a fee is only permissible if the policy is made abundantly clear to the customers before the order is placed.

In our case, we were a party of five, and the extra charge on our bill is clearly labeled “Tip Amount,” but is positioned above the Sales Tax and Subtotal in such a way that it is virtually unnoticeable. It is difficult not to conclude that this is an act of deliberate subterfuge.

I have written this review in the hopes of alerting future customers to the danger of being overcharged at this establishment. I would like to stress that the service was fine, and that our complaint is against the establishment, and not the waitress. We do think that an apology is in order, along with a demonstrable change in practice to avoid further overcharging...

I can hardly rave enough about this fabulously charming inn, the innkeepers and the inn's wonderful restaurant (Cafe Abiquiu). After a long drive down from Denver, and a bit of a disappointment over the lavender farm, and then discovering there was no real "town" of Abiqui, I had that moment when you think "Uh-oh, what I have done" which isn't a thought that's fun to have after a long road trip. But the Abiquiu Inn was so wonderful that it made my whole trip. My room wasn't quite ready and I was weary, but they made wonderful suggestions about what I could do in the meantime (a perfect short hike to Poshuouinge Ruins) and when I got back my super charming room was ready, with a HUGE and super comfy king bed, a perfect little kiva fireplace, a fab big bathroom, a desk area, a sitting area, two a windows that opened to let in the perfect summer night air, etc. I couldn't have been happier with my room, but the best was still yet to come. Out in the middle of nowhere in Northern New Mexico, one hardly expects gourmet cuisine, but my dinner of blue corn crusted trout with delectable corn cakes was incredibly delicious -- actually perfect in every way. Breakfast the next morning also way exceeded expectations with the absolute best huevos rancheros I've ever had, served, as my helpful waiter suggested, "Christmas" style with half green and half red chile. The front desk was again super helpful directing my activities for the day, suggesting not only the obvious ride out to Ghost Ranch, but also a stop at the lake on the way out there and an incredible ride on the road to the monastery (no I didn't make it all the way, but the ride was still AMAZING). Everything they did just made what I feared would be a dull and disappointing trip into a lovely getaway, including recommending a hidden back way to Ojo Caliente (painstakingly drawing me a map and assuring me that it was the best way to go) that turned out to be a wonderful part of the trip. All in all, I can't speak highly enough of this charming New Mexico Inn, the fantastic restaurant and the incredibly...

Pretty obvious whoever is running the business knows about decorating and tourist shops, and has excellent taste in upholstery, textiles, finishes and furniture.

However, it is also obvious that they also have a hard time finding competent employees who understand optics as well as service.

A party of people show up with a complexion darker than average and one has a beard and an ADA service dog. I don't know if they assumed we couldn't play the bill, or if the stove broke, or my dog who performs an essential medical function was disgusting to a fearful and ignorant person, or what. But our orders weren't taken for half an hour, then people seated after us were served before us.

When our drinks came, they were cold. That was good. The iced tea and sucralose sweetener was ok but the host threw a temper tantrum, slammed the tea refill, and walked off shaking his head.

The only server I saw claimed he wasn't told our table was his, and when the food finally came the server from the kitchen rushes it over and steps on my service animal. She didn't really seem to care and I couldn't tell if it was intentional or rushed blindness.

He was scared and shivering the rest of the night because he didn't understand why he was abused for doing his job. I feel horrible for not catching and flagging her while she barrelled down on us but we were all tired I guess. My poor dude will never come back here and I guess if I do it will be with an attorney.

The food was half a trout, a tiny salad, a cup of cole slaw and cup of tartar sauce plus tip for 23 AFTER they discounted 15% but by the end of it I was sick to my stomach. Why tip? Because they obviously don't pay their employees enough to stay focused and the management probably treat them the same way they treated my dog.

Google doesn't make stars available for the food but we didn't stay here and I wouldn't suggest it as a hotel if the dining experience was like that. They are only interested in tourist revenue....