Ronald McDonald House Opens Inside a Marriott in Albuquerque

A new Ronald McDonald House opened inside the Marriott Springhill Suites at the Highlands in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it was announced by Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico.

The Highlands House, as the space is called, is meant is to provide families of seriously ill children a place to stay while the children receive treatment, both at the adjacent Presbyterian Hospital, which is accessible via a skybridge, as well as at other local area hospitals.  The new hotel-inside-a-hotel, located on the Historic Route 66, welcomed its first guests Friday, a family whose child is in treatment at Presbyterian.  Route 66, one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System, is memorialized in popular culture in song and an eponymous television show.

“While it may not be able to make the medicine taste better or erase the discomfort of a much-needed treatment, Highlands House will lessen the financial, emotional and physical burden for the families during a very difficult time in their lives,” said Jessica Wright, the charity’s CEO.

The 19,000-square-foot (1,765-square-meter) area, which occupies the entire third floor of the hotel, has comprises 20 guest rooms and is reached via a private elevator.

The property also has a dedicated elevator, a library, kitchen, and laundry room. In addition, there is a skywalk connecting it to the hospital next door.

McDonald’s helped found Ronald McDonald House Charities in 1974.  The organization is an independent non-profit with a stated mission to to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)