Marriott Albany NY
 

Anyone stay here? Is the extra charge for the concierge level worth it?

It's your basic Marriott, nice but nothing special. I can't imagine the extra charge for concierge floor being worth it. The only difference is a continental breakfast and free non-alcoholic beverages.

The bar is over-priced. Room service is usually pretty decent. I haven't eaten in their restaurant. There are lots of good restaurants nearby.

Agreed - Totally unremarkable, even for an 80's built Marriott!

Easy access location to the airport and the Thruway is a plus. The restaurants around were mostly chain-fodder, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.

It's only $10 extra for the concierge level. They say they offer evening appetizers as well. Is that true and does it consist of anything more than cheese and crackers?

$10? Go for it! Last time I was there they had some nasty mushroom caps (hot), cheese and crackers and nuts. Dessert selection a little later in the evening, but I did not partake.

But the ten bucks difference would be worth it for the breakfast, as I tend to bulk load.

As stated earlier, its your standard basic Marriott with the standard lounge. For me its not worth it to spend $10 extra for the lounge since I don't usually eat breakfast. The snacks and desserts are usually nasty and greasy. So I'd rather save the $10 and spend it on an appitizer with dinner. True, that there are mostly chain restaurants around. In fact, Macaroni Grill seems to be the only decent choice.

We stayed at this property on a $50 Priceline rate last night.

The front desk clerk gave us a renovated room. A work in progress I was told.
Our room 315, overlooked the front of the hotel. The awning. Oh well, it was Priceline.

Our room was beautifully decorated. Nice bedspreads, good pillows, nice towels; but the worst read, softest mattress I've ever slept on. :mad: Some of you may like it; but not the wife and I. When we sat on the bed, you had a sinking feeling. When we got into bed, the sinking feeling almost pushed us together. ;) But uncomfortable just the same. Needless to say we didn't get a good nights sleep.

My wife suggested that I don't do 3* Priceline next time we're ALB bound.

This property is just OK, and if the parking overflow puts you in the covered garage it's more of a hike than I'd prefer. Also check out the Residence Inn at the Albany Airport a few miles away.

I stopped staying at this property last year, I found that the rates they charged were outrageous for a mediocre property. My overall success rate for getting rooms on the C-level is above 90%--never with this place. It also seemed that I was getting rooms that required a 1/4 mile hike once I got off the elevator. A few years ago I got stuck in one of their elevators and the emergency phone did not work so I had to call the front desk from cell phone in order to get someone to get me out. I was never contacted by hotel staff about the incident so I had my follow-up with Marriott corporate over safety concerns.
There is a CY right across the street on Wolf rd that also charges too much so I started staying at the CY by SUNY Albany. Nice enough CY with a friendly staff.

Thanks to everyone for the heads-up.

We're headed to Canada starting the evening of 8/26 and have a reservation at this hotel for that evening @$161. (AAA rate).

Now I'm thinking of canceling the reservation.

Wolf's Road is very convenient but it sounds like the Courtyard is a dud as well and the other one (at SUNY) is the best (Marriott) alternative.

Anyone have any recommendations as to what might be a good bet if we wanted to stay in the Wolf's Road vicinity?

There's a Hampton Inn right off Wolf Rd that's perfectly fine and normally cheaper than the Marriott.

I used to work at this property! :D

It's an old school Residence Inn (looks kind of like a townhouse development) but well maintained and the staff are absolutely top notch. They will take very good care of you.

It's a little far from Wolf Road, but an easy drive to any of the restaurants there, and has a great diner right next to the hotel.

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying there. Usually has very affordable rates too.

Thanks, guys.

Went to Marriott.com and tried to book it - looks very nice from photos and from detail description it reads like it just might be equipped with the Residence Inn version of the new Marriott beds.

Unfortunately its AAA rate is $189. for 8/26 which, hard to believe, is $28. higher than the still-available AAA rate at the FS Marriott on the same date.

I also, just for the heck of it took a look at both CYs and neither offer photos (making me think) that they have not undergone updating.

I want to stay at a Marriott property inasmuch as I qualified for "double points effective the second stay" in the Summer promotion so I'll do some surfing to check out other Marriott alternatives.

Again, many thanks.

The CY by SUNY Albany is fine, they have completed their renovation and I stay there now instead of the Wolf Rd properties

I have stayed at the Albany Marriott, and do not recommend if the rate is hight. It is in need of renovation. I live 15 minutes from there, and have stayed there 12 times in the last 2 years.

I have also stayed, or had family stay, at in-numerable other marriott properties in the area.

I would recommend the CY Saratoga, mentioned in the thread below:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449512

albatross