NY Albany Hilton Garden Inn Airport ALB

[TravelTea]

I stayed @ this HGInn twice this summer (6/22/07-6/25/07) and (7/12/07-7/14/07) on a winning PL bid of $50/night for both stays. By coincidence, I was assigned the same room #419 on both visits (requested non-smoking 2 double beds). At first I thought this was a "Priceline" room as it was the first room next to the elevators & ice/vending machines. But this room was fine (I did not hear the elevators' "ding" or traveling up/down the shafts nor the ice dispensing). B/C this hotel is located directly across Albany airport (ALB), you will hear the airplanes taking off, but since this is a small aiport, plane traffic was non-existentant after 10pm. The only noise you will hear is from the A/C window box unit. It is controlled by a thermostat, and when it kicks on & runs, it is loud. This may bother some people, not a problem for us. It is hot & humid in the summers here & you'll need the A/C on during the day. Fortunately, it cooled down in the evenings & the A/C was not running over-night.

The beds are *very* comfortable (& if you are exhausted--you'll sleep like a baby (A/C noise or not). During our 1st stay the bedding was vellux blankets, however, they have since changed the bedding (to down comforters in duvets) & changed the shower curtain & bar (to the bow-type for more room in the shower/tub); Neutragena toiletries, plenty of fluffy towels for 4. Everthing was clean & updated (not old or worn); however a few stains on the desk chair & room's club chair (oh-well). In room refrig & microwave & coffee maker (complimentary coffee, tea, hot water provided in lobby as well). Small gym & indoor swimming pool downstairs (not too crowded) & use of a business center (copy machine & 1 PC w/ high-speed access). Sometimes you have to wait in line to use the computer, but most guests are quick (logging on for airline check-in, or map direction print-outs, etc.) Did not eat @ downstairs restaurant, but there's a 24 hours pantry (for purchasing drinks, ice cream, snacks, sundries).

Plenty of free parking, location is very convenient (across the street from airport) & plenty of restaurants & stores on nearby Wolfe Road. Definitely need a car to get around. Guests were mostly business travelers (weekdays) & families (weekends). A great base for visiting nearby colleges: Siena College (Loudonville), Univ of Albany, SUNY Albany, Rennsalaer Polytechnic Inst (Troy) and Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs).

The front desk, housekeeping & staff are friendly & helpful. Overall, two wonderful stays, would love :) to win this hotel again.