The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Albany Review

The water is super hard to get right in the shower, there's a small line between super hot and super cold

I loved the way the rooms faced into the courtyard, the restaurant wonderful and the staff was absolutely great

My fiancee' and I booked the Valentine's Day overnight package. After getting into our room we were brought champagne and strawberries. It was very delicious champagne. I believe it is the house champagne as well. The only criticism I have of the experience is that from our room, M33, we could hear the hotel workers outside on their smoke breaks laughing and carrying on well into the night. If we choose to book again I would avoid this room.

Went for an overnight conference, they did a nice job with the food and accommodations.

All the staff are very pleasant and kind. This hotel is like no other, it's simply beautiful. We get the opportunity to stay here 5 times a year. I highly recommend this hotel.

I'm only giving four stars because I didn't actually stay in a room there.
I was there for a conference this past weekend, and every second was wonderful. There's a beautiful indoor courtyard with a big skylight and a pond of coy fish, trees and shrubbery, and ample seating. I wish I could have slept there lol. Gives the place a wonderful atmosphere. Staff was incredibly nice. Music was always pleasant to the ears, and everything looks very clean. It's kinda old, but I love the quaint look of it all. We got food on Friday lunch, that was DELICIOUS. Hot foods, salad bar, and dessert, and of course water and juice to drink. There was also coffee I believe. Saturday breakfast consisted of bagels and cream cheese and coffee I believe. Coffee wasn't too hot for too long I think. We also got Sunday lunch. I was surprised at the lack of flavor in the rice and vegetables, the heaviness of dressing in the simple salad (but really fresh greens), and the dryness of the chicken. Also didn't like the Apple strudel, but loved the whip cream! One server was particularly loud on Sunday afternoon, making it hard to hear the presenters over his voice.
Definitely coming back here one day soon and definitely recommend this place!

Easy check in and very nice staff. Rooms were a little outdated for me but that s definitely the style of the place. It was an overall nice stay and clean.

Went here for a leadership conference. The facilities are excellent, the luncheon was well executed, and the staff were cordial and professional. Excellent day spent here and I am sure the rooms and services are also quite good.

This is a deceptively large hotel that only has two floors; therefore, everything is really spread out. It's designed like a small indoor town with courts and street signs. Prepare to do a lot of walking, unless your room is very close to the entrance. They have a good choice of restaurants and amenities. This hotel is located in Albany. I would give it 3 and a half stars, because the rooms are quite nice. It's just the huge layout of the the architecture that I don't like.

I have been going to The Desmond for over five years for various meetings and conferences. They never disappoint. The hotel is huge with only two floors. It is close to the airport, but you can barely hear the planes. The staff is always friendly and willing to help.

Honestly, my first impression about this place was fantastic. Their wallpaper, decor, courtyard and rooms looked great. We loved the vintage vibe.

The horror story began when we came back to our rooms after dinner. We saw bed bugs crawling on the bed, headboard and the wall behind the headboard. We immediately requested for checkout.

The staff at the reception were sorry about the whole thing and refunded our money.
But I felt I should post this for anyone traveling with kids.

This was the first time I've ever been to the Desmond. I was there for a functionm the hotel is beautiful and well kept. It has a 'quaint village' like interior with beautiful detail and excellent amenities. The Desmond staff at the event were also very nice and accommodating. I would definitely recommend this venue for an event.

Tavern WAs a nice experience.. Good beer selection and prices and decent food

So much to do. Food was great the workers were persistent at keeping things clean and comfortable. I will b going again.

The Rural Women's Assembly was held at the Desmond Hotel December 8, 9 and 10th. The hotel is warm, cozy, whimsical and child friendly. The staff were all attentive, accommodating and professional. The food was much better than usual hotel foods. The pub (for those that attend pubs) was upbeat, happy and the live music was really very good. Yes I would return when on a personal visit to Albany.

Cozy right by Albany NY airport. 10 mins away from empire state Plaza. Nice area, but nothing to eat around. Right next to US 87 entry and exit and around the corner to a gas station and a Starbucks

Great place to have a Mother's Day lunch this is a awesome Hotel

What a great place lives up to the name best hotel in Albany super clean tons of rooms we had a meeting for work there food was great staff is super friendly i would tell any one i know to go here if you are in the albany area 5 stars

The Desmond Hotel hosted the conference I attended. The staff was very helpful and attentive.

Great as ever. Attentive staff, beautiful decor, wonderful colonial feel, and close to Albany Airport and two major Malls.

This time I was lucky enough to snag a duplex in the Mansion part of the hotel. Downstairs features a lounge with sofa, tv and desk, as well as a bathroom; and upstairs a spacious bedroom and full bathroom.

Amenities include an exercise room, swimming pool, bar and dining room.

Highly recommended!

It is fantastic. They still have the Spirit of 1776. Very nostalgic and historic. Always great.

Prices are outrageous. $9.75 for a glass of wine, $6.75 for a domestic beer, $3.50 for wine glass of soda (Mainly ice). The decor is fantastic, but that's the only positive.

This was a union event supporting support staff of school districts. We were provided a wonderful meal there. Was quite pleased with the experience. Would return for other events.

Went for the wine and chocolate festival. It was awesome!

Large rooms. Enjoyed the restaurants. Great shuttle service to the airport.

It's the closest hotel to the airport and has 24 hour shuttle service. Experience was great with friendly staff and enjoyed the live music.

Beautiful room, luxury comfort. All the staff were very pleasant and friendly. The food was delicious! We enjoyed our stay.

It's got a cool set up, interesting interior, makes you feel like you took a step back in time. The rooms are small, not many amenities, definitely need updating, and can be taken care of better for sure. My pipes rattled in the shower, and you can hear that other rooms had the same issue as the walls are quite thin. Overall, better places in the area to stay for the money.

Was there for a meeting. Staff was friendly and professional

I stayed at the Desmond Hotel in Albany for 3 days. It has many conference rooms and areas for private parties or events. The lobby has 2 pool tables, but they charge you $1 per game. It took forever for them to clean our rooms so that we could check in. Some of the staff at the check-in desk seemed new or unsure of policies/procedures as if they were making it up as they went. If you asked 4 staff members a question, you'd get 4 different answer. The younger staff members were usually giving the incorrect answers to questions (like how to reserve the courtesy shuttle). The staff were all nice, though. The fact that the hotel had courtesy shuttles was very convenient. We used them to go to the mall and to the airport.

As far as food goes, the hotel has 3 restaurants. One was closed for renovations. The bar (The Tavern) was nice and offered good, inexpensive appetizers and drinks. The Simpsons restaurant had horrible food and service. We sat at our table for 45 minutes waiting on our breakfast. How long does it take to cook bacon, eggs, and pancakes? Our waiter seemed disinterested. We unfortunately had the same waiter for lunch, and she failed to give us the rolls that every other table got as a starter. The turkey in one of our sandwiches was very dry. The lettuce in my salad was spoiled and partly brown.

As far as the rooms go, the decor is very old-fashioned and country-style. The beds are extremely hard. I woke up with my back hurting because the mattresses are like stone. My roommate's bed had stains and holes in the sheets. There are no fridges or microwaves in the rooms, which was shocking. It's 2011. If you're charging $150/night, you should have fridges and microwaves in the room. This hotel is tailored for business (courtesy shuttle, conference rooms) and/or elderly people (old-fashioned decor, beds like stone). Also, the wallpaper needs to be done away with. And the carpets need to be replaced.

The space was very impressive and beautiful. I had never been to the Desmond and found it to be a hidden gem.

Food and service were excellent at the event.

Very interesting hotel. Can't complain about my time there

Just came in to the bar to meet people after work. Happy hour was good value, service was good. Interesting place in the area for after work.

There for a seminar, service very good as was the meal.

I was there for a conference, the hotel is going under a renovation. Ate at their restaurant last night, understaffed the folks that worked were running like crazy. The food was not good, I ordered a porterhouse and that meat should have been abled to cut with a butter knife
I had a tough time cutting the steak.
I would not recommend this place to eat at their restaurant

Overall beautiful hotel! Stunning on the inside and the employees are wonderful! Close to the airport, so you overhear planes at times, and a room near the elevator meant higher foot traffic (little noisy)

Stayed for one night while meeting a friend in Albany. Great courtyard and koi pond. Loved the free late check-out.

The Desmond is a large hotel that offered our holiday party. We had a large room but were situated far enough that we werent a disturbance to guests. Food was delicious and wine was good. Over priced on wine and beer but they can get away with it because of their stature.

Hotel staff is very arrogant saying things when you need assistance like it's not my job there is a another hotel not far away from here the Marriott I suggest if you're looking for a good hotel to stay at With friendly staff You go there instead this place is overpriced and the people are rude as heck

Once upon a time perhaps but no longer. Sunday night, great people, very tired facility -:(

Beautiful facility, friendly staff. Well put together event.

Gorgeous old world feel. I love the huge indoor courtyard, with access to 1st floor rooms, brick layout, koi ponds, terraces, and a sense of calm. Sure some of the rooms are basic, without a safe, microwave, or fridge, and the wall paper and antique looking furniture and bedposts gives this hotel characteristics of early New England. Staff is very friendly. As a Hilton Diamond Member staying in a non-Hilton hotel for work, I would take my family and kids here for pleasure stay, as they do have suites with more amenities.

Restaurant staff is professional and courteous. They are on point. Rooms are very nice.

Awesome Hotel! Very clean and I love the old world charm of the decor. It's also minutes away from shopping & food.

Really nice interior, very helpful and friendly staff.

Fantastic stay. The wedding and reception put on by the Desmond is top notch!!

Went to a seminar tonight.Good food and desserts.Service was awesome.

The hotel is a gem. It needs updating with fixtures but is conveniently located next to the airport. Staff is friendly and helpful

Love the Desmond it's so different and quaint. The coy pond is beautiful and relaxing. The staff is great and the food is wonderful.

Slow service at the bar. Food was pretty good but was a small serving. Pricey.

My mother and I booked a room at The Desmond this weekend since I had surgery Friday and figured it d be easier to stay at a hotel nearby. Our keys didn t work to our first room- when we called to the front desk we were told there was another door we had to enter. The room we were given yesterday smelled of mildew so we switched rooms last night- again, our keys didn t work to the room. The new room didn t have a refrigerator like our last one- fine. This morning we wake up to find out the WiFi wasn t working and when we called the front desk, we were told this room doesn t get reception- what? I m from NYC and have had quite a few friends and clients travel up here for weddings and always heard such great things! So disappointed my experience here has not been a good one.

Interesting and unusual architecture. Looks like an old time town on the inside. Huge facility.

Had a room facing courtyard. They were setting up for an event most of the night it was extremely loud.

Staff was very pleasant and helpful. Room was nice, clean, with better than usual bedding and towels, but it was also Very Noisy and showing its age in places. Food for our event was mediocre unfortunately.

Under renovation, so any review at this time would not be fair nor up to date! The Hotel's restaurant was excellent as was the service.

Hotel was clean and food in the conference area was good. Decorations are a little kitschy.