Crowne Plaza Albany - the Desmond Hotel by IHG — Hotel in Town of Colonie

Stayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resorts The Desmond in Albany NY for an event. While the event was excellent and the staff over all was very good the stay was not without it's issues. Issues that would impact my consideration for staying there in the future. First issue was at the restaurant Mr. Ds. While the food was quite good the rodent guest may speak for the cleanliness of the establishment. I spoke with other attendees of the event and one even spoke of seeing a mouse run across the dresser in front of the TV. According to them the response of the desk was a lackluster "so". When asked about traps were told they have none. So seeing mice and having other guests report rodents means that there is an issue in the Desmond. The NYSDOH - New York State Health Department would definitely not be happy with rodents in a dining area.

Moving on to the room while the rooms were decent on first appearance issues manifested rather quickly from USB ports that would not accommodate a charger to the AC that was broken and wouldn't cool the room. However the fact that the room wasn't cleaned properly prior to our arrival. There was a dirty washcloth under the sink. It makes one wonder if bedding was actually changed before our arrival.

Moving on to the banquet dinner we were served. The salad was excellent and fresh. That was the only noteworthy part of the meal. The beef was tough and bland. The mash potaoes seemed to be of the reconstituted variety and lacked quality. The chicken was inedible. It was completely dry and could not be cut let alone chewed I had to rip it apart to get a bite and had to fight to chew and swallow. The green beans were not cooked properly. Dessert was a cheese cake that was from a box sometime the last decade. Several guests complained about mold on their cheesecake. I only found out about this talking with other guests after dinner and wish I checked mine closer.

The Hotel itself was actually pretty decent looking with nice courtyards with fountains and the rooms had nice chandeliers and some of the art was nice.

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Beware:  Think twice if you have a connecting flight that might be cancelled.

My wife and I had reserved a room at the Crown Plaza for February 23,2023 and confirmed the room per an email sent to us the day before.  While in flight we learned that our connecting flight to Albany had been cancelled due to weather conditions-snow.  We had very limited time and first took care of trying to get to our destination with the airline.  We accepted a flight to Rochester that same evening.  In the short time before having to board the next flight I had to cancel both a car rental and the Crown reservation.  I was able to cancel and re-book the car rental and when I called the front desk at the hotel at around 4:00PM to cancel the reservation, a well spoken empathetic young man told me there would be no charge for the room under these circumstances.  All of these phone calls were made with my cell phone with the noise and hustle and bustle of the airport.  I did not get his name and we boarded almost immediately after. Well, we did end up being charged.  Again the front desk was helpful and referred me up the chain.  The next gentleman told me that there would be no reversal of charges as I was told and also reminded me that I had checked in online the day before and I did not recall the employee name as if that were a "gotcha" type thing.  He never apologized for a "mix up" or conveyed any empathy, but rather implied that no one would have given me that information and hence the obvious deduction was that I was not truthful.This is a very nice hotel that we have stayed at in the past, but not recently, and its proximity to the airport I'm sure make this a first choice for many.   I was able to leave a detailed voicemail for the Assistant General Manager, Shawn Green, but he has not yet returned my call. I would have been ok with an apology for the "mix up" and/or a credit for another stay or partial refund or something.  A hotel is liable for the information the employees provide to guests.  This was no way to treat a guest.Bottom line:  this is a very nice hotel but if there is a chance that your plans might change due to same day flight cancellation and rerouting, don't...

I have stayed at this hotel twice inn two years. My reason for visit was to attend a conference for the American Legion. My first experience was not the best, and let me explain that it was in no way due to the staff, or cleanliness or operation of anything associated with my room. It was the room location. My last stay had me in a room adjacent to the elevator. This caused a sleepless night since the elevator was running up and down until the early hours of the morning. This time I requested a room away from that area. My room was clean and comfortable with a large bed, coffee maker that accepted K cups, and I was close to the elevators and ice but not so close that I heard them all night. The conference areas were large and plentiful. entertainment and amenities were also. for January my room was of perfect temperature for sleeping or just watching the TV and it was easily adjustable. My one concern was small and ordinarily not worth noting since this hotel has continued to make improvement each year, and that was the water pressure in the shower was not as I am used to. it worked I got refreshed and clean each time, it just wasn't what I am used to. I ate at the restaurant for breakfast and a lunch it was pricey but not if compared to other city fare. The portion was good, I didn't finish any meal I ate there. The bar was expensive but cozy. they had plenty of interesting things to see inside the hotel and the staff was above accommodating. Free coffee in the lobby a nice warm fireplace that burned real wood, and comfortable seating. We had fine dining at our last meal there in the banquet hall and it was ok, not the best I've had but it was probably catered by our organization. so I would recommend staying here if in the Albany area for business or pleasure. its adjacent to major shopping dining chains, the airport and the major expressways. and if you like the scenic route , one turn puts you on a road that drives straight into the...