I am a city of Albany resident a recently needed to be out of the house for a few days while my floors got refinished. I chose the Holiday Inn Express Downtown because I knew that it had been recently remodeled and due to loyalty/elite status with the IHG brands; I find the vast majority of IHG hotels to be clean, friendly and reliable, and this was no different. It’s also helpful that the hotel offers complimentary off-street parking while being in the city.
I would say in terms of Holiday Inn Express properties, you will find the Downtown Albany location to rival or best most others in terms of cleanliness and hospitality. The room, while average size, has been completely modernized and is very clean with fresh linens and good attention given to housekeeping. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The hotel also offers daily continental breakfast, in a large bright space, which is on par with other Holiday Inn Express hotels.
If there is something I would have to critique that would drop this property from a 5 to 4 rating, would be the proximity to I-787. The hotel is directly adjacent to an interstate and rooms facing the road are very loud. While the noise dies down in the evening, it’s quite noticeable during morning and evening rush hours. My only hope is that the hotel can invest in better sound proofing for the interstate-facing rooms. I suggest you request an interior facing room to avoid the noise. Additionally, the indoor pool is adjacent to the lobby and there is a strong chlorine odor when you enter the building; not a major problem as it’s confined to the lobby, but it is noticeable.
Also, some travelers have commented on the location of the hotel being a concern. Albany is an old city and unfortunately there are some downtrodden areas. This property is located between an older area where the bus station is located, and the downtown business district. Generally speaking it is a safe, short (5 minute) walk along a well-lit street (Broadway) to get to restaurants and bars in the evening, or businesses during the day.
Overall, should the windows be better sound proofed or I was guaranteed an interior room, I would choose this property again in the future.