Desmond Hotel and Conference Center

Ideally located in the heart of New York State's Capitol Region, The Desmond Hotel And Conference Center features luxurious guestrooms on charming courtyards, just steps away from our two fine dining restaurants and cozy tavern. A 3 Diamond AAA and 3 Star Mobil hotel, the Desmond is fully furnished in authentic 18th century oriental rugs, colonial garb, original oil paintings, handcrafted woodwork and finely detailed fabrics and wall coverings. Voted "Best Hotel" in the Upper Hudson Valley by readers of Hudson Valley Magazine 2002 readers poll.

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Property Information:

Rooms: 323
Floors: 4
Time Zone: EST, GMT -5

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Features

Free Newspaper
AM/FM Alarm Clock
Business Center
24 Hour Front Desk
Express Checkout
Hairdryers Available
Parking
Room Service
Modem Lines in Room
Laundry/Valet Services
Fitness Center or Spa

Safe Deposit Box
Bar/Lounge
Coffee Maker in Room
Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
Free Parking
No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
Restaurant
Pool
Meeting/Banquet Facilities
Television with Cable
Shops/Commercial Services

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Reservation Policies:

Check-In: 4PM
Check-Out: 12PM
Currency: USD
Cancellation Policy: Through the Internet site where your reservation was made, cancellations must be made by 4PM on the day of arrival to avoid a cancellation and/ or no show charge equal to one night.

More photos

Albany Events & Entertainment

Sports

Albany Conquest

Pepsi Arena
51 S Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207
518- 487-2222

Call for exact dates and times.

Admission charged

Arena football is back. The Albany Conquest play their home games at the Pepsi Arena. The Conquest season runs from April-July.

Albany River Rats

Pepsi Arena

51 S Pearl St
Albany, NY 12207
518-487-2244

Call for exact dates and times.

Admission charged

2004 marked the 10th Anniversary season of the Capital Districts only professional hockey team, the Albany River Rats. The Albany River Rats are the top minor affiliate of the New Jersey Devils.

Empire State Plaza

Outdoor Plaza

518-474-2418

Call for hours and conditions.

Admission charged

Seasonal outdoor skating rink.

Swinburne Rink and Recreation Center

Clinton Ave, below Manning Blvd.

Albany, NY

518-438-2406

Call for hours and conditions.

Admission charged

Outdoor rink.

Golf Courses

Call for fees and tee times.

Mill Road Acres

30 Mill Rd, Latham, NY

518-785-54653

18 holes

Capital Hills at Albany

65 O’Neil Rd, Albany, NY

518-483-2208

18 holes

Stadium Golf Club, Inc.

33 3 Jackson Ave, Schenectady, NY

518-374-9104

18 holes

Arts and Entertainment

Empire State Performing Arts Center

Madison Avenue at Swan Street

Empire State Plaza

518-434-1845

Call for hours

Admission charged

Albany's most visible performing arts space holds 880 and has a smaller hall for smaller events. It hosts music, theater, and dance companies.

Capital Repertory Company

111 North Pearl Street

Downtown

518-462-4534

Season: October-June

Admission charged

Albany's most fearless theater company premieres new plays and playwrights as well as the classics at this converted grocery store.

Albany Civic Theater

235 Second Avenue

518-462-1297

Call for hours

Admission charged

Four productions every year are all this bijou theater can manage, but each run is completely booked out well in advance. The building is a converted Victorian firehouse with seating for just 50 people.

Palace Theatre

North Pearl Street

518-465-4663

Call for hours

Admission charged

This 1929 Art Deco movie theater was designed by architect John Eberson, and is a must for any walking tour of the city.

Albany Berkshire Ballet
25 Monroe Street
518-426-0660

Call for hours

Admission charged

The Albany Berkshire Ballet is nationally recognized for its versatility in performing both classical and contemporary dance works with excellence. The company's classical repertory rivals that of any large company performing today.

Lark Street

Central Square

518-434-6311

This street two blocks west of Empire State Plaza is studded with diverse gift shops, collectibles and antiques stores and cafes, mainly between Madison and Washington Streets. Lark Street borders the comfortably yuppie borough of Central Square, with glorious Victorian houses one after another, almost all by Albany architects like Ernest Hoffman or Charles Nichols.

Nightlife in Albany

Lark Street

518/434-1217 ext, 409 (Albany Alive Events Line

Lark Street and the surrounding streets are your best destinations for fun, with all manner of choices. Just walk around here at night until you hear your kind of live music: Pauly's Hotel at 337 Central Avenue (tel. 518/426-0828) or the Lionheart Blues Cafe at 258 Lark (tel. 518/436-9530) for blues music; Bogie's at 297 Ontario (tel. 518.482-4368) or Valentine's at 17 New Scotland Avenue (tel. 518/432-6572) for rock or folk, QE2 at 12 Central Avenue for alternative or house or dance music (tel. 518/434-2023)

Events

Early May

Albany Tulip Festival

Washington Park, Albany

518-434-2032

Admission free

One of Albany’s oldest and most highly anticipated events is the annual Tulip Festival set in Albany’s beautiful historic Washington Park. Each year, this traditional Albany event greets spring with thousands of tulips blooming in a myriad of colors and varieties. Thousands from across the Capital District Region and beyond come to Tulip Fest each May to celebrate Albany’s rich Dutch heritage. Tulip Fest features entertainment on 4 stages including a Dance stage. The KidZone features crafts and family fun entertainment, and Jazz Sunday is the perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day. Don't miss the over 100 crafters, the fine arts show, Gardening Talks or the vast array of food vendors.

June-August

Hudson River Way Walking Tours

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Square

518-434-0405

10am

Admission free

The Hudson River Way is a pedestrian bridge that connects Albany’s historic downtown to the Hudson River, allowing direct access for pedestrians and bicyclists. The bridge visually tells the story of Albany’s history through a series of paintings, many depicting historical artifacts discovered in various archeological excavations. The paintings are done in 17th century trompe l’oeil style, which “trick the eye” into believing it is seeing actual objects. Free parking in Visitors Center parking area off Broadway via Spencer St.

Alive at Five

518-434-2032

Riverfront Park

Summer, Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm

Admission free

The stage comes alive with music from national, regional and local artists; each night plays host to a different genre of music. The weekend kicks-off with an early start, as many of Albany’s professionals, community members and families enjoy the diverse musical talent presented during the series. The music is not the only form of entertainment at Alive at Five as great crowd participation, dancing and people watching all make for a unique blend of concert atmosphere and hometown block party fun. Summer favorites such as ice-cold beer, fresh squeezed lemonade, cotton candy and delicious BBQ from some of the areas favorite local vendors are available for sale.

June-September

Guided Horse-drawn Carriage Tours

Albany heritage Area Visitors Center

25 Quackenbush Square

518-434-0405

Tours begin at 10am, reservations recommended.

Admission charged.

Guided tours of historic downtown Albany aboard a horse-drawn carriage.

August

GE's Albany Riverfest

Usually early August, call for exact date.

Albany Riverfront Park. Easy access using the Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge. Park in any of the numerous downtown garages and parking lots, and walk across the bridge.

518-434-2032

Noon - 9:00 pm

Admission Free

GE's Albany's Riverfest is a day long celebration at the newly renovated Albany Riverfront Park. Music, food, and children's activities make for the perfect family celebration on a summer day. The Amphitheater boasts a stellar line-up of musical entertainment, the KidZone has hands-on activities and a stage, and the evening ends with brilliant fireworks. Food and beverages will be available to complete the perfect summer family festival.

Family Movie Night at Riverfront Park

518-434-2032, call for specific nights.

Thursdays

6:30 pm Radio Disney show

8:00 pm – Movie

Admission free

Grab a blanket for a night under the stars for a great family night at the movies! Food will be available for purchase, and Radio Disney will host an awesome show prior to the movie.

Latin Fest

Usually held early August, call for specific date.

Washington Park Parade Grounds

518-434-2032

12:00 noon to 8:00 pm

Admission free

The Albany Latin Fest is a family festival event that celebrates the contributions of Hispanics to the cultural arts mosaic of American life. As the premier Hispanic cultural festival event in the Capital District, the event has had one of the largest attendance rates of any Hispanic festival in upstate New York. The Albany Latin Fest features local and international Hispanic artists, children’s carnival rides, as well as food and craft vendors representative of the diverse Hispanic cultures from across the state.

Summer in the City Art Fair

Call for exact dates.

Pine Street Park, Broadway and Pine Street

518-434-2032

Wednesdays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Admission free

Summer in the City Art Fair features exhibits by local artists and musical entertainment. Artwork is available for purchase.

September

The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival

Usually in early September, call for exact date.

Albany Riverfront Park

Access the event via the Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge at Broadway and Pine Street

518-434-2032

Noon to 7:00 pm

Admission free

The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival features the hottest in regional and national jazz music, as well as tasty food and beverages. Albany Riverfront Park provides the perfect setting for a great late summer day on the banks of the Hudson River.

Lark Fest

On Lark Street

518-434-3861

Call for exact date and time

Festival with music, food and fun!

October

Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival

Usually held on a Sunday, call for exact date.

Albany Riverfront Park

518-641-7518

1pm parade, 2-6 pm Festival

Admission free
Set in the beautiful fall colors of Washington Park, this festival showcases the best of Italian music and food. The colorful parade features marching bands, folk dances, a grand marshal and hundreds of participants. A festival at the Lakehouse follows the Parade.

End of November-end of December

Capital Holiday Lights in the Park

Washington Park

Downtown Albany

518-434-2032; 800-456-7890

Opens at 6pm

Admission free

A dazzling drive-through holiday light display with thousand of lights and more than 100 illuminated scenes and displays creating a wonderland of winter fun. Most evenings, Santa visits with the children at the end of the ride (call for information). Refreshments are available. There are always plenty of surprise visits from Frosty, Rudolph and other characters in this winter wonderland. Ends with surprises and holiday treats in the Lakehouse.

New Year’s Eve

First Night Albany

Downtown Albany

518-434-2032

2:00 pm to midnight.

Fun for the entire family -- a great way to celebrate New Year's Eve! The magic of this annual holiday tradition is celebrated by the entire community! Hundreds of performers fill dozens of indoor stages in Downtown Albany. The celebration features something for everyone including dance, comedy, fireworks, live music, psychics, star shows, and the famous conga line to ring in the New Year!

Albany Destination Overview

Albany offers something for everyone. The lively capital city of New York State is full of surprises. For the sports enthusiast, there are hockey, football, and basketball at the Pepsi Arena. For those who prefer something quieter, there are many museums and historic buildings to tour. Visitors have several options.

Guided tours by trolley, on foot, and even by horse drawn-carriage travel through Albany's neighborhoods, providing information about attractions and historic sites. Explorer Henry Hudson discovered Albany in 1609 while he was seeking a shorter route to the Far East. Soon after, in 1624, Dutch merchants settled there to bring furs from the north and ship them to Europe. Albany still serves under its original charter, which dates back to July 22, 1686. In 1797 it became the Capital of the State of New York.

Albany’s vast Empire State Plaza covers 98 acres. This state office complex took 13 years to build. The Plaza features striking architecture and the world’s largest collection of modern art not housed in a museum. At the end of the super sleek structure is the Capitol building, which was 30 years in the making. The State Capitol sits atop one of the seven hills that fashion the city's landscape.

Begun in 1867, construction continued until 1897 when Governor Frank S. Black declared the building finished, ending one of the longest running public works projects up to that time. Albany’s downtown is thriving, due in large part to the more than $30 million renovation that was undertaken to make the city more appealing. Power lines were replaced and buried underground beneath the 300-year-old streets; new trees were planted; period lampposts replaced with modern illumination; and vintage cobbled sidewalks were built. A pedestrian bridge spanning the interstate and dubbed the Hudson River Way, allows visitors to enjoy the scenic Hudson River banks once more.

Paintings on 30 lampposts along the bridge depict memorable aspects of Albany’s past. The paintings have passersby doing double takes. Trompe l’oeil, a 16th-century painting technique that means, “tricks the eye,” does just that. The paintings appear to be the actual objects depicted, not just artistically rendered images. Albany is the home of the New York State Museum, the largest state museum in the country.

With three and a half acres of exhibits and no admission charge, the museum is an inexpensive and fascinating way to spend an afternoon. Albany offers days and nights filled with a wide variety of attractions for people of all ages to experience and enjoy.

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Property Information:

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Features

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Reservation Policies:

Areas Served

Area Airports

Nearby Attractions

Restaurants

Albany Events & Entertainment

Albany Destination Overview