Banshee wrote:Hey everyone! Checking in.
I'm out of state and know that our location options are basically Albany or Buffalo (I've also heard these are better because less hectic than being in the city FWIW). Does anyone know if you are able to get whichever of those two locations you want fairly easily or is it still a bit of a race to get one over the other?
I don't really have a preference but I'm wondering because of the hotel situation. Hotels in both Albany and Buffalo near the testing sites are already booking up. Do people just book refundable rooms in both locations and then cancel once they know where they will be? Do they book in just one location and just hope that's what they are able to get? Or do most people wait until after they already know their location to book?
For anyone looking at Albany hotels, we received a helpful email from Barbri with an annotated list of hotels:
Hilton Albany (closest hotel to testing sites)
40 Lodge Street, Albany (518-462-6611)
5-10 min walk to testing locations
$349/night plus tax and up (rates could go up)
3 night minimum and cannot cancel (double check when you book)
1 night non-refundable deposit when you book
Complimentary shuttle service to and from airport, train station and 3 mile radius of downtown Albany
Hampton Inn & Suites Albany- Downtown
25 Chapel Street, Albany (518-432-7000)
10-15 min walk to testing locations
$229/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Complimentary breakfast
Ask about cancelation policy
No shuttle service
74 State but changing to Fairfield Inn & Suites Albany Downtown
74 State Street, Albany, New York 12207 USA
10 min walk to testing locations
$209/night
Complimentary Breakfast
No shuttle service from airport or train
Cancellation policy- 4:00pm date of arrival
Radisson (formerly Holiday Inn Express- Downtown Albany)
300 Broadway, Albany (518-434-4111)
10-20 min walk to testing locations
$209/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
3 night minimum
Complimentary breakfast
Cancelation policy- 6:00pm same day
No restaurant on-site
Complimentary shuttle service to and from airport, train station and within 5 mile radius of downtown Albany
Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center
62 New Scotland Avenue, Albany (518-396-3500)
1 mile to testing locations- you will need to drive
$209/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
$215/night with breakfast
Cancelation policy- 1 night prior
Complimentary shuttle service to and from airport and train station
Hilton Garden Inn
1389 Washington Ave, Albany (518-453-1300)
15-20 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$149/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
$152/night plus tax with breakfast
Cancelation policy- 24 hours prior
No shuttle service
CrestHill Suites Albany
1415 Washington Ave, Albany (510-454-0007)
15-20 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$149/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Two night minimum
Cancelation policy- 24 hours prior
Complimentary breakfast
No restaurants on-site
Shuttle Service to and from airport only
The Desmond Albany
660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany (518-621-4830)
8.2 miles to testing locations (20 min drive without traffic)
$179/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Cancelation Policy- 4:00 pm day of arrival
On-sight restaurants
Complimentary shuttle service to and from airport only
Albany Marriott
189 Wolf Road, Albany (518-458-8444)
8 miles- 20 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$249.95/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Cancelation Policy- 1 day prior
Shuttle service to and from airport only
Restaurants on-site and nearby
Courtyard Albany Airport
168 Wolf Road, Albany Tel 518-482-8800
8 miles- 20 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$219/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Cancelation Policy- 1 day prior
Shuttle service to and from airport only
No restaurants on-site but there are tons nearby
Residence Inn Marriott (all rooms are suites)
124 Washington Ave Ext, Albany (518-218-7240)
15-20 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$269/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Cancelation Policy- 1 day prior
Not shuttle service
Courtyard by Marriott Albany Thruway
1455 Washington Avenue, Albany (518-435-1600)
15 min drive to testing locations (without traffic)
$199/night plus tax and up (rates will go up)
Cancelation Policy- 1 day prior
No shuttle service