Hotel at a Glance: The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center

This award-winning hotel is modeled after a colonial village square. On the property, you’ll find two indoor courtyards, winding brick paths, trickling fountains, and quaint mock storefronts. Hand-carved woodwork and period-style furnishings add to the old-fashioned aura, and rooms are spacious and comfortable—many look out over the “village square” below. You’ll be a mile from the airport and just a few minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Albany.

• Guest rooms feature free WiFi and elegant china lamps that create an inviting atmosphere for sipping a glass of wine. This getaway includes one bottle of vino each day.
• Onsite eats: Fork up king crab scampi and grilled striped bass at the AAA Four Diamond–rated Scrimshaw Restaurant, or head to Simpson’s Grille for more casual American favorites.
• Two kinds of pool: The hotel has a billiard room and an indoor swimming pool, as well as a hot tub.
• Hoist a pint in The Tavern, the onsite English-style pub with leather couches and a classic cocktail menu.

Albany, New York: Historic Capital of New York

Albany is one of the oldest cities in the United States—it’s been a continuously chartered city since 1686. For America, that’s practically ancient. Because of its age, there are historic sites and districts everywhere, and the city is full of museums and cultural centers. Check out the New York State Museum, the New York State Library, and the New York State Archives, all of which are clustered together in the Empire State Plaza and completely free to visit. Also worth a visit is the decommissioned WWII destroyer escort, the USS Slater, now a floating museum that runs daily tours from April through November.

Though it’s the capital of New York State, Albany is relatively small, with a population of about 100,000. Its downtown is quaintly compact, with parks, art galleries, and restaurants at every turn. In warmer months, don’t miss a chance to take a cruise on the Hudson or visit the green expanse of Lincoln Park. For a quick day trip, head to nearby Howe Caverns, a year-round underground cave with lantern tours and a ropes course—it’s the second-most-visited attraction in New York State after Niagara Falls.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.