A few things one expects at a three-star hotel: hot and cold running water and bedding that’s pleasant to sleep in. Recent stays at The Crowne Plaza Albany, a.k.a. The Desmond lacked both.

If you are unfortunate to be assigned Rooms 321, 323 or 339 (or perhaps any rooms in that section of the hotel), you will be without cold water in the bathroom sink. The taps run hot and hotter. You’re also likely to suffer lumpy foam pillows (who knew foam pillows could be lumpy?) that are so hard you will wake up with a sore neck.

I brought the water issue to the attention of the night front desk staff who stated the obvious: there’s no engineering person around at 11pm. Moving rooms, their solution, confirmed the problem was more than an isolated issue. So did a subsequent stay.

Finally, I’ve attached pictures of the fine work that greeted me from the housekeeping department. Why are big pillows left to hang out of little pillow cases that don’t fit? Why aren’t sheets pulled down to cover the mattress? Do you really think your guests like getting into a bed that’s been slept in by hundreds with surfaces that aren’t covered with clean linens?

Has the Crowne Plaza brand moved so down-market as to consider such unwelcoming accommodations to be okay — or is The Desmond a uniquely bad property?

My family and I ended up staying at the Crown Plaza in Albany for a wedding. The location is great, close to the airport and interstates. There were also restaurants and shops not too far away. The staff were very nice and parking was free. Our room was on the first floor near the atrium, which was a bit loud during events but the events held while we were there didn’t go on too late (ended maybe around 9 or 10?).

This is a very nice hotel, and close to the airport if you need that, but it just wasn't for me. It is HUGE. I'm guessing that they cater more to big events and the guests that come from out of town for those events. There are 2 beautiful enclosed courtyard spaces - we saw the last part of a wedding reception in one of them when we checked in. The problem with such a big place is when you have to lug your stuff from the elevator all the way to the far end of the hotel to your room. And when I wanted to fill my water bottle, I had to go about half a mile in circles to find the ice machine (which turned out to be close to our room, but the signs had arrows pointing in the wrong direction 🫤) and then walk even more to find that the only water fountain was near the pool - downstairs and diagonally across the giant building from our room.
But the room was clean and comfortable, right along our route home, and we were only there for about 12 hours.