74 State, an Ascend Collection hotel

We had drinks in the lounge, and the service there was great. Our room was excellent, very clean, and extremely comfortable. The staff were attentive and friendly, and the price seemed reasonable for such high-quality accommodation. I'll stay here whenever we're in town.

I was in Albany for the bar swearing-in ceremony, and this hotel was conveniently close to the New York State Capitol. I rented a car at the airport and drove in, though I should have just taken a taxi. Valet parking is available for $16 a day, with unlimited re-entry. The concierges were friendly and professional, and my room was clean and quiet. A great deal.

We stayed about nine hours while breaking up the drive from NYC to Cooperstown. Parking worked out well: we found a spot on the street out front and left before the meter started. The front desk person was friendly and recognized us as the last reservation of the day. Our room was larger than I expected, with an old-fashioned, stately feel. I even wondered if it was haunted, though a quick Google search made me think probably not. The bathroom was huge and the bed comfortable. There was free Wi-Fi and breakfast, which is a real plus when traveling. It was served in the restaurant and included Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, bagels, cereal, coffee, and juice. The person working breakfast was helpful and friendly. For the price, it was good value. We'd hoped to stay in Cooperstown, but I hadn't realized how small it was, and everywhere was full for Hall of Fame induction weekend. If I'm in Albany again, I'll remember this hotel and book here.

The bathrooms were huge, which my wife and I really liked, and the beds were so comfortable I almost didn't want to leave. We had a great time, and the room was very comfortable. We'll definitely come back when we're in Albany again.