Howard Johnson

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 09 Apr 2011 rated 6 out of 10.

My first impression of the hotel was that my 6-year-old daughter would love it, since the outside of it was pink! However, once we got to our room, it was pretty much what we expected. We'd booked the least expensive hotel we could find, and it pretty much lived up to that. It was a basic room, 2 beds, bathroom, little table and chairs, TV, dresser. One very nice thing about it, though, was a mini-fridge and microwave, which was marvelous since it saved us a fair amount of money since we could prepare some of our meals there instead of having to eat out. The beds were comfortable, and the room, while not exactly large, was roomy enough for us and our 4 kids to get along reasonably well. The bathroom was clearly not exactly new, but it was in good shape, except that the plug to the bathtub was broken, which made baths for the kids difficult. The breakfast was a continental breakfast, with waffles, toast, bagels, English muffins, cereal (frosted flakes and raisin bran), juice, doughnuts, milk, coffee, oatmeal and some fruit. It was actually situated in a hotel room that had been made over to house the breakfast, and I actually liked that since we didn't feel like we had the hotel staff watching us eat. The only real complaints we had about the hotel was that the fitness center didn't seem to be open to the guests, or at least our keys wouldn't open it. This was especially frustrating to my husband who is an avid exerciser. The one huge complaint that we had, however, was the Wireless Internet. We were about ready to pull our hair out by the end of the 4-night stay, because it would constantly kick us off the Internet every 10-15 minutes, and then it would take another 10-15 minutes before it would be available to reconnect to again. Since we were out there looking for housing when we move, and much of it was done online, this was exceptionally frustrating. For some reason, our iPod touches didn't seem to have quite as much problem as our laptop.

Positives: The room was clean and comfortable.

Negatives: The wireless Internet kept kicking us off every 10-15 minutes. Very frustrating.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 05 Sep 2010 rated 6 out of 10.

Overall if you just had to stay there for a place to sleep it would be ok.

Positives: The room smelled good at least.

Negatives: The carpet was dirty and the shower was filthy.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 22 May 2010 rated 3 out of 10.

Not worth the rack rate, but OK for what I paid via Priceline. If I have paid the rack rate I would have never considered going back. But if I can again get it for the Priceline rate, OK.

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Positives: Low price.

Negatives: Filthy carpet.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 31 Aug 2008 rated 8 out of 10.

For the price, it was okay!

Positives: Convenient location, good price.

Negatives: Smelled mildew.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 03 Aug 2008 rated 2 out of 10.

Definitely not a place for children. Sheets, bedspread, and carpet needs to thrown out! Towels are old and heavily chlorinated. The only positive is that this hotel will keep you out of the cold.

Positives: The pool is keeping this hotel alive, otherwise it needs to be condemned!

Negatives: Cleanliness, carpet, sheets, lighting, furniture, HVAC were all totally inadequate.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 30 Jul 2008 rated 1 out of 10.

All the other places have been fine or more than fine. This Howard Johnson's was a dump. The public areas had peeling paint, smelled of cigarettes, and the walkways/carpeted areas were absolutely dirty. We're talking trash that could have been vacuumed, not a little bit of dust here and there. We didn't want to take our shoes off in the room. The furniture was battered and just plain worn out. Very depressing. Curtains didn't entirely close for privacy.

Positives: Handy off the highway.

Negatives: Peeling paint. Dirty walkways. Generally dismal.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 27 Apr 2008 rated 7 out of 10.

The hotel personnel are friendly, location is good, there are several restaurants near by, and it is close to the NYS Thruway. If you are out all day and evening this hotel was adequate.

Positives: Center court was nice.

Negatives: Bathrooms are old, tubs need to be replaced.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 02 Oct 2007 rated 4 out of 10.

Two friends and I recently stayed in the Howard Johnson in Albany. Upon arrival, we were greeted and quickly checked in by a friendly staff. The grounds were well kept and clean, but the rooms left a lot to be desired. The beds were really uncomfortable and I found a few spiders and cobwebs in my room gross! Then again, you can never expect too much from a 1 star hotel.

Positives: Friendly staff, quick check in.

Negatives: Horribly uncomfortable beds, spiders in the room!

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 25 Aug 2007 rated 3 out of 10.

There were only 2 pillows for a king size bed, the air conditioner did not make the room cold enough, the calking is coming off from around the sink, the pint is peeling from the ceiling in the bathroom, the glaze was coming off from the surface of the sand, the desk was too small, the fluorescent light bulbs were horrible. I didn't feel safe; lighting was inadequate in the parking lot. I felt as though someone was looking through my window, there were no indoor hallways that the doors opened out to. But the staff was very pleasant and helpful.

Positives: Garcia's restaurant and pool.

Negatives: Noisy, too close to other buildings, no indoor halls.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 05 Mar 2007 rated 6 out of 10.

This is a good hotel for business travel. I will advice the management to spend some money to upgrade the cleanliness of carpet, bathroom and blanket. In any case, it is a great value for the money.

Positives: Spacious, staff friendly, good location.

Negatives: Carpet not clean, need replacement.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 13 Feb 2007 rated 1 out of 10.

This hotel was very disappointing to say the least. We are trying to find accommodations that were practical but a little better than economy. This hotel was even far from an economy rating. The room seemed very soiled and the overall all athstetics of the room were horrible. There was no water pressure in the shower. We had read a review that a cab ride to the hotel was $6 and it cost us twenty. We would have been much more inclined to put that money to a better hotel. This is not lodging that we would recommend to anyone we know.

Positives: Nothing.

Negatives: Cleanliness, water pressure, overall condition of the hotel.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 22 Jan 2007 rated 10 out of 10.

When we first arrived, they had us marked down for 2 double beds. I asked for one big bed and they quickly found one and sent us on our way. The room was an upgrade and very nice. The rest of the night went great. Thanks for your help.

Positives: Check out was at 12.

Negatives: Everything good.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 10 Dec 2006 rated 3 out of 10.

Asked for non-smoking room, was given a smoking room. Design of the hotel was not updated to reflect current times and needs, seemed moldy smelling as well, and no elevator to get to second floor where I was placed that I was aware of and appliances (sink) not new, old and looked it with wear and tear. What was nice was the small refrigerator in room and that's about it, along with the restaurant that was next door, almost attached to the hotel. H. Johnson used to be a really nice family hotel, but whoever took them over has let them go down the tubes. This is too bad considering it was 20 years ago, a nice place to stay.

Positives: Location to highway and airport.

Negatives: Hotel was not updated, wake up call was late and I had to remind them about it after getting up when it should have happened.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 03 Dec 2006 rated 5 out of 10.

Economy hotel. If you are just looking for a place to sleep, and are not fussy about lodging. Than it is a valid choice.

Positives: Price.

Negatives: Needs updating, not the cleanest.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 20 Oct 2006 rated 9 out of 10.

This is a great hotel if you need to use the Albany airport.

Positives: Free wireless internet.

Negatives: Nothing.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 24 Sep 2006 rated 3 out of 10.

I would not recommend this hotel.

Positives: Nothing.

Negatives: It was extremely dirty. I had to order sheets to cover the furniture. The towels had brown spots on them.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 17 Sep 2006 rated 6 out of 10.

This hotel sufficed - the quality is not high and there is no shuttle to the airport, but if you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, this is a safe, clean hotel. The light in my bathroom did not work and the radio alarm clock was also malfunctioning. The desk clerk called me a cab to the airport, which ended up costing about six dollars.

Positives: The room was quiet and they put me, a single woman traveling alone, in a convenient place.

Negatives: The bathroom light and the alarm clock did not work; the desk clerks were not overly helpful.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 23 Aug 2006 rated 9 out of 10.

Had a very pleasant room facing nice grass courtyard and pool. People enjoyed sitting at outdoor tables to chat, read, eat... good free breakfast. quiet atmosphere inspire of being on busy road and near airport. Would definitely consider staying there again in future.

Positives: Spacious room, microfridge, attentive staff, nice breakfast set up, close to lots.

Negatives: Three towels for 4 people--but quickly rectified.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 25 Jun 2006 rated 4 out of 10.

The housekeeping staff woke me up despite putting out the do not disturb sign!

Positives: It was convenient to where I needed to go.

Negatives: Very smoky room, few toiletries provided, seemed old.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 25 Apr 2006 rated 8 out of 10.

I enjoyed my stay at the Howard Johnson, I would stay there again. The lady at the front desk was very helpful, the bed was comfortable, and the water was warm. Oh, I was not fond of the shampoo and there was no conditioner, and it would be nice if there were vending machines on the top floor or something so we don't have to go all the way to the lobby, otherwise I wish my stay was longer :-)

Positives: The rooms were nicely sized and there was plenty of room to move around. There was also sufficient sitting space.

Negatives: We had to go all the way to the lobby to get snacks or drinks.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sat 18 Mar 2006 rated 7 out of 10.

A typical HJ that has seen better days but provided a good place to stay. The room was warm, relatively quiet, nice sized TV for the room and in room coffeemaker was a plus. Traffic provided a little concern getting in and out of the property.

Positives: Good location, comfortable bed, good TV and coffeemaker.

Negatives: Just a little dated and just needs to be "spiffed up" a bit.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 22 Feb 2006 rated 4 out of 10.

Don't go unless no other choice.

Positives: Rooms available.

Negatives: No television remote, disrepair, no airport shuttle.