NEW YEARS IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY!

Have your first night's sleep of 2011 at the Hampton Inn and Suites Albany-Downtown!!! If you are ringing in the New Year at one of the many fabulous parties in Downtown Albany book with us NOW! For $200 bucks (tax included in this rate), you will get one of our amazingly comfortable deluxe standard queen rooms with complimentary breakfast, complimentary parking, complimentary wireless internet, and easy access to all the New Year's Eve hotspots! Contact either Jennifer M. at 518-275-4511 or Colleen Guice at 518-275-4500 in sales. We hope to see you this weekend!!!!!

The Spirit of Hampton

We are proud to announce that our own Omar Stout has recieved the annual Spirit of Hampton Award!!! This prestigeous award is given every year to someone who continually brings home the gold by making a positive impact on guests as well an impact on his/her fellow co-workers. Omar is truly the embodiment of good will and dedication. There is no one more deserving and the fact that everyone who works with Omar agrees, speaks volumes. Congratulations "Wow-Mar!" :-)

VIDEO!

HAMPTON INN AND SUITES ALBANY-DOWNTOWN NEW VIDEO!!!!!!!!!

Hey all!!!!! The Hampton Inn and Suites Albany-Downtown is proud to present our brand new hotel video! We would like to give a special shout out to our coporate company Vista Host for giving us the opportunity to do this and to the guys at Pentavision who got some the most fantastic screen shots of Albany I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please click the link below and see us on YouTube and don't forget to "Like" us!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dGkCkOnv2I

Dave Matthews Band at the Times Union Center. It's about time!!!!!

Calling all Dave Matthews Band fanatics! Dave and the crew will be performing at the Times Union Center in Downtown Albany on the evening of Friday, November 5, 2010. The band hasn't performed at the venue since it was the Pepsi Arena (which was several years ago), which makes the event extra special! Because the show is on a Friday, why not book a room at the Hampton Inn and Suites Albany-Downtown? We only have 29 rooms left and there is no doubt they will go quick. Come enjoy the show, a night on the town afterwards, a comfortable place to sleep, and complimentary breakfast in the morning!! It doesn't get much better than that. To book a room contact guest services at 518-432-7000. "Life is short, but sweet for certain."

Did You Know...? ALBANY FUN FACTS!

• Did you know...?

Perforated toilet paper was invented in Albany.

• Did you know...?

It cost $1.7 BILLION dollars to build the Empire State Plaza (shown above), which included the cost of the 900,000 cubic yards of concrete and 230,000 TONS of steel.

• Did you know...?

It took over 30 YEARS and $25 MILLION dollars to complete the Capital Building (shown above).

• Did you know...?

When Theodore Roosevelt (also pictures above) was govenor he exercised every morning by running up and down the steps of the Capital.

• Did you know...?

4 of New York State's Govenors became President of the United States: Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and MartinVan Buren.

• Did you know...?

The New York State Thruway, which runs through Albany, is the longest expressway in the United States at 641.29 miles.

5 EASY Ways to Green Up Your Tailgate Party

That coolness in the air means football and tailgating season has arrived!! But can you make a stadium outing less of a green disaster? Try these tips:

The Green Barbecue.
Your lowest-impact grilling option is propane. Sure, propane is a fossil fuel — but it burns a lot cleaner than charcoal or wood fires, leaves behind less waste and is particularly convenient when

cooking away from home.

Earth-friendly Eats.
Go with local, seasonal produce in your favorite recipes. The great thing about tailgating season is that it coincides with the biggest selection of the year down at the farmers market.

Organic Brew.

‘Green beer’ isn't just for St. Patrick’s Day. Big players like Anheuser-Busch have gotten into the act, so organic brew may very well be sold wherever you normally buy groceries.

Wolaver's is currently the largest national distributor of all-organic beers. In any case, it's an excuse to sample Wolaver's award-winning Brown Ale or Oatmeal Stout. You'll find similar organic selections from Peak Brewing and Goose Island Beer Company.

Ditching the Disposables.
It's tempting to break out the paper plates and plastic cutlery when you're eating away from home. They're certainly convenient, but most dining disposables end up in the environment or clogging local landfills, rather than finding their way into the recycling stream. Intsead, pick up a set of washable and reusable lightweight plastic place settings. It is a great outdoor investment!

A Little Entertainment.
Crank your own tunes with the Eton Emergency Radio. It's a smart radio to have on hand for emergencies, and a subtle way to demonstrate alternative-powered consumer devices for friends.

Check out more of Chris Baskind's article clicking HERE.

We're baaaaaaaaack!

We took a bit of a hiatus from updating our page, but we are back and offering up some extra special hotel packages!!



Calling all Race Track fans!! The Hampton Inn and Suites is opening the gates for a new "Saratoga Race Track Package!" This trifecta package includes overnight accommodations, free parking, and a complimentary Saratoga snack pack. You will get a leg up at the track after spending a relaxing evening in one of our luxurious standard rooms and waking up to a complimentary hot and cold breakfast buffet. For a $149.00 (plus tax) rate Monday-Thursday and a $109.00 (plus) rate Friday-Sunday, you can enjoy your time at the Saratoga Race Track and come back in the evening and relax at our beautiful property. This package is available from now until September 5.



Gather a group of your girlfriends and spend an evening out in Downtown Albany! Our property is offering a Girlfriend's Getaway Package that is sure
to entertain. This package is designed exclusively for women who want to be spoiled in a luxurious room on our All Exclusive Women's "Empire Floor" and for women who enjoy the arts. We are teaming up with the Albany Institute of History and Art who, beginning October 16th until January 2, 2011, will be hosting an exhibit called "The Perfect Fit- Shoes Tell Stories." This exhibit explores the cultural meanings of shoes, presenting imaginative objects of every size and craft medium. The basic package includes:

• One to two night accommodations in a standard room on our Women's Floor
• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
• Admission for two to "Perfect Fit" exhibit (additional tickets available for purchase at $10.00)
• $25 gift certificate to Dp's each night
• A bottle of champagne and chocolates in your room
• Upgraded bathroom amenities and snacks provided
• $10 from the room rate will automatically donated to the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" campaign sponsored by the American Cancer Society

If you book up to four rooms under this package, in addition to everything listed above, you will receive an automatic upgrade to a Queen Suite and one $50 gift card to either Crossgates Mall or Colonie Center.

The total price for this package is $150.00 (plus tax). This package is based on availability. Use the code PSK to book.

Autumn is just around the corner! Take a few days to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Spending a day breathing in the fresh autumn air on a relaxing hike, bike ride, or picnic. We can help you plan your adventure with our "Take a Stroll Through Autumn" package. For $79 (plus tax) you will receive overnight accommodations as well as assistance creating a specialized itinerary and a hiking backpack. Let us help you plan a hike around Peebles Island State Park; a relaxing picnic at Thatcher State Park or a trip to learn about the state of New York at Five Rivers. We will help you organize your day and choose a location. We will send you off with maps and directions as well as a hiking backpack filled with snacks. After your hike you can return to the Hampton Inn and Suites to relax in your comfortable room and prepare yourself for another day of adventure. Parking is available on-site for $12.50 per day. This package is available now through September 5th during the week and weekends and then from September 10-December 19 (excluding Columbus Day Weekend) on Fridays through Sundays only. Please contact anyone in the Sales Department to book or if you have any questions. Contact either Colleen Guice at 518-275-4500, Jennifer Cunningham at 518-275-4501 or Jennifer Muscatiello at 518-275-4511.

Don't delay on booking your reservation for any one of these three packages and don't forget "We love having you here..."

Our New Site!!!

http://www.hamptonsuitesalbany.com/ Check out our fresh new look. It's our new hotel website and it's better than ever! Welcoming and easy to navigate, the new layout will surely delight new visitors. Stay tuned for our SIZZZZZLING Summer Specials that include some fantastic prizes!!

New Hotel Package!

The Capital Repertory Theatre and our property have teamed up to create a summer package to promote the theatre's upcoming show The Marvelous Wonderettes, which will run from June 2 to June 27. The basic package includes:

- One night accommodation in a standard king or queen room

- Complimentary hot breakfast buffet served daily

- A pair of tickets for $70.00 (an $80.00 value)

- One $25.00 gift certificate to Dp's restaurant

The price for this special package is $99.00 for a standard king room and $119.00 for a standard queen room. Like all of our packages, availibity is limited.

To obtain this wonderful deal please contact us at 518-432-7000 or visit us at http://www.hamptonsuitesalbany.com/ and mention the code PIK. We will make sure your tickets are at the box office at the time of the show and that your bed is made by the time you come back!

Available show times are as follows:

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday shows are all at 7:30 pm

Friday shows are at 8:00 pm

Saturday shows are at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Sunday shows are at 2:30 pm

Two New Acts at the Palace!!

The Palace Theater has added two more acts to their schedule of exciting events!

Singer/Songwriter Melissa Etheridge will kick off her American "Fearless Love" summer tour in Albany on July 7, 2010 at 8 pm. "Fearless Love," the album name and title track, will be Etheridge's 10th studio album. Embraced by critics, Etheridge fans will find this album to have a slightly more edgy sound than any of her past records. "Jimmy Page-esque" is how it is being described. Sounds like concert goers will not be disappointed! Tickets are on sale now at http://www.melissaetheridge.com/ or at the Palace Theater website. Prices range from $35-$100. Don't miss it!!

Another act you shouldn't miss is singer/songwriter Jackson Browne who will be performing on September 7, 2010 at 7:30 pm. With a career that has spanned almost 4 decades, Browne is hitting the road with friend and fellow musician David Lindley. The tour follows the release of a live album that was recorded in Spain in 2006 when the two were on tour together in Europe. According to critics the two have wonderful on-stage chemistry and surely will entertain and inspire audiences. Ticket prices range from $60 to $80!! For more info visit http://www.palacealbany.com/.

Thursday is Earth Day

• Don't forget Thursday, April 22, is Earth Day! A week from today, Tuesday, April 27, is our Green Client Reception from 3pm to 7 pm which coincides with the message that Earth Day attempts to convey to the human race: Be Kind to the Environment. I realized I didn't know much about this overlooked celebration. Here some fun facts I found rather interesting:

- Earth Day was not founded, but encouraged, by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970. Nelson urged campuses and universities across the country to host "teach-ins" on this day to shed light on environmental damage and its long-term repercussions.

-April 22, 1970 also just happened to be the 100th birthday of communist leader Vladimir Lenin. Many people thought this was a "communist trick" on the part of Nelson. Nelson's reponse:"With only 365 days in a year and 3.7 billion people in the world, every day is the birthday of 10 million living people. On any given day, a lot of both good and bad people are born. A person many people consider the world's first environmentalist, Saint Francis of Assisi, was born on April 22. "

-April 22 is the first official day of spring in the Northern hemisphere and of Fall in the Southern hemisphere and was chosen to be Earth Day for this reason.

Celebrate the Earth and come celebrate with us next Tuesday in our ballroom Broadway A&B!!!

Neil Young 2010 "Twisted Tour"

Our next door neighbors at the Palace Theater announced this week that singer/songwriter Neil Young will kick off the first leg of his tour at their venue on Tuesday, May 18th at 8pm. British folk singer Bert Jansch will open for Young. According to an article published on the Consequense of Sound website, audiences can expect many of his classics like, "Heart of Gold," "Old Man," "Don't Let It Bring You Down" and "Southern Man" as well, as a great deal of new material. Tickets start at $99.00-$149.00 and go on sale April 10, 2010. This is expected to be one of the biggest shows of the year so don't miss it!!

Visit www.palacealbany.com for more info!!

Friends and Family Special

For this weekend only (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday Night!!) we are running a special for the friends and family of anyone in town for the Easter Holiday. We are offering our standard King rooms and our standard double Queens rooms for a rate of $49.00!! In addition to this awesome rate, Friends and Family are welcome to our complimentary breakfast buffet which is served every single morning from 6 am to 10 am. This is a steal!!! To get in under this awesome rate, call the front desk at (518) 432-7000.

Don't forget the fact that the temperature will be in the low 80s this weekend so being in Albany, for the first time in months, will like a vacation in the tropics!

Hotel Packages

As a hotel in the State Capital we try to cater to our Federal Government and State Government travelers as much as possible! That is why for the last 2 years we have offered the, what has become, the very successful "Pocket Your Per Diem Package!" The package includes room accommodations at our hotel, a complimentary dinner for each night of your stay at the Victory Cafe (valid Monday-Thursday nights); *Dinner includes: dinner entree (including steak!), dessert, and any non-alcoholic beverage*; Complimentary hot/cold breakfast buffet, complimentary wired/wireless internet access, complimentary USA Today Newspaper, and Breakfast on the Run bags (not available not weekends). Any NYS/US Government employee can get all of this for $110.oo and pocket any per diem that is recieved! This truely is a great deal and can be booked any time. As with all great things, availability is limited!

Hampton Green Client Reception

Don't miss our Hampton Green Client Reception on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 beginning at 5pm in our ballroom (Broadway A & B)! Food and drink will be provided by Yonos and we will be raffling off some awesome prizes! Through this reception we plan to inform our clientele what measures we are taking to be an environmentally conscience
establishment. Next week the Hampton Sales Team plans to do an information blitz to all local businesses to get the word about our party out! We expect a good turn out.

MAAC CHAMPIONS!

The Hampton Inn and Suites would like to give a HUGE congratulations to this year's 2010 MAAC Championship winners, our own Men's Siena Saints and Marist Women's Red Foxes (one of the teams we hosted at our hotel!)!!! Both teams played amazing games against Fairfield. We wish them both luck as they move on to play in the NCAA tournament! Unfortunately the MAAC will not be returning to Albany for the next three years, but we look forward to seeing them again in the future.

The city of Albany shift gears as it says goodbye to basketball and hello to the madness that is the St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is this coming weekend. The parade will start on Saturday, March 13 at 2:00 pm on the corner of Quail St. and Central Ave. The parade will then travel east toward Washington Ave. Then it makes a turn at City Hall and travel east onto State St. and will end on Pearl St!!! We are looking forward to the fun.

Welcome Back MACC!!

Another busy week/weekend is in store for us at the hotel as the MAAC returns to the Times Union Center. The hotel is bustling in preparation for our teams arrival. This year we are the host hotel to Marist College and Manhattan College. The Marist women's team has won the MAAC Championship title 4 years in a row and they are back to defend their position. They are ranked #1 so we wish them the BEST of luck!! Our own Siena Saints are ranked #1 in the men's division.

The first game of the tournament starts with the ladies (Siena vs. Rider) 12:00 pm on Thursday, March 4th, followed by another game at 2 pm, St. Peter's vs. Canisius. The tourment will end with the men's Championship game on Monday, March 8th at 7:00 pm. (Of course don't forget the other 14 games in between!!) Tickets are available at the Times Union Center box office.

We wish EVERYONE luck------Siena, Rider, St. Peter's, Canisius, Iona, Fairfield, Niagara, Loyola, and (ESPECIALLY) Marist and Manhattan!

It's going to be a crazy week, but we love the excitement!!!!!

WELCOME OFFICIALS!

The staff at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Downtown Albany would like to welcome the volunteer and working officials for the 48th Annual High School Wrestling Championship, which will be held at the Times Union Center this weekend! Preliminaries begin February 26 at 10 am.

We are hoping that the snow that is expected will hold off so the tournament can go off without a hitch! We got hit yesterday with about 5 inches of the wettest snow I have ever seen!! Regardless, we wish all the competitors GOOD LUCK!

We are making strides to be GREEN!

Kermit the Frog once sang, "It's not easy being green." Of course, recycling and saving energy wasn't what he had in mind. However, if it was, I am confident he would have changed his lyrics to, "It's easy being green (if you have a plan and a team of people willing to make an effort)!!!!" Lucky for us at the Hampton Inn, we have a plan and a team of extraordinary individuals who want to make strides to ensure that our property is "green" and is doing it's part to help the environment. Our management company, Vista Host, has encouraged us to create a sustainability plan that breaks down what each department within our hotel vows to do to contribute to our green initiative. For example, the sales department has obtained several recycling bins, one for paper, one for cans, and one for plastic bottles. They have been very vigilant in making sure that nothing but garbage goes into the trash. They also work with a company called Cartridge World which refills ink cartridges for printers. Instead of throwing away a cartridges when it's out of ink, Cartridge World will refill it for us! Not only does it save another piece of plastic from being unnecessarily discarded, it saves you money. Purchasing ink cartridges from a store can be extremely expensive. Getting a cartridge filled is a fraction of the cost! These simple things go a looooooooooooong way. Just being conscience of the impact that you are having on the environment, as a company or an individuals, and just the slightest shift in how you normally do something can make all the difference in the world. We are finding that out very quickly. In the coming months we hope to host a "green themed party" at the hotel which will of course celebrate our guests, but will also celebrate our sustainability plan.

If you want to know more information about our green efforts, please visit our "green" blog: http://www.albhs.blogspot.com/.

Have a wonderful day and remember to put energy into helping the environment! :-)

Welcome!!

Welcome and thank you for visiting the Hampton Inn and Suites of Downtown Albany's brand new web blog! This page in the very early stages of development, which means there will be frequent changes and updates being made. Regardless, this will be one of several new places you can find us online for property updates, hotel specials, and local events. We are excited to be apart of Blogger.com!

We have a verrrrrry busy month ahead of us! The Capital City is back in session and legislators from all over the state are flooding into town. On Valentine's Day weekend the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators will be in Albany for their 39th annual conference. As always we are excited to be hosting them at our property!

We are also excited to welcome back the New York State Wrestling Officials Association for the 48th Annual NYSPHAA Wrestling Championship, which will be held at the Times Union Center, February 26 and 27.

Much more to come...