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★★ Downtown Albany · Albany ★ 3.2 · 597
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall
Exterior view
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall +1 photos

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall

1630 Central Ave, Albany, United States
from $78

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall is a budget-friendly stay in Downtown Albany, Albany — a no-frills base for seeing Irish American Heritage Museum and the rest of the area affordably.

The surrounding Downtown Albany district is one of the most convenient parts of Albany to stay in, with restaurants, cafés and transport links close by.

Key facts

Class
2-star
Area
Downtown Albany
Guest rating
3.2 (597)
from
$78
Address
1630 Central Ave, Albany, United States

What’s included

Where to stay in Albany: the areas explained

Downtown Albany is the default for a first visit: it puts you within walking distance of the State Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, the Times Union Center and the Amtrak shuttle to Rensselaer station. Rates here run mid-range on weekdays when the Legislature is in session and drop sharply at weekends. Center Square and the Mansion District, just uphill, are largely B&Bs in 19th-century townhouses on Lark Street and Madison Avenue — quieter, cheaper per night, and a 10-minute walk to Washington Park.

For lower rates, look at Colonie, Guilderland or Menands along Wolf Road and Route 5, where chain hotels near Albany International Airport (ALB) sit 15-20 minutes by car from downtown and typically undercut city-centre prices by $40-70 a night. Troy, Schenectady and Cohoes are viable bases if you have a car, each about 10-15 miles out; Saratoga Springs is 35 miles north and prices there behave like a separate market entirely, especially in racing season. Pine Hills, Upper Union Street, Delaware Avenue, Arbor Hill, West Hill, North Albany, Watervliet, Bethlehem, Delmar and the Pastures Historic District are mostly residential and have limited hotel stock — worth searching if you want a specific short-term rental rather than a hotel.

Best time to visit Albany month by month

January and February are the cheapest months in Albany proper, with downtown rooms often at $95-120, because temperatures sit around 20-30°F and there is no legislative crush on weekends. March through early June is Legislative Session peak: Monday to Wednesday rates in Downtown Albany and near the Empire State Plaza can jump 40-60% while lobbyists fill the Hilton and Renaissance, then collapse again Friday to Sunday. Tulip Festival in Washington Park (second weekend of May) is the one weekend downtown prices hold firm.

July and August are steady and warm, mid-80s°F, with the Saratoga thoroughbred meet running mid-July to Labor Day — this pulls prices in Saratoga Springs to $300-500 a night and pushes overflow demand into Albany, Colonie and Schenectady. September and October bring foliage traffic through the Helderbergs and Adirondacks, with a bump around the Capital Region’s college move-ins (UAlbany, RPI in Troy, Siena in Loudonville). November and December are quiet apart from graduation weekends and the Empire State Plaza tree lighting.

Getting around Albany without wasting time

For Downtown Albany, Center Square, the Mansion District and Washington Park you do not need a car — it is a 20-minute walk end to end, and CDTA buses run frequent routes along Madison, Central and Washington Avenues for $1.50 a ride. Amtrak’s Empire Service and Lake Shore Limited use Albany-Rensselaer station across the Hudson, about 2 miles from downtown; a taxi or rideshare across the Dunn Memorial Bridge is $12-15. Albany International (ALB) is 7 miles northwest in Colonie, roughly 15 minutes by car or the CDTA Route 737 bus.

A car becomes worthwhile the moment you want to see Troy (10 miles north on Route 787), Schenectady (17 miles northwest on I-890), Saratoga Springs (35 miles on I-87), or the smaller Capital Region places — Cohoes, Watervliet, Bethlehem, Delmar, Guilderland. Parking downtown runs $15-25 a day in hotel garages; on-street metering runs until 6pm on weekdays and is free at weekends. The I-90/I-87 interchange at exit 24 is the main pinch point and adds 15-20 minutes during the 4-6pm rush.

Questions, answered

Where is Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall located?
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall is in Downtown Albany, Albany (1630 Central Ave, Albany, United States), close to Irish American Heritage Museum.
How much does Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall cost per night?
Recent rates started around $78 per night, but prices are set live — check the booking page for your exact dates.
How many stars is Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall?
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall is a 2-star hotel in Albany.
Is Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Colonie Center Mall a good hotel?
Guests rate it 3.2 across 597 reviews. It’s a value choice for Albany.
Is downtown Albany walkable?
Yes, Downtown Albany is walkable — the core from the Capitol to the Palace Theatre to Lark Street is about a mile end to end. Center Square, the Mansion District and the Pastures Historic District are all reachable on foot from a downtown hotel. Grade matters: State Street climbs steeply from the Hudson up to the Capitol, which is a real workout in winter. Beyond that core, Pine Hills, Arbor Hill and Delaware Avenue are more comfortable by bus or car.
Why are Albany hotels more expensive on weekdays than weekends?
Albany hotels are more expensive on weekdays because the New York State Legislature meets in Albany from January through June, and lobbyists, staff and advocacy groups fill downtown rooms Monday through Wednesday. The Hilton Albany, Renaissance and Hampton Inn Downtown routinely sell out on session Tuesdays while sitting half-empty by Friday. This is the reverse of most US cities and catches leisure travellers out. If your dates are flexible, arriving Thursday and leaving Saturday or Sunday can save $60-100 a night on the same room.
What’s the best area to stay in Albany for a first visit?
Downtown Albany is the best area for a first visit, specifically the blocks between the State Capitol, the Empire State Plaza and Lark Street. You can walk to the New York State Museum, the Palace Theatre and the restaurants of Center Square without moving the car. Rooms here run $140-210 mid-range, and the Amtrak shuttle to Rensselaer station is a 10-minute ride. If downtown is booked out, Center Square B&Bs on Madison or State Street are the next-best walkable choice.
What’s the cheapest month to visit Albany?
February is the cheapest month, with downtown rooms often at $95-120 and no major event pressure. January is similar but the first week can be inflated by the start of Legislative Session on the first Wednesday of the month. November, excluding Thanksgiving week, is the next cheapest. Avoid the second weekend of May (Tulip Festival) and any Tuesday or Wednesday during session if you’re trying to minimise cost.
How many nights should I spend in Albany?
Two nights covers Albany itself — the Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, the New York State Museum, Washington Park and Lark Street. Add a third night if you want to include Troy or Schenectady, both about 10-17 miles away. Four nights lets you drive the 35 miles up I-87 to Saratoga Springs. Beyond four you’re using Albany as a Capital Region base rather than seeing the city.
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