Hotels for 18- to 20-year-olds in Albany, New York

Albany is a compact capital city with a mix of government buildings, college energy, and older neighborhoods near the Hudson River. Downtown has bars, music spots, casual restaurants, and easy walks between major sights. Students from nearby campuses help keep the city active during the school year. In summer, Alive at Five brings outdoor concerts to downtown, with big crowds, food vendors, and a social scene that appeals to younger travelers.

Finding a hotel for under-21s is possible, but options are somewhat limited. Some properties allow 18-plus check-in, while others require 21. See our list of hotels verified to accept under 21s below.

The list 8 hotels for 18- to 20-year-olds in Albany

This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission, but hotels are listed based on age policies and quality, not commission.

• 1 TownePlace Suites by Marriott Latham Albany Airport Latham $$$

  
  Guest Rating 9.0

  Our opinion: Just 1 km from Albany International Airport, this practical all-suite stay combines a free airport shuttle, an indoor pool, and in-room kitchens for an easy base in the Albany area. It suits short trips and flight stopovers particularly well, especially when you want more space than a standard hotel room without paying for anything upscale. A 24-hour front desk and free continental breakfast add to the overall convenience.
  
  The vibe is simple, modern, and geared toward comfort over style. Rooms are set up more like mini-apartments, and some come with full kitchens including a fridge, oven, and dishwasher, which is great for keeping food costs down or staying a few days. There’s also a fitness center, a shared lounge for hanging out, barbecue facilities, and vending machines for easy snacks. The indoor pool is a nice bonus, especially when the weather isn’t great.
  
  Location-wise, this one is all about access. It’s just 1 km from Albany International Airport, so getting in and out is easy, and the shuttle makes that even smoother. You’re also within reach of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the University at Albany, and downtown sights like the New York State Capitol. Staying in Latham means a more suburban setup, so expect convenience and road-trip practicality rather than a walk-everywhere urban neighborhood.
  
  With a strong guest rating, the overall impression is very positive. Travelers clearly see this as a reliable, comfortable place with useful extras and an easy airport connection. Since there aren’t detailed review comments here, the main takeaway is broad satisfaction rather than a long list of standout pros and cons. Based on the score alone, it seems to deliver well on cleanliness, comfort, and convenience. Read more

  Address 5 Forts Ferry Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Heated pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 2 Crowne Plaza Albany - The Desmond Hotel Albany $$$

  
  Guest Rating 8.8

  Our opinion: Just minutes from Albany International Airport, this hotel is a practical choice for quick stopovers, event weekends, or easy arrivals and departures thanks to its free 24-hour shuttle. Along with the convenient location, it offers an indoor pool, gym, on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and local-area transfers within a short radius when available, giving it a more polished feel than a basic airport stay. Free breakfast, microwaves, and complimentary bottled water aren’t always included, so it’s worth setting expectations accordingly.
  
  The vibe is much better-looking than you might expect from a 3-star airport stay. Guests often mention the beautiful interior courtyard and atrium-style layout, with details like a koi pond giving it more character than the usual chain-hotel setup. Rooms are generally described as spacious, clean, and comfortable, with especially strong praise for the beds, though opinions on pillows and mattress firmness are mixed. There’s also an indoor pool, a modern fitness area, and an on-site restaurant and bar, so it’s easy to hang out without having to head back out right away.
  
  The location is one of the biggest advantages here. You’re close to the airport, near major roads, and still within easy reach of downtown Albany, museums, entertainment spots, shopping centers, and plenty of restaurants. That makes it practical whether you’re flying in, road-tripping through, or using the hotel as a base for a short city visit. Free shuttle service adds extra value, especially if you’re not renting a car, though it’s smart to confirm airport pickup details in advance.
  
  Review-wise, most guests are happy with the friendly staff, clean common areas, attractive design, roomy accommodations, and the ease of getting to and from the airport. The restaurant also gets a fair amount of praise, especially for breakfast and helpful service. On the downside, a few reviews mention inconsistent housekeeping, occasional noise from hallways or nearby rooms, and some room-specific issues like broken coffee makers, stained towels, or even pest complaints. A handful of travelers also found the pool cold, the bar pricey, or the shuttle communication uneven, so the experience seems strongest when you’re here for convenience, comfort, and the setting rather than luxury-level consistency. Read more

  Address 660 Albany Shaker Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 3 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Downtown Albany New York Albany $$$

  
  Guest Rating 7.4

  Our opinion: Not a luxury stay, but it can work for a quick Albany trip focused on downtown access, free breakfast, and a lower-key base near major roads. The biggest draw here is convenience: you’re close to MVP Arena, the bus terminal, Empire State Plaza, and the interstate, so getting in and out is easy. That said, this is one to book with realistic expectations. Several reviews mention maintenance issues, heat/AC problems, and an area that doesn’t feel especially lively at night, so it’s better for short practical stays than a fun hotel hangout.
  
  Inside, the setup is fairly standard and functional rather than stylish. Rooms come with basics like coffeemakers and Wi-Fi, and the hotel adds some useful extras for downtime, including an indoor pool, steam room, and a 24-hour fitness center. Free breakfast is a nice budget saver before heading out, and some guests found the beds comfortable and the rooms clean and cozy. Overall, the property feels more like a simple crash pad with a few bonus amenities than a trendy downtown stay.
  
  The location is one of its strongest points if you’ve got plans in central Albany. Times Union Center/MVP Arena is about a short walk away, Empire Plaza is within a quick ride or longer walk, and the nearby bus terminal is handy if you’re arriving without a car. Interstates 90 and 87 are also close, which makes this a practical stop on a road trip. The catch is that while it’s near downtown, the immediate surroundings are more concrete-and-highway than café-and-nightlife, and multiple guests said the area felt isolated or uncomfortable after dark.
  
  Reviews are pretty mixed. Guests often praised the location for events, the friendly staff, comfortable beds, decent cleanliness, and the included breakfast. On the downside, recurring complaints include rooms that were too hot due to broken AC, musty or smoky smells, parking confusion or extra parking charges, highway noise, and inconsistent front desk response. A few reviews also mention reservation and operational issues, so it’s smart to confirm your booking directly before arrival. Read more

  Address 300 Broadway Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 4 Super 8 by Wyndham Schenectady/Albany Area Schenectady $$$

  
  Guest Rating 5.9

  Our opinion: Free Wi‑Fi, breakfast, a small gym, 24-hour front desk service, and easy parking make this a practical option for a very budget-focused overnight stay in the Schenectady/Albany area. The low guest rating and frequent complaints about cleanliness, upkeep, and safety make it hard to recommend for anything beyond a short, basic stop, so modest expectations are essential.
  
  This is a simple 2-star roadside-style property with air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms, desks, flat-screen TVs, and free toiletries. There’s also an ATM and currency exchange on site, which is unusual for this category and handy if you’re moving around quickly. Some guests liked the roomy layouts, comfortable beds, and access to the fitness center, while others found the decor old-fashioned and the building noticeably dated. Overall, the vibe is practical rather than social or design-led.
  
  The hotel sits in Schenectady within reach of both Schenectady and Albany, about 10 miles from the University at Albany and the Capitol area, and roughly 11 miles from Albany International Airport. That makes it a workable pick if you need a cheap base for campus visits, events, or passing through the region by car. Reviewers also mentioned the convenience of being close to the highway and nearby food spots. It’s more about location efficiency than walkable sightseeing, so having your own car really helps here.
  
  Guest feedback is sharply mixed. Positive comments often mention the low price, friendly or helpful staff, decent parking, quiet nights in some rooms, and breakfast that some people found better than expected. The negatives are much more serious and more frequent: many reviewers reported dirty rooms, stained linens and carpets, smoke or pet odors, worn-out interiors, noise issues, bugs, maintenance problems, weak breakfast variety, and frustration over an extra deposit or delayed refund. In short, some travelers found it acceptable for the money, but many others had a rough experience. Read more

  Address 3083 Carman Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 5 Waterford Inn Waterford $$$

  
  Guest Rating 5.6

  Our opinion: Near Troy and within easy reach of Albany, this budget-friendly inn may serve for a very basic overnight when you mainly need free Wi‑Fi, parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Still, reviews raise major concerns about cleanliness, maintenance, noise, and overall condition, so it’s best treated as a last-minute one-night stop rather than a place to settle into.
  
  The property is a simple 2-star inn with no-frills rooms and a pretty bare-bones setup. You’re getting the basics rather than extra hangout value: Wi‑Fi, air conditioning in some rooms, and practical parking, but not much in the way of polished design or social energy. A few guests found the rooms cozy enough and appreciated quiet A/C, privacy, and clean sheets, while others said the building felt worn down and outdated. There are also repeated mentions that amenities are limited, with no in-room microwave and no on-site laundry.
  
  It’s in Waterford, within easy reach of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and about 13 miles from downtown Albany sights like City Hall, the Capitol, the Times Union Center, and The Egg. That makes it convenient if your plans are spread between Troy, Waterford, and Albany rather than centered on one nightlife district. Albany International Airport is also under 9 miles away, so it can be useful for an arrival or departure night. Some guests also liked having a nearby shop within walking distance for quick food or essentials.
  
  Reviews are mixed at best, with the most consistent positives being the location, some friendly staff interactions, decent Wi‑Fi, and a few comments saying the beds or sheets were clean. The negatives are much more serious and come up often: dirty common areas, smoke smells in non-smoking rooms, broken or poorly maintained features, loud overnight noise, and security concerns like faulty door locks. Several guests also felt the photos were misleading and the price was too high for the condition. Overall, expect a budget motel with inconsistent upkeep rather than a reliable, comfortable base. Read more

  Address 83 Hudson River Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 6 MOTEL 6 - Albany, NY - Airport Albany $$$

  
  Guest Rating 5.0

  Our opinion: For a very cheap overnight near Albany International Airport, this budget motel may look practical at first glance, with free parking, free Wi‑Fi, and a location about 8 minutes from the airport and 9 minutes from the University at Albany. In practice, though, the volume of serious complaints makes it hard to recommend with confidence, and most travelers should spend a little more elsewhere if they can.
  
  The setup is straightforward and no-frills, with standard motel-style rooms that include air conditioning, a private bathroom, and a flat-screen cable TV. Some guests also mentioned having a microwave and mini-fridge, which is useful for snacks and leftovers, though amenities seem inconsistent from room to room. Overall, this is more of a bare-bones crash pad than a place with social spaces, design appeal, or hangout features. There’s no real lifestyle angle here - just the basics, and even those appear uneven depending on the room.
  
  The location is one of the main advantages. You’re near the airport and within a short drive of the university, which makes it convenient for quick stopovers, campus visits, or a night before an early flight. A couple of chain-style dining options, including Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill and Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse, are nearby by car, and reviewers repeatedly said it was easy to get to and close to everything in the area. For getting in and out of Albany without hassle, the spot itself is definitely practical.
  
  Reviews are heavily mixed to negative, with the few positives focusing mostly on the low price, quiet nights in some rooms, and the convenient location. Far more guests reported major issues with cleanliness, including smoky rooms, stained sheets, dirty floors, broken furniture, bugs, and poor upkeep. Several also mentioned rude or unhelpful staff, maintenance problems like faulty doors or weak heating, inconsistent Wi‑Fi and TV service, and surprise deposits or policy frustrations. In short: the price is low, but many guests felt the condition of the property didn’t make it worth the gamble. Read more

  Address 1600 Central Avenue Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms

• 7 Albany Plaza Hotel Albany $$$

  
  Guest Rating 4.5

  Our opinion: With indoor and outdoor pools, spacious rooms, and useful extras like a microwave, mini-fridge, free Wi-Fi, and on-site dining, this is a practical budget base for a short Albany stay. The focus here is convenience over style, and free access to a 24-hour gym, business center, and hot breakfast buffet helps keep both planning and daily costs manageable.
  
  The overall vibe is simple and functional, with more of a classic chain-hotel setup than a trendy social hangout. Rooms are fairly spacious and come with plush carpeting, a flat-screen TV, coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator, which makes it easier to store snacks or leftovers between outings. Having two pools is a nice bonus, especially with the indoor option available year-round and the seasonal outdoor pool and patio giving the place a more relaxed feel in warmer months. There’s also a full-service restaurant on site, Delta Blue Grill, serving southern-style food.
  
  This property sits outside downtown Albany, around 8.5 km from the city center and Washington Park, so it’s better suited to travelers who don’t mind using a car or rideshare. That said, it’s handy for several key stops: the University at Albany-SUNY is only 4 km away, Times Union Center is about 8.2 km away, and Empire State Plaza Convention Center is roughly 9.6 km from the hotel. That makes it a practical pick for campus visits, events, or quick weekend plans that mix different parts of the city rather than staying in one central neighborhood.
  
  There weren’t any detailed guest reviews provided here, so there’s no strong pattern of praise or complaints to compare against the official description. Based on the listed features alone, the main draws are value-focused extras like breakfast, the two pools, large rooms, and useful in-room appliances. The main caution is location: since it’s not right in downtown, the stay is likely to feel more convenient for drivers than for travelers hoping to walk to Albany’s main attractions. Read more

  Address 3 Watervliet Avenue Extension Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 8 Motel 6-Albany, NY Albany $$$

  
  Guest Rating 2.9

  Our opinion: Low rates and a few practical perks, including free local calls, coin laundry, a pet-friendly policy, and walkable access to restaurants and public transit, may make this place seem useful for a short Albany stop. In reality, the very low guest rating and repeated complaints about cleanliness, maintenance, and safety make it difficult to recommend even as a budget overnight option. Most travelers will likely be better off paying a bit more to stay elsewhere.
  
  This is a very basic motel-style property focused on essentials rather than atmosphere. Rooms come with cable TV and spacious bathrooms, and the setup is straightforward with practical features like wireless internet and self-service laundry. It’s the kind of place meant for quick overnight stays, road trips, or simple no-frills bookings rather than a social, stylish, or design-led experience. The pet-friendly policy is one of the few standout perks if you’re traveling with an animal.
  
  The location is one of its stronger points. It’s within 2 miles of the Egg Performing Arts Center, within about 4 miles of Crossgates Mall, and close to Albany transit options, which can make getting around easier without a car. Several dining spots are within walking distance, and reviewers also mentioned the convenience of being near the highway and city routes. For plans centered on downtown Albany, events, or a quick stop off the thruway, the setting is more practical than scenic.
  
  Reviews are overwhelmingly negative, with cleanliness being the biggest issue by far. Many guests reported dirty sheets, stained bedding, unpleasant smells, broken fixtures, limited towels, and rooms that felt poorly maintained. Safety concerns also came up often, including noise, loitering, smoke in hallways, and doors or locks that didn’t work properly. A few people did mention the cheap price, decent location, prompt check-in, secure parking, or friendly staff, but those positives were heavily overshadowed by the volume of complaints. Read more

  Address 100 Watervliet Avenue Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms