Where to stay in Guilderland
Crossgates Mall entrance in Guilderland
The Crossgates Mall area has 8 hotels at $100-$150, sitting exactly halfway between Albany and Schenectady.
Who it suits
Guilderland works if your trip splits time between Albany and Schenectady, or if you have shopping-heavy plans at Crossgates — the largest mall in the region, with the Cinemark, dining, and hundreds of stores. The Hilton Garden Inn Albany-SUNY, Hyatt Place, and a Homewood Suites cluster around Western Avenue near the mall. Families with teenagers appreciate the walk to the mall food court and movies. UAlbany campus (uptown) is a 5-minute drive; SEFCU Arena events are 10 minutes.
Who it doesn’t suit
Guilderland is farther from Downtown Albany than Colonie — 8 miles, about 20 minutes on Western Avenue with lights. There is no real neighborhood character; it is strip malls and office parks. Restaurants outside the mall are chain-heavy. Skip Guilderland if you want to walk to anything not inside Crossgates, if your business is downtown, or if you have tickets to a Palace Theatre or MVP Arena show — Colonie is closer and has more hotel choice.
Before you book
The questions people ask about Downtown Albany, answered with this month’s numbers.
The uptown UAlbany campus is 5 minutes away on Washington Avenue Extension. The downtown Saint Rose campus is 15 minutes.
By car, yes — 20 minutes on Western or I-90. There is no efficient bus route; the #12 CDTA takes over an hour with transfers.
