Saratoga Springs, NY - affordable hotel?

Old May 24th, 2017, 12:22 PM
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Saratoga Springs, NY - affordable hotel?

I'm considering a trip to Saratoga Springs in August and have learned it's quite an expensive destination as far as hotels. I think I'm going to have to look outside of town. Any recommendations for a neighboring community that might have a safe, clean hotel for around $100/ night? I'll be by myself, so I'd prefer to stay in a place with interior corridors. I'm even considering price lining an Albany airport hotel, but that would not be too charming!
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Old May 24th, 2017, 05:18 PM
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Yes, August is peak / track season, so prices go sky high.

What part of the week are you traveling? Sun/Mon/Tue tend to be less busy, so rooms are more available and lower price compared to Wed to Sat, but $100 is not within reach for August, modern hotel within the city itself.

The good news is that there have been a lot of hotel rooms added to the nearby area in recent years.

Heading south from Saratoga Springs, these are your options:

Exit 12 (Malta). Hyatt Place (5yrs old), Fairfield Inn (Marriott) (5yrs) , and Home2 Suites (hilton) (new). It's a 15min drive from there to downtown Saratoga Springs, either by exit 13N, 14, or 15.

Exit 10 & 11 - nothing

Exit 9, Clifton Park / Halfmoon. A number of new hotels built recently. Add another 10min travel. I think the LQ, Courtyard, and Best Western have the best prices. Not sure if any of those are new or not. The Hilton Garden Inn is a probably the best located of those at Exit 9 - attached to a mall with some restaurants, coffee shops, etc.

Then really nothing between Exit 9 and the airport to note. Maybe a few hotels @ Exit 7 in Latham, but that's a longer trek to 'toga.

North of Saratoga. Exit 15, there's a Comfort Inn, but since it's still in Saratoga proper their prices will likely be higher in August too. It's a dumpy location, next to a walmart & golden corral.

Further north, headed towards Lake George there are a few hotels at exit 18 Glens Falls, then a bunch more at Exit 19 Queensbury. These are just highway exit hotels, not unsafe, but nothing to write home about.

Within Saratoga proper, the best prices will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, about .75 to 1mi south of town near the state park, but close enough to walk into town, and a brand new Homewood suites that is either just now opening, or will definitely be open by August.

For anyone wishing to splurge, the Adelfi hotel right on Broadway is nearing completion of a big top to bottom renovation - target is 7/1 reopen.

http://www.theadelphihotel.com/

Let me know if you need any other info about Saratoga & I'll be happy to help.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 05:27 PM
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i would definitely not stay in Saratoga in August. I think your best bet is exit 9 in Clifton Park, several motels to,choose from as mentioned by above poster. I've stayed at Best Western off exit 9, its fine, decent breakfast...and easy trip to Saratoga.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 02:25 AM
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Is that Holiday Inn still there?
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Old May 25th, 2017, 03:23 AM
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If you are not coming for the Saratoga race track, which btw is a great experience, I would reconsider August. The 2017 season runs July 21 - Aug., 4.
Hotel rates increase as far away as Albany (40 min drive or more at peak track times) Restaurants are booked up and hectic. A spell of hot & humid weather often occurs in Aug.

If you are flying into Albany, the airport is small and airport hotels are decent on several busy commercial sections nearby.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 03:54 AM
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Yes, the HI is still there.

Track season runs until Sept 4, not Aug 4.

The restaurant scene in Aug is actually not quite as travelottie describes it. During the months of June & Sept (before & after track season), the town is very busy with tourists & locals alike all through the day. On weekends it can be difficult to get a last minute reservation at a restaurant at almost any time.

Once the track opens, the dynamic shifts. Downtown, spa park, etc are essentially (eerily) deserted from about 11am through 6:30 or 7. Once the track lets out at 6:30 after the last race, things will get busy, and agreed - getting a table at a restaurant Fri/Sat after 6:30 can be difficult. But other days of the week, and incl Fri/Sat before 6:30 it's actually quite easy to get a table, especially if you plan ahead. Most dinner restaurants can be booked online @ Opentable or yelp. A few are no-reservation places, but most you can book.

Yes, August can have a heat wave, but thankfully it's usually never more than just a few days, not the entire month like further south near NYC, or all summer like DC.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 07:21 AM
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I appreciate everyone's feedback. I would be going to the track and it's an invitation there has me thinking about making this trip if I can afford it.

Sadly, there isn't any nonstop service for me to Albany, and the prices with a connection are very expensive and time consuming. I can likely get a good deal into Boston and can just drive from there.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 07:38 AM
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Fly into Hartford, CT...it's closer.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 10:21 AM
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We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express a few years ago and it was fine. We ate at Sushi Thai and it was excellent.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 10:37 AM
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Do look at Hartford for the flight, it's about a 2 hour drive to Saratoga Springs I-91 to I-90 to I-87. The car rental is likely to be cheaper than Boston too.

Southwest and JetBlue both have service there.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 11:39 AM
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Yes Hartford is an option.

These are the airports that travelers use when coming into the area and wanting a non-stop flight vs a connection into Albany.

#1 - Newark, 3hrs
#2 - Boston, 3hrs 15min

distant #3, Hartford, 2hrs 30min

JetBlue (to FL) and SW (to Chicago, Baltimore, & FL) also serve Albany.

Others into Albany include:
United connects through Newark (frequently late) or Chicago
Delta through Detroit
AA through PHL, CLT, or Chicago.

Flights to Newark and Phl are on puddle jumpers.

Sushi Thai is still there, and consistent if not great. Several other Sushi places in town as well, plus countless bars/pubs, and other eateries. The restaurant lineup has a lot of yearly changeover as places come and go. I can give you the latest if you want.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 01:46 PM
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The only carrier with nonstop to Hartford from my city is United and it is very expensive.
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Old May 26th, 2017, 02:31 AM
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What a great post!

Incredibly informative, OP responsive, no snark.

I've been to Saratoga a couple of times and really liked it, but you locals sound like very civilized people.
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Old May 26th, 2017, 05:45 AM
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Of course, if track is part of visit then I would not say to reconsider Aug. It is a unique and fun experience in lovely surroundings. I always bring out of town guests there.

I mistakenly typed the dates for the 2017 season, which I know go through Sept. Preview function was not working - so glad J62 made the correction, thank you.
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Old Jun 6th, 2017, 04:49 PM
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I wrote these down but forgot to post. Here are some more options for you to consider. They are all older stle, exterior door, but the area is perfectly fine. I know nothing about the rooms or the prices.

From farthest away from town, starting about ~1mi

1st 3 are quaint, old style motels.

South Broadway Inn & Spa (Across from the Hilton Garden Inn). On property spa for mineral bath or massage. I'll comment more below on mineral baths.

Turf & Spa: about 1/4mi closer to town. It's only open 3 seasons. Across the street from an excellent Japanese restaurant (Duo).

The Springs Motel. It's always busy when there's a concert.

+ two more that I suspect are lower rated.
St. Charles
St. Francis

All of these are on South Broadway, as you approach town from Exit 13 on Rt9. Area is mixed use commercial, nothing fancy, but perfectly safe area. There's a lot of foot traffic (esp walkers/joggers) since it's on the way from town to the state park.

Regarding mineral baths, for ~$30 or $40 you can take an hour mineral bath soak at the Roosevelt Baths in Spa Park. This is in the old New Deal era spa built in the 30's, but fully refurbished not long ago. Deep deep soaker tubs, hot mineral water (actually, the mineral water is cold, tap water is hot).

It's a full service spa, but you don't need to pay for anything more than the bath if you don't want to.

Local residents can get the same spa bath for $20 - it's a nice indulgence.
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Old Jun 7th, 2017, 07:19 AM
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Did you look at Saratoga downtowner motel? I love their downtown area. Also try Airbnb.
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Old Jun 12th, 2017, 02:57 PM
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aggiegirl, I have a flight in August that I booked and thought I should get my car reserved though there is never a problem and always cheap. Five days, 650.00. I used USAA and my Budget fastbreak. I am freaking out. I did look at priceline and can get one for 50 a day so maybe try priceline for a hotel. Darn races. I never pay over 30 a day at Albany. Do you need a car? That might be your deal breaker. I am at least headed to Lake George area.
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