Colonie’s The Desmond Hotel celebrates 50 years in business | News

“They’d get all dressed up and we would set up a special table for them up by the pond,” he said, “and those are the kind of moments where you really enjoy what you do.”

Desmond, who is now general manager of Crowne Plaza Albany — The Desmond Hotel, recalled the fond memory following a celebration of the hotel’s 50th anniversary Tuesday.

John K. Desmond Jr., a Philadelphia native and Tyler’s grandfather, got the idea for opening a hotel in the area after visiting Albany for business and determining there was a need for a premier hotel. After driving around the Wolf Road area, he found a plot of land near Albany International Airport and decided that was where he would build a hotel, according to the hotel’s website.

The hotel, originally called The American Inn, opened Jan. 3, 1974 as a joint venture with American Airlines. The hotel had 183 rooms, a large indoor courtyard called the Village Green, two restaurants — the Green Tree Coffee House and the Tavern on the Green, as well as the Patroon Tavern Bar, according to the hotel’s website.

Since then, the hotel has changed names several times and undergone expansion and renovation.

Another 136 rooms, a ballroom, conference center, amphitheater, lodge and health club were all constructed in 1982 as part of a $4 million expansion project, according to the hotel website.

By 1986, the hotel rebranded as the Desmond Americana after the partnership with American Airlines ended in 1975. That name lasted until 1992 when the hotel was renamed the The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center to reflect the growing need for places to hold meetings and conventions. The hotel remained under that name until 2018 when it became a InterContinental Hotel Group unbranded affiliate and was renamed The Desmond Hotel Albany, as the hotel looked to provide a loyalty program to customers. In 2021, the hotel underwent a two-year renovation and also became affiliated with the Crowne Plaza brand, incorporating some of its amenities like the Plaza Workspace and studio meeting room.. Mr. D’s Restaurant & Lounge was also added during the renovations to honor John K. Desmond Jr.

Through it all, the company has worked to maintain the Shaker and colonial styling that were John K. Desmond Jr.’s passion.

Helping oversee many of those changes was Michael Chain Sr., COO of Delta Holdings Inc., which operates public hotels and motels.

“John believed success would come from an enduring location, from an enduring building that we have here, [and] it’s very unique respect for customers and respect for your associates,” Chain said.

Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey called the hotel a “crown jewel” of the area.

“The first thing people see when they head into our town after they leave the grounds of the airport is this facility right here,” he said Tuesday. “The Desmond has become the gateway to the Capital Region, the gateway to commerce and the gateway into our fair town of Colonie, and we are very fortunate.”

The hotel received three proclamations Tuesday for its continued commitment to the community, as well as the Empire Award from the state, which recognizes small businesses.

Head of the Crowne Plaza Americas, Adam DeLange, said Crowne Plaza is looking forward to continuing to work with The Desmond in years to come.

Tyler Desmond said the hotel has remained in the community because of the employees and the customers.

Desmond said if his grandfather was still alive he “would be very proud of what it is today.”