Where to Go, What to Know

Last weekend, the Travel section's John Deiner hopped on a nonstop flight to Albany, N.Y., for a break in Saratoga Springs. His reporter's guide:

FLYING TIME

55 minutes from BWI

DRIVE TIME

25 minutes from the Albany airport COST $551.94 Airfare: $156.50 Hotel: $276 Rental car: $57.44 Mineral baths: $62

GETTING THERE

I flew Southwest from BWI to Albany for $156.50 round trip and rented a car through Hotwire.com for $57.44 (almost a third less than booking directly with Hertz). From Albany, Saratoga Springs is straight up Interstate 87.

WHERE TO STAY

* The Roosevelt Inn & Suites (South Broadway, 800-524-9147, http://www.rooseveltsuites.com; from $109.50 per night double, with breakfast) sits a little close to the interstate for my taste, but I'd go back for the large rooms, plush beds and wonderful indoor pool.

* Rooms at downtown's red-brick Saratoga Arms (497 Broadway, 518-584-1775, http://www.saratogaarms.com; from $175, with breakfast) are tastefully decorated with period pieces and subdued palettes; some have fireplaces.

* Other options include a wide range of B&Bs, including Union Gables (55 Union Ave., 800-398-1558, http://www.uniongables.com; from $140), and such chain hotels as the Hilton Garden Inn (125 S. Broadway, 518-587-1500, http://www.hiltongardeninn.com; from $90).

WHERE TO EAT