NEW YEAR’S EVE FAQ

*Note that only overnight room packages and VIP Lounges will be sold at this time.  Please see the first question below regarding admission only tickets.

Our New Year’s Eve 2024 FAQ page provides answers to our most-asked questions about the event. If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, please email us at guestrelations@desmondhotels.com

Can I purchase admission ticket(s) without an overnight room? 
Admission only tickets do not go sale until after our rooms have sold out and are very limited. We encourage everyone to purchase overnight room packages in order to guarantee being able to attend. This event sells out early every year, so please do not wait to purchase.  Admission only tickets will be $195 each once available. 

Is there a waiting list for admission tickets only?  How will I know when they become available? 
We do not keep a waiting list for admission only tickets; due to their popularity, admission only tickets are sold first-come, first-served.  (Note that in some years, admission only tickets have sold out within 24 hours.)  To receive the announcement of when admission only tickets go on sale, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook. The announcement will also be posted here on our website, and will be emailed to everyone currently signed up to receive the hotel’s email notifications. 

Can I walk-in and purchase tickets the night of the event? 
This event sells out early every year and thus we do not sell any tickets the night of the event.

Can I purchase an overnight room package with just one admission ticket? 
Our room packages are designed for 2, 3 or 4 guests.  We do not offer a “single” room package.

Do you offer an overnight package or ticket without alcohol included? 
Unfortunately, for an event of this size we are unable to offer any packages or tickets without the bar price included.  Soda, water and coffee will be offered at the event if you do not wish to drink alcohol.

Can I purchase a VIP Lounge without an overnight room package? 
No, VIP Lounges are available as an add-on option to overnight room packages only.  Admission only tickets are not available until after our room packages have sold and are very limited.  In order to guarantee that you and all of your guests will be able to attend the event, we require that all VIP guests purchase an overnight room package as well; we do not permit VIP guests to wait to purchase admission only tickets.  

I see the hotel has been renovated since my last stay, are there new amenities in the guest rooms? 
Yes, our entire hotel was completely renovated in 2021.  Our guest rooms include amenities such as mini refrigerators, individual Keurig coffeemakers, in-room safes, multiple USB charging ports, and magnifying makeup mirrors.  Please read each overnight room package description to see what is included in each of our suites and guest rooms.  

Do you have handicapped guest rooms available as part of the overnight room packages? 
Yes, our hotel offers a limited number of ADA/handicap compliant guest rooms with either single king or double queen beds.  Each ADA compliant room is wheelchair accessible with visual smoke detectors and features bathroom grab bars, raised toilets, and optional roll-in showers with fold down seating.  ADA compliant rooms are based on availability.   To purchase a handicap package, please contact our dedicated reservationists at guestrelations@desmondhotels.com to confirm the room type you are looking for and the availability.  

What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Once a purchase is complete no exchange, refunds or cancellations can be made. This is a special event, similar to a concert or sports game, that will sell out and all purchases are final.

I’m unable to attend now and I have given/sold my overnight room package to another person. What do I do? 
Transfers of room packages to another guest are allowed, and can be processed by emailing us at guestrelations@desmondhotels.com.  In the email the original purchaser will need to provide us with the original reservation information to show proof of ownership and also the full name, mailing address, email and phone number of the new guest.  You are responsible for all transactions regarding payment with the new guest, the hotel does not provide any refunds to the original purchaser.  Once we receive and process the information, email confirmations will be sent to both parties.  

I purchased an overnight room package as a gift, how do I let you know who will be using it? 
Please email guestrelations@desmondhotels.com with the guest information after you make your overnight package purchase.  We will need the full name, mailing address, email and phone number of the guest who will be attending to place on the reservation. 

What time does the event start?  When can we walk around the courtyards/ballrooms?
Our indoor courtyards and ballrooms will be closed for the entire day until 9PM when the event begins.  We ask that you please observe all of the roped-off, closed areas and DO NOT ENTER OR WALK THROUGH these areas until the event is ready to begin.  If you have a first floor guest room that opens into the courtyards, we ask that you please remain in your room until the event opens at 9PM and do not enter the courtyards before then for safety purposes.  Entertainment, food and beverage service will not begin until 9PM.

I have a VIP Lounge, can we access our area early?  
Doors to the event open at 9PM, at which time you can enter your VIP area.  Unfortunately we cannot allow entrance earlier due to set up and safety restrictions.  The staff working our Registration Desk will provide your specific color-coded wristband and will direct you to your Lounge.  Please remember to tell the staff at Registration that you are with a VIP group.

What is the dress code?  
We recommend “festive cocktail” attire for this event.  Guests in the past have attended in cocktail length dresses and suits, as well as tuxedos and formal gowns.  Casual wear such as t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, and/or dirty, ripped clothing will not be allowed. We reserve the right to deny admittance to any guest whom we feel is not dressed appropriately. To see what guests have worn at our past New Year’s Eve events, please see our photo albums.  

What food is being served?
Here is our full New Year’s Eve 2024 Menu.  Food will be available throughout the entire property via Chef-manned stations, food displays and butler passed items.  Separate bars will be located in each ballroom and courtyard as well.  Our open bar for the evening will contain beers, wines, mixed drinks, champagne, a special signature drink and a champagne toast at midnight.  Soda, water and coffee will also be offered at the event if you do not wish to drink alcohol.

I have a food allergy/dietary preference (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, etc) and am not sure what I can eat from the menu.
We take food allergies very seriously and make every effort to produce a menu that can be enjoyed by everyone.  For an event of this magnitude however, we recommend that any guests with dietary restrictions carefully review the menu and plan ahead accordingly.  Due to the number of guests attending, we cannot guarantee that the menu meets any strict dietary needs such as nut-free or gluten-free or that any food item is free from cross-contamination.  Our in-house restaurant Mr. D’s will be open before the event and can provide individual meals to meet your needs; reservations for dinner that evening are required in advance by calling 518-869-8100. 

How do I reserve a table for my group for dinner?
This event does not contain a plated, sit-down dinner.  Food will be available throughout the entire property via Chef-manned stations, displays and butler passed items.  This enables our guests to walk throughout the entire property to enjoy the décor and entertainment.  Limited seating is available in each ballroom and courtyard, and is first-come, first-served.  If you wish to have a dedicated, private seating area for your group please consider purchasing a VIP Lounge.

Can I call or come to the hotel in person to purchase a package or admission ticket? 
New Year’s Eve is a special event that is handled by a different process than our normal reservations. All purchases must be made online via our event webpage through a third party company, tix.com. 

Can I pay by cash, check or payment plan?
No, all purchases must be made via credit card.

When is my credit card charged?
Your credit card is charged in full the day you make your purchase.

Can I split up the charge on more than one credit card?
No, unfortunately the reservation system for New Year’s Eve can only accept one credit card for the full amount of payment.

What is the $1.50 additional charge that was added to my purchase?
New Year’s Eve is a special event handled by a different process than our normal reservations. We use a third party company, tix.com, to process these reservations and the $1.50 charge is their online processing fee which goes directly to them.

Do you have a discount for the military? Or for groups over a certain number?
We currently do not offer any discounts for this event.

I have a Crowne Plaza/Desmond Hotel gift card or paper gift certificate. Can I use this towards my purchase?
No, we cannot accept any gift cards or gift certificates as part of payment for New Year’s Eve.  The listed price must be paid in full via credit card.

I am an IHG One Rewards  member, can I earn points on my overnight room package?
New Year’s Eve is a special event with a special rate and is therefore not eligible for earning points in the IHG One Rewards Club loyalty program.

How old do you have to be to attend this event?
This is a 21 and older event, proof of identity and age will need to be provided in order to gain entrance.  We reserve the right to deny entrance to anyone we feel is under age.  Each individual person attending must show their own valid photo ID in order to receive a wristband and gain entrance.

How do I pick up my tickets?
All tickets are Will Call and will be provided the night of the event, no tickets will be sent to you in advance. If you have purchased an overnight room package, all of the tickets in your package will be provided to the guest whose name the room is booked under at check-in.  If you have purchased admission only tickets without a room, your tickets will be located at our Registration Desk for pick up.  To receive your admission tickets the guest whose name the ticket order was purchased under must provide valid photo ID; they will then be provided all of the admission tickets purchased on that order.

How do I get my wristband for the event?  Do I need to bring ID?
Once you have your ticket, each individual guest must go to our Registration Desk in order to receive an event wristband.  This is a 21 and over event.  Each individual person must show their own valid photo ID in order to get a wristband.  No one can pick up a wristband for any guest but themselves.  The wristband must be worn during the entire event in order to enter and to receive food & beverage service.  We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged wristbands.  If you are a member of a VIP Lounge, please let Registration know at check-in so that you receive the proper colored wristband for your Lounge instead of a general admission band.

Where is the Registration Desk, and what time does it open?
Registration will be located in the hallway off our lobby, in between the lobby and the entrance to the event. The desk will open at 4:00 PM on December 31.

What time is check-in, and what do I need to bring?
Check-in is anytime after 2:00 PM, no exceptions.  In order to receive the room and admission tickets associated with it, the guest whose name the room is booked under will need to provide valid photo ID PLUS a valid credit card OR a $200 cash deposit to cover any incidental charges.  Our New Year’s Eve reservations are processed through a third party system, so our Front Desk does not have access to the credit card used for your room package payment; a credit card will need to be provided again at check-in to keep on file.  We are unable to release guest rooms or tickets to guests without photo ID.  If you are unable to provide a valid credit card OR a $200 cash deposit to hold on file, you will be unable to charge any items to your room such as breakfast in our restaurant. For your convenience, please check-in at the Front Desk first before bringing luggage into the lobby, as our indoor courtyards will be closed until the event begins at 9:00 PM.  This will allow our desk agents to provide you with the entrance door closest to your room so that luggage is easier to bring in.

What time is check-out?  
Check-out has been extended until 2:00 PM on January 1st.

I received my payment receipt from tix.com, but where is my room confirmation number?
After making your purchase, you will receive an email from tix.com with your payment information.  You will then receive a separate email within 24 hours of purchase on the next business day  with your hotel confirmation including your reservation number.  Please check your spam or junk mail if you do not see your confirmation email within this time period.

Can I reserve a room in a certain area, or by my friends?
We make every effort to honor requests for a specific room, or rooms located near each other; these are granted on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be guaranteed. Requests should be made by emailing guestrelations@desmondhotels.com please send your request AFTER everyone in your group has purchased their overnight room package(s).  Please also note that guest room views into our interior courtyards may become blocked by decorations, entertainment stages and/or screens, etc.; we cannot guarantee that any views will be unobstructed as floor plans are not finalized until the day before the event.  Be aware that this is an event attended by a maximum of 1,100 guests with three live bands/DJs playing throughout, so noise levels will be in accordance with this type of event until approximately 1:00 AM.

What are our breakfast options?
Mr. D’s will be open for breakfast beginning at 7:00 AM, and our lobby Marketplace is open 24-hours with a variety of grab and go snack options.

I’m coming early and would like to use your pool and/or fitness center before the event starts.
In preparation for the event, our Pool and Fitness Center will both be closed for the entire day of December 31 and through the event itself.  We apologize for any inconvenience and these areas will be reopened on January 1.

What time does your bar and restaurant open on New Year’s Eve?
Mr. D’s opens at 7:00 AM.  A limited number of dinner reservations are available before the event by calling 518-869-8100. Live music from Taylor LaValley will be in our bar area beginning at 5:00 PM.  Please note that all bar seating will be first-come, first-served.

Do I have to tip the servers or bartenders during the event?
No, gratuity is already included in the package prices.

Where is the music located, and when do the bands play?
DeeJay Element will be in the first courtyard as you walk into the event, and Skeeter Creek will be located in the ballroom off this area.  Funk Evolution will be in our larger ballroom located in the rear of the hotel.  Music will begin at 9:00 PM when the event starts.  You will be provided with a schedule the night of the party that lists the times when each band will be performing.  Entertainment will be located throughout the entire property, so please walk through and enjoy all that we have to offer.  Live music will also be in Mr. D’s bar area beginning at 5:00 PM before the event.

We heard there is a pre-party in Mr. D’s, is that included in the event cost? 
The pre-party in Mr. D’s is separate from our main event, anyone from the public may attend the pre-party and there is no cover charge.  We will have music starting at 5:00 PM from Taylor LaValley and any hotel guests are welcome to stop in and enjoy the pre-party before the main event doors open at 9:00 PM.  Please note that all bar seating will be first-come, first-served.

Can we smoke at this event?
Smoking/vaping is allowed outside each of our entrances, we ask that you please use the provided containers when disposing of your cigarettes.  The Desmond is an entirely non-smoking hotel, therefore smoking/vaping is not allowed in your guestroom or anywhere else inside the hotel property per the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act.  Anyone seen smoking/vaping at the event will be asked to go outdoors. Smoking/vaping in a guest room will incur a minimum $250 cleaning fee.

How many people attend this event?
The entire hotel will be sold out for this event, we will sell approximately 1,000 tickets with a maximum of 1,100 guests attending.

Where should we park for the event?
Parking will be available in our hotel parking lot and on the grass lawn off the side lot.  Please enter through the front lobby entrance first when you are checking in, or if you have admission only tickets for the event.

Will there be valet or coat check that evening?
We are unable to offer valet services at this time.  Coat check will be available near the Registration Desk.

I see your hotel is pet-friendly , can I bring my pet to the event?
Per our pet policy, pets are not permitted in our indoor courtyards or public areas (and therefore cannot be brought into the event itself) and cannot be left unattended in our guest rooms.  Service animals such as guide dogs are permitted in the event with their owners.

If you were unable to find the answer to your question above, please email us at guestrelations@desmondhotels.com