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Call us at 518–438-2655 to book your room, ask questions, learn about our programs and more!
Check In
Upon arrival, all adults that are staying in a room will be asked to present a valid photo ID and complete registration paperwork at the front desk.
Once registration is complete, first-time guests will receive a tour of the House and shown to their private bedroom.
There is no fee to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
During Your Stay
There is much we could cover here about your stay, but it’s probably better that we give you all that info during your check in. However, it might help to know that:
- We offer continental breakfast & comforting, hot, fresh dinner daily.
- We have accessible bedrooms, living rooms, play rooms and laundry facilities.
- We do not provide daily-room in-room housekeeping services. Guest’s are required to maintain their bedroom cleanliness.
Check Out
Visit the front desk to review check out procedure:
- Rooms must be tidy before check out, trash removed, food removed from private cabinet space in kitchen, and personal belongings removed from bedroom.
- Room keys are turned in at the front desk as the last step of checking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to stay?
We serve families of patients ages 21 years or younger who are receiving treatment at Albany Medical Center. The severity of a patient’s illness and the distance between your home and the hospital are also considered in allocating rooms. The patient is also eligible to stay with the family if he/she is being treated on an outpatient basis. Preference is given to families who live at least 30 miles away from Albany.
RMHC-CR is committed to providing an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. Therefore, all people on our properties (guest families, visitors, volunteers, staff, vendors, and donors) are expected to act with respect and kindness to all other people at RMHC-CR at all times. All guests and visitors must also agree to the following statement outlined in the RMHC-CR Condition of Stay Guidelines (LINK).
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR STAY:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHCCR) reserves the right to refuse admittance to any potential guest for any reason including, but not limited to, anyone charged or convicted of a crime that RMHC decides, in its sole discretion, actually threatens or may threaten the health, safety, welfare, well-being, and ability of other individuals to peacefully enjoy the Ronald McDonald House.
Before being permitted to stay at the House, all potential guests – 18 years old or older – must pass a sex offender check. For example, and without limitation, any potential guest with a conviction for a violent crime, sex offense, domestic violence and child abuse will not be allowed to stay at the House.
RMHCCR may also exclude individuals who have been exposed to an infectious disease within the last 21 days or an individual involved in an open Department of Child Safety (DCS) case.
RMHCCR reserves the right to refuse admittance to or exclude from the House anyone who engages in any inappropriate, irresponsible, or criminal behavior (to be determined by RMHC in its sole discretion).
RMHCCR has sole discretion in these matters in order to preserve the health, safety, welfare, well-being, and the ability of other individuals to peacefully enjoy the House.
How does a family request a room?
Families are frequently referred to the Ronald McDonald House by hospital nurses or social workers. Your child’s hospital care team can help you determine if staying at the Ronald McDonald House is a good fit for your family, and if so, they can make a referral on your behalf.
Request your room: call us (518) 438-2655 within 24 hours of your needed stay.
We do not charge guests to stay at RMHC-CR.
How long can a family stay?
Stays can be as short as one night or as long as several months or more, depending on the child’s illness and treatment. Families check out of RMHC-CR the same day their child patient is discharge from Albany Med.
What are the hours of the Ronald McDonald House?
The House is accessible to families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The office is staffed 24 hours a day. The house has quiet hours of 9PM-7AM daily.
How big is the Ronald McDonald House?
The Ronald McDonald House can accommodate 25 families each night in private rooms. Each family has a private bedroom, which includes a bathroom. The house also includes a large kitchen, pantry, several family rooms and playrooms, two laundry rooms, an arcade, a movie theater, a remote work room/arts & crafts room, a backyard, and free off street parking lot.
How is RMHC-CR Funded?
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region is solely operated with funds raised through donations made by individuals, organizations, and corporations in the communities we serve.
How can I Support RMHC-CR?
By donating (hyper-link the word donating). We could not operate without generous donations from our community. It costs us $80 (?) per night to provide a room for a family. Your donations help bridge that gap.
By volunteering (hyper-link the word volunteering). Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the House – and the reason we accomplish so much with our staff. Come join us!
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The Albany Ronald McDonald House is a community living environment. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a harmonious, home-like atmosphere that is safe, secure, clean and conducive to rest and rejuvenation.
To that end, we respectfully ask you to observe the following rules and guidelines:
- Check In: Please be prepared to provide RMH staff with an ID and time to fill out required paperwork.
- Quiet Hours: 9PM-7AM daily.
- Child Supervision: Children require parental/guardian supervision at all times at RMHC.
- Prohibited items include: tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and weapons.
- For the safety of all guests and visitors: Individuals who have been convicted of any crime against a minor will not be permitted to stay at the House.
- General Housekeeping: Housekeepers clean guest rooms and bathrooms weekly, and between stays. Please make every effort to keep your rooms tidy, make use of our free laundry facilities when needed, and place all dishes, utensils, and glassware in the dishwasher each time you use the kitchen.
- Accessibility: Ronald McDonald House is an accessible facility. We have an elevator, as well as many accessible bedrooms and common areas.
- Checking Out:
- Strip all beds, and bring all linens and towels to the laundry room
- Pack up all food items stored in refrigerators and your personal pantry.
- Share your good news and turn in your room key.
Click here for photos and descriptions of guest rooms, commons areas, and house amenities.
The Albany Ronald McDonald House is located at 139 S. Lake Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.
From the South
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 23. Bear right off the exit. At the light, turn left onto Southern Boulevard/Route 9W. Proceed for approximately 1 mile. At the end of Southern Boulevard, turn right onto Delaware Avenue. Turn left onto Holland Ave and proceed 2 blocks. Albany Medical Center will be directly in front of you. Turn left onto New Scotland Avenue, then take the first right onto South Lake Avenue. Proceed 2.5 blocks. The house will be on your left.
From the North
Take the Northway (I-87) to I-90 East. Follow signs to I-787 South (Albany), then take the Madison Avenue exit. Take a left onto New Scotland Avenue. Go 2 blocks past Albany Medical Center on your right, and take a right onto South Lake Avenue. Proceed 2.5 blocks. The house will be on your left.
From the East
Take I-90 West to I-787 South (Albany). Exit at Madison Avenue. Go west on Madison Avenue for approximately 1 mile. Take a left onto New Scotland Avenue. Go 2 blocks past Albany Medical Center on your right, and take a right onto South Lake Avenue. Proceed 2.5 blocks. The house will be on your left.
From the West
Take I-90 East to I-787 South (Albany). Exit at Madison Avenue. Travel west on Madison Avenue for approximately 1 mile. Take a left onto New Scotland Avenue. Go 2 blocks, past Albany Medical Center on your right, and take a right onto South Lake Avenue. Proceed 2.5 blocks. The house will be on your left.
- Ronald McDonald House: 518-438-2655
- Albany Medical Center: 518-262-3125
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: 518-262-3979
- General Pediatrics: 518-262-3701
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: 518-262-3047
- Pediatric Clinic: 518-262-4376
- Emergency Department: 518-262-3131
- Hospital shuttle service: complimentary shuttle service to and from the hospital is available Monday through Friday, from 4:30 AM until midnight, by calling (518) 262-4444 ext 2. After hours and on weekends, dial (518) 262-3777 to call for a shuttle.
- Bus – Trailways: 518-436-9651
- Bus – Greyhound: 518-434-0121
- Train – Amtrak: 518-465-9971
- Taxi – Yellow Cab: 518-434-2222