Starwood Preferred Guest - Sheraton ATL vs Westin Peachtree

Last week I stayed for one night each in these hotels. I was attending a conference and did not have much time in either (no meals there, etc.),but here are my observations.

Sheraton Atlanta: The public areas seem nice enough but the rooms and corridors are terrible. As a Plat, I was assigned to an "Executive Suite". This thing was a rathole. I'm sure it is used usually as a hospitality suite as it has a balcony that look out on the pool in the atrium. It consisted of 2 levels with the bedroom on the "loft" level. The living area contained a large sectional sofa, dining table and wet bar. It also had an old style 50" big screen that had seen many better days (the Sheraton menu screen had "burned in" over the years). It was noisy with the echoes of the pool being right outside. The loft area contained the bed room and tiny bathroom. It was a little claustrophobic since the ceiling over the bed was only about 7'. The staff was nice enough, but when I asked for another room they said they were sold out (this was at 4 p.m.) with all the rooms blocked. The agent also said the "nicer" rooms were very small. Bottom line: never again. :td:

Westin Peachtree plaza: I know this has been knocked by others, but I thought it was fine. Check in went smoothly with the agent noting my Plat status and asking if I wanted the points option. My room was on a SPG floor (60) with a nice view of the Turner Field and Cnn center. The room was clean and looked recently redone. Nice size desk and Heavenly Bed. As mentioned earlier, I didn't use any services, but asked for late check out and the Service Express person said, "Of course Mr. Clover, you are a Plat and entitled to a 4 pm checkout"! Now that is the kind of response that will get me back there again (when I need to be in downtown Atlanta)! ^

I'm at the Shearton Atlanta right now on a conference rate and was given an "Executive Suite" on the 10th floor. Nice corner room, but it was laid out as an accessible room. The bathroom was all tile with a large open shower, low angle mirrors and no counter-space. Props to SA for having accessible suites, but it didn’t really work for me. I asked if something else was available and they moved me to the same room on a different floor that is not set up for access. It is a much nicer room (newer carpets) with the same big-screen TV mentioned by clover. They were very nice about the change, so I’m happy. (One interesting thing about the accessible suite; it had an in-room safe. No safe in the other room. Again, hopefully, SA looking out for all their customers.)

The hotel is definitely nicer in the public areas than the rooms or outside for that matter. I ate at Fandangles; their upscale martini bar/restaurant. Had a great Chopin on the rocks (I know, kind of hard to screw up…) and wedge salad. I also had the French Dip which sucked. The fried pickles were cold and the “thin sliced roast beef” tasted like the sliced meat that comes in the glass jar. Definitely hoping a cab to the Atlanta Fish Market tomorrow.

FWIW

DLM

The bottom line is that the Sheraton ATL is just plain weird. Anyone who's stayed here fully understands. The corridors seem to go on endlessly if one is staying in the second tower.

The last time I was there as a Plat, I was sent to the other tower and had to take elevators and stairs for what seemed forever until I reached the LONG corridor to my area of rooms. The walk from my room to the lobby was unbearable with any significant luggage. Since I was there for a trade show, I was hauling all manner of junk with me and thought I'd have a stroke before reaching my room.

I have long since forgotten what this hotel was in its former life, but it was something like a Radisson, wasn't it?

In any case, once I got to my room, I would give it a grade of C+.

I have long since forgotten what this hotel was in its former life, but it was something like a Radisson, wasn't it?I may be wrong, but I think that this hotel was the "original" Atlanta Downtown Marriott. When MC built the Marriott Marquis, the hotel was sold to Raddison, and later to Sheraton.

Just to follow-up on my stay; the staff at this hotel is great! I needed to change my departure and leave a day early and the made the change without any fuss (or penality) and gave me a 4:00PM checkout. They said this was standard for Plats. They also wave the WiFi fee for Plats.

So, in summary, the common areas are really nice, the rooms can be not so nice, the food is poor, and the customer service is great.

FWIW

DLM

So I am headed down to ND at Georgia Tech Labor Day weekend.
I can stay at either the Sheraton ATL or Westin Peachtree which are about about 1 mile from GA Tech Bobby Dodd stadium.

I am wondering which hotel is better. I have read that both have some problems with them on this board. I will be with a bunch of college roomates, so

1) Is one closer to bars/nightlife than the other?

2) Does one make it easier to get to and from the stadium?

3) We are going to be 4 in a room, does that make one hotel better than the other?

Thanks for the advice
NDtraveler

I think the Westin Peachtree is great. I've never stayed at the Atlanta Sheraton, but the exterior and lobby didn't wow me (though I understand they've done a complete makeover). A positive for the Westin (if you have status and can get an upgraded room) is the view -- can't be beat. On the other hand, the Westin rooms are cozy -- perfectly fine for a couple people, but maybe too snug for four. I don't know what the Sheraton rooms are like in size, but I can't imagine they'd be smaller.
Both hotels are basically in the same part of town, so nothing much to choose from in terms of location. Both are close to the Peachtree Center MARTA station (go to North Avenue station for Bobby Dodd), so you can get up to Midtown or Buckhead if you're looking for nightlife (Downtown is still pretty dull, though it has some good bars and restaurants -- the style is a little too corporate for my taste, though). If you're a sports fan, lots of major venues are downtown and there's always something going on.

I haven't stayed at either, but I have a room reserved at the Westin Peachtree for the ND-GT game. I was able to reserve the room using the special Georgia Tech Football rate of $115/night.

So I am headed down to ND at Georgia Tech Labor Day weekend.
I can stay at either the Sheraton ATL or Westin Peachtree which are about about 1 mile from GA Tech Bobby Dodd stadium.

I am wondering which hotel is better. I have read that both have some problems with them on this board. I will be with a bunch of college roomates, so

1) Is one closer to bars/nightlife than the other?

2) Does one make it easier to get to and from the stadium?

3) We are going to be 4 in a room, does that make one hotel better than the other?

Thanks for the advice
NDtraveler


Just see my OP above and I think your questions will be anwered. If you can get one of the Executive suites for a decent price that might work, though the bed is a King bed. You would have to use the sofa and/or rollaways. But the hotel is a rathole. The Westin Peachtree Plaza is nicer but I don't think you would be able to put 4 guys in one of those small rooms. Why not try the Westin or Sheraton hotels in Buckhead ? They are much nicer properties in the best area of Atlanta for nightlife etc. The cost would only be a few dollars more per person than the other hotels and well worth it. Just drive or take a cab down to the game. The action will be lots better in Buckhead than downtown after the game. ^