Starwood Preferred Guest - Sheraton South Portland, Maine [Master Thread] (now Wyndham)

We need information about the South Portland Sheraton in Maine? Is it a good property..? We don't hear much about it. The prices seem high for a category 2 property... 229$ per night is the lowest. Any imput will be appreciated. Thanks!

Considering last weekend I stayed at the Sable Oaks Marriott for $149 for two nights using an EEO cert and lower rates were available.. that is not a good price.. the Marriott is about a 1/2 mile from the Sheraton as well

I stayed at that Sheraton before and got a decent upgrade as a plat. Its an ok property, just that price seems a bit excessive

Summer rates in Portland are high - try $199 during the week at the HGI at the airport. That said, the Sheraton is nothing special. For location try the HGI on the waterfront.

I agree..have stayed there a few times, not bad but nothing special. I paid $150 there about 3 weeks ago. The HGI downtown on the waterfront is IMO the best place to stay in Portland, both for location, quality & value.

I agree with others about the HGI waterfront or the Marriott Sable Oaks. They are both very good properties. The Marriott has a very small concierge lounge on the second floor and is the only Marriott that I have ever seen that invites Silver Marriott members(that was last year) to partake in lounge access. The beds are extremely comfortable. I have stayed in the Sheraton a few times and it is hit or miss.The hotel looks very attractive from the outside, but that all changes once you get inside. Try to avoid the second tower as these rooms seem to be older looking than the main tower and distant from the hotel lobby. The Sheraton is usually the most expensive of the 3 brands for whatever reason. The HGI is down on Casco Bay and close to downtown shopping and restaurants. They have the usual HGI amenities, and the hotel itself is only a couple of years old. My personal choice would be the Marriott, but both HGI's in Portland are good second choices.

As much of a SPG fan as I am, I'd look long and hard for other options before paying that price for the Sheraton in South Portland. In fact, absent a total renovation, I don't think I'd stay there for any price. I've stayed there twice, both times more than a year ago, and thought the place as a total dump. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound as though things have improved in the past year. Look elsewhere!

I was hoping to use *wood points, I guess it would be a good value that way.
When a category 2 hotel is 229$ you are better off using points for sure!

Portland hotel prices in the summer are usually more expensive than anywhere in the region, including Boston. Everyone wants to get that seacoast Maine experience. There's an inclination for people from "away" to think that Maine begins in Kittery and ends in Bar Harbor. If you have the time, I would suggest a trip to the northern and western portion of the state. I know this is off subject, but I wanted to get this plug in since there are so many beautiful areas in the state that are never explored. Hotel prices are also more reasonable in these areas.
By the way NBSPGMEMBER, where do you earn your SPG points now that the Sheraton in Fredericton is a Delta?

Portland hotel prices in the summer are usually more expensive than anywhere in the region, including Boston. Everyone wants to get that seacoast Maine experience. There's an inclination for people from "away" to think that Maine begins in Kittery and ends in Bar Harbor. If you have the time, I would suggest a trip to the northern and western portion of the state. I know this is off subject, but I wanted to get this plug in since there are so many beautiful areas in the state that are never explored. Hotel prices are also more reasonable in these areas.
By the way NBSPGMEMBER, where do you earn your SPG points now that the Sheraton in Fredericton is a Delta?

Hey! General45,
Well, even if I'm from New Brunswick, I've never been to the Sheraton Fredericton, which is now a Delta Hotel. I travel often and usually stay at Starwood properties and use my MBNA SPG Mastercard alot.

Okay folks.... I live about 3 miles from this hotel and have hosted a number of events there over the past years and placed numerous family members here when the house is otherwise full.

Here's the short scoop: this is an okay, but not stellar, Sheraton. It is housed in a very unfortunate 1970s round tower design with two pods that look something like spaceships. (With me so far??)

That said, when *wood corporate took this place over from the previous owners, Flatley (who ran it as a Sheraton Tara location), they really did a decent job of significant renovations to all areas. The lobby is weird, since it's too small. The rooms are generally okay with small, but nicely appointed bathrooms with limestone floors and granite counters. The views from the rooms here will never be great since the hotel is between an interstate and the largest mall in Maine.

The real benefit of this hotel is its central location to "stuff." It's exceedingly easy to use this hotel as a home base for exploring southern Maine with highlights like Kennebunk, Ogunquit, Cape Elizabeth, etc, etc all easily within an hour's drive. Portland's downtown has some spectacular dining options (truly) and surprisingly good shopping and diversions.

You won't find this to be a luxury hotel by any means. But if you view it as a very comfortable place to sleep, you'll be okay. Also, this hotel has bounced back and forth over the years about a Club Lounge. Not sure what the deal is these days, but generally they've just offered appetizer coupons for the bar and breakfast coupons for the restaurant upon checkin for Plat guests (note: that may have now changed).

Hope that helps.

Greetings:

Just a word about a great stay at the Sheraton Portland, Maine.

I booked 8 rooms for a get together befrore taking a ferry to Monhegan Island, Maine for a 50th wedding celerbration party.

First, check in was a dream, everyone had been upgraded to the SPG floor, given a "key" to the club and had all the book work set to go when they checked in. (Which was all hours) I was upgraded to suite, bottle of wine and other goodies.

Our room was a nice suite big enough to have a pre- dinner party in for all of us.

Dinner was in the bar, 22 of us, no problem food was just fine, drink service was also just fine.

The hit of the day was that the front office manager Taylor Cushman had posted a welcome sign just below the Sheraton sign...cool!!! ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

In all everyone said they thought Sheraton had really come through and that Mr. Cushman did a great job of making everyone feel welcome (Two of the gang run with Hilton all year and said they had never had such service)

Now a more formal report:

Parking : C . self park

Check in: A, Plat. folder all set, upgraded to suite

Room: A, Nice "all in one " suite...large

Club:B
Good size, soft drinks, coffee all day, drinks at night at hotel prices, snacks were a C, breakfast excellent Cont. breakfast (No hot stuff) good service

Location: A ,Less then 10 min. from Airport , 20 min downtown Portland, Mall of Maine across street, right on I95

Pool:B, Indoor....Pretty large, I could do laps.

Service was outstanding, every one said hello, good day, thought I was in BKK or AUH!!!

PS: Our rate was 116.00+ through Starwoodcentral........I recieved everyones room points :rolleyes: and got three stays :D (not sure how that worked out but what the heck.........) Enjoy.....

Nice write up, Tom.

I live about 4 miles from this place and have been in contact over recent months with the relatively new GM there and can tell you that there is a breath of fresh air in the Sheraton S Portland.

While its exterior architecture is unfortunate (think 1973 UFO pods), the staff these days is really trying very hard to be the best in town.

I'm glad your stay there was a good one. Thanks for taking the time to write about it.

PS: Our rate was 116.00+ through Starwoodcentral........I recieved everyones room points :rolleyes: and got three stays :D (not sure how that worked out but what the heck.........) Enjoy.....


That sounds like a good rate. What is Starwood Central?

Thanks for your trip report.

That sounds like a good rate. What is Starwood Central?

My guess is Starwood Central would be Starwood Central Reservations which is also known as the Customer Contact Center.

Warmest regards,

Valerie Saunders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Greetings;

I may have voiced the wrong term......Starcentral is how I booked my reservations and how I just about book all my reservations.I wrote STARWOOD CENTRAL in my thread....sorry ..... :D

Starcentral is the web page for Starwood vacation owners. As a vacation owner one of the "perks" is 10% off on any *wood location (At least I think it is any, never have had a problem)

If I remember right the price for a room at the South Portland Sheraton was 129.00....I paid 116.50+=124.23......This discount works every time...but.....it is cut in stone....you pay up front like on "internet only" prices (But, the hotels can adjust the reservation if need be )

Hope this clears it up.....by the way ,ownning a time share through Starwood has worked well for us.

Greetings:

Just a word about a great stay at the Sheraton Portland, Maine.

I booked 8 rooms for a get together befrore taking a ferry to Monhegan Island, Maine for a 50th wedding celerbration party.I'm staying there for a week in October for $19/night, a rate which was released online last year. I think the rooms are quite nice.

So how long were you in Monhegan? How many of you went? Did you stay at the Island Inn? I guess the Monhegan House could hold such a party but I can't imagine it. :D

Be advised that this hotel is reportedly continuing its stance of NOT issuing either stay credits or SPG points for stays on the $19 rate.

Note also that there was not advance communication regarding this decision to guests who booked via spg.com.

This is the first time I've been significantly disappointed with a corporate Starwood decision. This is very unstarwoodlike.

Be advised that this hotel is reportedly continuing its stance of NOT issuing either stay credits or SPG points for stays on the $19 rate.

Note also that there was not advance communication regarding this decision to guests who booked via spg.com.

This is the first time I've been significantly disappointed with a corporate Starwood decision. This is very unstarwoodlike.

Corporate Starwood probably had nothing to do with the decision to not give Starpoints or stay credit on a $19 room rate error. It is probably more likely that the revenue manager for the property made that decision. However, I can see it being a decision that the corporate office would support. After all, the rate was a mistake and you can't even get this hotel for $19 at priceline or hotwire, whose rates are also ineligible.

I would say to anyone who booked this rate, "Go and have a great stay at a great rate and be happy with that knowing that some notable previous rate errors were not honored." But I understand there are always two points of view, and you are certainly welcomed to yours. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Wm -- thanks for your thoughts. This situation has not affected me personally --- I am just aware of it happening to others on the hotel-deals threads on FT.

While I certainly can appreciate and understand your explanation above, the part that gets stuck in my throat as a consumer is that the reservations were made on the spg proprietary website and accepted as booked -- apparently even with confirmation e-mails, etc. With no further notice or contact made with John Q. Consumer, I think it is reasonable for him to expect that the booked reservation is whole in all aspects.

In other words, inherent in a booked reservation that is honored by the hotel is an expectation that the full benefits of the program are to be extended.

That's my only point and I think it's a valid one. Not trying to stir up a hornet's nest here at all .... just a differing viewpoint is all. This still doesn't feel like something Starwood would do. Just my $00.02. I appreciate divergent opinions and viewpoints on this one.

Be advised that this hotel is reportedly continuing its stance of NOT issuing either stay credits or SPG points for stays on the $19 rate.

Note also that there was not advance communication regarding this decision to guests who booked via spg.com.

This is the first time I've been significantly disappointed with a corporate Starwood decision. This is very unstarwoodlike.This rate was honored when I stayed at the property on Memorial Day weekend. I never asked for points or credit and am just pleased that they are honoring the rate.

Did you ever input your SPG number either when making the rez or at check in?

This rate was honored when I stayed at the property on Memorial Day weekend. I never asked for points or credit and am just pleased that they are honoring the rate.

Did you ever input your SPG number either when making the rez or at check in?I inputed the number online and showed my SPG card when I checked in.

I did a one night award stay last week on my way to northern Maine. The Sheraton South Portland was disappointing. I would have been very upset if I had paid for the room. Hotel was very run down. Lots of rust and peeling paint. Staff was very nice, but can't make up for a very poor facility. This property is an embarrassment to Starwood.

I did a one night award stay last week on my way to northern Maine. The Sheraton South Portland was disappointing. I would have been very upset if I had paid for the room. Hotel was very run down. Lots of rust and peeling paint. Staff was very nice, but can't make up for a very poor facility. This property is an embarrassment to Starwood.
I would beg to differ, it is a good value if you're using Starpoints. Paying around 200$ for this place in the summer is steep, but for the times I've been there, I was happy with the place. It's only a category 2, so people should expect a property up to that level.

I did a one night award stay last week on my way to northern Maine. The Sheraton South Portland was disappointing. I would have been very upset if I had paid for the room. Hotel was very run down. Lots of rust and peeling paint. Staff was very nice, but can't make up for a very poor facility. This property is an embarrassment to Starwood.

I have some family in Maine and so visit fairly regularly. The Sheraton South Portland has nothing going for it but Starwood affiliation. I agree with comments about the tired facilties but can't really compliment the staff. Rates are not competitive with other, newer area properties - another reason I'm also HH gold.

There's a lot of Sheraton properties in New England way overdue for DEEP renovations or reflagging. They've finished the top floor (SPG/club floor) in Framingham and I thought the rooms looked pretty good.

I live about 2 miles from this hotel and, as much as I don't want to admit it, it really is an obsolete hotel nowadays. A brand new Courtyard Hotel opens about 100 yards from this Sheraton next week and it looks fabulous. Everything that was built around this Sheraton back in the late 1960s or early 1970s has now been bulldozed except for this very dated hotel.

I don't want to see Starwood leave Portland (the Westin project is derailed here indefinitely), but this hotel now is at the very bottom of the domestic Sheraton scale. Sadly, there's simply not much they can do with the existing, dated facility. They've renovated and remodeled as best they can, but they're still left with an ugly 1971-looking building that simply cannot be modernized.

The Sheraton in Nashua NH was a far nicer facility and it has left the Starwood family months ago. I really do believe it's a matter of time before I learn that this hotel is going to be bulldozed to make room for a Barnes & Noble bookstore or somesuch.

There is simply far too much brand new, top drawer competition in the Portland market for this Sheraton to compete.

I don't want to see Starwood leave Portland (the Westin project is derailed here indefinitely)

:( I don't want Starwood to leave Portland either, we love going to Portland and we're there all the time. As for me, I will take this tired Sheraton before having no other Starwood in Portland. The Sheraton in Portsmouth (NH) is too $$$ for what it is and not worth the 10K Starpoints either, I prefer the Portland area anyway. It is very strange to me that the Westin Waterfront is still not going forward, I mean this area of the city is in "Renaissance" mode. I just hope I won't hear anytime soon that Sheraton South Portland is for sale or is going to be demolished!
Yeah! I was in Portland last week and that new Courtyard is wow!

I've stayed here a few times for the points / stay credits, but it is a very tired facility. Staff is so-so, nothing special. Last stay I was put in what from the floor plan on the inside of the door looked like the smallest room on the floor, as a Plat. I've made the Hilton Garden Inn Waterfront my hotel of choice in Portland now - great location, nice facility, very good staff, and the rate is about the same as the Sheraton.

I'm staying here next month and booked a club level room. I just received my email confirmation from SPG and noticed that the Sheraton South Portland now has a new general manager named Tim (I wonder when this happened?). I wonder what happened to Ms. Ellen, she was the general manager when we all got a 19$ treat last year... :D

I wonder what happened to Ms. Ellen, she was the general manager when we all got a 19$ treat last year... :D

I was told this spring by a hotel employee that Ellen Callas had left Starwood and had actually left hotel management completely, as far as he knew. What he also told me that I hadn't previously known was that she was actually managing TWO Sheratons for those years -- both the Sheraton S Portland ... AND ... the Sheraton Colonial north of Boston. Apparently, living in MA and spending two or three nights a week in Maine. That would make anyone go nuts after about 4 months, wouldn't it?!?!?

Sadly, there's simply not much they can do with the existing, dated facility. They've renovated and remodeled as best they can, but they're still left with an ugly 1971-looking building that simply cannot be modernized. I remember zooming past this hotel on the Maine Turnpike as a kid, circa 1970, when we started visiting Maine... it looked just the same as it does now.

I can also recommend the HGI Freeport, about 20 minutes up the coast from Portland. New building, fine staff, have had several good stays there.

we just got back from there. spent 4 nights on points. got upgraded to club floor. they gave us vouchers for hor duerves and breakfast when the club floor was closed for the weekend. it is a good location,and was very convenient. we had a ball.looking forward to going back. love staying on points.

love staying on points.

At a CAT2, this hotel (for all its faults) is a total steal in the peak summer months through foliage season. I've sent family there before on weekends at 3000 points when rooms were going for $239.

I was told this spring by a hotel employee that Ellen Callas had left Starwood and had actually left hotel management completely, as far as he knew. What he also told me that I hadn't previously known was that she was actually managing TWO Sheratons for those years -- both the Sheraton S Portland ... AND ... the Sheraton Colonial north of Boston. Apparently, living in MA and spending two or three nights a week in Maine. That would make anyone go nuts after about 4 months, wouldn't it?!?!?

Wow, what a job, what a life, I couldn't do it. Guests/Corporate Office/Staff complain alot, hotel management is probably not easy. Hope she's happier wherever she is.
Returning to the subject; this place is a steal on points, we are using points in October and it's giving me a point value of 0,05. Great deal!

Is this a Sheraton Hotel since 1973? I know that the first tower (East) was built in 1973, the second tower (West) was built in 1983 and the property was owned by the Tara Corporation. I think the exterior is not that bad. It reminds me of a "very" mini Westin Peachtree Tower (Atlanta).

We are on our last night of 5, 4 Priceline & one paid for stay credit. Nothing great about this hotel except perhaps a highly competitive Priceline price. $60-$65 range these days is a pretty good deal. $119 prepaid for a Friday night is definitely overpaying for this extremely dated facility. If I had to pay $159 for the same night not prepaid, I would be screaming.

Location has lots of restaurants nearby, is convenient to I95 and I295 and across the street from the Maine Mall.

Apparently they do have free wi-fi in the lobby, don't know about the rest of the place.

This Sheraton is older and not so great. Sept. is lovely in Maine so rates are higher, but better off at the Portland Waterfront and if you want to save money stay near the Sheraton at the Hilton's Hampton Inn which was recently remodeled, but I suggest the Hilton Waterfront Hotel or something else around the waterfront.

We were there July 3 for two nights, and only stayed there on points because all the Hilton properties in the area were very expensive due to the holiday. It is the 2nd worst Starwood property I've ever visited, behind the fortunately demolished Sheraton "Inn" in Lexington MA. At the rates they were charging for revenue stays ($169/night!), it really doesn't belong in the Starwood family.

The fact that it appears to have been an ex-Tara property does not surprise me in the least. Tara must have been a euphemism some four year old made up, and his parents thought "hey, that describes our hotel chain as well!"

I really can't see spending more than $19 bucks a night for this property even at peak times. Which is what I did and barely got $19 worth of value from it as well

Wi-fi is free only in the lobby per the number of individuals working in the lobby. Kind of idiotic, but consistent with the management mentality of this place.

They do have a free computer which is extremely useful for proving that the the prepaid $119 rate is eligible for starpoints especially since it was booked at spg.com and the hotel is owned by Starwood.

It took 45 minutes in the lobby to get the points because they insisted that I prove eligibility and then they insisted that I could not see the front end manager because he was first in an important meeeting and then on the phone with spg to get the points posted.

They did let me meet the accounting manager who knew nothing and finally the front-end guy came out and proceeded to explain that their portfolio system did not allow prepaid rates to post points.

Just received a letter from Sheraton South Portland advising that effective December 7 ownership will transfer from Starwood to VANEASTLAND, LLC. At that time the hotel will be rebranded Wyndham Hotel Portland Airport.

All Starwood reservations will be honored however no SPG points awarded.

None of this is mentioned on the SPG website.

Just received a letter from Sheraton South Portland advising that effective December 7 ownership will transfer from Starwood to VANEASTLAND, LLC. At that time the hotel will be rebranded Wyndham Hotel Portland Airport.

All Starwood reservations will be honored however no SPG points awarded.

None of this is mentioned on the SPG website.

Well, very interesting. As we've long suspected, this property has been deemed non-essential (and non-comforming) to the Starwood network. I would've anticipated more advance notice than 10 days, but whatever. That leaves us with just one mediocre property in the state of Maine these days (4Pts BGR A/P).

no loss in my book, now that its a wyndham, much less likely I will ever have to deal with these monkeys again.. good riddence

much less likely I will ever have to deal with these monkeys again.. good riddence

Indeed. Hilton finds the market will support 2 HGIs (downtown waterfront and airport) plus an ES, a Doubletree, and a couple of Hamptons. Starwood has definitely fielded a mediocre team in this market. I'm glad I have HH Gold as an alternative.

No Starwood property in Portland... :(
Where will we stay now? I guess we'll head to the new Marriott CY.
This place will be a "Wyndump", they're better off demolishing it now that's not a Starwood, I couldn't care less. Whatever, they might just make way for a new Crate&Barrel like sbtinme said in another post somewhere.

This place will no longer be a Starwood in a week, but there is no mention of it at all on the website? They are still accepting reservations for January?! What gives? I think it's a very sneaky way for the new owners to get people in some sort of a messed up "situation" with their guests.

This place will no longer be a Starwood in a week, but there is no mention of it at all on the website? They are still accepting reservation for January?! What gives? I think it's a very sneaky way for the new owners to get people in some sort of a messed up "situation" with their guests.

that is completely par for the course for the management of this property

Well, I guess there is no longer a reason to stay at this hotel now that it is leaving Starwood. I certainly won't miss it.

That leaves a void in Portland until the Westin in downtown opens. Has anyone seen any updates on an opening date? I googled it and came up with this link. It looks to be nice if the picture is accurate.

http://www.procgroup.com/featured-projects/feature-westin-portland.html

I have five Priceline stays booked at this hotel---the first is Wednesday 12/5. Two more in February---one in April and one in May. Hope there are no glitches. I always spend the night and fly out the next morning leave my car at the hotel and take the shuttle service to and from the hotel.

That leaves a void in Portland until the Westin in downtown opens. Has anyone seen any updates on an opening date? I googled it and came up with this link. It looks to be nice if the picture is accurate.

http://www.procgroup.com/featured-projects/feature-westin-portland.html

Isn't this project dead? Or maybe just on permanent hiatus? Regardless, I would really love to have a Westin in PWM.

Good-bye to one of the worst managed hotels in the U.S.

Isn't this project dead? Or maybe just on permanent hiatus? Regardless, I would really love to have a Westin in PWM.

Yeah, I don't think construction even started.

Isn't this project dead? Or maybe just on permanent hiatus? Regardless, I would really love to have a Westin in PWM.

I live in PWM and can tell you that this plan is on permanent hold. I have not heard that it's cancelled just yet, but there have been myriad changes on the Westin plan -- largely based on poor sales results for the condos that were included in the total project. Lots of changes in that part of the city --- and it's been months since I heard anything about a Westin project.

This is a junky hotel 5-7 miles outside of Portland. The only thing good about it is that you can use Starpoints or get a cheap rate. Also, I will say that the staff is very friendly.

Portland is a great walking and dining city. There Portland Harbor Hotel is the only nice hotel downtown in the city. My # 2 choice would be the Hilton Gard Inn, which is overpriced, but well located.

If this property becomes a Wyndham in less than two days--shouldn't you be able to book on the Wyndham site? It shows no hotels in Maine. I'll ask when I check in tonight.

Here's a link to a news story on rebranding.

http://www.southportlander.com/2007/12/sheraton-to-be-rebranded-as-wyndham.html

City council vote passed 5 to 0.

Also see:

http://www.southportlander.com/2007/12/developer-prepares-to-close-on-sheraton.html

It's now official, the Sheraton South Portland Hotel is now removed from the Starwood website. Goodbye Sheraton South Portland Hotel.

Stayed at the Sheraton last Wednesday night. My wife gave me a ride to the airport the next morning. When I called the hotel from the terminal for shuttle back to hotel just after noon today--they answered Sheraton not Wyndham. I was told that a van would be sent right over. After waiting 30 minutes--I called the hotel wondering why I hadn't been picked up. Lady told me that he picked up a flight crew instead. Told her to please send him to pick me up. More than an hour after my initial call a van showed up--unmarked. No way to tell this was the hotel shuttle. Told the driver I had been waiting for an hour--sorry about that. The hotel sign has been covered by a temporary Wyndham canvas. I'm not impressed.

I'm not impressed.
This place will crash as a Wyndham. Who stays at Wyndhams anyway? If I would've been a Starwood associate and would now be a Wyndham employee, I would be looking for a job elsewhere.

Greetings:

Has something happened to the Sheraton in Portland Miane, I could not get it to show up?????:confused:

Thanks...........

Tom --

It's long gone now. The hotel reflagged as the Wyndham S Portland Hotel some months back.

The only remaining Starwood property in the state is the mediocre 4 Points in Bangor.

The closest Starwood property to Portland is the solid Sheraton Portsmouth NH.